Gluten Free Dining on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

My family and I spent a lovely week on Cape Cod, Massachusetts recently. Our accommodations were in Dennisport (mid-Cape), a great base for visiting the area beaches, historic towns, hiking and biking trails, as well as the upper and lower Cape attractions. There were plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep my 12 year olds entertained including, hiking, biking, kayaking, go-carts and a few rounds of mini-golf. The entrance to Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham (and ending in Provincetown) is nearby, where the 40 mile drive will take you past pristine shorelines, lighthouses, marshlands, kettle ponds, sandy dunes, and historic structures.

Having spent time on the Cape before, I was already aware of a few gluten-free eateries in the mid-Cape area, but I did my research before leaving, and came up with a few new ones to try. All the restaurants noted below are casual, family-friendly and provided a safe, gluten-free dining experience (except for one  … see below note).

 

Chatham Fish & Lobster Co.

Chatham Fish & Lobster Co., 1291 Main Street, Chatham (my favorite!) View menu HERE. 

Gluten-Free Options:  The fry batter is 100% gluten-free, so most all of the fried seafood, which was lightly battered, is safe.  Other GF options included:  rolls, banana bread, a nice assortment of salads/antipasto located in the front case, coleslaw, wrapped Tate’s cookies and an individual-sized packaged cheesecake by Chuckanut Bay Foods. My absolute favorite item had to be the gluten-free crab cakes!  I haven’t been able to enjoy crab cakes since my celiac diagnosis (and I’m a New England gal!). I ordered a combo dish of fried scallops and shrimp with side of tasty coleslaw. The crab cakes and fried seafood came with a serving of tangy tarragon tartar sauce. Everything was fresh and delicious. (Tip to get there: Chatham Fish & Lobster Co. is located further down Main Street (heading towards Dennisport), away from the quaint, but congested, shopping area. It is located in the Cornfield Plaza, next to Chatham General Store), easy to park. They have a second location in South Dennis, but this is not a sit down restaurant, but rather a take-out of uncooked food to prepare at home. [Visiting tip: Stop by lovely Chatham Beach, near the lighthouse .. but beware, sharks have been known to lurk off shore and often times swimming is prohibited. Nevertheless, it is still enjoyable to walk on the silky, white sand along the shoreline and on the paths through the billowy grasses.]

 

Paleo Pizzeria

Palio Pizzeria, 435 Main Street, Hyannis (peanut free facility) View regular menu HERE.

Gluten-free Options: Specialty brick-oven pizzas & salads, gluten-free beer and the home-made Sangria is filled with fresh fruit and is sweetly refreshing! Their GF pizza is cooked in same oven as regular pizza, but a separate tray is used, and they are careful about cross-contamination (I inquired!).  I ordered a GF crusted pizza topped with chicken, basil, artichoke, tomato and cheese. No GF desserts available.  [Visiting Tip: A short drive from the Hyannisport dock area, is the Kennedy Compound on Marchant Avenue. Senator Ted Kennedy & his wife were the last to live in the main house (I believe he died there in 2009). The front of the home can best be viewed by boat, but you can see a tiny corner of  it if you park at the top of Marchant, and also from another viewing point, across the water. There you can see the sprawling lawn that was visible in so many documentary films about the Kennedy’s (the Kennedy brothers playing football, JFK walking towards the beachfront with Jackie O … the late John Jr. and Caroline frolicking nearby). The Senator donated the residence to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and it may be open to the public at some point in the future.]

 

Idgy’s

Idgy’s, 23 S. White’s Path, South Yarmouth (tucked away in a retail strip).  View Menu HERE. 100% gluten-free facility and menu. This casual eatery/bakery offers gluten-free (some vegan) breakfast and lunch items, breads, pizza, entrees, cakes, pies (whole & by the slice) muffins, dessert bars & much more. I bought a few sweets to go which were delish.  100% worry-free, gluten-free dining at Idgy’s! [Visiting Tip:  Just a short drive from Idgy’s is Gray’s beach in Yarmouthport. You can stroll along the Bass Hole boardwalk and at low tide meander out onto the sand bars, while visiting at high tide later in the afternoon, provides a different experience. At that time, the boardwalk leads you over bogs and marshes, and towards a majestic sunset. Spectacular!]

