If gluten's a major dealbreaker for you or wheat makes your stomach churn, then do I have the list for you. From gluten free bread that's actually worth eating, to perfectly crispy golden fried food, essential snacking and sweat treats, the local gluten free scene might not yet rival the likes of Copain or Chambelland in Paris, or Aera in Berlin but it's come a helluva long way from the days when I'd request gluten free bread then dutifully brace myself for cardboard.

I've even thrown in a whole section dedicated to gluten free Italian food because I, too, have cried myself to sleep thinking I'd never be able to pasta ever again (yes, I've decided it's a verb and, no, I'm not sorry). Here are the best gluten-free eateries in Auckland, tested by yours truly and my posse of wheat and gluten-intolerants. 

Heads up: if you're have a Coeliac diagnosis, it's always best to call ahead to ensure the eatery is adequately prepared as some eaters are 'no added gluten' rather than approved Coeliac-safe. 

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Jump to: 

• Gluten Free Bread That's Actually Worth Eating 
• Gluten Free Fried Food 
• Gluten Free Italian Food
• Gluten Free Snacks
• Gluten Free Sweet Treats

Gluten Free Bread That's Actually Worth Eating 

Image credit: Turtle: Pizza & Pints | supplied

Finding a worthy gluten free pizza is one thing but hunting down a Detroit-style slab pizza, that's unheard of, until Turtle: Pizza and Pints. The dough is made in-house and was originally omitted from the menu because the crew was adament that it had to taste exactly the same as their regular pizza. Now you can get your mitts on it by the slice for $2 extra. And, goddamn, it's worth every cent. For starters, she's spongey (said nobody about gluten free bread, ever—until now) and tears just like actual bread. When they first launched they did it piled it high with four types of cheese and my life was made but these days I'll take it with whatever they're serving up, with dipping sauce for those crusts, obvs. 

Tempero

352 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD

The day I learned that pāo de queijo or Brazilian cheese bread is naturally gluten free (thanks to tapioca flour), was a very good day indeed. Perhaps only trumped by learning that the folks at Tempero will churn them out by the bowl-ful in exchange for a crisp $20. Snack pretty, paired with one of their spiced-to-your-preference margs and you're in for a great night. 

Gemmayze Street

Shop 16, St Kevin’s Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Poynton Terrace, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Gemmayze St | Instagram

Flatbread was once my white-on-rice—I dunked it, I wrapped it, I topped it full of delicious bits, I used it as a spoon, and otherwise just tore into it with reckless abandon. I loved flatbread so much that for years I couldn't bring myself to go to Gemmayze Street (despite the massive acolades) because I thought the flatbread FOMO might kill me. But it turns out, Gemmayze Street actually make their own gluten free flatbread. I'll repeat: they make their own gluten free flatbread. The only thing left to do? Head there right this minute and pile it high with hummus, babaganouj, and anything else your heart desires. 

Hill House Cafe

Pah Homestead, 72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough, Auckland 

If you've ever been to Hill House and been told the gluten free cheese scones have just run out, it's probably because I was there minutes earlier. Every time I got to Hill House, without fail and no matter how big a food coma I'm already in, I buy a box of scones to take home. Not only were these scones approved by the late Queen, herself, you can pimp them, topping them with everything from slow cooked Neapolitan style beef, to mushroom and an entire serve of eggs benedict. It's the panacea of The Good Life, gluten-free edit.  

Frasers

434 Mount Eden Road, Auckland

Image credit: Frasers | Facebook

When the hankering for corn fritters strikes, there’s only one place to be and that’s Frasers. Substantially sized, pillow and brimming with juicy kernels of corn, the fritters come piled on a bed of spinach and topped with guac, sour cream, and sprouts. They’re a very good time.

Gluten Free Italian Food

BOSSI

10 Commerce Street, Auckland CBD

Truth be told I almost started crying when Executive chef, Shaun Dowling, slid a plate of thick gluten-free focaccia bruschetta studded with cherry tomoto halves across to me. And you bet I lost my sh*t (metaphorically, for once) when the next course was a massive bowl of fettuccine, creamy from being freshly-wound on a hulking great wheel of parmesan. BOSSI's gluten-free focaccia and pasta are handmade next door at Deli di Bossi. The pasta, especially, isn't cheap (not that gluten-free iterations ever are) but for gluten-free Italian that's actually incredible? It's worth it.

Essential Gluten Free Snacking

Wen And Yen

6/32 Constellation Drive, Rosedale, Auckland

Image credit: Wen And Yen | Instagram

Flaky gluten free pies exist and you'll find them at Wen And Yen, along with puffy doughnuts smacked full of filling and their sausage rolls. Fantastically, they also cater to the more complex double dietaries—many of the gluten free treats are also available vegetarian or dairy-free. But if you're a meat-eater (and sick of your inability to eat wheat or gluten resulting in circumstantial veganism) know you can hit here and get your gluten free meat-full fix, too. 

