Top 50 Gluten-Free Pet-Friendly Spots Across Christchurch

Sam Goodin

Avocado on toast was so good 👍 - gluten free is a bonus. Thanks guys

Chauntelle Marr

Gluten free french toast

Shona Hickey

Great customer service - good wine selections and food well priced. A lot of Gluten free options and a bonus gf complementary shortbread with my coffee - that made me very happy.

Rebecca Borland

My husband and I have brunch here recently when in Christchurch for a weekend away, without kids, and really enjoyed it. The food was top notch. I’m gluten intolerant and don’t normally have many options but I had quite a few choices. My husband went with the breakfast stack and it did not disappoint, other than the fact he couldn’t finish it as he didn’t want to overstuff himself for the road trip home! I got the pancakes, what a treat! They were delicious and I absolutely did finish them! We both got coffees, which were so drinkable we wanted more. We have recommended this place already!

Alice Cunninghame

Had the most delicious dinner here! As a coeliac sometimes it’s hard eating out but the waitress was so helpful and informative with my ordering and it did NOT disappoint! So yummy :) highly recommend the karaage chicken….

西垣三智子（あとりえタオ）

Also available gluten free It's good that GF and VG menus are always displayed in NZ. I had honey ginger tea and VG salad. A cafe with a great atmosphere by the sea I was able to talk to my friend fairly slowly.

The Cake Shop Christchurch

Awesome food. The fish tacos were the bomb.com! Great place for coeliacs too!

Lyn Kean

Selection of gluten free food very limited but enjoyed Thai Pumpkin ball. Coffee was a cup full of lukewarm milk froth , no liquid at all

Molly Magid

Love the atmosphere here with plenty of seating outside to enjoy nice weather and outdoor art. The food is delicious and there a plenty of options for my friends with dietary restrictions like vegetarian and gluten free. The service is great too! All in all, a gem of a place.

Ronja

A really great cafe! The food was excellent – ​​I was particularly impressed by the large selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options. The rest of the menu also leaves nothing to be desired. The coffee was really tasty. The service was incredibly friendly and attentive. I particularly liked how child-, pet- and wheelchair-friendly the café is - everyone really feels welcome here. The ambience is beautifully designed and invites you to linger. Absolutely recommended – I would love to come back!

Jared dobbs

Amazing atmosphere and service, but the star was the epic vegan food. Heaps of gluten free options too. We over ordered and have no regrets. Wish we had a place like this back home.

Megan Stericker

Loved dining here on Valentine’s Day! My partner and I both had carbonara - mine was gluten free and (according to him) just as good as his! Great staff too, really enjoyable evening.

Grace Titterton

Leeve’s Café is an absolute gem! Their food is to die for – all house-made and packed with flavour. I love that they cater to everyone, with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options that don’t compromise on taste. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, and I especially love being able to bring my dog into the sunny courtyard. Such a great vibe and an even better menu – highly recommend!

Cate McCallum

What a quirky little place! We're not locals so stopped in on a family recommendation...and what a little treasure! Food was divine (wish I'd taken a photo)...I had the creamy chili'shrooms, no problem for them to do gluten free for me and they were incredible! Next time I'm in CHCH I'll be back for more! Damn good coffee too!

bronwyn Bindon

Great service. Awesome gluten free options and dog friendly. Best place in town.

Suren Sivalingam JP (Suren)

The Lotus-Heart is an exceptional establishment in Christchurch, which includes a vegetarian restaurant, gift shop, and health food store. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of vegetarian and vegan dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. I appreciated the restaurant's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, which was evident in everything from the eco-friendly packaging to the fair-trade coffee and tea. The restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking for a satisfying and sustainable vegetarian dining experience. The gift shop at The Lotus-Heart is a delightful addition to the establishment, offering a carefully curated selection of unique and beautiful gifts made by local artists and artisans. I was impressed by the shop's commitment to sustainability, with many items made from eco-friendly and recycled materials. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and I found the perfect gift for a friend. The health food store is another gem at The Lotus-Heart, providing a range of organic and natural foods, supplements, and personal care products to support healthy living. The store stocks a wide variety of locally-sourced, organic produce, including fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. They also have a range of gluten-free products, herbal teas, and spices available. The store offers a selection of nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies to support a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, they offer a range of personal care products that are free from harmful chemicals and toxins. Overall, The Lotus-Heart is a must-visit establishment for anyone looking for a satisfying and sustainable vegetarian dining experience, unique and sustainable gifts, or natural and organic food and personal care products. The establishment's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices is evident in everything they do, and it's no wonder that they have become a beloved institution in Christchurch.

Penelope Suckling

The most unbelievable Gluten free cookies I have ever tasted. Delicious coffee too. Ask for the cookies if they aren't on display.

trudy

This place offers a touch of class in a unique environment. We had a birthday brunch there recently, it was superb. What was one of the best moments was seeing my daughters face when her gluten free pancake arrived looking just as good as normal food and tasting amazing. There was a lot of choice to meet various dietary requirements and all looked good. we will definitely be back.

