Best gluten-free, plant-based restaurants in New York City: 8 picks for runners and visitors
- 8 minutes ago
- 10 min read
By Henry Howard
During a recent trip to New York City to visit my son, we were introduced to a delectable collection of restaurants specializing in gluten-free, plant-based foods. All of three of us have Celiac Disease while my wife and I are plant-based.
I was struck by not only the vast options that catered to our dietary needs but the abundance of 100% gluten-free restaurants. A 100% gluten-free bakery and bagel shop? Check. 100% gluten-free Italian restaurants. Yep. And so many more.
Whether you are participating in the New York City Marathon or another race, a visitor to the city or a resident, here are eight highly recommended restaurants, bakeries, and other places to go for healthy, gluten-free, and plant-based options across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Why plant-based eating is gaining popularity — and why it matters
Before I share my tips for NYC restaurants to try, let’s look at the science behind plant-based eating, which has never been more compelling.
A landmark 30-year study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in late 2024, involving more than 200,000 participants tracked at Harvard University, found that people who consumed higher ratios of plant-based protein to animal protein had a 19% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 27% lower risk of coronary heart disease.
Researchers suggested that shifting the typical American diet — currently skewed roughly 1:3 toward animal protein — to at least a 1:2 ratio in favor of plant-based protein could meaningfully protect long-term heart health. As more plants and less meat is consumed, the more health benefits and less disease risks occur.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive review of 49 studies published in PLOS ONE in May 2024 found that vegetarian and vegan diets were broadly associated with better cardiovascular markers, lower cancer risk, and reduced overall mortality.
Beyond cardiovascular health, plant-based diets have shown promise in reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure and optimizing body composition. These benefits are especially meaningful for runners and other endurance athletes.
According to registered dietitian and running coach Kelsey Costa, writing in VegNews, plant-forward eating supports performance by delivering an abundance of folate, magnesium, iron, and antioxidants that aid energy production and muscle recovery. Because plants are naturally rich in complex carbohydrates, athletes who follow a plant-based diet also tend to keep their glycogen stores well stocked — essentially keeping more fuel in the tank heading into a long run or a race.
For those of us with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivities, the challenge has always been finding options that are both gluten-free and plant-forward — and ideally delicious enough that no one at the table feels like they are settling.
New York City, with its extraordinary culinary diversity, has become one of the best cities in the world for exactly this kind of eating.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for runners, athletes and health-conscious eaters who are exploring New York City and want to fuel their bodies well without navigating the stress of cross-contamination, mystery ingredients, or menus with minimal acceptable options.
My son, who lives in the city, did a terrific job finding spots where we ate freely and joyfully, and where the food was delicious — whether or not you are plant-based. These eight places delivered.
Whether you are carb-loading before the New York City Marathon, refueling after a long run in Central Park or Prospect Park, grabbing a post-Brooklyn Museum lunch, or just exploring the city’s extraordinary food scene, there are lots of spots worth putting on your map. Here are my eight gluten-free, plant-based recommendations for New York City restaurants.
Top 8 best gluten-free, plant-based restaurants in New York City
1. Wild
West Village, Manhattan
Address: 535 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Website: wildrestaurantnyc.com
What it is: A 100% gluten-free New American restaurant serving wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, burgers, salads, and weekend brunch — with strong vegan options throughout the menu.
Wild was among the first places we ate at while visiting NYC, and it set the tone for the whole trip. It’s a quaint, charming spot in the heart of the West Village that is 100% gluten-free — and yet the menu is expansive and satisfying for non-gluten-free guests as well. My wife and I both went with the quinoa salad, which was excellent: beautifully balanced, with arugula, roasted eggplant, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, olives, and lemon vinaigrette. The hardest part of the meal was narrowing down what to order. We will absolutely be back on our next trip.
Recommended for: Dinner, weekend brunch, or a relaxed lunch. If you’re training for the marathon, the pastas and pizzas are a great carb options. Reservations recommended for dinner.
2. Modern Bread and Bagel
Chelsea, Manhattan
Address: 139 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011
Website: modernbreadandbagel.com
What it is: A 100% gluten-free bakery and café serving hand-rolled bagels, artisan baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, salads, and bowls in a light-filled, welcoming space. Also Kosher-certified.
