Where to Go Gluten-Free in Brisbane

Specifying you’re gluten-intolerant would’ve once gotten you a healthy eye-roll from Brisbane waitstaff. But by 2019 the options are endless. From doughnuts and brownies to burgers and fish and chips, these are the gluten-dodging joints you need to visit next time you’re in the Queensland capital.

Nodo Donuts

Many Brisbane locals say Nodo’s doughnuts are the best in town, and that’s before you factor in that they’re gluten-free. Purists might scoff at these baked rings, but they’re a lighter, more luscious confection than a traditional doughnut – Nodo’s most decadent creations almost pass for miniature cakes. The handsome little Newstead cafe also boasts an all-day menu featuring a bunch of gluten-free options.

1 Ella Street, Newstead; 0410 680 223

I Heart Brownies

I Heart Brownies commands such a presence in Brisbane with its retro pink uniforms and storefronts, it’s easy to forget the prized, heart-shaped pucks around which the business revolves are entirely gluten-free. They’re just the start, with dairy-free brownies and sundaes also available. Head to the stall in the Wintergarden if you’re in town; otherwise, the Bowen Hills bakery is on the way to the airport if you need a souvenir or six.

17 Hamilton Place, Bowen Hills; 0411 311 519 // Ground Level, Queen Street Mall, Wintergarden; no phone

Dovetail on Overend

A largely al fresco operation operating out of the side entrance of a sleepy Norman Park shopfront, Dovetail on Overend is an unlikely south-side mecca for Brisbane’s gluten-free breakfast crowd. Everything here is designed to be coeliac-friendly, from the grilled eggplant and baked eggs right down to the baked doughnuts you often find on the front counter. A classic Brisbane suburban dining experience, it’s worth the short drive from the city.

85 Overend Street, Norman Park; 0435 224 407

Mons Ban Sabai Thai

The Venzin family owns a bunch of classy eateries throughout Brisbane, all of which offer extensive gluten-free and vegetarian options. Mons Ban Sabai Thai, the family’s award-winning Thai restaurant, is the best, with the majority of its curries, stir-fries and rice dishes designed with gluten-intolerants in mind. On a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it strip in beautiful Camp Hill, it’s well worth the 10 minute trip from the city.

12 Martha Street, Camp Hill; (07) 3843 5366

Chu the Phat

Chu the Phat has been the bold, brightly lit cornerstone of South Brisbane gentrification since opening in mid-2017. Diners come for pan-Asian street food, with an entire menu dedicated to gluten-free options: think fried chicken wings, stir-fried Cape Grim beef with garlic shoots and pork and kim chi stew. Coeliacs should try the Chu crew’s riverside cousin, Madame Wu, if they’re after something with more of a fine-dining edge.

109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane; (07) 3255 2075

Miss Bliss Whole Foods Kitchen

A favoured breakfast spot among ultra-hip West End Locals, just about everything on the Miss Bliss menu is either gluten-free or gluten-free optional. Besides, owner Jacquie Toumbas has a background in nutrition so you know dishes such as House Hazelnut and Ginger Granola or Bliss Bowl with chickpea tempeh and cumin carrot hummus are legit. The charming old shop with its tongue and groove walls and spacious back deck goes well too.

85 Vulture Street, West End; (07) 3844 3208

Betty’s Burgers

Noosa’s best naked burger finally blew into Brisbane in the middle of 2017. While a bunch of operators around town will grudgingly sub their burger buns for lettuce cups, Betty’s uses soft and relatively dry cos leaves that are easy to handle (no knife and fork required) and don’t detract from the patties or the shop’s prized special sauce. There are two locations – the breezy outlet at the swank Haven development in Newstead is best.

4A/63 Skyring Terrace, Newstead; (07) 3257 1891

Pizzeria Violetta

There’s a heap of exceptional Neapolitan pizza in Brisbane but Pizzeria Violetta sets itself apart with its gluten-free options. The menu leans on classics such as margherita, capricciosa and primavera, and you can kick the meal off with some bresaola or fried calamari. The original Violetta in Kenmore is best, but there are outlets in Paddington and Wilston if you want to stick closer to town.

10 Wongabel Street, Kenmore; 0401 579 199

The Fishmonger’s Wife

The Fishmonger’s Wife was doing highbrow fish and chips well before it became fashionable. It’s continued to shift the goalposts too, acquiring a flash new shop in fancy Hawthorne and offering an extensive menu for coeliacs. The crisply-battered fish and chips are prepped in their own gluten-free fryer but you can also keep it classy with Moroccan-grilled barra or snapper served on Thai salad, with rice available instead of chips. There’s even a gluten-free beer special that changes week-to-week.

48 Orchard Street, Hawthorne; (07) 3899 5873