(GLUTEN FREE MANHATTAN BEACH; REDONDO BEACH, HERMOSA BEACH)
If you are heading to LA, why not also explore places that are a little “off the beaten track”. Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach are by no means unknown locally, but as a visitor you may not have these spots on your sightseeing list.
Not only are these three cities serene and safe, but you have the luxury of enjoying some amazing beaches without much crowds. Not only that, but you can also find some lovely gems food wise in these areas. I have bundled the three of them together in one guide, as they are neighbouring and close distance wise.
There are so many restaurants and cafes in the area that will be able to provide gluten free dishes. I have listed the ones I have personally visited as a Celiac, and thus can vouch for in the sense that I felt safe and had no health issues afterwards.
GLUTEN FREE – MANHATTAN BEACH, HERMOSA AND REDONDO BEACH AREAS
100 % Gluten Free
RICE Healthy Japanese Dining
820 Manhattan Ave STE 105, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Celiac safety: 100% safe as this establishment is fully gluten free
Order: Portabello mushrooms, edamame, salmon sashimi, marinaded sweet potato, miso cod, American ramen
Gluten free observations: Seeing how this restaurant does not handle any gluten in its kitchen, there is no need to inform the staff of anything. With that said, it’s not fully clear from the menu that everything is gluten free, and I ended up double checking just to be sure. If you are vegan, the menu will have this marked.
You can order dishes here that are normally very difficult to get in gluten free versions, such as fried onion and ramen.
Celiac safety: This establishment is 100% gluten free, so you can order whatever you want without worrying about cross contamination.
Tips: This place is a little on the pricier side, but they have a lunch special as well as a set menu deal.
KIRARI WEST BAKE SHOP
707 N Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Celiac safety: 100% safe as this establishment is fully gluten free
Order: Focaccia
Gluten free observations: Everything is gluten free, but again it’s not so easy to tell unless you know about this in advance or pay attention to detail. The bakery goods will not be marked as gluten free since everything is in fact free from gluten, and I of course ended up double checking as I always do.
If you have additional allergies, nuts and lactose is allergen marked for items in the display section.
Celiac safety: This establishment is 100% gluten free, so you can order whatever you want without worrying about cross contamination.
Tips: They can heat up bakery goods/snacks for you if you want.
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).
VIDA Modern Mexican + Tequila
1723 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Order: Al Pastor taco + mushroom taco (and complimentary nachos)
Gluten free observations: The menu is clearly marked “GF” where dishes are free from gluten. There was a great variety and selection of gluten free dishes, which was a pleasant surprise. Staff immediately confirmed when I double-checked that what I ordered was indeed gluten free, as well as the free nachos they serve when you’re seated.
Note that there are various menu versions online – with different allergen markings – so make sure you go to the official website to view the latest one.
Celiac safety: I had no issues after my visit, and felt I was in good hands. Nonetheless, this establishment is not 100% gluten free, so there is a natural risk of cross contamination.
Tips: The complimentary chips and salsa is gluten free. Also note that they have Taco Tuesdays, where gluten free tacos are included, at a lower cost. If you go at 3 PM, it’s also happy hour.
PURA VITA
320 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Order: Gluten free pasta carbonara
Gluten free observations: The menu is clearly marked “gf” where dishes are free from gluten. In addition, it also has “gfo” where dishes can be adapted to become gluten free. More or less the entire menu is thus available.
I got a pasta dish, and asked if it was cooked in separate water (as some places apparently use the same water). Staff immediately checked with the kitchen and confirmed that everything is prepared in separate pots with fresh water.
Celiac safety: I had no issues after my visit, and felt I was in good hands. Nonetheless, this establishment is not 100% gluten free, so there is a natural risk of cross contamination.
Tips: This is a vegan Italian restaurant. Although I personally eat meat, the carbonara dish was as good as all the reviews have been raving about.
THE GRAIN CAFE
715 N Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Order: Gluten free classic waffle with fresh fruit add-on
Gluten free observations: The menu is clearly marked “GF” where dishes are free from gluten. Additionally, staff confirmed that almost all of the dishes could be made gluten free upon request. I double checked when ordering that the waffle was not made using same waffle maker as the one containing gluten, and they confirmed that they don’t use a waffle maker for this/it’s prepared separately.
