Gluten-free restaurants can be hit or miss, but these five are worth a visit.
Madison has many gluten-free restaurants and cafes, so why do they feel so hard to find? As a student with dietary restrictions, I find it difficult to locate places to eat close to campus. Going off to college is never easy, but not being able to find something to eat makes it even harder. From coffee shops to restaurants, here are my favorite gluten-free places so far, along with my recommendations on what to order.
My first pick is The Madison Chocolate Company, located at 729 Glenway St. This cafe has amazing gluten-free pastries, all made in a celiac-friendly kitchen. The atmosphere is calm but bright, and if you need to catch up on schoolwork, it is the perfect place. If you stop by, you have to try the triple chocolate muffins and a sea salt caramel latte.
Lucille Madison is an upbeat restaurant right next to the Capitol at 101 King St. Its menu offers a wide range of foods like wood-fired pizza, steel-pan nachos and flourless brownies. I would recommend trying one of their bowls, which are flavorful and fresh. The menu is well labeled, and the staff is good about allergies and limiting cross-contact. The restaurant offers outdoor seating with a view of the lake, and if you go on a Wednesday night, you can catch a live jazz performance while you eat.
The Everly at 2701 Monroe St. is the perfect place to go if you are looking for a more upscale restaurant. The menu is clearly labeled for allergies, and the gluten-free options are extensive. All of their food is delicious, but the appetizers are on another level, especially the Buffalo chicken wings. They also have a gluten-free fish fry on Fridays!
The Nitty Gritty at 223 N Frances St. is a staple of UW Madison for a reason. It has a separate gluten-free menu with many options and a dedicated fryer. If you’re looking for comfort food, you can’t go wrong with the roasted garlic burger, fries and a chocolate shake. The atmosphere is welcoming and the staff is very friendly. It’s the perfect place to go on game day or after a night out.
My final recommendation is Ice Cream Social at 2421 University Ave. Ice Cream Social is a 100% gluten-free ice cream shop with creative and delicious flavors. The business has been dedicated to giving back to the community since it started and raises funds for a variety of social causes. If you decide to visit, I would recommend a scoop of either the browned butter or caramelodramatic ice cream in one of their gluten-free waffle cones.
All of these places are within a 20-minute bus ride from most places on campus, so next time you’re looking for somewhere to eat, check one of them out. If you are gluten-free, I hope this makes finding something safe to eat a little easier, and if you’re not gluten-free, these restaurants won’t disappoint.