I (Suzanne) grew up in the Okanagan, and we have recently moved back there. Now that I’m navigating the area as someone with celiac, I’m searching for all the best gluten free places to eat as I travel around the area. I don’t have a huge list so far, but I’ll include extra options at the end that I haven’t had a chance to check out yet.
I’ve included a list of chains that often have safe options (but your mileage may vary – ask questions!). Also included is a list of common gluten free brands you can find at grocery stores in case you’re self-catering or camping. If you want more gluten free guides for BC, Canada, check them out here.
In this guide, you’ll find options for:
Kelowna Gluten Free
Big Fat Lion Bakeshop (100% GF)
This 100% gluten free bakery is our favourite in Kelowna. Try the oat fudge bars – to die for! A note that they do sell out of some items early in the day, so if there’s something you’re dying to try, either order ahead or don’t go too late.
Jaide & Joel’s Baking Co. (100% GF)
Also vegan, Jade & Joel’s doubles as a sort of café with sit-down options. You can get frozen products and mixes too. They are always stocked with tons of awesome donut flavors!
Bai Tong Thai
You’ll find Bai Tong in downtown Kelowna, with a fully marked menu. Their Pad Thai is so good, and portions are large.
Broken Anchor
Fish and chips! Their menu is almost entirely gluten free, and only gluten free items are put in the fryer. This means safe fish and chips, poutine, onion rings, and more.
Beat. Patisserie
Actually located in Lake Country, this is not a completely gluten free establishment. There are both gluten free and gluten-full options. The cheesecake was delicious.
Marmalade Cat Café
Marmalade Cat Café carries pre-made bars and squares that are individually wrapped when gluten free. You can also order things like sandwiches, but I’m not sure what their cross-contamination protocols are like for these. Apparently, there are a few locations in town, but we have only eaten at the Pandosy location.
Amore Mio Italian Artisanal Gelato
Well versed on which flavours were celiac safe versus not, they even changed gloves. Gluten free cones available too!
Kamloops Gluten Free
Cutting Board Bistro & Bakery (100% GF)
The only completely gluten free spot in the city, Cutting Board has sit down and take away options. Their sit-down brunch is so delicious. To go, you can get things like squares, muffins, and cheesecake. If you’re hoping for bread, you’ll need to pre-order this. This is where we’ll choose to eat if they’re open while we’re in town.
Hello, Toast
Bread and baked goods are brought in from the Cutting Board, and they use local ingredients wherever possible. While the menu is not marked with GF options, they have many dishes that are safe. A note that the hollandaise is not gluten free.
Miso Sushi (formerly Arigato)
You’ll find a marked menu here, though some rolls are able to be modified to also be gluten free. They have gluten free soy sauce too!
The Art We Are Café
A cute café in downtown Kamloops, they have gluten free treats separately wrapped. You can order things like sandwiches and frittatas, and they try to make sure at least one of their soups is GF. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options.
Local Public Eatery
Lots of gluten free options here. Make sure you double check the meal you want is safe for your needs when ordering, as a couple items are “may contain” due to getting ingredients from shared facilities (for example, red chili paste). The servers are super knowledgeable and will check with chefs if they aren’t sure. There is even a separate gluten free fryer!
The Noble Pig
While they seem to have an extensive menu, much of it is fried in a shared fryer and is therefore “gluten friendly” but not celiac safe. So, there are a number of options, but if you’re celiac and hoping for the fried chicken, you’re out of luck.
Amsterdam Restaurant
A local favourite, servers are knowledgeable about what is gluten free versus celiac safe. If you’re unsure, just ask! They have gluten free pannekoek (Dutch pancakes), as well as many other breakfast/brunch options.
Nature’s Fare Market
A gluten free heaven! Yes, this is a grocery store, but here you’ll find wraps and sandwiches in the deli section (wrapped separately), as well as baked goods. Some baked goods are pre-wrapped and separate, while some others are in shared cases (so proceed with caution). Since this is a grocery store, you can find tons of gluten free options, including perogies, fresh ravioli and tortellini, and things like bread, cereal, and snacks.
