Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Montreal (2026 Guide)

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March 14, 2022 wq6sug (0) Comments

Eating gluten-free in Montreal has become much easier. More restaurants now train staff on celiac disease, many bakeries offer dedicated gluten-free products, and several of the city’s favourite cuisines are naturally low in gluten. Here is how to eat well and safely.

Naturally gluten-friendly cuisines

  • Vietnamese: pho made with rice noodles, rice paper rolls and grilled meats with rice. Ask about soy sauce and hoisin, which often contain wheat.
  • Portuguese grilled chicken: a Montreal favourite; ask whether the fries share a fryer with breaded items.
  • Indian: many curries, dals and tandoori dishes are thickened without flour; avoid naan and check samosas.
  • Mexican and Latin American: corn tortillas, tacos and arepas, as long as they are cooked separately from flour products.
  • Japanese: sashimi and rice dishes, with tamari instead of regular soy sauce.

Montreal classics: what to watch for

Poutine gravy is usually thickened with wheat flour, and fries can be cooked in shared fryers. Some restaurants offer gluten-free gravy, so ask. Bagels and smoked meat sandwiches are made with wheat; smoked meat itself can be ordered as a plate without bread, but confirm the spice rub and cross-contact risks.

Questions to ask the restaurant

  1. Do you have a gluten-free menu, or can dishes be adapted?
  2. Is there a dedicated fryer for fries?
  3. Are sauces and gravies thickened with flour?
  4. Do you use separate surfaces and utensils for gluten-free orders?
  5. Is staff trained on celiac disease, not only on gluten-free preferences?

Tips for celiac diners

  • Call ahead or mention it when booking, not only when ordering.
  • Avoid peak hours, when kitchens are busiest and mistakes are more likely.
  • Carry a bilingual card explaining celiac disease (“maladie cœliaque”) for French-speaking staff.
  • The Fondation québécoise de la maladie cœliaque shares resources and certified products.

Menus and kitchen practices change, so always confirm directly with the restaurant. Looking for more ideas? See our best restaurants in Montreal.

This guide is general information and not medical advice.