One of the most exciting things about traveling is finding new and exciting foods to try. Unfortunately, those who have to, or choose to, follow a gluten-free diet, dining out while on vacation can quickly become stressful. Finding a breakfast, lunch, or dinner spot that offers gluten-free food isn’t always easy, and if you’re traveling with others who don’t have food allergies, it can feel like you’re holding people back from experiencing the amazing regional cuisine. Well my Celiac, Gluten Intolerant, and Gluten Sensitive friends, you are in luck! Great gluten free cuisine can be found at no compromise in the Catskills! Everyone in your group can find something to eat at Catskills restaurants without worry.
Celebrate the weekend with a delicious Sunday morning brunch. Grab a slice after a long day of adventure at a fun pizza joint or fill up at a casual family-friendly restaurant. Or, since you are on vacation, after all, treat yourself to a show-stopping dinner with exquisite food and equally memorable cocktails. And all of it can be accomplished while accommodating your gluten-free needs! For once, you might find yourself feeling lucky that you’re part of the “gf” community! As you plan your next Catskills getaway, bookmark the following gluten-free-friendly restaurants to make eating out easy, stress-free, and delicious!
Eat Gluten-Free in the Catskills
- HiLo Café
- Callicoon Caffe
- The Cake Artist Café
- Pomodoro’s Italian Eatery
- Benji & Jakes
- Feather & Stone
- The New York Restaurant
- Trattoria Locale
- A&P Bar
Cafés and Bakeries
In addition to a wide selection of beverages, including coffee and espresso drinks, specialty teas, Kombucha, local beers, wines, and an impressive list of craft cocktails, Catskill’s HiLo Café offers gluten-free breakfast and lunch options. Start your day with the house granola bowl, made with fresh fruit, local Greek yogurt, honey, and energy-rich chia seeds, or dig into their savory steel cut oats served with mushrooms and sauerkraut, and topped with a fried egg. For a more substantial meal, try their homemade tamales or signature quinoa bowl. Breakfast is served all day at the Callicoon Caffe in Callicoon, NY. Don’t be fooled by the attached gas station, their food is top notch! Gaze out on the Delaware River while you enjoy a wide variety of gluten-free options. Keep with the breakfast theme and enjoy a hot egg sandwich on gf bread, or stop by for lunch to experience unlikely menu items like marinated calamari and fresh shrimp salads. The Cake Artist Café is a gluten-free dream come true. Enjoy a breakfast of champions, like an eggs benedict sandwich on gf bread, or huevos rancheros over a corn tostada. For lunch, order a toppings-filled salad without feeling like you’re settling. Opt for a signature hot or cold sandwich, or build your own from their deli selections. The best part? Almost all of their custom cake flavors can be made gluten-free! Choose your favorite gourmet filling and homemade frosting to create the gf dessert you’ve been craving.Casual Dining
Bring the whole family to Pomodoro’s Italian Eatery in Catskill for casual, traditional Italian cuisine. Enjoy a soul-satisfying plate of pasta, like the Penne Alla Vodka, made with gluten-free penne. Or, indulge in any of their specialty pizzas on a gf crust. Go for the classic Margherita or load up on the Pomodoro’s Deluxe. From their full bar, select a glass or bottle of wine, or step out of your comfort zone and try one of their signature cocktails, like the Bikini Martini! Speaking of pizza, you simply can’t miss Benji & Jakes if you’re a fan of a good slice. They specialize in totally unique pies that will exceed your wildest dreams. Sate your artistic appetite with a Jackson Pollack, topped with four different sauces, as well as smoked mozzarella and fresh mushrooms. Get a little silly and order the Laughing Goat, which comes with vodka sauce, goat cheese, shiitake mushrooms, and caramelized onions, or the very punny Fungus Amongus featuring marinara sauce, three kinds of cheese, two kinds of mushroom, and fresh black cracked pepper. For dessert, ask for the daily flavor of New York-made gelato! If you happen to be near Walton, NY, stop by Feather & Stone. Open Tuesday to Saturday, you will enjoy world-class food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Local artwork lines the walls while the menu takes you on a tour of America’s favorite regional comfort foods. While they do warn of potential cross-contamination, there are a number of items labeled gluten-free on their menu, including Tex-Mex staples like Baja tacos and nachos, a Texas BBQ rib plate, and jumbo New England scallops. Feather & Stone also offers a full bar and frequently hosts live local music and community events.Formal Affairs
A historic Catskill hotspot dating back to Prohibition, The New York Restaurant has received new life as a modern venue with a speakeasy style. The vibrant, elegant atmosphere perfectly accompanies the creative culinary style, which blends American staples with European style and Polish flavors. Quality and simplicity find perfect harmony on the plate. Try one of their signature burgers on a gluten-free bun, or dig into a perfectly cooked pork chop accompanied by maple butter, apple sauce, sauerkraut, and creamy mashed potatoes. While the menu doesn’t specify many gluten-free options, the knowledgeable staff is happy to accommodate. With specials almost every night of the week, an incredible Sunday Brunch, and live music every Friday and Saturday night, it might quickly become your go-to Catskills restaurant. At Trattoria Locale in Margaretville, local means local and family-owned means heartfelt service and unparalleled quality. Their innovative menu pairs traditional Italian cuisine with touches of fresh Catskills flavors. With ingredients sourced seasonally to ensure freshness, the menu changes frequently, but always offers options for gluten-free patrons. Substitute gf pasta in mouthwatering dishes like Spaghetti Carbonara Con Guanciale, with a fresh farm egg, crispy pork jowl, and pecorino romano. Stop in for lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Thursday through Sunday, or Sunday brunch. A&P Bar in Woodstock adds a new level of class to the bar experience. With a strong focus on community and duality – the idea that a place, a drink, a meal, and an experience can be two things at once and need not simplify itself to a single meaning – they offer a wide variety of dishes that draw inspiration from many different cuisines. Begin with fries topped with parsley and goat cheese, or an order of Mexican-style street corn. Move on to steak frites ala plancha, or the to-die-for Catskill salad. Pair your meal with a true artisan cocktail, like their signature drink, the Dawa. Fresh pressed apple vodka, fresh lime and mandarin, and raw sugar are mixed together with a muddler dipped in whipped honey. If that doesn’t sound enough like dessert, check out their full list of after-dinner treats, all of which are gluten-free! Being gluten free should never mean you have to compromise. Live your Catskills getaway to the fullest knowing there will be plenty for you to eat and enjoy. You can even get in on the Catskills craft beverage scene! The region is full of cideries and wineries just waiting to be sampled and explored. Bon appetite, sans the gluten!
