Where Can I Eat G-Free?: Guide to eating gluten-free around Kansas City

The diagnosis of Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance can feel like the end of the world to sweet tooths and starch-lovers alike. With every bake sale treat and free donut at school events off limits — often without alternative options — the window of safe foods is narrow. Though most health stores are fully stocked with plenty of gluten-free meal options and mixes, going out to eat and attending social events with a food intolerance proves to be a challenge.

After scouring the menus of every local bakery, brunch spot and dinner restaurant over the last two years of my gluten-free journey, I’ve successfully found some of the best spots in Kansas City. 

And the best thing about all of these? You could never even tell that any of the products are gluten-free. 

Emily Kate’s Bakery

3008 S. 44th St. Kansas City, KS 66106

As a newly-diagnosed gluten-intolerant, my 17th birthday posed a new problem — a birthday cake. Emily Kate’s Bakery saved the day with their $27 cookie cake. Though they don’t have an actual storefront, their warehouse pumps out custom cakes, cookies and cupcakes for all kinds of occasions, even take-and-bake cinnamon rolls and biscuits and pop tarts. Pick-up time is as soon as 48 hours after a custom order placement.

If you don’t have an event or need to buy a dozen cookies at once, Emily Kate’s baked goods can be found at various coffee shops around KC, like Summer Moon Coffee and Pilgrim Coffee Company, as well as Whole Foods and Cosentino’s grocery stores. 

Waldo Pizza

7433 Broadway St, Kansas City, MO 64114

Pizza really is the best of both notorious stomach irritators: gluten and dairy. Waldo Pizza’s strictly gluten-free menu with vegan options is a saving grace to those with allergies, intolerances and stomach problems alike. 

The joy of confidently biting into a breadstick, followed by a full pizza and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, knowing that no post-meal pain will be experienced, is unmatched — especially knowing that no post-meal pain will be experienced. Not to mention, every wheat-alternative is just as delicious as the carby-goodness I used to know and love. Each gluten-free item comes out with a neon orange “Gluten Free” sticker to avoid any confusion or cross-contamination when out to eat with a big group. 

The Littlest Bakeshop

645 E. 59TH St. Kansas City, MO 64110

The Littlest Bakeshop — a bubblegum pink and red building sticking out of a strip of shops on 59th and Holmes holds the proud title of KC’s first all-vegan and gluten-free bakery. 

Open Wednesday through Sunday, they release daily menus at the beginning of each week, offering something different every day since all goods are made fresh the morning of — right on time for their 10 a.m. opening. 

Their meal items like pancakes, tofu scrambles and sandwiches are all prepared upon arrival unless you call in advance. Other baked goods, like the cinnamon roll sticky biscuit, muffins and a variety of cupcakes, for $4 each are available for pickup. However, they usually sell out far earlier than the Bakeshop’s official closing time of 3 p.m., which is why many customers use their online pre-order option.

Though the shop operates solely from a walk-up window, they have a back and front patio for seating despite mainly catering to those on-the-go and in need of an allergen-free meal. 

Billie’s Grocery

3216 Gillham Plaza, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64109

My heart was broken once I could no longer eat the thick, frosting–covered Lofthouse cookies we grew up with in elementary school. Luckily, Billie’s Grocery near Union Hill in Midtown provides these and much more.

Billie’s has become a go-to brunch, dinner and last-minute cookie run when I’m craving my gluten-filled past. With a breakfast menu full of options like matcha waffles, caramel popcorn waffles and biscuit sandwiches along with the option to sub a GF bun on any of their sandwiches, I’m never left with a salad — often the only safe option at most other restaurants.

The best part of it all is their bakery case, boasting with cookies, bagels, brownies, cakes — the list goes on. Every single one is labeled with the “GF” symbol I’ve come to know and love.