It used to be difficult to dine out with a gluten intolerance or allergy in Pittsburgh, but as the dining scene has taken off, gluten-free options are keeping pace. Here’s our list of the top gluten-free dishes in the region, from lunch options to fancy entrees and divine desserts.
Where to Eat in Pittsburgh if You Have Allergen Sensitivities
Mercurio’s
Fox Chapel and Shadyside
Mercurio’s Gluten-Free Pizza Del Re was first-place winner for gluten-free pizza at the most recent World Pizza Champion Games in Rimini, Italy. This tasty number is built on a flavorful crust, topped with house-made mozzarella, truffle spread, mushrooms, prosciutto and extra virgin olive oil, then wood-fired to perfection.
Lilith’s
238 Spahr Street, Shadyside
Chefs Jamilka Borges and Dianne DeStefano have mastered seasonal ingredients and flavors at this cozy corner restaurant in Shadyside. Their gluten-free Beef Filet, featuring plantain puree, bearnaise, broccoli rabe and guava jus, is testament to their talent. Finish off your meal with DeStefano’s Gluten-free Passionfruit Cheesecake.
DiAnoia’s Eatery
2549 Penn Avenue, Strip District
Avoiding gluten doesn’t mean you can’t dine well at the best Italian joint in town. DiAnoia’s Whole Branzino happens to be both gluten-free and dairy-free. You can order a half or whole portion of this flaky Mediterranean Sea Bass stuffed with fennel, garlic, lemon, roasted potatoes and tomatoes. The pastry case always has gluten-free options as well, such as the fresh-baked pignolia nut cookies.
Mic’s Market’s
537 Beaver Street, Sewickley
Mic’s, owned by L.A. transplant Michaela Blaney, has made a name for itself by whipping up Erewhon-style smoothies and stocking the best health food brands in its micro market. However: don’t miss the to-go deli case. For a quick gluten-free lunch, the Chicken Quinoa and Flax Bites are savory, wholesome and packed with protein. Made with cooked quinoa in place of breadcrumbs and ground flax in place of eggs, plus organic ground chicken, celery, onion, carrot, olive oil and spices, they’re a treat dipped in your choice of house-made sauce, such as honey mustard, protein ranch or cilantro cream.
Brothmonger
4770 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield
Sarah Coppolo started Brothmonger in 2018, making and selling quarts of soup out of her apartment while working full-time as a funeral director. Word of her talent spread quickly, selling out pop-ups around town, and in 2024 Coppolo made Brothmonger her full-time gig. At her cozy storefront in Bloomfield, the lineup changes each week, but there is reliably at least one gluten-free option, such as Potato Leek, Chickpea Curry, Kielbasa Lentil, Coconut Chickpea, Mushroom Wild Rice and Stuffed Pepper.
EYV
424 E. Ohio Street, North Side
EYV, short for Eat Your Veggies, recommends that diners order four or five plates to share, and gluten-free items are clearly marked on the menu. The Farmer’s Salad, made with local greens and veggies, herbed balsamic vinaigrette, and vegan ranch mousse, and topped with tater tots and pistachio, is a gluten-free standout. Order the Snack Sampler, which features vegan broccoli “chicharron,” hummus fritters and vegan “oysters” Rockefeller to try a bunch of different options. And for dessert, get the stunning gluten-free Blood Orange Sabayon Tart, with fennel ice cream, Cara Cara oranges and anise greens.
Ritual House
524 William Penn Place, Downtown
Seafood at this frothy downtown dream of a restaurant is not to be missed. The Tiger Shrimp Scampi, featuring oven roasted tomato, garlic confit, scallion, coconut milk, kaffir lime, daikon radish and Aleppo pepper, just happens to be gluten-free. Also gluten-free is pastry Chef Zoe Peckich’s take on a Pittsburgh staple, Not Your Grandma’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad. It features strawberry mousse, vanilla anglaise, strawberry jam and pretzels.
Baked True North
1137 Perry Highway, McCandless
Need a showstopping gluten-free dessert for a holiday or party? The gluten-free lemon bars from Lauren Marts at Baked True North feature the perfect crust-to-filling ratio and are just the right amount of tart and sweet. They’re usually available in the pastry case. If you need them for an event, order at least five days in advance.
Story by Liz Fetchin
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Laura Petrilla
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