WOW. A 100% gluten-free bagel place — sign me up. Modern Bread and Bagel is a must for those of us with Celiac Disease, and we made it a priority on this trip, visiting twice. I love that the Chelsea location has tables, chairs, and a restroom — ideal for sitting down and savoring the experience. The bagel options are plentiful, whether you go simple (a schmear and call it a day) or build a full sandwich. No matter what you choose, you will not be disappointed. The staff is friendly, the service is fast and this place is everything you could hope for in a bakery that wisely caters to those of us who need to avoid gluten.
Recommended for: Breakfast or lunch. Go early on weekends — it gets busy. Worth checking the menu online in advance so you’re not overwhelmed by delicious options at the counter. Note that not all locations have tables and chairs.
3. Bub’s Bakery
NoHo, Manhattan
Address: 325 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
Website: bubsbakery.com
What it is: New York City’s first top-9 allergen-free bakery, opened in September 2025, from James Beard-nominated baker Melissa Weller and the team behind Fish Cheeks and Bangkok Supper Club. Every item on the menu is free of gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, eggs, and all animal products.
What a great find — credit to my son and NYC tour guide for this one. Bub’s is a genuinely remarkable place: a cozy, 450-square-foot shop on Lafayette Street where everything is free of all nine common allergens, including wheat, dairy, soy, nuts, and all animal products. We shared the carrot cake, which was incredibly delicious — and the fact that it was also allergen-free felt almost too good to be true. Even if you have no food allergies whatsoever, you will love what Bub’s is doing. The recipes were developed from the ground up by Weller, who spent two and a half years innovating new techniques rather than simply swapping ingredients. The result is pastries that taste exactly like what they’re supposed to taste like — just without the things that can harm so many of us.
Recommended for: A sweet treat at any time of day. A perfect stop for runners, especially those with multiple dietary restrictions, since everything on the menu is fair game. Whenever I eventually get to run the New York City Marathon, this will be my go-to for a post-race treat.
4. KIMMI
Chinatown, Manhattan
Address: 125 Canal St, New York, NY 10002
Website: kimminyc.com
What it is: A 100% gluten-free Asian-fusion restaurant from the team behind the beloved Tiger Lily Kitchen, serving bold, creative dishes — vermicelli bowls, pork belly skewers, spicy tuna rice cakes, mango papaya salad, peanut street noodles, and creative cocktails — right at the edge of Chinatown near the Manhattan Bridge. (We visited KIMMI after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, less than a mile away.)
KIMMI was a solid dinner experience. I appreciated the gluten-free and vegan offerings throughout the menu, including tofu as a protein add-on. I had the Green Garden Vermicelli, which was presented beautifully and had good flavor — though it was quite noodle-heavy, and I would have loved more of the vegetables listed in the description. That said, KIMMI is doing something genuinely rare: a full, sit-down restaurant where the entire menu is gluten-free, the vibe is cool and warm at the same time, and the food reflects real culinary ambition. For Celiacs who love Asian cuisine but have had to miss out on so much of it, this place is a gift.
Recommended for: Dinner. Reservations are required, so plan ahead. Try the peanut street noodles, crispy tuna rice cakes, or the Brussels sprouts with vermicelli if you want to stray from the classics.
5. Pranakhon Thai Restaurant
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Address: 88 University Place, New York, NY 10003
Website: pranakhonnyc.com
What it is: A Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Thai restaurant inspired by the vibrant street food culture of Bangkok, with a lively atmosphere, inventive mocktails, and a menu full of both classic and creative dishes.
We were looking for a dinner spot close to a Drunken Shakespeare performance, and Pranakhon fit the bill perfectly — and then some. This spot had something for every member of our five-person gathering at our table, including multiple dietary restrictions, and the kitchen handled all of them gracefully. I appreciated the gluten-free and vegan options. The red curry dish I ordered was excellent. Others in our group enjoyed their meals equally. The wait staff was efficient, pleasant and kept things moving without any sense of rush. The food arrived quickly and was delicious. There are many Thai restaurants to try in New York City, but make sure Pranakhon is at the top of your list — its Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition (which denotes high quality at reasonable prices) is well-earned.
Recommended for: Dinner before a show or any night you want something vibrant and satisfying. The curry pancake comes highly recommended by other diners. Also worth noting: Pranakhon’s mocktail menu is genuinely creative, a nice bonus for those who prefer non-alcoholic options.