Celiac safety: I had no issues after my visit, and felt I was in good hands. Nonetheless, this establishment is not 100% gluten free, so there is a natural risk of cross contamination.
Tips: There are two waffle options – only the classic one is gluten free.
SOURCE CAFÉ
509 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Order: Gluten free muffins, overnight oats and doughnuts
Gluten free observations: This cafe has a vast selection of gluten free items, both on display and in the fridge. All items are gluten free (GF) marked, as well as vegan marked when applicable. Menu items not on display, such as lunch dishes, are also gluten free marked.
Based on their website, this cafe has as one of it’s goals to cater to people with various allergens, which absolutely shows.
One thing to point out is that the bakery items are a bit close to one another on the display. This means there is a possible cross contamination risk if any regular bakery goods are next to the gluten free ones. From my observations, though, all bakery items were gluten free.
Do inform the staff that you are Celiac, so that they can use separate utensils.
Celiac safety: I had no issues after my visit, and felt I was in good hands. Nonetheless, this establishment is not 100% gluten free, so there is a natural risk of cross contamination.
Tips: Their gluten free “doughnut” is among the best I’ve had.
LEMONADE RESTAURANT
451 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Order: Make-your-own bowl with sweet potato, rice, avocado salat and salmon.
Gluten free observations: This is a canteen style restaurant, where the menu is displayed over the preparation area. You can choose between making your own “bowl” or select one from the menu. The menu itself is allergen marked when GF, but it’s hard to see from afar. They also have separate menus to browse through.
When you choose to make your own, as I did, there is no way of knowing which items are safe or not. Luckily, there is an allergen list that the staff will refer to when making your bowl. You can also find an allergy overview on their website (see below).
Celiac safety: I had no issues after my visit, and felt I was in good hands. Nonetheless, this establishment is not 100% gluten free, so there is a natural risk of cross contamination.
Tips: They have several branches, not just this one in Manhattan Beach.
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).
CHIPOTLE
Various loctions
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Order: Chipotle burrito bowl
Gluten free observations: The menu is not allergen marked at any Chipotle restaurants, but the only item that is not safe for a Celiac is the flour tortilla. As long as you stay away from that and do the salad or bowl, you’re okay.
As you decide yourself what to include in your bowl/salad, you get to observe as your order is being made. This adds another level of “safety”, although all choices are, as mentioned, gluten free. This may change if the menu is updated, though, so I encourage you to check the allergen menu on their website.
Additionally, when asking if the tortilla chips are gluten free, staff was able to check this and confirm that they are also safe for Celiacs.
Celiac safety: I had no issues after my visit, and felt I was in good hands. Nonetheless, this establishment is not 100% gluten free, so there is a natural risk of cross contamination.
Tips: If you’re not too hungry, their tortilla chips and guacamole serve as a good snack.
IN-N-OUT
Various locations
Celiac safety: Be aware of potential cross-contamination risk
Order: Protein style burger, fries
Gluten free observations: In-n-out is one of my favorite fast food chains, but it’s also a little tricky at times. There is no allergen marked menu, although all items are gluten free aside from the buns.
They do have an allergy protocol if you inform them that you are Celiac, but you also need to keep in mind that this is an environment where food needs to come out fast. That creates room for mistakes and misunderstandings.
While the fries are fully gluten free and without any cross contamination risk in the frier, I aways carefully examine my protein style burger for any crumbs whenever I eat here. Just to be on the safe side.
There is an allergen menu on the website of In-n-Out, which I would recommend to check from time to time in case there are any changes.
Celiac safety: I had no issues after my visit, and felt I was in good hands. Nonetheless, this establishment is not 100% gluten free, so there is a natural risk of cross contamination.
Tips: The protein style burger can get VERY messy, so make sure to get enough napkins.
GLUTEN FREE IN GROCERIES/STORES
You will have no trouble finding gluten free items in the grocery stores in the area. Unlike in Europe, you will not normally find these in separated gluten free areas. You will have to go hunting among the regular grocery items.
Here are some grocery options with branches in all three cities:
FINAL NOTES
These are just some of the many places to eat gluten free in the area. Just remember – always ask about ingredients in addition to underlining that you are Celiac or “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!
