Gluten-Free Humboldt (Arcata), California Restaurant Guide
Humboldt County is a beautiful destination for hiking, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and all things outdoors related. Once you hit that redwood curtain on the 101 you know you are amongst the hippies. If you are vegetarian, vegan and of course gluten free this will be a farm fresh food haven indeed. I have been navigating the gluten-free world for the past eight years and come to love the following restaurants.
Renata's Creperie
1030 G St, Arcata, CA 95521
Where art, coffee, and crepes live. Renata’s offers sweet and savory crepes all with an available gluten-free batter option. This cute cafe has a full coffee bar, crepes, scrambled eggs, soup, and salad. Perfect for not just breakfast but they are also open for dinner.
Price point: $5.95 - $15.95
What should I try? The specials are always creative and delicious. I love the righteous babe! The savory crepes offer local farm ingredients, local chevre, and always gluten free options.
How sensitive are they to gluten free people? They are excellent about using different skillets for gluten free crepes, and they always ask if you would like your meal gluten free.
T’s Cafe
860 10th St, Arcata, CA 95521
This place is a local favorite! With bluegrass brunch Sunday’s, killer craft mason jar mimosas, and to-die-for hollandaise suce. T’s Cafe tries to incorporate as much farm to table options. They source a lot of their veggies from local farms and have specials that highlight seasonal veggies.
Price point: $12.99 - $17.99
What should I try? Their specials are great and always creative! But their benedicts are so amazing. My favorite way to have it is over greens instead of the english muffin if you want bread they do have gluten free options.
How sensitive are they to gluten free people? They are pretty good about accommodating allergies but make sure to explicitly state how severe your allergy is. They can not provide any fried gluten free options. However, if you like fresh veggies and creative dishes, this is your spot.
Bittersweet (Slice of Humboldt Pie / The Local Cider Bar)
828 I St, Arcata, CA 95521
This place is too cute, and the atmosphere is excellent winter or summer. They have a fantastic patio that that opens up from the garage. Offering empanadas, pot pies, and delish dessert pie, all with gluten free options! Not to mention a full cider bar. They have 16 ciders on rotating taps, four beers, wine and kombucha on tap.
Price point:$3.00 - $8.00
What should I try? Any of the pie or empanadas!
How accommodating are they to gluten free people? They make all their baked goods in a shared facility. There is definitely some cross-contamination, but if you are not celiac, it is a great spot.
Sushi Spot
670 9th St #101, Arcata, CA 95521
Maybe the best sushi I have had. They always have really creative specials and very traditional offerings. The owner just took part of his staff to Japan so that they could bring fresh new ideas to the menu. I love restaurants that are always striving to keep up with fresh new ideas. This would be my top pick for celiacs. The staff is great about washing all their knives and cutting board before making your food. I used to work here and know from personal experience that they take extra care to take care of people that vocalize their allergies.
Price point: $5.25 - $15.95
What should I try? I love always to check out their specials, but if there is nothing I’m feeling I go for hosomaki (small rolls) for a cheaper option. If I don’t mind spending some extra money, I go for sashimi. Make sure if you go to for tuna that you ask for no dashi! Dashi contains wheat.
How accommodating are they to gluten free people? This is probably the best place to go if you are celiac. Sushi is unique that all sushi chefs are working on their own space and can easily wash and sanitize their stations. This place takes extra care to accommodate their celiac friends.
Humboldt County has a lot of amazing restaurants and most places try to accommodate all food allergies. These are some of my local favorites because they all incorporate local ingredients, and are mom and pops, meaning you can typically see the owner running around. If you are traveling through Humboldt County and want some more options, feel free to message me. I work with Humboldt Generation GF and we often hold gluten free events, maybe you will be in town for one.
Happy eating!
Jacqueline Ramirez
Jacqueline @jacquelinemr6 has been figuring out the gluten free world for the past 8 years. After she had numerous digestive issues she decided to gluten free to see if it would help. Navigating the gluten free world has had its challenges but she has never felt better.
She has traveled across the world in the past two years finding all the gluten free restaurants worth having from New Zealand to Spain. Now she works at a small gluten free, vegan, startup in Humboldt County where she received a degree in Economics.
Jacqueline is passionate about her community, social justice, cooking, jewelry making, and long hikes where she can connect with the redwoods. In her free time, she is the co-chair for Humboldt’s Generation GF and works with the local Economic Development Committee.