6. Ayat
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Address: 274 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232 (Industry City)
Website: ayatnyc.com
What it is: A Michelin Guide-featured Palestinian restaurant, run by a husband-and-wife duo, serving authentic dishes with generous portions in a warm, sun-filled space inside Brooklyn’s Industry City complex.
Ayat was my first experience with Palestinian cuisine, and it was a wonderful one. We stopped in for an afternoon snack and shared a couple of appetizers. The stuffed squash — Kousa Mahshi — was so good we ordered a second one on the spot. The other appetizer, a fried eggplant dish called Beitenjan, was enjoyable as well, though the squash was the clear standout. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful, making the whole experience feel welcoming and unhurried. Palestinian food, by its nature, leans heavily on vegetables, legumes, herbs, and olive oil — making it an excellent choice for plant-based eaters. Definitely worth checking out if you’re spending time in the Industry City area or the Brooklyn waterfront.
Recommended for: Lunch or an afternoon snack while visiting Industry City. Mezze platters and vegetable dishes are particularly well-suited to plant-based and gluten-free diners. The Bay Ridge original location is also an option if you’re in that part of Brooklyn.
7. Root Hill Cafe
Gowanus, Brooklyn
Address: 262 Fourth Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Website: https://root-hill-cafe.square.site/
What it is: A cozy neighborhood café in Gowanus offering excellent coffee, gluten-free baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and a welcoming, unhurried atmosphere — conveniently located near the Union Street subway stop.
Root Hill Cafe was near our hotel — lucky us! It’s a neighborhood gem: warm, cozy, and unpretentious, with good coffee, a solid menu, and a great assortment of gluten-free and vegan baked goods. We stopped in for a small snack and picked up a Grassroots Bar and a slice of chocolate chip banana bread to share. Our verdict: the Grassroots Bar was incredible — the kind of thing you think about afterward. The banana bread was decent, though a bit on the dry side. We didn’t just think about the Grassroots Bar. We loved it and the ambiance so much that we made one final stop there on our last morning before heading out of town.
Recommended for: Morning coffee and a bite, or an afternoon snack break. A perfect fuel-up spot for runners staying in the Gowanus or Park Slope area. The gluten-free baked goods are sourced carefully, and the staff is knowledgeable about dietary needs. Do note that there are only a few tables so during busy times, seating options may be limited.
8. Playa Bowls
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Address: 82 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Website: playabowls.com
What it is: A popular acai bowl and smoothie chain with locations across the country, serving fresh, vibrant bowls made with acai, pitaya, coconut, and other superfruit bases, topped with fresh fruit, granola, honey and more.
We were looking for acai bowls for lunch after visiting the Brooklyn Museum, and Playa Bowls was conveniently nearby. I had seen Playa Bowls in my travels before but had never stopped in — a mistake I will not be repeating. The variety of options and flavor combinations was genuinely impressive, and the taste was fantastic: fresh, vibrant and satisfying without feeling heavy. The ingredients were clearly high quality, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. For runners, acai bowls can be an ideal post-workout or post-race meal: antioxidant-rich, naturally plant-based, gluten-free, and packed with the carbohydrates and micronutrients your body needs to recover. You can also add protein (and other options) to one of their many bowl options. I liked it so much that I have already mapped out another Playa Bowls location for an upcoming trip.
Recommended for: Post-run or post-race fuel, or a lunch that feels indulgent and restorative at the same time. Naturally gluten-free and entirely plant-based, making it a stress-free option for the whole group.
Tips for gluten-free dining in New York City
New York City has become increasingly accommodating for gluten-free and plant-based diners. Here are tips to have the best experience:
Call ahead or check menus online before arriving at any restaurant that is not 100% dedicated gluten-free. Cross-contamination remains a risk at many otherwise welcoming spots.
Be specific about Celiac Disease when speaking to wait staff. “Gluten free” can mean different things to different kitchens; telling a server you have Celiac prompts a different level of care.
Use apps like Find Me Gluten Free (findmeglutenfree.com) to discover additional spots and read community reviews from fellow Celiacs.
Embrace Brooklyn. Manhattan gets most of the attention, but Brooklyn’s food scene is extraordinary — and, as this list reflects, some of the best gluten-free and plant-based options in the city are right there.
Whether you’re toeing the start line at the New York City Marathon or simply exploring the world’s greatest city, eating well has never been easier — or more delicious. Enjoy every bite. And if you would like to share additional options, fill out my contact form with your best gluten-free, plant-based restaurants in New York City.