Vernon Gluten Free
Sushi Kawa
If we had to pick a favourite spot in the Okanagan for gluten free sushi, it would be Sushi Kawa. They have gluten free veggie gyoza, and have a separate gluten free menu!
Ratio Coffee & Pastry
Our favourite stop in Vernon, the owner’s daughter has celiac, so they are well versed on cross-contamination protocols. They have a separate prep space for all things gluten free, and their pastry case baked goods are kept separately. Try the brownies!
Eatology
A great brunch option in downtown Vernon, you can get so many things here gluten free – they even ask if it’s celiac or a preference when ordering. You have a choice between house-made potato pancakes or gluten free bread when ordering something like an eggs Benedict. Be prepared to wait a bit if you go on a weekend, as this place is popular!
Masiero Pizzeria Napoletana
Delicious gluten free pizza! The burrata appetizer was also fantastic. We were the only ones here when we went, so we had no problem with them making our pizza separately. Make sure you ask about any protocols you’re concerned about ahead of ordering. A note that gluten free crust is an extra charge.
Kawakubo
Kawakubo gets lots of rave reviews on the Find Me Gluten Free app, so we decided to check it out. We found it depended on the server if they knew about gluten free or not. They do not have a separate menu, or even a marked menu, so you just have to ask if what you want to order is safe and/or can be modified. Lots of special rolls seemed to be topped with tempura bits, but they had no problem editing these to accommodate gluten free. Gluten free soy sauce was also provided.
Salmon Arm Gluten Free
The Peppercorn Club
Indian food downtown Salmon Arm, they have a fully marked menu. We have loved everything we tried, and this is one of our go-to’s if we want to go out for a meal.
Hungry Panda
Our go-to for takeout in Salmon Arm. They have fantastic allergy protocols here – they have separate prep equipment for different types of allergies, dedicate one chef to make your dish, and take allergies very seriously. Love the peanut satay noodle box with chicken!
Barley Station Brew Pub
Yes, a restaurant with the word “barley” in it seems counterintuitive. However, they have a separate gluten free menu (just ask!) with things like wings, burgers, and bowls. They will bake your fries instead of fry them (fryer is not safe), but it will take a bit longer.
Yan’s Restaurant
Chinese food. While gluten free is not marked on the menu, it is available. They will label your containers with a gluten free sticker, and everything is prepped separately. They can’t make ginger beef gluten free, but they do have a substitution for chow mein (it’s more like a vermicelli noodle). We enjoy the pineapple fried rice and the chicken Cashew Gai Ding.
Ambrosia Grill Taverna
Greek food. A newer restaurant in the area. They have gluten free calamari, available in a safe fryer. You can also get gluten free “pita bread” (more like a tortilla/wrap, but something to dip in your tzatziki nonetheless).
AnDiamo
Italian food. They make everything in-house and are well-versed in the ingredients in their dishes. They newly have a marked menu, which is super helpful, but still make sure to let them know you’re gluten free in case they must make any modifications to the dish (such as no garlic bread). We enjoy the chicken Neptune (pictured) and the chicken scaloppini.
Chiang Mai Orchid
Thai food. Marked menu with what does have gluten rather than what doesn’t, there are quite a few gluten free options here. We really like the curries!
Nineteen05 Kitchen & Raw Bar
Located in the hotel on the water, this would not be our first choice of where to eat in town, but you’ll find options if this is where your group chooses to dine. While the menu is marked, many items require modifications, so make sure you tell your server you’re GF. The fryer isn’t safe, so you’ll have to opt for a side salad instead of fries if you order a burger. They were willing to pan fry my breakfast potatoes instead of putting them in the fryer. A fair warning that the GF buns are fairly dry and crumbly.
Chain Restaurants with Gluten Free:
You’ll find these restaurants in multiple locations, so make sure to inquire before eating as they are not all created equally!
