Gluten-Free Holiday Dining in Atlanta

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is upon us, and while we are busy buying gifts and running errands we mustn’t forget about the food. Copious amounts of food will be enjoyed in restaurants and at parties, which can be incredibly stressful for those following a gluten-free diet. Thankfully, we live in Atlanta where there are many restaurants and bakeries with knowledge and options.

If you are looking for gluten-free baked goods, then look no further than Atlanta’s five dedicated gluten-free bakeries. Their holiday-themed offerings include:

American Gra-Frutti is offering Fruit Cake in three flavors, Fruit Cake Cookies, Holiday Cakes (think Rum Cake), and more.
Gluten Free Cutie is offering Chocolate Cream Pie, Gingerbread and Sugar Cookies, Cranberry Orange Bread, Peppermint Bark Cake Pops, and Peppermint Bark Cupcakes for the Holidays.
Good Karma Coffee have released their Holiday order form. They are offering large loaves of bread in banana, pumpkin, chai tea, cranberry orange, and gingerbread, pumpkin and apple pies, and cookies
Pure Knead is offering gluten-free Cookie Mix Jars in Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin. These festive cookie jars makes 24 cookies and are available for purchase from: Return to Eden, Simply Fresh Market, The Mercantile, and all Piece of Cake locations. They make a great gift on their own, or you can dress it up by adding a basket filled with pot holders, a spatula, and a festive apron. They also offer 2-layer, frosted cakes in chocolate and vanilla at all Piece of Cake locations.
Sally’s Gluten Free Bakery have just launched their Holiday menu and it includes: Sweet Potato Crumb Cake, Hummingbird Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Cornbread, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Buckle Cake, and Yeast Dinner Rolls. Contact them directly to place a pre-order.

If you want to dine out then you have your pick of local restaurants with gluten-free menus and options. For more upscale choices, consider visiting:

European, Italian, Seafood, Southern with a twist, and Mexican cuisine can be found at the Fifth Group’s family of restaurants (Ecco, La Tavola, Lure, South City Kitchen, and The Original El Taco). They all l have full gluten-free menus and such diverse cuisine.
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse offers a gluten-free menu that starts with appetizers, salads, gluten-free pasta, entrees, and desserts. I am partial to their vegetable paella, pasta dishes, Maine lobster, steaks, and seafood.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar’s gluten-free menu includes appetizers such as tenderloin carpaccio and Cajun barbecue shrimp, and soups, Dinner entrees include steaks, and seafood to round out this full gluten-free menu.
Four Seasons Atlanta pays incredible attention to detail when it come to the gluten-free diet. They offer gluten-free tea service complete with homemade scones, desserts and sandwiches on gluten-free bread. Their lunch and dinner menus have many gluten-free options and steps are taken to modify any part of a dish to make it safe.

For more casual choices, consider:

Cardamom Hill’s Indian cuisine is influenced by some of Chef Asha’s childhood favorites and family recipes, but with a modern twist. Their famous gluten-free Kerala style chicken made with Springer Mountain Farms chicken, salads, vegetables, and don’t forget the chai tea are all gluten-free and have a nice punch of flavor (not spicy) with layers of traditional Indian spices.
Leon’s Full Service in Decatur has a separate gluten-free menu with many salads, small plates, snacks, and entrees from which to choose. To me, their most popular offering is their pub frites with more than 10 dipping sauces. They also have a great selection of wines and mixed drinks.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room has a gluten-free menu and it is the one place you must dine when in Atlanta. It has been around for more than 60 years and it is an institution to Southern cuisine. Their gluten-free offerings include rather large portion sizes of: vegetables, meats, and starches. My favorites are the sautéed chicken livers, collards, green beans, and homemade whipped potatoes.

Atlanta’s gluten-free dining options consider expanding and these restaurants treat the gluten-free consumer to the same experience as their wheat-eating guests. Get out and explore the bounty of cuisines and treat yourself to a holiday meal that you and your guests will enjoy.

About Jennifer Harris

After being diagnosed with celiac disease 15 years ago, Jennifer has turned her diagnosis into a rewarding career that gives her the opportunity to help the newly diagnosed. She owns her own consulting company where she provides consulting for local businesses. Her clients include: Bantam + Biddy, Erbert & Gerbert’s, Farm Burger, Fox’s Pizza Den, Frannie’s Gluten Free, Pure Knead, Sprig Restaurant, and YEAH! Burger. Jennifer has been interviewed and quoted in numerous articles and by media outlets, such as: Cook Bliss, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN, Atlanta Parent Magazine, The Associated Press, and Georgia Public Broadcasting.