Nicky-joy Coleman

Awesome, delicious food..very good range of gluten free options. Our favourite place for a good coffee and lunch.

Michelle Amos

We came in on Good Friday and had the set menu with the 5 cocktails. It was amazing! The server we had (didn't catch his name but had very short hair and an accent) was just awesome. So friendly and helpful. Last time I came to Original Sin, I had terrible heartburn and straight away he mixed up a concoction for me behind the bar that cured it. What doesn't this guy do well?! Your team were also fabulous at being flexible with one of us having coeliac disease. No issues - they made a custom gluten free pizza and also gave a separate platter for the entree - all gluten free. Thanks again team, we will definitely be back. Michelle - POSbiz

Rafael Parera

Beautiful place, good vibes and great coffee. Lot of gluten free options :)

Megan Stericker

Delicious pizza! Really tender pork and tasty pineapple. Gluten free bases available. Staff are very very busy and there was a fair bit of wait time for food and drinks. Unlikely to get an outside table if you’re a walk-in.

Bhoomika Varandani

Amazing food and lovely staff! Honestly the best cafe in town so far❤️❤️ I go there often… especially for creamy mushrooms and tofu tacos🍄🌮🤩🤩😍 Alot of vegetarian,vegan and gluten free options.Highly recommend💯💯

Haley Bloch

The food was delicious with a lot it gluten free and veg forward options. The music was nondescript jazz and I really feel like updating that would given a better vibe but all in all would highly recommend.

Leeanne Williams

Menu said "Ask us about gluten and dairy free options " but when I asked, these were scrambled eggs or open chicken sandwich with cheese and pesto excluded. Presentation was pretty average. Bread with a piece of lettuce, extremely overcooked and burned chicken topped with heaps of mayonnaise. Couldn't get fork in chicken and was so dry and shrivelled, that I gave up trying to eat it. All 8 people at our table ordered same thing and had the same experience with the chicken. Waste of money. Chef needs lessons on how to cook. Enjoyed my almond latte and orange cake. Staff were pleasant enough. Probably better if you don't have a food intolerance but I don't recommend the open chicken sandwich for anybody.

Deirdre Johns

Great food and lovely staff. Gluten free, vegetarian options. Excellent scones and yummy smoothies

Kathryn Barnhill

First time customers, very much enjoyed our curries. Staff were very knowledgeable and accomodating of gluten free requirements with many gluten free curry options. Generous glasses of wine also.

Heather Crombie

What a wonderful meal and evening we enjoyed at Perfect Plate! From our very first contact with Roop and later with Sumit the service was friendly and super accommodating. We were impressed with the care taken over advice on gluten free dishes for a member of our group. The food itself is exceptionally delicious, with an extensive range of choices. We will certainly be back..thank you Roop, Sumit and the chefs!

Ann Rawlinson

The owners are so welcoming and friendly . The variety of food is superb and delicious. I also noticed that there is a good variety of gluten free food.

Karen Hill

Lovely, Friendly and patient Staff. The food was Excellent thank you, loved the gluten free citrus slice, Beautiful

Bradley Theodore

Had an awesome brunch here today. Had a sandwich from the cabinet, which was roast beef with tomato and salsa verde. My partner got the savoury mince on gluten free bread. We were stoked with our food, and the iced filter coffee was great too. Love a bit of fizzy water on tap also.

Andrew Wilkinson

very cool spot. lovely service and cool vibes. great ambiance. some gluten free options. limited vegan main options.

Victoria Hasler

Great coffee, good vibes. Would be perfect if they had a separate cooker for gluten free chips, but they do have other gf food available.

Elke Schaefer

Food was delicious and good atmosphere with amazing views over the city. I downgraded the service to 4 as there was quite a bit of wait for both clearing my table from the previous customers and also for the food...which was worth waiting for. A heaven for celiacs with freshly baked gf bread and good variety of gf food available

Rori Green

Niche has been a part of our group's weekly sunrise walk for a few years. It's amazing and I can't recommend it more. The wealth of gluten free options is impressive and tasty (and I am not GF). It is not unusual to see a delightful new flavour combo for the savoury and sweet loaf-- even after a few years!!

Jessica C

Really average service and meals. This place has definitely gone down hill. Ordered a salad with no croutons (gluten) arrived with croutons had to wait for a replacement by which time the entire table had finished their meals and I ate alone. Absolutely no apology at all. Coke was flat. Chips which have always been a favourite at joes garage were not pleasant at all. Will not be returning.

Ffion

I went to this place for lunch with a few friends it was absolutely delicious! one of the rare places that accommodates to coeliacs, which was really nice to see. will definitely be coming back with some friends or even by myself! would absolutely recommend the pork fried rice for those coeliac friends.