- Cactus Club (Kelowna & Vernon) – most have a separate fryer now for GF items and fries, but double check upon ordering – I’ve never gotten sick here. The buns also don’t disintegrate when you eat them, so that’s a win.
- Red Robin (Kamloops, Kelowna, & Vernon) – they’re supposed to have one fryer for fries and one for everything else, but check upon ordering as sometimes they abandon this practice and switch in and out.
- Triple O’s (Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, & Salmon Arm) – most have a separate fry fryer, and a GF bun, but it really varies location to location if they’re safe or not depending on cross contamination tolerance levels and the precautions they take.
- White Spot (Kelowna & Kamloops)– A western Canada classic, they have gluten free noted on their menu but different locations seem to take “gluten free” more/less seriously than others. Your mileage may vary.
- McDonald’s (everywhere) – In Canada, the fries are GF if fried in a separate fryer. Most locations except the ones that are in stores like Walmart should have separate fryers, but better to be safe and ask.
- Chachi’s (Kelowna) – A local sandwich chain, I’ve found it sort of depends on the worker here if they’re willing to do the proper protocols (change gloves etc) here. But I have had some luck.
- Browns Socialhouse (Vernon, Kamloops, & Kelowna) – A decent amount of gluten free options, but beware that many locations only have shared fryers and so some items marked “gluten friendly” will not actually be safe for you if you cannot handle cross-contamination.
Places we haven’t tried yet:
- Crumbs & Roses (Kelowna, 100% GF)
- Naked Café (Kelowna)
- Frankie We Salute You (Kelowna)
- Okanagan 19 (West Kelowna)
- Cantina del Centro (Kelowna)
- Kaya Sushi & Grill (Kelowna)
- Red Tomato Pies (Kamloops)
- Pacific Taco (Kamloops)
- Wicked Waffle Food Truck (Vernon)
- Si Si Pizza Okanagan (Vernon) – Food truck, check to find her location
- Fresh Lemongrass Vietnamese (Vernon)
- Phoenix Steakhouse (Vernon)
- Kiki Gardens (Vernon)
- Cantina Vallarta (Salmon Arm)
- Hanoi 36 (Salmon Arm)
Grocery Store Brands:
If you’re not from BC, you might opt for an accommodation where you can cook for yourself, or you might be camping. If you’re looking for grocery options, here are some common brands you’ll find in grocery stores to look out for, and where you’re likely to find them:
- Kinnikinnick – Canadian! Usually in frozen section. Lots of independent grocers carry them, but can also find them at chains like Save On Foods or Safeway.
- Schar – They have GF graham crackers and knock-off KitKat and such. They also have bread products. You might find these at a Walmart, but can also find them at Save Onn Foods and some independent grocers.
- President’s Choice – Found at any Loblaws store, like No Frills and Superstore. They have an entire gluten free line of products (pancake mix, breads, chicken wings, etc).
- Wendell’s – based in Langley, things like muffins and pies. Mostly at Save On Foods and independent grocery chains like Choices, Nesters, and Nature’s Fare.
- Chapman’s Ice Cream – Canadian company that is not entirely GF, but they label GF safe products, like their fudgsicles! These are in most grocery chains like Walmart, No Frills, Superstore, Save On, etc.
- Annie’s – they have a GF “kraft dinner” and some other goodies, but double check as not all their products are GF! In the “natural” or “health conscious” aisle of most stores that carry them, you can find them in Save On, No Frills, Superstore, etc.
- Promise – bread products, found at Safeway, Thrity’s, and Superstore.
- Little Northern Bakehouse – fantastic bagels and bread, found at Safeway, No Frills, Costco.
Map of Okanagan Gluten Free
If you want more options, here is the Wanderlog map I made of everywhere I could find that had good gluten free reviews, labelled menus, and/or indications that gluten free was safe at their restaurants. Please note that I did not personally eat at all these restaurants, so do your own due diligence and reach out or check their websites/menus ahead of your visit.
HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one category at a time or see all the categories on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.
