Gluten Free Maine
We’ve traveled to many destinations but one place stands out as the best place to vacation for gluten free restaurants in the US.
We love to visit Maine. It’s easy to fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM) or Fly into Boston. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: If you fly into Boston you can get gluten free fried seafood at Legal Seafood right in the airport!
We were happily surprised to see how many gluten free items were available and how knowledgeable the waitstaff were at many restaurants. We have never visited a place that was so gluten cautious. It’s an amazing feeling to ask a waiter about gluten free options and get a friendly, educated reply.
There are too many gluten free menu items and restaurants that are safe for people with Celiacs to list but here are some of our favorites.
These are not just safe gluten free restaurants but really wonderful restaurants, that we eat at often when we are in Maine.
Listed in order from Southern Maine traveling North
Ogunquit
Our favorite little Maine beach town.
Brix + Brine - One of our top spots in one of our most loved towns. This is a outdoor seasonal restaurant. They have everything from Chicken Wings, fries, onion rings, and sandwiches to Lobster Rolls and more on the menu. The cocktails and Cider are great too.
The Crooked Pine - The year round, indoor sister restaurant of Brix + Brine. This family has a celiac and knows how to keep you safe. The chowder is delicious, gluten free pasta, most entrees and appetizers are or can be gluten free along with gluten free desserts. Open for dinner and weekend lunch. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Check the website for drink specials like Rosé All Day (50% off Rosé on Fridays).
Northern Union - This upscale restaurant is a nice choice for a romantic dinner with a wonderful selection of gluten free items clearly marked on the main menu. The knowledgeable staff made sure my meal was safe. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: If you don’t have a reservation, you might be able to eat at the bar but reservations are recommended. Gluten free menu
That Place - We had our anniversary meal here on a whim and were very happy with our choice. They have a limited amount of gluten free items clearly marked on their menu. The staff was knowledgeable when it came to food allergies. We love the beet salad and steaks with lobster and the pork chops.
Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: This is a small restaurant so reservations are a must during the Summer season
Oarweed - (closed for 2025 season due to a fire but will reopen soon) This oceanside restaurant in Perkins Cove doesn’t have a gluten free menu but has many gluten free options. We love the potato skins, broiled scallops (without breadcrumbs) steamers, burgers on Gluten Free buns and salads. The options are limited but the view is amazing.
Barnacle Billy’s - If you want the Maine coastal experience than this is the place to eat. You can sit on one of the two patios and watch boats come and go out of Perkins cove. They have a small gluten free menu but there are great gluten free options including the clam chowder, bacon wrapped scallops, seafood dishes, baked potatoes and coleslaw. They even had a cheesecake that was gluten free!
The Front Yard - This is one of our most favorite restaurants in the Ogunquit/Wells area. This Mediterranean restaurant is one of the easier places to get into during the busy Summer season. They don’t have a gluten free menu but the staff is always so helpful at putting a gluten free meal with gluten free dessert together. We love the flat breads, steaks, mussels and strawberry cake, all gluten free.
The Front Porch and Piano Bar - The tradition of dinner and drinks at this restaurant and piano bar is an Ogunquit favorite. It can be hard to get into but your wait will pay off. They have a dedicated gluten free fryer and a menu with roasted chicken, Lobster risotto and other gluten free menu items.
Cove Cafe - located in Perkins Cove, this family run spot is a great place for breakfast and brunch. They have a limit amount of gluten free items but you can safely order omelets and egg dishes with the help of your server.
Wells
Spinnakers - This casual outdoor dining restaurant is one of the safest places to eat for people with celiacs. And the bonus is it’s right up the road from the beach. All fried foods and fries can be gluten free in a dedicated fryer. They even ask you when you order at the walk up window if you have a gluten allergy. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Seasonal restaurant so check days and hours before you go.
Mikes Clam Shack - They have a dedicated gluten free Menu and the staff is very knowledgeable. We’ve eaten here many times with no wait and no problems. They do not have a dedicated gluten free fryer. Mike’s is a casual restaurant (we like to eat in the Pub side for a casual meal) Check for weekly specials like a 2 lobster dinner for $29, a steal during high tourist season. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Mike’s Clam Shack is open on Monday and Tuesday night when many area restaurants are closed. They are closed on Sunday. Refer to the online GF menu
Maine Diner - While they do not have a gluten free menu they do know how the safely serve gluten free food. Our favorite is the breakfast with poached eggs, corned beef and gluten free toast. They keep expanding the gluten free items on their menu even including GF breadcrumbs for the broiled seafood dishes. The food is predictable good and the wait staff is always friendly. They serve an all day breakfast and all the traditional Maine seafood dishes.
Many gluten free options on the menu like gluten free pad thai, gluten free curry, summer rolls, crispy fried tofu, papaya salad, gluten free soups Review
Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: They have takeout. Dishes aren’t spicy unless you mention your preference.
Big Daddy’s Ice Cream - They will wash scoop and dip from a new batch of ice cream if you ask. They don’t use a malt base in the vanilla ice cream. Located in Wells and Ogunquit.
Kennebunk
Smoke - Smoke’s wood fired barbecue makes you think you have stepped though a portal and landed in Austin, Texas. After eating seafood for the first week of our vacation we were ready for anything else. We were excited to find Smoke. They have a family member with celiacs and this has led them to create an almost completely gluten free restaurant. I believe the only thing with gluten is the macaroni and cheese side and the cornbread. They even have smoked tofu for the vegetarian in your group. Smoke caters and has takeout. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Try a KB Bowl at lunch, it’s all your sides in a bowl with Barbecue in the top. The portions are large. So Yummy!
