(Gluten free Gdansk) Late 2021, I spent 1 month in Gdansk living a little outside of the city center. Let’s get one thing out of the way first: Gdansk has so many restaurants you will have a serious dilemma every time you plan to eat. I was not able to visit even a small fraction of the eating places in the city, which means that there are numerous of other establishments that could be very suitable for someone eating gluten free. The city truly has so many gastronomical experiences waiting for you, and the small selection below is based on places I ate at or had heard of.
GLUTEN FREE IN GDANSK
100 % Gluten Free
This is a 100% gluten free restaurant. Sadly, I was not able to dine here as I arrived without a reservation and was told there was no availability for hours. The location is a bit out of the city center, and you need to take either an Uber/taxi or the train and then walk a little. I cannot say anything about the food since I haven’t eaten there, but if you choose to take the trip, make sure you have a reservation to avoid disappointment. See their menu here. You can also find reviews here.
PIZZA, PASTA & BASTA
aleja Grunwaldzka 415, 80-309 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
This is another restaurant I was not able to eat at which is also gluten free. Not only that, but it’s certified by the Polish Celiac Association. This is a safety stamp for anyone who cannot eat gluten. The restaurant even occasionally have gluten free pizza baking classes. Note that this place is also located a train or Uber ride away. You can read more here.
WISNIEWSKI
Piwna 22, 80-831 Gdańsk
Ok, so this is not a place for eating but for drinking. I added it here for you to know that this locally produced cherry liqueur is gluten free. Try it warm, cold or as a shot. You will find the bar/outlet, which only sells this product, in Old Town. Read more here.
PLACES WITH GLUTEN FREE ON THE MENU
These are places that have “GLUTEN FREE” marked specifically on their menus, either in a separate section or through allergen marking (always keep in mind that cross contamination could be a risk for Celiacs at any establishment that is not 100% Celiac friendly).
LAKA BAR
Łąkowa 35/38, 80-769 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
While this restaurant may sound like it’s just for drinks, it is actually more casual dining. Located a semi-short walk from Old Town, you’ll find this little gem tucked away in a random side alley. The interior will give you warehouse vibes, and the furniture is what I remember from school when I was younger.
While the gluten free options on the menu are not many, you do have some good dishes to choose between. My favourite was the pad thai, which I ordered numerous of times. If you go in the morning, you can also get mimosa at a really low cost to go with your breakfast. Do note that there are limited gluten free breakfast options, and no gluten free bread. Thus, if you choose to eat breakfast here you won’t be very full (but perhaps a bit tipsy). The menu is allergen marked in the sense that the gluten free options have “gf” noted next to them. Read more reviews here.
WOOSABI
Chmielna 10, 80-748 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
I did not dine at the Woosabi restaurant but ordered delivery. Their website is not very clear on allergens, and I spent a lot of time trying to find the latest version of their menu. The one I ended up finding did have allergens marked, but I wanted to be completely sure. Thus, I called the restaurant before I ordered. They confirmed the gluten free dishes, which matched what I had on the menu I found online. Read reviews here.
KAWARNIA RETRO
Piwna 5/6, 80-831 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
This quickly became one of my favorite cafes in Gdansk, with the most amazing cake offer you can think of. I am lactose intolerant as well but I could not say to no whipped cream on my cake. It tasted exactly as delicious as it looks like in the photo. The menu clearly lets you know what is gluten free, as does the signage by the cake display. See a more detailed review here.
WINE BAR “LITERACKA”
Mariacka 50/52, 80-833 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
I wanted to visit this restaurant as I had read it had a gluten free marked menu. What I did not realize, was that it’s quite an expensive place with the most costly wine I had in all of Poland. It is located in Old Town, in one of the most popular streets, which may be why. I have to add that the food (and wine) was really good, and the ambiance quite romantic. The staff was helpful and confirmed that dishes ordered were gluten free (I always double check even though the menu already states so). Just be aware that they add a pre-set service charge to the bill, which is not customary. Read more reviews here.
100% CZEKOLADY
Chmielna 72, 80-748 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
This is not a restaurant, but a candy/delicacy store. It’s located a short walk from Old Town, and has gluten free options clearly identifiable. See a more detailed review here.
A LA FRANCAISE
Spichrzowa 24, 80-750 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
This is a small French cafe at the outskirts of Old Town. The menu in general is not allergen marked, but there is a section with galettes which is identified as gluten free. They do make regular crepes as well, and I ended up asking three times about the risk of cross contamination. Our serves, who I suspect was also the owner, confirmed that they use the same crepe maker but that they clean it thoroughly between each crepe. I wasn’t sure if I felt too safe, but ended up ordering one. I ended up not eating too much of it as it wasn’t quite the taste I had imagined, but I didn’t have any issues after eating here. Still, you must make your own assessment. Read more reviews here.
RESTAURACJA DUCHA66
Świętego Ducha 66, 80-834 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Full disclaimer, I did not eat at this restaurant. I went inside out of curiosity and peaked through the menu. That’s when I saw dishes marked “GF” for gluten free. Since this is always an enjoyable sight, I took a photo of it to share it with the world. You can read reviews here.
