According to @NYCButGlutenFree, here is where to eat GF food that doesn't suck.

Everybody and their (almond) mother has gone gluten-free, and New York restaurants have finally gotten with the program. Before you get too excited, there is an important distinction to be made between places that offer gluten-free options and places that offer gluten-free options that don’t taste like shit. 

The latter is far and few between, and there is simply nothing worse than ordering a GF “bun” that comes as two tiny pieces of toast inspired by cardboard. You know, the type that falls apart the second you lift it up and leaves crumbs all over the table? SMH.

Lucky for you, we’ve connected with Alexis Decker, connoisseur of all things GF and the face behind the up-and-coming food account @NYCButGlutenFree. Featuring carefully curated recommendations from New York City hotspots, her page highlights eats that actually look good, not “it’s good for being GF” good. 

Alexis’s content is so spot on that even non-GF girlies are running to her for recs (seriously, I wouldn’t even know the account was catered to dietary restrictions if it wasn’t for her handle).

If you’re looking for GF dishes that taste like the real deal, keep reading for Alexis’s top 10 picks. 

Claro

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New York City may not lack Mexican food, but it lacks HIGH-quality Mexican food (that also has mezcal flights). This 100% gluten-free spot is Michelin-regarded and serves up anything from nachos and tacos to bone marrow in mole.

COCODAQ

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Picture this: hot outfits, a buzzy atmosphere, insane cocktails, the perfect Instagram photo, and an entirely gluten-free menu?! If you are able to snag a reservation at COQODAQ, come for the truffle (or trout roe/caviar) chicken nugget, but stay for the fried chicken bucket — it comes not once, but TWICE. Oh, and if you are having trouble getting in, they just opened for lunch with a $24 lunch special deal.

Palma

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I would literally marry Palma if I could. The atmosphere magically transports you to a beautiful Tuscan garden, and the GF fettuccine with truffle sauce is next-level. Do NOT skip out on the Cacio e Pepe ravioli and the meatballs. 

Rubirosa

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Rubirosa has been a New York hotspot for ages, but many don't know how delicious their gluten-free food is (and yes, they have a dedicated gluten-free fryer for those with Celiac.) Diners can choose from mozzarella sticks, Caesar salad (with gluten-free croutons), meatballs, tie-dye pie, vodka pasta, plus one of my favorite lava cakes in NYC. 

Kesté

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Not only is the gluten-free pizza at Kesté life-changing, but the regular Neapolitan-style pizza is delicious, too. Come here for all of the fried items of your dreams and pizza topped with anything you can think of… even Nutella. Kesté was just named the number sixteen pizza spot in the USA, so rest assured, you won't leave disappointed.

Union Square Cafe

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This upscale spot is great for when you want to celebrate or treat yourself to a nice dinner for absolutely no reason. They make their own gluten-free bread and sell it by the loaf (sorry, Danny Meyer, your secret is out). Union Square Cafe also has amazing gluten-free pasta, along with high-quality cuts of meats, vegetables and fish. 

Modern Bread And Bagel

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Modern Bread and Bagel is arguably the first to ever do gluten-free at such a notable scale. So much so that people nationwide actually demanded shipping options for their unbelievable bagels. The (now several) NYC locations serve an assortment of bagels, cookies, donuts, babka, cinnamon buns, French toast sticks, bowls, salads… you name it. They also have fun monthly specials to keep everything fresh and seasonal! 

THISBOWL

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THISBOWL came to NoHo from Australia earlier this year and was an immediate viral hit for their Japanese-inspired salad and poke fusion bowls. Their entirely gluten-free bowls are massive and could feed two people (as they should for the NYC salad prices these days), and their chili jam as an add-on is a MUST. 

Noglu

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Straight from Paris, this gluten-free cafe serves breakfast, lunch and insane pastries that you cannot easily find elsewhere. Their menu offers everything from quiches and croissants to pizza and cream puffs. Be warned: it is costly, but for a one-time try, it is so worth it. 

Lilli And Loo

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Gluten-free pasta, bread and pizza are relatively easy to find at this point, but Asian Fusion Cuisine?! Language barriers can sometimes make advocating for yourself a difficult task, but at Lilli and Loo, you can find gluten-free pork dumplings, General Tso's chicken, sushi, lo mein, ribs or fried rice, all without the worry!