Gray’s Beach Boardwalk

 A Fan of Salt Water Taffy?  While in South Yarmouth consider stopping along this roadside stand (984 Route 28) to fill a bag with sweet taffy! Select from over 30 flavors … cranberry, vanilla, root beer, strawberry, rum, watermelon .. the variety of flavors goes on. According to the workers, the taffy is made in a gluten-free (but not peanut-free) facility.

Guapo’s Tortilla Shack, 239 Underpass Road, Brewster (second location in Orleans), View GF Menu HERE.

Gluten-Free Options: Tacos,  Unwrapped Burritos called Guapo’s Burro Bowl (Carne Asada Burro Bowl, Surf n’Turf Burro Bowl) and a few sides: Mexican Street Corn, Beans, Red Rice. Vegetarian options available. I ordered the Carne Asada Burro Bowl with a side of rice and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are only a few seats inside, but it is more enjoyable to sit outdoors on the picnic tables. Pet-friendly outdoors!

 

Cobb Salad

Clancy’s, 8 Upper County Road, Dennisport  View Gluten Free Menu HERE.

Many gluten-free items at Clancy’s, including clam chowder (yay!), a nice assortment of salads, entrees and a few burgers and sandwiches, including a GF Lobster Roll.  GF beer (Redbridge) available. I ordered the Cobb Salad topped with massive portions of grilled chicken, shrimp, avocado, and lobster meat. The zinfandel vinaigrette dressing was light and delish (Lunch portion $15). If weather permits, I recommend sitting outside on the back deck which overlooks a serene, marshy area where you can watch kayakers paddling up river.

 

 

 

 

Hit Pizza, 613 Main St. (Route 28) Dennisport  View Regular Menu HERE.

Gluten-Free Options:  A few salads, and most of their specialty pizzas can be made gluten-free (they use French Meadow flour/dough). Kitchen staff was well aware of cross-contamination issues, and I felt comfortable eating there. Both BZ’s Pizzeria (see below) and Hit Pizza are near each other. If you want slightly more ambiance, and a few more GF choices, I would choose BZ’s. If you only have time for a quick salad/pizza, consider Hit.

 

BZ’s Pizzeria, 682 Main Street, Dennisport  View GF Menu HERE. 

I had my first gluten-free pizza here years ago in this lively, family-friendly eatery. Gluten-Free options include homemade chili, pizza, nachos, fajitas & enchiladas, GF beer and a GF brownie available. Servers are knowledgeable and accommodating to special dietary eaters. Didn’t have a chance to go this time, but a good GF option if in the area.

 

Below are a few other eateries offering gluten-free (some vegan) options, which were on my list but we didn’t have time to visit:

The Box Office Bistro (Chatham)

San Diego’s (Barnstable)

Green Lotus Café (Hyannis)

Bistro De Soleil (Barnstable)

There are also numerous chain restaurants around the Cape offering gluten-free menus: Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, British Beer Company, Ninety-Nine to name a few.

[Note: There is a restaurant called Red Cottage in South Dennis which popped up on almost every internet list of gluten-free eateries at the Cape. We visited and though very charming and popular for breakfast (and yes, there were numerous GF menu items, including waffles with berries, french toast .. I was salivating thinking I was about to order something yummy) please be aware the majority of GF items are UNSAFE for the gluten intolerant!  Both gluten and gluten-free items are cooked on the same grill and they use the same toaster. About the only really safe item is a fruit cup, or possibly an omelet if made in a separate pan. Our server agreed the GF menu items were not a safe option for the celiac, gluten-sensitive, gluten allergy community. Too bad.]