POMELO BISTRO
Ogarna 121/122, 80-826 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Located in the city center, this is a cozy place for lunch or dinner. I have to admit that I for some reason had expected more gluten free options than I found, perhaps based on reviews I had read in advance. The menu is allergen marked, and I was well taken care of by the staff who helped with the dish selecting process. Read more reviews here.
PLACES WITH GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS WHEN ASKED
At these places, the menus did not have any information on allergens or ingredients, but staff was able to assist when asked about gluten free options (always keep in mind that cross contamination could be a risk for Celiacs at any establishment that is not 100% Celiac friendly).
NIE/MIESNY
Jaskółcza 24, 80-767 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
This was another favorite of mine for lunch, as they had some amazing hummus bowls. It is located outside of the city center, but quite near some historical landmarks worth checking out. While the menu is not allergen marked, I felt well taken care of every time I was there. The staff knows the menu pretty well and which dishes are safe, while some could also be made gluten free with some tweaks. See a more detailed review here.
MOTLAVA RESTAURANT
Stara Stocznia 2/1, 80-862 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Located downtown, across the little bridge. It seems to be very popular among tourist as the menu is in Scandinavian and German languages. The menu itself is not allergen marked, but there is an allergen list that you can ask for in order to determine what is safe to eat. Do note that this list is in Polish, but staff is very accommodating and will assist you. You can order local Polish dishes without worrying about the ingredients. See a more detailed review here.
PUEBLO
Kołodziejska 4, 80-836 Gdańsk, Poland
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Pueblo is a Mexican restaurant that you can find in Old Town. They have outdoor seating, but honestly, the inside area is what really makes this place stand out. I visited this restaurant twice, and found the staff to be very helpful in finding safe dishes on the menu. Apparently, most of the dishes can be made gluten free as long as you let them know at the time of ordering. Read more reviews here.
LAO THAI
Targ Rybny 11, 80-838 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
The menu at Lao Thai is not allergen marked, but fear not. The staff knows the ingredients of all the dishes very well. I had no worries when ordering and eating here, and also have to add that they are generous with their portions. Read more reviews here.
RESTAURACJA CHIMIELNA
Chmielna 26, 80-750 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Just at the edge of Old Town, you will find this cozy restaurant. The interior is modern and it seems to be a popular spot for locals as well as tourists. The menu is not allergen marked, but the staff was able to identify which meals would be safe on a gluten free diet. Read more reveiws here.
ZAKORKOWANI WINE BISTRO
Chmielna 72/4, 80-748 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Not too far from Old Town, you will find a little plaza with a lot of new establishments. There is a row of at least 5 restaurants, and they all have pretty good food and gluten free options. I single out this one, because it’s where I felt they had the most gluten free dishes. I ate here while the restaurant was completely packed, yet the staff (and owner) was able to attend to my dietary needs. There is an allergen list at the counter for all the dishes which the staff will double check for you when suggesting dishes. A lot of the menu items can also be adjusted to make them gluten free. I want to mention that they offer Polish wine at this establishment, which is a nice treat should you want to explore some new wine options. Read more reviews here.
SPOZYWCZY FOOD & DRINKS
Dolna 2, 80-767 Gdańsk
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
A bit outside of the city center, but well worthy a visit, you will come across this trendy restaurant. The menu is marked, but only to easily identify vegetarian options. I was there when it was not very crowded, and had the full attention of the waiter and kitchen staff (I could look into the kitchen from my seat). The waiter confirmed what was gluten free with the chefs and came back with suitable options for me. Read more reviews here.
WORTHY MENTIONS
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Here are a few other restaurants that I went to, that could be good options:
- Niepokorni Bistro and 220 Gdansk are located a little outside of the city center, but it’s an enjoyable walk. I only had breakfast here, which was tasty (especially the breakfast at 220 Gdansk). You just need to let them know you don’t want any bread, as they don’t have gluten free bread options. Niepokorni Bistro I suspect to have a pretty decent dinner menu, but not sure about how gluten free the options are.
- Should you be in the above mentioned area, I highly recommend a coffee to go from Tu Piekarnik Toruńska, which is just around the corner from the restaurants. They occasionally have gluten free cookies at the counter, as well as home-made soup and broth in the refrigerator section. Their coffee is nonetheless good and affordable.
- Wolowina Bistro is even further of a walk than the two above mentioned restaurants. It’s nothing fancy and really only a suggestion if you are already in the area. The staff hardly spoke English, but with some Google Translate assistance, I got a superb steak for lunch.
- At Spanish Ticket, they confirmed that their paellas are gluten free. I chatted with them through Facebook Messenger before I ordered delivery service.
GROCERIES
Do you want some gluten free snacks or perhaps cook your own meal? Gdansk, like most of Poland, is riddled with “Zabka“. These are small kiosks, similar to 7/11, and vary in size and products they carry. From my experience, they all have gluten free snacks and to some degree gluten free ingredients. If you are looking for a full on grocery experience, you will find what you’re looking for at basement level of the mall Forum Gdansk.
FINAL NOTES
These are just some of the many places to eat gluten free in Gdansk. When eating out, just remember to always ask about ingredients in addition to underlining that you are “allergic to gluten”, as well as reconfirming when you receive your meal that it is in fact gluten free.
Lastly, always trust your gut feeling. If you don’t feel it’s safe, don’t eat it!
