• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Cathy's Gluten Free logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Start Here!
    • How My Skin Cleared Up
    • Gluten Free Guidance
  • Meet Cathy
×

Home » Travel

Published: Oct 24, 2019 · Modified: Nov 21, 2019 by Cathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Home » Travel

Restaurants in Pensacola, Florida, with Gluten Free Food

We've just returned from a lovely trip to visit family in Pensacola, Florida, where I enjoyed great gluten free dining in several restaurants. I always like to get to the beach and also spend some time downtown when we go. Pensacola Beach was awarded the Best Florida Beach by the Peoples' Choice Awards last year!

It's encouraging to watch the downtown core improve year after year from what it was when we first visited. Old buildings have been renovated, new shops and restaurants keep opening, and now there's lots of new construction going on. The beach area has been completely rebuilt since the destruction of Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

waterfront sidewalk with railing, near the restaurants in Pensacola Florida
PIN TO SAVE

Other Florida Vacations

Last year, after visiting Pensacola, we drove on to St. Augustine and then down to Fort Lauderdale for a cruise.

Restaurants in Pensacola, Florida

We like to vacation in Pensacola, Florida, and enjoy dining out. The revitalized downtown core is home to several great eating spots. Others are on the beach or scattered throughout the city.

Nom

lime green umbrella and green cafe table and chairs in front of Nom, one of the restaurants in Pensacola Florida
Nom Sushi Izakaya

Nom Sushi Izakaya in Pensacola is one of my favourite places. My son and his wife took us here for an early Mother’s Day dinner one year while we were in town. I tend to avoid Asian restaurants if I'm not confident they can provide me with safe, gluten free food. One never knows where soy sauce may be lurking! So when I can eat Asian food comfortably, it's an extra-special treat!

This restaurant serves a variety of delicious, fresh sushi, izakaya (small plates to share), and ramen (house-made noodles and broth). The menu conveniently identifies gluten free items.  Because  our server had learned that I was gluten free and the four of us were sharing an appetizer, she immediately brought me my own little pot of gluten free tamari sauce and served the soy reduction for the others on the side. Charlie and I shared the Four Ten, Graffiti Bridge, and a Steelhead Roll. All were delicious!

Khon

lettuce, shrimp, sprouts, carrot slivers, and sauce on white plate of Khon, one of the restaurants in Pensacola Florida
Lettuce Wraps at Khon's

Just down the street from Nom's is Khon's, a southeast Asian restaurant established in 2014. For an appetizer, I had Lettuce Wraps to share. Both it and my Panang Curry entree were very good. Charlie said that the Ramen Pad Thai was delicious, although it is NOT gluten free.

George Bistro + Bar

salmon on kale salad with butternut squash and white cheese
Quinoa Kale Salad at George's

We’ve eaten at George Bistro + Bar several times, even since it was George Artisan Bakery & Bistro, and are always happy to go back. They've changed location and focus, but the ambiance, food, and service are always top notch. The servers seem to be quite knowledgeable about which dishes are gluten free and which are not. On this most recent visit, I enjoyed the quinoa kale special salad with salmon.

Saltgrass Steak House

Saltgrass Steak House is also located in Pensacola. It’s one of a chain with several restaurants in a number of western states. We went for dinner one evening with a party of six.

Drawn by the photo of meaty ribs slathered in beautiful red barbecue sauce, I asked our server if the BBQ Baby Back Ribs would be gluten free. (Barbecue without a bun is usually a safe GF choice in the South.) The server was uncertain about gluten issues, so he checked with the kitchen. After he reported that the ribs would be fine, I placed my order. When my ribs arrived without the BBQ sauce, I questioned him. He then informed me that the ribs were only gluten free WITHOUT the sauce. I would have ordered something else had I known!

Nevertheless, the ribs were tender and meaty, and I didn’t experience a gluten reaction. Everyone else at our table seemed to enjoy their meals.

Red Fish Blue Fish

red and blue patio umbrellas on beach
Waterfront Dining at Red Fish Blue Fish

We enjoy lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish out on Pensacola Beach. One of the best things about eating there is the open, waterfront view. You’re actually eating on the beach. There are several gluten free options available. On our most recent trip, I had fish with rice, asparagus, and a pineapple salsa.

fish, rice, and asparagus with pineapple salsa on blue plate
Fish, Rice, and Asparagus with Pineapple Salsa

Native Cafe

collage of exterior of Native Cafe with yellow awning and plated food
Beach Salad with Chicken and Raspberry Vinaigrette at the Native Cafe

Also in Pensacola Beach is the Native Cafe. Open for breakfast and lunch, Native Cafe serves lots of burgers, sandwiches, and tacos, any of which they would be happy to serve without a bun. It's been awhile since we ate there, but when we did, our server seemed to be quite aware of the needs of the gluten intolerant. I chose Beach Salad with Chicken and Raspberry Vinaigrette. Without my asking, he brought the generous portion of included shredded cheese in a bowl on the side. My salad was delicious!

Sage

Besides the restaurants in Pensacola, Florida, we have explored the areas a little further out. One day, we took a drive to nearby Fairhope, Alabama, an adorable town with excellent shopping. Thanks to our daughter-in-law’s advance research, we enjoyed lunch in Sage, a cafe with amazing Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine.

collage of exterior of Sage restaurant and plate of food
Beef over Rice at Sage

Our server at Sage was excellent. My Beef over Rice, marinated beef shawarma steak served over yellow rice, was delicious! I highly recommend Sage!

All in all, I’m thrilled to have successfully navigated eating out in and around Pensacola without a gluten reaction!

What are your favourite restaurants for gluten free food? Do you know of any totally gluten free restaurants?

I have no connection with any of the restaurants mentioned in this article and earn nothing for promoting them. We paid for our own meals. I'm simply sharing my experiences with you.

Save or share this post:

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Twitter

More Travel

  • side of cruise ship on blue water with palm trees and vacation building in background
    We Went on Our First Cruise!
  • a brown build with manicured hedges
    Gluten Free in St. Augustine

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I'm Cathy, developer of delicious, nutritious gluten free recipes, simplified for creating at home.

CathysGlutenFree.com

As featured in...

logos for Country Living, Foodgawker, Yummly, and A Canadian Celiac Podcast

Spring Recipes

  • fork lifting sliced scalloped potatoes from white casserole dish dripping with melted cheese
    Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes
  • green asparagus spears laid out on a parchment-lined pan.
    Roasted Asparagus
  • raspberries and blackberries nestled into whipped cream on a meringue base
    Mini Pavlova Recipe
  • slice of gluten free lemon cake with lemon curd filling and cream cheese frosting on white plate garnished with raspberries and blueberries
    Gluten Free Lemon Cake Recipe

Categories

  • Breakfast
  • Breads
  • Salad Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • Cookies and Snacks
Elimination Diet Meal Plan

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Meet Cathy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 CathysGlutenFree, all rights reserved