Discovering I had to go gluten-free a couple summers back was a rough experience. I mean, what would you do if you were told you canât have bread or hibachi ever again, or anything without first extensively making sure it has no wheat, barley, or rye in it, and then still having the possibility of getting âglutenedâ from a sneaky ingredient like some natural flavorings or sweeteners? It wasnât an easy adjustment for me, but over time, Iâve found some reliable restaurants in the Greater Tampa Bay Area that I can go to without worrying about spending a pretty penny on my allergy. Here are a couple of my personal favorites for my fellow gluten-free friends, regardless of your reasoning:
- Bamboozle Heights
-
A local Vietnamese restaurant with locations in Channelside and Seminole Heights (the latter of which is my personal choice), thatâs dedicated to gluten-free (and vegan) food, their online and in-person menus clearly labeled. Their rolls, pho, and nearly all of their other noodle dishes are gluten-free alongside their house-made sauces. Theyâre already pretty affordable, sitting at around a range of $10-20, but on Tuesdays, their pho bowls (which are large) are half-off, too! Bamboozle is my absolute favorite and a weekly lunch/dinner must.
- Bolay
-
As a healthy option, Bolay, located in Brandon and South Tampa, has an Asian-inspired menu that is 100% gluten-free and 100% delicious. Itâs similar to Chipotle or Fresh Kitchen with a build-a-bowl (Bolayâs âBolâ) concept, focused on leaner proteins and nutrient-dense bases and vegetables. Itâs quick and easy, perfect for in between classes or right before work, with their price range staying around $10-15. My personal order is a sweet potato noodle base, mushrooms (or broccoli), sweet potatoes, and teriyaki chicken topped with pickled onions, feta, and a cilantro-lime sauce.
- Craft Kafe
-
A completely gluten-free dedicated cafĂŠ is rare to find for reasonable prices, but Craft Kafe is exactly that. Located within a 15-minute walking distance of both USF St. Pete and The Dali Museum, itâs the perfect start to an aesthetic study session or a great source of creative inspiration. Their prices range from $5-15, depending on if you get food or drink, including baked treats and sandwiches! Based on my experience, you wouldnât even be able to tell they were gluten-free unless you were told so. Itâs hard to choose a favorite from here, but their Pain au Chocolat is definitely up there!
- Jay Luigi
-
Italian food has got to be one of the categories I miss most since I started reacting to gluten, but Jay Luigiâs menu (while not 100% gluten-free or designated) is very accommodating. Having locations in both St. Pete and South Tampa, theyâre probably the most expensive on the list, with pizzas and pastas (which can be done gluten-free for an extra $2) range from $15-25. Despite the upcharge, Iâd consider it a fair exchange for being able to have my favorite form of glutenous carbs again!
- Crazy Sushi
-
This is more of an honorable mention since it is on the pricier side, but an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) sushi and hibachi (and more) place is a special treat that deserves to be shared. AYCE prices range around $25-35 depending if itâs lunch or dinner, but normal non-AYCE prices are far lower ($7-18). They have a dedicated gluten-free menu alongside labeling which items can be made gluten-free if you ask! Having locations in South Tampa and Wesley Chapel, Crazy Sushi is definitely worth it as a little treat when youâre really missing that hibachi.
Itâs not always easy to keep up the 100% gluten-free lifestyle, even if you need to like myself, but having access to safe restaurants when you want to go out makes it a million times better. The Greater Tampa Bay area already contains a plethora of great gluten-free options, but seemingly every day more places are putting in the effort to be aware and accommodating of such allergies and preferences. While everyoneâs gluten sensitivity is different, I recommend starting with these restaurants. Coming from someone who has scouted many gluten-free restaurants, I can confirm through my own sensitivity that these are great options to explore. Us gluten-free friends also deserve the restaurant experience!