Can't take gluten? Fret not, these days there are plenty of places that cater to gluten-free diners.
Gluten, meaning “glue” in Latin, is a protein that’s mainly found in grains like wheat, rye and barley. It helps things like pizza dough and pasta keep their structure, and for some of us, eating it is no biggie. But when you’ve got a gluten sensitivity, leaky gut issues that lead to intolerance, or you suffer from celiac disease, avoiding that stuff is essential for your wellbeing. Luckily for you, healthy eateries and salad bars are popping up everywhere with plenty of gluten-free options. Here are our recommendations!
Top gluten-free spots in Singapore
The Butcher’s Wife
If you are coeliac, you can close your eyes and pick anything from the menu here. Why? ‘Cos all the dishes are gluten-free and, more importantly, tasty! From entrees like crispy pig ears and coconut pumpkin soup to mains like grilled octopus and buckwheat tagliatelle, The Butcher’s Wife is proof you don’t have to skimp on flavours while going gluten-free. For brunch lovers, take your pick from the organic acai and banana bowl or French toast.
The Butcher’s Wife, 19 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168650
Oh My Goodness!
These bakes are what sweet dreams are made of. The best part? All the tried-and-tested goodies, including walnut carrot cake, zucchini banana bread and lemon raspberry cake, are gluten-, dairy- and refined sugar-free. The holy trinity of healthy eating, if you ask us. You can get your hands on these treats at places like vegan ice cream parlour Kind Kones and online grocer RedMart. Alternatively, check out the e-store and have ’em delivered right to your doorstep.
Oh My Goodness!, shop online
Ryan’s Grocery
Named after the founders’ son (who’s allergic to gluten products, amongst others), Ryan’s Grocery isn’t just a gourmet butcher with quality organic and free-range meats. It also houses a wide selection of wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and preservative-free goods. That includes superfoods, organic greens and meats, healthy snacks and more. Go crazy at its biggest outlet in Great World City! After all that shopping, check out the cafe, Ryan’s Kitchen, for an amazing selection of meats and burgers.
Ryan’s Grocery, 29 Binjai Park, Singapore 589831 and #B1-144/145, Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994
Coriander Leaf
This menu boasts myriad pan-Asian dishes that are split into six flavour profiles such as spicy, umami and fresh. The idea is to pick a few from each category and share. If you happen to be dining with someone who doesn’t deal with gluten, no problem! Order the charcoal-grilled baby lamb chops, barbecued stingray slathered with spicy sambal or miso-marinated silver cod. What about vegetarians? There’s a dedicated plant-based menu, too. Expect the same categorisation but with falafel, tofu, kale and Impossible meats.
Coriander Leaf, #02-01, Chijmes, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996
The Living Cafe
Joined at the hip with holistic wellness centre Balanced Living, this cafe aims to inspire patrons with its dedication to sustainability and a healthy lifestyle. Take a look at the menu and you will see it has something for everyone, no matter your dietary requirements. Gluten-free options include brown rice bowls, which are topped with chicken, barramundi, tempeh or kale and cauliflower. Also try the wholemeal pizzas that can be switched to a gluten-free base. Or raw delights like zucchini noodles with pesto and walnut-based meatballs in a lettuce taco shell.
The Living Cafe, 779 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269758
GlutenFree SG
So you hate going through the entire supermarket just to pick out gluten-free ingredients? Simply order them online with GlutenFree SG. Here’s where you can get ingredients for your weekend bakes and even gluten-free salami or mac and cheese!
GlutenFree SG, shop online
Kitchen by Food Rebel
This popular lunchtime resto has a mind-boggling array of gluten-free options. Pop by for brekkie and enjoy a three-egg omelette, which can be topped with avo, mushrooms or both. The hearty buckwheat porridge with gluten-free wholegrain and house-made cashew butter is a tasty treat, too. More gluten-free lunch options include Rebel Buddha bowls and zoodle bolognese – a spaghetti-inspired dish that swaps carbs for shredded zucchini.
Kitchen by Food Rebel, 28 Stanley Street, Singapore 068737
Delcie’s Desserts
If it’s something sweet you’re after, take a gander at Delcie’s Desserts for a selection of gluten-free cakes and bakes. In addition to vegan-, diabetic- and baby-friendly cakes, Delcie’s gluten-free selection is sure to satisfy the sweet tooth in you. Order chocolate-y treats like the decadent fudge brownie and banana fudge cake, or nutty numbers like the strawberry nutty ice cream cake.
Delcie’s Desserts, #01-83, 34 Whampoa West, Singapore 330034
The Whole Kitchen
The Whole Kitchen is founded by two Singapore-based Aussies on a quest to find healthy, wholesome treats. Its range of locally made gluten-free goodies is, frankly, amazing. The nut-packed granola with cocoa and coconut is one of our go-tos! We’re also impressed that the banana cakes and energy pearls (delish raw balls of nuts, seeds and dried fruits) are low in sugar. Oh, and the gluten-free bread is amongst the best we’ve tried.
The Whole Kitchen, shop online
Guzman y Gomez
This Mexican joint has all your gluten-free lunch and dinner options sorted. Go crazy with its soft and hard tacos, nachos and filling salads, which are topped with the likes of steak, pulled pork, grilled chicken and pan-seared barramundi. Vegetarian and vegan options are available too! With several outlets peppered across the island, we can see why this fuss-free taqueria is a hit.
Guzman y Gomez, multiple locations including Funan and Guoco Tower
Grain Traders
Championing the slow food movement with its grain bowls that see hearty proteins like tuna tataki and beef parillada, Grain Traders is where it’s at. Switch up your base options with quinoa and super greens, we say. You’ll see it’s easy-peasy to put together a satisfying gluten-free meal that’s takeaway-friendly and high in protein.
Grain Traders, CapitaGreen, ground floor, 138 Market Street, Singapore 048946
TWB Pizza and Bar
Going gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to give up your favourite comfort food. TWB Pizza and Bar makes delish options that are available with gluten-free pizza bases. Go for favourites like the peri-peri chicken or Philly prime steak.
TWB Pizza and Bar, 215R Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574349
Afterglow
Specialising in raw and vegan plates, this intimate, industrial-chic cafe serves tasty meatless dishes that would make even the most insatiable carnivores give it a thumbs up. Most of the menu is gluten-free except for the burger buns, which can be easily swapped out for a gluten-free brown rice variant or lettuce. Try the popular low-carb raw crispy lasagne that features sheets of zucchini – that’s one way to meet your daily recommended intake of veggies.
Afterglow, 24 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089131
Bakening
We’re eyeing Bakening’s gluten-, dairy- and egg-free vegan and paleo cookies here at Honeycombers. Yeah, that’s a mouthful, but these tiny cookies are a real delight. Our fave has to be the sea salt-sprinkled ones! Plus, Bakening’s almond and cashew bread is soft and crumble-free (gluten-free bread eaters, you know what we mean), and don’t get us started on the choc fudge cake – simply divine.
Bakening, shop online