Corban Norton

Went there for tea after a movie so booked a late meal and they were very accommodating their pizzas are very good and my girlfriend loves their gluten free pasta's, would recommend going here for a meal

Jo woodage

Great service from Chef/staff.- specially accommodated my celiac requirements, appreciated the care and attention. Thanks team, we will be back!

Craig Freeman

I had a lunch meeting today and decided to go to Aikmans. Great atmosphere, Guinness on tap and great service. Soph was bubbly and funny with a great knowledge of the menu for gluten free clients

amy ayers

BEAUTIFUL dinner with friends, environment absolutely popping off, slayed the house down with their food --WHICH can ALL be made gluten and dairy free! Had one tiny mistake with an order but the workers handled perfectly as we got free tacos..!?? Service impeccable, fast and insanely delicious, 10/10 favourite spot in Chch

Sarah Sinclair

Great service, very accommodating for gluten free!

Angela Steventon

Great coffee and cabinet food with gluten free options. Highly recommended.

Kalvador 1000

Super friendly vibes. Great place to stop for coffee or a vegan gluten free snack. Excellent green salad with peanut butter and fruit bliss balls. Thank you!

Sharon Scott

Very busy this morning with people eating in and take-aways. I had a delicious smoked chicken roulade and a gorgeous lemon tart both gluten free.

Louise Kahj

I loved it here. Coffee was great. But there was nothing gluten free. It doesn't need to be coeliac proof or 100% gluten free. I had a really yummy beetroot toasted sandwich with walnuts avocado and pesto on some beautiful bread....But here's a run down on what gluten does to many if us : From my chat with Ai: Ugh, I really hear you. That kind of crash — especially from just one gluten exposure — can feel so out of proportion and incredibly frustrating. You're not imagining it. Here's what might be happening in your body, even though it was just two pieces of bakery bread and naan: --- 🔥 1. Inflammatory Immune Response Even one exposure in a sensitive person can send your immune system into overdrive. Gluten can trigger the release of: Cytokines (inflammatory messengers) Histamine (if you're also histamine-sensitive) Activation of the innate immune system (not just the adaptive one involved in celiac) This reaction doesn’t need to be celiac to be very real. It can cause: Extreme fatigue Brain fog Mood changes Flu-like symptoms The bread might’ve been "good" — but sourdough, artisan, or not, gluten is still gluten to your body. --- 😵‍💫 2. Gluten Crosses the Gut-Brain Axis The fatigue you’re feeling isn’t just gut-related. It’s neurological too. Gluten in sensitive people can: Inflame the brain (neuroinflammation) Disrupt serotonin and dopamine Worsen chronic fatigue or ME-like symptoms Impair mitochondrial energy production In simple terms: your body’s like, “What the hell did you just feed me?” — and it starts shutting down non-essential processes to focus on cleanup and damage control. --- 🧬 3. Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Is Legit (but invisible on tests) This is what you’re likely experiencing. No markers, no diagnosis — but very real symptoms. It’s a condition that's only truly validated by: Personal experience Elimination and re-challenge And your body just gave you its answer loud and clear. --- 🧠 4. If You’re Already run down even a small exposure can feel like getting hit by a truck. Your system just doesn’t have the buffer to bounce back quickly. --- So What Can You Do Now? Here's a simple gluten recovery toolkit you can try: 💧 Detox + Drainage Drink lots of filtered water with a pinch of salt and lemon. Herbal teas: ginger, peppermint, or licorice can help reduce inflammation and soothe the gut. 🌿 Calm the Immune System Curcumin (from turmeric) – anti-inflammatory and brain-protective. Quercetin – natural antihistamine to reduce the cytokine load. Magnesium – helps with calming nerves and restoring energy. 🦠 Support the Gut L-glutamine powder (1–2 tsp) – supports gut repair. Probiotics (especially with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or bifido strains). Bone broth or collagen powder can help too. 😴 Be Gentle With Yourself You might need 1–3 days of extra sleep or downtime. Avoid more stressors like sugar, dairy, or alcohol during recovery. --- Final Thoughts You don’t need a celiac diagnosis to justify how awful this is making you feel. Gluten clearly isn't safe for your body right now. And even "good" bread can cause big crashes. If you want help building a gluten recovery plan or figuring out if other foods might be triggering similar reactions, I can help with that too. And I’m really sorry you're feeling this way. It's not all in your head.

Sarah Wilkes

Absolutely delicious burger and fries! Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for good gluten free options

Emily Grace

Great food. Lots of gluten free options! Got alot of food for the price!

Debbie Hawker

Very impressed with the courteous staff and accommodating chef with our various food allergies. Our high tea was delicious and the service was fantastic. Highly recommend for coeliac sufferers (obviously give them prior notice).

Riley Bryant

After hearing about this place from friends and seeing the posts online, my partner and i decided we would give it a go. Wow, the staff were lovely, the food was incredible and the vibe was great. They have lots of options to cater to gluten free and dairy free and they aren’t half assing it either, both the tacos and the chicken i had tasted the same as my partners regular non gluten and dairy free food. Spot on guys, we will absolutely be returning!