Let’s be honest, being gluten-free in Denver can feel like a part-time job. You’re side-eyeing every menu, interrogating waiters like you’re in an FBI sting, and praying you don’t get glutened 20 minutes before your Pilates class.
Been there. Don’t recommend.
As someone who travels a lot and has the gut to prove it, I’m not messing around with half-baked “gluten-friendly” nonsense. Whether you have celiac disease, are gluten- intolerant, or are just done with feeling like a puffy croissant, these places are vetted and taste tested.
Here’s where I’d actually send a friend:
🥐 Just BE Kitchen (LoHi & Boulder) – 100% GF and All Vibes
Rating: 4.6 ★
Vibe: Whole30 meets brunch goddess meets “I can eat everything here???” shock
What to Order:
- Cinnamon roll (yes, it’s GF and fluffy)
- Chicken & dumplings
- Breakfast burrito if you need to feel held
Why I love it: Fully gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-optional, no cross-contam fear. The staff gets it. You’ll sit next to everyone from Lululemon moms to hungover tech bros. Safe and delicious.
🥨 Blue Hummingbird GF Foods – Bready Heaven
Rati Rating: 4.7 ★
Vibe: A little hidden, a lot of wow. No frills, all flavor.
What to Order:
- Soft pretzel bites
- Sourdough (stock up and freeze)
- Chocolate donuts or cinnamon rolls if you’re PMS-ing
Why it matters: This is a dedicated gluten-free bakery. They ship. They stock restaurants. They’re the plug. The texture will make you double-check the ingredients.
🍳 Rivers and Roads Coffee – GF Café Goals
Rat Rating: 4.6 ★
Vibe: Cozy-chic, light-filled, and the kind of place where you’ll “accidentally” stay two hours.
What to Order:
- Lemon donut holes
- Breakfast fries with a runny egg on top
- Banana muffin with a dirty chai on the side
What’s cool: Celiac-safe, they use a dedicated fryer, and they bake fresh. Sit with your laptop or your thoughts. Either way, your gut will thank you.
🍣 Bamboo Sushi (LoHi & Cherry Creek) – For Fancy Fish Moods
Ra Rating: 4.6 ★
Vibe: First date. Birthday dinner. Catch-up with your glam friend who drinks sake.
What to Order:
- GF-marked sushi rolls (they have a separate menu)
- Miso soup
- GF soy sauce without begging
Good to know: Not dedicated gluten-free, but staff is trained and they take it seriously. The atmosphere is stylish but not try-hard.
🍗 Acova – Elevated Comfort Food with a Side of Chill
R Rating: 4.4 ★
Vibe: Feels like the kind of place you find accidentally and then gatekeep
What to Order:
- Fried chicken (yes, it’s GF and crispy AF)
- Fish & chips (they have a dedicated fryer)
- Havana panini with GF bread
Truth bomb: They don’t use any wheat flour in the kitchen. Zero. None. And yet, you’ll forget it’s gluten-free halfway through your meal.
🧘♀️ Vital Root – Plant-Based But Still Tasty
Ratin Rating: 4.5 ★
Vibe: West Coast energy. Low-key bougie. Your chakras will feel aligned.
What to Order:
- Yuca fries
- Falafel wrap
- Cauliflower wings
- GF pad Thai if it’s brunch
Note: Everything is either gluten-free or modifiable. Staff will walk you through it like a menu whisperer.
🍻 The Hornet – GF Dive Vibes with Good Food
R Rating: 4.4 ★
Vibe: Casual, lively, good drinks, and they know how to talk gluten-free.
What to Order:
- Anything fried (they use a separate fryer)
- House burger with GF bun
- House cocktails
Why I added it: Not gluten-free-exclusive, but super aware. Waitstaff doesn’t blink when you say “celiac.” If you want to have a “normal night out” but still eat safely, this is the spot.
🛫 Bonus Tips from a Flight Attendant with a Sensitive Gut
- Call ahead. Always. Even if it’s on the menu, ask how they prep it.
- Look for dedicated fryers and gluten-free kitchens, not just “gluten-friendly” notes.
- Pack your own bread. Some restaurants will toast it for you.
- Denver is dry. Bring water and electrolytes if you’re trying new spots.
- If you find a hidden gem? Tell me. Not the whole internet. 😉