 

Do you have a favorite Cape Code gluten-free eatery? Please share below!

 


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

On August 29th, 2013, posted in: CeliacCorner Blogs by
13 Responses to Gluten Free Dining on Cape Cod, Massachusetts
  1. Comment *Thanks to the above suggestions my family recently tried the GF lobster roll at Clancy’s. My husband is completely gluten intolerant and we were pleasantly surprised how delicious the GF roll Clancy’s uses was! By surprised, I mean we were convinced the kitchen gave us non GF rolls. Clancy’s GF sandwich rolls are the best we’ve had since being GF. We found out the owner also has celiac’s and is diligent about getting the best GF options for his patrons. I’m happy to say that we had a great meal with no ill effects!

    • Erica, so glad you and your family enjoyed your meal at Clancy’s, and your husband was able to enjoy a GF lobster roll! I love that place. Paula

  2. Comment * Hi! Since my celiac diagnosis a few years backs I was so happy to hear about the Chatham Fish & Lobster Co. for our yearly trips to cape cod. Last year however, I was very disappointed when I was told by one of the workers that they could no longer say that their fried seafood was gluten free because they did not have a designated fryer and fried other things that contained gluten. Do you know if this is true? Did I just encounter and employee that didn’t know or have their practices changed since you wrote this post? I would love any info you have – I’m heading to the Cape next week and would LOVE a fish fry. Thanks!

    • Hi Katie, I too would be very disappointed if this were the case, as this is one of my go-to places when I visit the Cape. I’ll make a call and let you know what I find. Paula

    • Ok Katie, I have good news for you and any other person with celiac/NCGS who wants to dine at Chatham Fish & Lobster Company. I just got off the phone with Eileen, the Manager, and she reassured me they have 4 fryers, and ALL are designated Gluten-Free. She was very surprised to hear that an employee would have stated otherwise. My conversation with Eileen occurred on 8.23.16) … have a wonderful time on the Cape and I would personally feel very comfortable dining at this restaurant. Paula

  3. Comment *The local Cape Cod radio station has an ad from Kreme and Kone Chatham that offers gluten free fried seafood. I spoke with Scott who says they have a separate mixing area , cooking facility and ventilation system just for the GF items. I’m headed there tomorrow and will report my findings.

  4. Comment *There is a great restaurant on Main St. in Wareham, a few miles before the Bourne Bridge. They have GF pasta and breadcrumbs. You can order ANYTHING on the menu and they will modify it. I have never been to such a GF accommodating restaurant. Most restaurants humor us with no changes but simplified, safe choices. Cafe Soleil is the place to go. Yum!

    • Margaret, thanks so much for the restaurant tip! Let us know if you discover more. Paula

  5. Comment * Agreed!!!! Idgy’s and Chatham Seafood are among my favorites! I travel to the cape often for family vacations from Western NY and look forward to visiting these. I look forward to trying Clancys for the lobster roll and my trip next week! Thank you for your suggestions!

    • Thanks for your comment Sarah. Yes, try them all! I recently ate at Clancy’s – great view too!

  6. Isabella Oliveira
    September 21, 2014 at 11:43 am

    Comment *Thank you for all the great suggestions! We are planning to visit the area in October and your recommendations have helped a lot in the planning of this little get-away.

  7. The Hot Stove Saloon has delicious GF Pizza!
    ROUTE 28 HARWICHPORT, MASSACHUSETTS TEL: 508-432-9911.
    Located in the center of Harwich Port village, an easy walk from Bank St. beach, the Hot Stove Saloon opened its doors in May of 2005. The friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere along with 13 high definition flat screens, make it a fun place to catch a game or meet a friend. Decorated in a historic baseball theme we have tried to recapture an individual’s baseball memories when the game was fun and enjoyed by all. We have a vast collection of memorabilia throughout the restaurant, some of which dates back to the early 1900’s.

Leave a comment to Katie - awaits moderation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *