Guest Post: Follow Holly as she tags along on ATL Bucket List adventures and explores her favorite parts of Atlanta!
Hi, I’m Holly! Before I dive in and hopefully make you hungry for some awesome wheat-free food, let me introduce myself. I’m a fairly new Atlantan by way of Florida and North Carolina. I love running, yoga, exploring Atlanta’s many parks and hiking trails with my adorable puppy, and finding the yummiest healthy spots for a fun brunch or dinner (And ice cream. Always ice cream).
When my friend Alyssa (oops, I mean ATL Bucket List!) suggested I write this post, I was a little hesitant—I’m not really a “foodie” like her, and I often have to pick my dining out based on dietary restrictions. This is because I’m lucky enough to be a member of the growing gluten-free club—I had to completely cut out wheat, barley, malt, and all other gluten-ful foods a few years ago. But all sarcasm aside, I’m really lucky to live in Atlanta where there are tons of restaurants that are happy to cater to the GF diner’s needs. So if you’re gluten free, or your next date just let it drop on their Hinge profile that they abstain from wheat, I’ve got you covered for every occasion (because goodness knows I can never skip a meal) with some of my favorite places in the ATL!
Breakfast: Good Karma Coffee House
Photo by Good Karma Coffee House
This was a seriously amazing find. This super-cozy coffee house and bakery in Avondale Estates serves breakfast and lunch along with delicious Counter Culture coffee and lattes. Now, any GF person will tell you that their default breakfast is always the eggs, and Good Karma’s omelets were indeed very good (my favorite is the Veggie with cheddar cheese).
But what makes this place so special is that every single item, from the bakery treats to the french toast and pancakes (pancakes are kind of my own personal version of heaven on Earth), is made with certified GF ingredients, so we can order absolutely anything without fear. The French Toast, which came topped with strawberries and powdered sugar, received confirmation from a non-GF friend that came with me that it’s just as good, if not better, than any traditional wheat version.
Good Karma’s food is also completely nut, soy, and shellfish-free, and most of their food can be made vegetarian or vegan. I really think anyone would be satisfied and happily stuffed from a breakfast or lunch at this all-inclusive restaurant.
Lunch: Farm to Ladle
Photo by Farm to Ladle
Like I said, I love to get outside anytime the weather turns nice, and one of my favorite places to do so is the Atlanta Beltline. I inevitably get hungry on my adventures, so luckily tons of great spots have opened up along the Beltline—with one of the biggest and most exciting being Ponce City Market in midtown. An ATL Bucket List favorite, you’ve likely seen a ton of PCM restaurants you want to try on here, but if you’re GF definitely make a point to stop by Farm to Ladle. This PCM stall serves up one of the yummiest, healthiest, and GF-friendly lunches ITP.
Sometimes even though a dish might seem GF, it’s hard to tell because gluten can hide in places like salad dressing or condiments. What I love about Farm to Ladle (besides the yummy food!) is that their menu clearly indicates what is 100% GF so you don’t have to play a guessing game instead of just enjoying your meal. My favorite option is the Trio #2: a cup of soup and two salad options for just $12.99. It’s so much food and you get to try a few different things! The chicken chili is perfect for the chilly weather we’re feeling right now, and the quinoa and black bean salad is super filling and healthy (but really, everything I’ve tried is great).
P.S. If you happen to be in PCM and had a guilt-free lunch at Farm to Ladle, stop by the King of Pops bar after! Almost all of the popsicles, including my favorite Raspberry Lime, are GF—and obviously amazing. Their website lists which pops are indeed GF.
Dinner: True Food Kitchen
Okay, so my pick for dinner is not an Atlanta-exclusive- True Food has locations across the country. But I picked it for a number of excellent reasons: 1. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly about dietary restrictions; they have accommodated my GF (and any other) requests every single time with no trouble at all; 2. The menu is incredibly diverse and could literally please any type of eater; and 3. The food is amazing.
Atlanta’s True Food is located in Lenox Square in Buckhead. As a restaurant whose mission is to offer “anti-inflammatory”, longevity-promoting meals, the menu does indeed focus on healthy food—but this won’t be a rabbit food dinner! The House-Made Turkey Lasagna tastes like a decadent Italian meal, but since True Food makes the noodles from a spinach blend rather than wheat, it’s totally GF! And the “Inside-Out” Quinoa Burger, which comes topped with hummus, tzatziki, avocado, and feta, is basically all of my favorite foods on one plate.
And definitely order one of their “libations” of organic alcohol and fresh fruit or garnishes. My favorite is the Farmer’s Market Sangria made with brandy; trust me, it’s stronger than it tastes!
Dessert: Jeni’s Ice Cream
Did I mention I like ice cream? When I found out I had to go GF, I actually wasn’t too devastated about the dessert factor—I’m not a huge fan of cake or cupcakes (a little different from my ATL Bucket List BFF for sure!). But ice cream is my jam. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that because of additives and preservative ingredients, most ice cream is actually not certified GF. Cue very upset face.
Then, I found Jeni’s and my life was changed forever (I’m exaggerating but barely). Jeni’s Ice Cream has three locations ITP—Decatur, Westside, and my favorite, Krog Street Market. Their ice cream is made from sustainably sourced ingredients and they have some of the most interesting flavors I’ve ever seen, like Bourbon Salted Pecan, Sweet Corn Spoon Bread, and Wildberry Lavender. AND most of their ice creams and frozen yogurts (including all of the above!) are GF. Pistachio and Honey is probably my very favorite.
So there you have it, an ideal day in a gluten free Atlanta girl’s life. And while I particularly love the restaurants and shops I’ve listed above, there are so many more great choices in this city for anyone who needs or wants to eat GF, and many of them have already been featured on ATL Bucket List! Check out a few extra below. Now, I’m going to go eat 😉
Breakfast- Egg Harbor Cafe
More breakfast because… breakfast- Buttermilk Kitchen
Mexican- Bartaco
Sushi- Tomo
Tapas- Saltyard
Fried chicken (yes, they make it GF—it’s not impossible!)- Bantam and Biddy
Cupcakes- Georgetown Cupcake