These Jersey Shore spots offer gluten-free options, from tacos to pizza to cheesecake
How does a savory meal like steak with garlic and shallot brown butter sound? Or pan-roasted local scallops with sesame cucumber-daikon salad and chili miso aioli?
You can find them at Cavé Bistro, 515 Sylvania Ave., in Avon-by-the-Sea, a 100% gluten-free, farm-to-table restaurant that uses mainly organic produce and grass-fed, pasture-raised meats, game and poultry from Silver Fern Farms in New Zealand — and fish, shrimp and more from Local 130 Seafood in Asbury Park.
"Eat Well, Feel Your Best" is how they put it on cavebistro.com.
Of course the eatery is far from the only one serving food at the Shore for those with dietary restrictions. Lots of restaurants, ice cream shops and bakeries offer gluten-free dishes. From double chocolate brownies to pizza to buffalo wings, there are plenty of options.
Here are few. While this list is not meant to be exhaustive, if we missed your favorite gluten-free spot, let us know.
Anna Bananas Bakery, Manahawkin
This bakery has a slew of gluten-free options from muffins, custom birthday cakes and pies to cheesecake with almond-based crust and French macaroons. The pignoli nut cookies are gluten-free, as well as a rotating cupcake flavor (this week it's mint chocolate chip).
Also try the gluten-free cookie sandwiches.
Go: 657 E. Bay Ave. Suite 4; 609-488-2323, annabananasbakerynj.com.
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Cluck U, Manasquan
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This Cluck U location has a fryer dedicated solely to gluten-free food, preventing cross-contamination. Most of the chicken and wings, empanadas and wraps can be made gluten-free, including the Ranchero Wrap with chicken, lettuce, bacon and ranch dressing; or balsamic chicken wrap, with chicken, lettuce, roasted red peppers and balsamic dressing.
There are also gluten-free appetizers, like fried pickle chips.
Go: 2241 Route 35; 732-800-3131, cluckuchicken.com.
Crust & Crumble Pizzeria, Asbury Park
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Posted by Crust & Crumble Pizzeria & Bakery on Thursday, January 25, 2024
It's rare that a pizzeria has an entire menu of gluten-free options. Here, you can order anything from salads and appetizers; pasta like the grilled chicken or shrimp bruschetta with fresh tomato basil, pan sauce and fresh mozzarella; and pizzas like the Veggies with mushroom, jalapeno, red peppers, pineapple, scallions, red onion, Portobello, spinach, sun dried tomato, Kalamata, presto, broccoli, artichoke hearts and caramelized onions.
Go: 633 Lake Ave.; 732-776-7767, crustandcrumble.com
Cookman Creamery, Asbury Park
Most ice creams available at Cookman Creamery are gluten-free, but they also have vegan options made using dairy substitutes like organic coconut cream, almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter or oat milk. Try flavors like almond butter-based salted chocolate, or organic coconut cream-based strawberry. The creamery will also be offering a gluten-free and vegan homemade waffle cone.
Many of the available cakes, including the carrot cake, are gluten-free as well.
Go: 711 Cookman Ave.; 732-361-5215, cookmancreamery.com.
Good Karma Cafe, Red Bank
This vegan restaurant has plenty of gluten-free options, including the Gado Gado salad, with romaine lettuce, cabbage and carrots, topped with smoky tofu strips, sesame seed mix and roasted peanuts, dressed in a cilantro peanut dressing.
Want something a little more filling? Try the Kimchee Bowl with brown rice, black beans and baked tofu strips, topped with fresh arugula, pickled daikon, carrot and cucumber and homemade kimchee, finished with a drizzle of spicy sriracha sauce.
Go: 17 E. Front St.; 732-450-8344, goodkarmacafenj.com.
Papa Ganache, Matawan
This vegan and gluten-free bakery offers a slew of options. Try sweets like lemon blueberry doughnuts or double chocolate muffins, or heartier dishes like homemade soups and eggplant parmigiana.
Papa Ganache also makes whole cakes, like the Black and White vanilla cake with chocolate frosting inside and out, or the carrot cake filled with cream cheese or vanilla frosting.
Go: 106 Main St.; 732-217-1750, papaganache.com.
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Mensa, Long Beach
This Mexican restaurant boasts being the only 100% gluten-free eatery on Long Beach Island. The menu is your oyster. Try tacos like The Birdie, with braised chicken, Brussels sprout hash and chipotle cream, or The Hippie, with roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, raw shredded carrots and chimichurri.
The restaurant also offers bowls with braised chicken, short rib, pork or roasted veggies with rice, beans and choice of sides; as well as sandwiches. Try the Lotta Beef Inside sandwich, with braised pulled short rib, sliced Boar’s Head top round London Broil, glazed onion on an Italian baguette, served with house made corn chips.
Go: 13410 Long Beach Blvd.; 609-661-7466, mensaeats.com.
More gluten-free spots
Cats Luck Vegan Bakery in Neptune City has tons of gluten-free sweet treats, from custom cakes to pastries. But the menu also offers gluten-free food like the loaded biscuit breakfast plate topped with potatoes, vegan egg, country gravy, coconut bacon, cheddar and scallions; and loaded tofu or egg scramble, with veggies, cheese, beans and home fries. Go: 140 Steiner Ave.; 732-361-7294, catsluckvegan.com.
Pulp in Asbury Park is a juice bar, but they also have gluten-free bites like bagels, or toasts like the Cucumber Zaatar with cream cheese, cucumber, tomato, hemp seeds, Zaatar seasoning and toasted homemade bread. Go: 516 Summerfield Ave.; 732-361-3744, pulpasbury.com.
Talula's in Asbury Park is known for gluten-free options like the TeFiti salad with local spring mix greens, pea tendrils, English, snap peas, cucumber, radish, feta and green goddess dressing. They also serve gluten-free bites, like a Detroit-style deep dish pizza, at Alternate Ending Beer Co. in Aberdeen. Go: 550 Cookman Ave., Suite 108; 732-455-3003, talulaspizza.com.
Living on the Veg in Manahawkin has an entire gluten-free breakfast and lunch menu, including options like the Knuckle Sandwich with steamed tofu, tempeh bacon, tomato, vegan cheese sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper and vegan mayo; and a barbecue portabella wrap with brown rice, black beans, portabella, peppers, onion, romaine, tomato, avocado, homemade sauce and cabbage. Go: 657 E. Bay Ave., Suite 3; 609-891-2383, livingontheveglbi.com.
While this list is not meant to be exhaustive, if we missed you're favorite gluten-free spot, let us know!
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore restaurants, bakeries offer gluten-free options