Let’s be real, traveling with Celiac disease, or any food allergy / intolerance / etc. is HARD.
There is no spontaneity, it is exhausting and your brain is in constant overdrive.
Where can I eat next? Do I have enough snacks in case I can’t eat where we stop? Does the staff really know how to prepare a meal safely for me? I wish I could just eat what I want, when I want.
These are just some of the things constantly going through my mind when I travel. I get it and I want to help. I love to travel, I love to eat out and I wish it was easier. So here is the start of an ongoing series for travel tips for gluten free, Celiac safe, restaurants in places I have visited.
**As with everything, please use your own judgment, as the questions as ownership, best practices and products can change.**
So here we go: Minneapolis, Minnesota.
My hometown. I am always impressed by the amount of gluten free options in and around Minneapolis, here are some of my favorites:
1. COLITA
This is one of my favorite places to eat - hands down. Whenever someone asks me the best spot to go for gluten free food in the Twin Cities, my answer is always: Colita.
The food is amazing, the decor is gorgeous and the cocktails are delicious and beautiful too. My mom and I ate our way through this menu. The tostadas were probably my favorite item but octopus is a close second. Most importantly, the restaurant is 100% gluten free. Literal music to my ears.
5400 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
2. SIFT GLUTEN FREE
Another spot that is 100% gluten free and very tasty. When we fly to Minneapolis we tend to take very early flights (our personal favorite for flying with little ones) so when we arrive it is time for a 2nd breakfast. We typically head straight to SIFT once we land.
It is a small bakery in Minneapolis without a lot of indoor seating but when the weather is nice, they have some tables outside that work perfectly! We are big fans of their muffins, donuts and their monkey bread. Grab items to go from their bakery or freezer section as well.
4557 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
3. RED COW
This is a great spot to go with a big group of friends or family. We have gone here with our kids, even when they were younger than they are now. RED COW has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities and they do a good job of accommodating reactive Celiac diners.
Red Cow is known for their delicious burgers and the one I had did not disappoint. They have GF buns for burgers and safe french fries - something that is always a win to me!
Check out their website for their various locations: https://redcowmn.com/
4. SWEET SCIENCE ICE CREAM
This place is a literal gem. Every time we are home during the summer I find a reason to head to Edina and get ice cream with my kids. Yes, the ice cream is delicious. Better yet: they label every single flavor for top allergens.
My favorite part though is their gluten free waffle cones. The waffle cones are what my dreams are made of, soft, sweet and totally gluten free. I can not recommend this place enough if you find yourself around the 50th & France Avenue shopping district in Edina.
3919 Market St, Edina, MN 55424
https://www.sweetscienceicecream.com/
5. NUMBER 12 CIDER & LITTLE TOMATO PIZZA
Before being diagnosed with Celiac my drink of choice was beer. Since then I really miss being able to have a beer with friends at a brewery, its a great low key social scene and amazing with little kids. When I found Number 12 Cider and Little Tomato Pizza in Minneapolis I immediately dragged my entire family that afternoon.
This is an amazing spot to go and relax for an afternoon. The cider is great, the people are wonderful. The bonus: Little Tomato has a pizza food truck outside on the patio that serves Celiac safe, gluten free pizza. And this is real, legit pizza. Definitely worth a stop and it is a stone's throw from Target Field if you are looking for a spot before or after a Twins Game.
614 N 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Minneapolis and St. Paul have a vibrant food scene, there are so many more options than the 5 I have highlighted here. I will continue to expand on what I find in Minneapolis, stay tuned for part 2!
- Calli