Gluten-Free Dining in St. Pete/Clearwater

With three locations in St. Pete, Casita Taqueria has grown into a favorite destination for locals looking to avoid gluten. The restaurant’s corn tortillas have a “pinch” of all-purpose flour and thus aren’t gluten free, but its rice, beans and salads are all safe choices. Try a Casita Bowl with your choice of meat, veggies, beans, rice and scrumptious toppings.

2663 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-498-8749; 2701 4th St. N., St. Pete, 727-498-6743; 2991 66th St. N., St. Pete, 727-800-5469

Offering upscale casual dining just across from the St. Pete Pier and picturesque waterfront, Cassis serves a delicious assortment of gluten-free options on its brunch, lunch and dinner menus. For brunch, tuck into the savory Smoked Salmon and Baby Arugula Omelet, embellished with lemon-pepper sour cream. Savor a leisurely lunch, starting with a shareable trio of dips served with potato chips and veggies, then dive into the Warm Lentil and Soppressata salad with shaved Parmesan and tangy lemon vinaigrette. The dinner menu also boasts plenty of gluten-free choices, including a decadent Maple Leaf Farms duck breast served with butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, jalapeño cornbread and a red cherry reduction.

170 Beach Dr., St. Pete, 727-827-2927

Take a trip to the Iberian peninsula without leaving St. Pete on a visit to Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, where most of the items on its seafood-focused menu are gluten-free. The restaurant has been a staple in the area for more than two decades. In 2021, Ceviche moved to its current location, with its tall ceilings and nautical accents. Share a pitcher of sangria with friends and sample some of the many fresh and flavorful ceviches, such as Snapper Crudo flavored with citrus, ginger and garlic, or Beetroot Cured Salmon, dressed with pickled cucumber, smoked crème fraiche, passionfruit and orange.

332 Beach Dr. NE, St. Pete, 727-209-2299

“Slaying gluten on the daily” is the mission at Craft Kafé, a fully gluten-free bakery/café with two St. Pete locations. “We don’t use gluten because we believe we can do a great job without it,” the eatery proclaims, noting that it stone mills organic sorghum and organic basmati brown and white rice, and makes its own almond flour, chickpea flour and other varieties to keep its kitchen free from gluten while crafting a tasty menu of salads, sandwiches, baked goods and coffee drinks.

200 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-256-8587; 6653 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-914-7443
 

Explore the fresh and festive flavors of the Caribbean Rim at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, which has two St. Pete locations, including one on the St. Pete Pier. The lunch-and-dinner spot has a lengthy gluten-free menu (to be safe, tell the server that you’re ordering GF dishes). Start your meal with a soul-warming conch chowder or a shareable seared tuna appetizer before enjoying a hearty entrée such as the new Achiote Redfish Bowl or Sauteed Grouper served atop a colorful mix of quinoa, Jasmine rice, arugula, red peppers and yellow squash.

610 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete, 727-857-8118; 8790 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Pete, 727-290-9578
 

Named for a 1920s term for a cocktail, Gigglewaters Social Club & Screening Room is a one-screen movie theater, restaurant and bar in downtown Safety Harbor. Guests can order from a menu of comfort-food classics to enjoy in the dining room or in the 32-seat theater, which shows classic movies. The restaurant features a gluten-friendly menu of appetizers, burgers, hot dogs and salads. Share a cheesy Frito Pie, then opt for a bacon-wrapped Reservoir Dog or crispy Southern Fried Chicken Salad.

737 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-669-7077

Good Intentions opened last fall, courtesy of the team behind several vegan restaurants in Tampa Bay. The new plant-based restaurant produces wheat-based seitan in-house, so it’s not a gluten-free kitchen, but it does serve a variety of creative gluten-friendly dishes. The local, seasonal menu includes such GF choices as Crab Fries (made with shredded hearts of palm and jackfruit), spicy Buffalo Tempeh, and Grits & Greens with creamy grits, plant-based sausage etouffee and kale.

1900 1st Ave. S., St. Pete, 727-280-6068

Created as an oasis for people with dietary restrictions, HaleLife Bakery is an entirely gluten-free and vegan bakery that also avoids soy, peanuts and tree nuts. No worries – those limits don’t dampen the bakery’s creativity and playfulness. HaleLife offers up a rotating roster of monthly specials including the sunflower butter-infused Reese’s Donut, Chocolate Lava Brownie and savory Stuffed Cheesy Garlic Bites.

205 1st St. N., St. Pete; 3351 Tech Dr. N., Suite 13, Clearwater; 727-265-3372 (both locations)

If you have a sweet tooth that’s looking to chill, head to Haze Ice Cream in Madeira Beach. In a refreshing twist for folks looking to avoid gluten, Haze’s menu lists when an item contains gluten, rather than when it’s gluten free. That means the majority of Haze’s flavors are free from gluten, including classics such as vanilla, chocolate and chocolate chip, as well as more-inventive flavors including brown sugar sour cream, peanut butter & jelly, and cotton candy. You’ll even find an assortment of alcohol-infused ice cream options.

15231 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, 727-386-9121

Since 2005, Pia’s Trattoria has been delivering a cozy, romantic slice of Italy in offbeat Gulfport. Pia’s offers gluten-free bread with its entrees, and gluten-free pasta can be subbed in any dish. Sit out under the twinkling lights of the patio on a balmy evening and tuck into a satisfying bowl of Spaghetti Pomodoro or Shrimp Scampi. At lunch, share an antipasti platter or a soul-warming bowl of fresh mussels.

3054 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-327-2190

A pizza craving can be tough to indulge if you’re avoiding gluten, but artisan pizza shop Slyce, which has three locations, will make any of its pizzas with a cauliflower or gluten-free crust. Choose a build-your-own pizza option, or opt for a chef-created pie such as the Pear a Dice (pears, gorgonzola and prosciutto), the Truffle Shuffle (gourmet mushrooms and truffle oil) or the Cuban (loaded with pork, ham, salami and cheese).

311 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-408-5272; 6340 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-353-3181; 662 150th Ave., Madeira Beach, 727-308-7881