Honey No. 60
The best gf/df spots in Los Angeles, according to a highly-sensitive girl
Food was the first reason I fell in love with LA. I’m allergic to gluten and dairy (autoimmune girlies say heyyyyy), and while 8 years in the Midwest was so special for so many reasons, finding incredible fresh cuisine that I could actually eat wasn’t exactly one of them. My visits, and subsequent move to Los Angeles have been packed with allergen-free, shame-free wonder: there are almost always options for me wherever I go, there is almost no one making me feel bad for having a sensitive system (as if?? the sensitivity?? wasn’t difficult?? enough??), and I am constantly reuniting with treats I haven’t been able to have since childhood (black and white cookies! I thought I’d never have you again! you’re just ok but I love you just the same!).
Here are some of my favorite spots for gf/df dining in LA, with the hearty approval of the able-stomached community:
Amara Kitchen- If I know you, I’ve taken you here. I love Amara so tremendously much. The food is simple and good, with tons of allergen-friendly options that don’t make my stomach hurt. I love the spicy chicken and quinoa bowl as a classic choice that will fill me up, but also love the breakfast burrito, the bison burrito, the sweet potato quesadilla, the buckwheat pancake to share with the table, and truly anything in the pastry case for dessert. My only note is that I wish they served dinner. Amara 4eva <3.
Honey Hi- My friend Hannah took me to Honey Hi when I first visited LA in 2017, and I was absolutely starstruck. At the time I was just thrilled that I could get gluten-free toast at a restaurant (…), but even now that I live here I see it as a true LA gem. Fresh ingredients, well-made, bright, yummy food…you really can’t go wrong here. The epitome of an LA café- I wish this existed in every city.
Yogaurt- The best place with the worst name. My friend Alison and I are Yogaurt evangelists, and our best guess (as we describe in our spiel to newcomers) is that the founders were like it’s “frozen yogurt” but healthier (it’s vegan softserve), and yoga is healthy, so yoga-urt. Listen, I’m not defending them, I’m just trying to understand, same as you. But we’re getting distracted here: this is the best vegan ice cream that I’ve ever had. I don’t love a super sweet ice cream (which is why the vegan options at Magpies don’t do it for me), and Yogaurt somehow nails the balance exactly with their almond- and cashew- based softserve. Alison and I almost always get their peanut butter and chocolate ice cream swirl, with gluten-free brownie bites (DELICIOUS). I always get chocolate chips and she sometimes gets strawberries. You can also do a gluten-free waffle cone, if you’re up for it. I’d go every day, if I was allowed.
Triple Beam Pizza- Is it the most mind-blowing pizza in the world? Not exactly, but it’s yummy and consistent and right in my neighborhood, so that’s a yay for me. My favorite gf/df pizza I’ve ever had was at Saraghina in Brooklyn, for the record, but they don’t deliver to Highland Park, so we have to make do. Vegan cheese can sometimes be a little gnarly or gluey, which is randomly not my favorite, so I tend to stick with their pomodoro pizza which is cheeseless and delicious. I add pepperoni!
Kitchen Mouse- When I first moved to LA, I had never had a breakfast burrito. Back in my gluten-eating days I was a pretty picky eater, and had never *really* gotten into the art of the sandwich/wrap. Then suddenly I was allergic, and Chicago didn’t offer much in the way of allergen-friendly ‘wich craft, so you can imagine my DELIGHT when I discovered the perfect food- a breakfast burrito- at the age of 31. I was new to LA and had nothing but time on my hands, thanks to my pandemic unemployment, so I made up for lost, burrito-less years by visiting Kitchen Mouse damn near every day. They have since gotten rid of the burrito (it was a build-your-own situation and apparently too many people made bad choices then blamed the restaurant and ruined it for everyone?? Let me teach a workshop just once, I beg of you!!!), but I still like to visit every now and then. I think we’re on good terms.
Belle’s Bagels- My picky gluten days meant that my last experiences with a bagel were just toasted and buttered, which, don’t get me wrong, is delicious, but there is simply so much more. It’s insane but I only had a (gluten-free) bagel with (dairy-free) cream cheese and (regular ass) lox WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS and let me tell you….they’re really on to something with that one. I’ve been trying to pace myself but it doesn’t always work (had a bagel from Belle’s both yesterday and today), but find comfort in the reminder that this is my heritage we’re talking about here. This is my birthright. My long lineage of New York Jews smile each time I take a perfect bite. I’ll probably be back tomorrow. To honor my ancestors, that is.
Modern Bread and Bagel- A few trips to Belle’s ago, I ran into a friend from college who informed me that the best gluten-free bagel in the city is actually at Modern Bread and Bagel (her credentials: gluten-free, Jewish, New Yorker). I found myself in the neighborhood recently and stopped in for a bagel (and some chocolate zucchini bread!!!), and while the food was, in fact, delicious, the location (right in the heart of Beverly Hills) was so off-putting that I don’t think I can justify another trip unless I’m already somehow in the neighborhood. There’s no parking! Everyone is made of plastic! I always feel like I should apologize for my car (Subaru, regular) when I’m in the city limits! They also have a location in Santa Monica, which might be better vibes-wise, but in general the food is very yum. As someone who almost always has extremely limited options dining out, it’s overwhelming to have so many delicious baked, bready choices at one spot. They have gluten-free challah, a bread I haven’t been able to have in soooo long, and if you can handle dairy they have gf rugelach and babka too! Maybe there will be some for me someday. Maybe 🥲.
Honorable Mentions/Places I’d Like to Try:
Awan- Someone described this as the best vegan ice cream they’ve ever had (probably chiming in when I was waxing poetic about Yogaurt). I’ve seen the pints sold around the city (At Cookbook, for instance!), but want to go to a brick and mortar and taste every single flavor for myself. There’s not one near me, which is probably for the best, but I’m down for a roadtrip!!
Prime Pizza- My gf/df friend Katy recommended this pizza spot in Altadena that is making their comeback after the fires! Per our early vegan cheese discussion, she advises adding a good amount of toppings to enhance the *experience*. I can’t wait to try!
Daisy Mint- A Thai spot in Pasadena that can make any of their classics gluten free (aka no soy sauce, no fish sauce with gluten, etc). Yum!
Hot Tongue Pizza- I’ve heard their pizza is good in general and their gf/df option holds up too!
Happy snacking, my friends! What are your favorite gf/df spots in your city? PLEASE SHARE, I’m always on the hunt!!!
xx Olivia
yayyy so good !!!