Crave Cafe

6 Morningside Drive, Morningside, Auckland

Image credit: Crave Cafe | supplied

Look, some might say an eggs bene is too big to qualify as a 'snack' but those people are wrong. Crave Cafe's aptly-named Benediction is practically a religious experience. Served on crispy potato hash, the toppings change seasonally but their braised beef cheek's always a hit. 

Small Mercies

7 Mount Eden Road, Grafton, Auckland

Specialising in Korean treats, most of the Small Mercies offering is off-limits to the gluten and wheat-intolerant... Except for their chapssal. The small, chewy balls of glutinous rice flour are fried for the gods then rolled in cinnamon sugar. Truth be told, they could have fit in almost all of the categories but I've popped them into snacking because I love pulling up a colourful pew outside the store and contemplating life while I alternate sips of matcha and bites of these guys. 

ChaBliss

4/177 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland

Keen to kick back in the sun with an ice cold beer, just wish the beer wouldn't trigger a string of digestive discomfort? I feel you. And so does the crew at ChaBliss The tea space has an inventive menu with (at least) 50 shades of tea, one of which is a gluten-free beer tea. It's alcohol-free, too, so you can knock back however many your heart desires and still avoid having to fork out for an uber. 

Gluten Free Fried Food

The Chosen Bun 

3/40 Stonefields Avenue, Stonefields, Auckland

Image credit: The Chosen Bun | Instagram

Buttermilk fried chicken can be yours at The Chosen Bun and it’s everything you want it to be. Get it bunned up in The Plain Chick or The Hot Chick burger, the latter which comes doused in smokey hot sauce, Swiss cheese, pickles, slaw and aioli (gluten-free buns, naturally), or enjoy it sweet and spicy popcorn chicken style. The good folks also churn out a gluten-free wild-caught battered fish burger called The O’fish’ial. Legit.

The Chip Shop

711 Manukau Road, Royal Oak, Auckland

Fish and chips are quintessential Kiwi fare. Hot, salted and crispy they’re usually a strict no-go zone for us gluten-intolerants. But mourn no more. The Chip Shop in Royal Oak does fish, crunchy chips, hot dogs, and potato fritters all in a gluten-free batter, cooked in separate fryers so you can chow down on more than just nostalgia and yearning. 

Gluten Free Sweet Treats

Atelier Shu

6D Kent St, Newmarket

Image credit: Atelier Shu | Website

Craving a sweet treat that's aesthetic to boot? Make a beeline for Atelier Shu and sink your teeth into their oh so creamy cheesecake. The menu's ever-evolving and there are loads of adorable but (devastatingly) gluten rich babycakes but you can depend on there being at least one gluten free option, likely several. Their classic Basque is dreamy, indulgent and everything I want in an afternoon tea, especially when combined with some form of matcha.

Itameshi

4 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland

Speaking of cheesecake, Itameshi does an excellent Sicilian pistachio burnt cheesecake. For the uninitiated (and because circumstance has given me the need to be an expert in these things to feel like I have some sort of agency in dietaries) same same as Basque in that it's light and creamy but different in that it's made from ricotta cheese rather than custard. But all that really matters is it's freakin' fine and if you can't finish yours, you know where to find me. 

Folds Patisserie

297 Dominion Road, Mt Eden

Image credit: Folds Patisserie | Facebook

There’s some serious culinary wizardry going down at Folds Patisserie. For starters, no added gluten choices are abundant, with every bite a South East Asian-spiked flavour bomb. Come here for pandan Swiss rolls, cendol cheesecake, matcha and yuzu gateaux, and more, including—wait for it— gluten free lamingtons. Yes, LAMINGTONS. This is not a drill. 

Snö Cafe

G01/12 Saint Marks Road, Remuera, Auckland

Many a tear has been shed over the prospect of never being able to eat another waffle but swing by Snö and they'll whip you up a plateful of gluten-free Swedish blueberry waffles, served heart-shaped, no less, and piled with marinated blueberries, cruesli, nuts, seasonal fruit, rhubarb cream, blueberry syrup and ice cream. Yaaaas. 

Giapo

12 Gore Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Giapo | Instagram

Have your ice cream and the cone, too, at Giapo, a whimsical, ahead-of-its-time ice cream shop where, by virtue of the owners being Coeliac. absolutely everything is gluten free (and yes, that includes their enormous cones, their doughnuts—everything). Their cones are also halal, vegan, kosher and egg-free, too. Can't wait to get amongst? Order through the Giapo app and you won't have to. 

Sunday The Bakery 

Online And Pop-Ups

Celebrating? If the occasion calls for a cake, then you ought to call Sunday The Bakery. These scalloped-edged, multi-tier, floral-adorned beauties are an absolute treat. Especially given many of the flavours (including the iconic citrus, strawberry and rosewater giant shrewsburies) can be made with no added gluten. 

Looking for more things to do in Auckland? Check out: 

• What's On In Auckland This Week, This Month, And This Year
• Stunning Walks In Auckland To Take At Least Once
• 50 Rad Things To Do In Auckland

Main image credit: Atelier | Instagram 

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