Lucky Pigeon Brewery - We cannot express how much we love this brewery and these beers! After tasting one of their beers at Getty’s in Bar Harbor (see below). We made a trip to the brewery and were shocked to see the long list of beers they produce Ales, Lagers, Stouts, IPAs, and even seasonal beers. These are the best gluten free beers we have ever tasted. It’s fun to sit at the bar and see people come in who haven’t had a beer in years tell their celiac stories and bond over the simple pleasure of enjoying a beer. There are also tables and booths and a few snacks like gluten free hot dogs.
Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Bring a cooler. These beers are only sold cold and you will want to take a few four packs home with you. You can also find them locally in stores and restaurants, see a list here
Mekhong Thai (See Wells, above)
Arundel
The Holy Donut - with two Portland locations and locations in Arundel, Brunswick, and Scarborough
Maine potato donuts are a dense, cake style donuts. The holy donut gluten free donuts are delicious and come in many seasonal flavors, include lemon, blueberry, pumpkin, maple and many more. Take it from us, the Holy Donut is perfect for a gluten free sweet treat.
Saco
Sweets & Co - Opened in 2024 this Sweets & Co bakery offers pastries, cinnamon rolls, bagels, sandwiches, smoothies, coffee and tea that are all gluten free. The creator of Hand and Heart gluten free flour opened this amazing bakery in 2024. GF Menu
Run of the Mill Public House and brewery - It’s rare to find a brewery that has gluten free food. Beer is used in so many batters and sauces. This brewery has gluten free clearly marked on menu with gluten free offerings like pasta, buns, lobster rolls and tacos. They even serve Lucky Pigeon gluten free beer (see Lucky Pigeon Kennebunk)
Old Orchard Beach
Pier French Fries - Our favorite stop in Old Orchard Beach. They have been turning mountains of Maine potatoes into delicious french fries since 1932. This is a fun beach pier to spend a day or evening.
Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Avoid the traffic and parking hassles and take the train to Old Orchard Beach
Portland
The Holy Donut (see Arundel) two locations in Portland, one in the historic Old Port neighborhood.
Even Tide Oyster Company - Serving more than just delicious local oysters, this is a gluten free, foodies restaurant. Oysters served with flavored ices, chowder, crudo, and lobster rolls are examples of the amazing food here.
Three Dollar Deweys - This Portland pub has been a staple in the Portland Old Port since 1980 and offers a big selection for gluten free dishes including seafood chowder, sandwiches, brunch and even desserts. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: Save room for the Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie, Chocolate Lava Cake or the Maine Blueberry Frozen Custard.
Orange Bike Brewing - Maine’s first 100% gluten free dedicated Brewery. Their tasting room on Diamond street offers a large selection of Gluten Free beers on tap and sell canned beer as well.
Sinful Kitchen - The entire menu can be made gluten free! The sinful kitchen is family owned and offers gluten free brunch, waffles, French toast, and Eggs Benedict. They are not 100% gluten free but have a separate prep area and are serious about safety. They are located near the Portland International JetPort too. Menu
Bird & Co - If you’re in the mood for tacos, happy hour or brunch then this is the place to go. Many items on the menu are natural gluten free and the staff is knowledgeable when it comes to food allergies.
Flat Bread Company - When you feel like pizza the Flat Bread Company offers 12” gluten free flat breads with loads of topping choices.
Lil Chippy - Gluten free dedicated fryer, gluten free batter and buns, gluten free fish and chips, fried fish, chicken, crab and vegetarian sandwiches, and other snacks. Menu
Dimillo’s on the water - Water front dining inside or out of Portland’s harbor. Some gluten free items like seafood chowder, lobster bisque, salads and seared salmon and a bunch of menu items can be made Gluten Free. The staff and kitchen are well trained in serving gluten free meals. Menu
Falmouth
Bam Bam Gluten Free Bakery - Has recently reopened, check website for details before you go. Preorders for Cakes, quick breads, pop tarts, cinnamon rolls, bagels and much more.
Freeport
The Lobster Cooker - If you make a pilgrimage to LL Bean in Freeport than you will want to eat here. Chicken tenders, Fried Calamari, fried clams, fried scallops, and fried haddock baskets with fries that are all gluten free battered and fried in a dedicated fryer. They also serve salads, and steamed Maine lobsters. Sea Crescent Cottage Tip: There’s a full bar upstairs too.
Lewiston
The Chickadee - Close to the Maine turnpike and worth the stop. Owned and run by the Hirt family, this restaurant never disappoints. It’s a big restaurant but fills up quickly. They have one of the largest gluten free menu I have ever seen. The menu includes rice flour battered chicken and seafood, broiled seafood, gluten free lobster rolls, gf sandwiches and paninis, burgers and gluten free French fries.
Brunswick
Wild Flours Bakery has a huge selection for gluten free baked goods. They also sell whole pies and quiches.
Holy Donut - see Arundel above
The Broadway Deli is well known for it’s attention to multiple allergens. They a a big selection of sandwiches on gluten free bread. They also have a beautiful gluten free french toast.
Richard’s Restaurant - We haven’t been to Richard’s German American restaurant but it’s at the top of our list next time we’re in Brunswick. The menu includes gluten free Bratwurst, gluten free Bauernwurst, gluten free Currywurst, gluten Free Bier Gulasch, gluten free Schlachtplatte, gluten free steaks, gluten free soups and much more.
Bar Harbor
Getty’s - 98% of the menu is gluten free. They are serious about gluten free safety. They even serve Lucky Pigeon gluten free beer.
Read about Getty’s allergen safety here
