Top 7 Gluten Free Southern Highlands Recommendations
Who makes the cut for the best gluten free spots in the Southern Highlands of NSW?
Hey Gluten Free Fam,
As locals of the Southern Highlands, NSW there’s nothing we love more than finding a restaurant or cafe that delivers safe gluten free food. We know the horrible feeling of seeing a place with great gluten free reviews but when we get there and speak to restaurant and cafe staff, we find out they don’t understand cross-contamination and gluten free protocols.
When we do find places who go out of their way to provide safe options for those of us with coeliac disease or who are gluten free for other reasons, we definitely want to share those finds with you!
Fortunately, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve been out and about to do the research and see which places are providing great gluten free options. Whether you’re locals like us or dropping by for a stop over or holiday, here’s your chance to check out our Top 7 Gluten Free Southern Highlands recommendations.
Let’s get started!
* Please keep in mind these venues are subject to changes in gluten free protocols, new management or staff and knowledge may vary depending on a multitude of other factors. We will provide a link to a mixture of every location’s Find Me Gluten Free or Google reviews to let you see how they’re still performing for 2025 and beyond.*
Top 7 Gluten Free Southern Highlands Recommendations
1. Franquette Creperie
Franquette Creperie is found on the main street of Bowral on Bong Bong St making traditional French Galettes and Crepes. All savoury menu items are all gluten free as they use buckwheat flour in their galettes. Dessert menu items can be made gluten free upon request. We’re making our way through most of their menu items. Definitely check out both their savoury and sweet options!
I recommend the Méditerranéenne and Bruxelles. Delish! Make sure you mention you’re coeliac. They’re very careful to clean the pans between using wheat-containing crepes and galettes and their gluten free items. It’s a seriously cool vibe . You feel like you’re transported to a little French cafe.
2. Genki Poke
Genki Poke are reasonably priced Japanese food trucks providing delicious poke bowls. They can be found in Mittagong, Bowral and now a new one in Moss Vale! Much of the menu is naturally gluten free. Make sure you advise if you are coeliac and need the bowls 100% gluten free.
They will let you know the fried foods are off limits and a few other items. Genki Poke offer gluten free soy sauce. My favourites are the salmon and tuna bowls (we select the fish raw). There’s even an option to create your own bowl. Online ordering is available. Perfect for a quick feed while on the go in the highlands.
3. Leila’s at the Grand
Leila’s at the Grand has you covered for fantastic traditional Lebanese food. If you have coeliac disease or you’re gluten free for other health reasons, make sure you mention it as they will go through the menu and tell you what you can have and just as importantly, what’s off limits. They have great knowledge and protocols for gluten free and other dietary requirements.
There’s tonnes of gluten free options on the menu. I highly recommend the Mixed Grill Platters (GF and DF option). There are also a few dessert options. Make sure you try their Lebanese lemonade. Perfect for those hot summer days and nights!
4. Cheeky Kebabs
Cheeky Kebabs are located in The Mill Courtyard in Bowral offering delicious gluten free options. The co-owner is coeliac so they have great knowledge around what can be made gluten free and what’s off limits. They have a dedicated gluten free fryer which is music to the ears of coeliacs!
They make a delicious chicken snack pack with gluten free chips, chicken, cheese, sauces and other toppings of your choice. It’s great option for a quick takeaway meal, on the go, or to sit down for a nice lunch or dinner in a vibrant area of Bowral.
5. Veggie Nook
Veggie Nook has lots of gluten free options. They’re located just across from Cheeky Kebabs in The Mill Courtyard in Bowral. The Nacho Bowl is our gluten free favourite as well as the Polenta Chips - yum! It’s all made fresh.
The owner is very coeliac aware and makes sure to take extra care when preparing gluten free requests. Great option for vegetarians, those who are wanting something on the go or to sit down and soak up the cool vibe of The Mill.
6. The Briars
On the recommendation of many Southern Highland gluten free folk, we recently made a vist to The Briars and they were fantastic for gluten free options. They have a dedicated gluten free fryer so everything that goes in is gluten free. Again - music to our coeliac ears!
We recommend the Calamari, Fish and Chips. A really nice relaxed pub style food feel. If you’re visiting on the weekend, make sure you make a booking as they do tend to book up quickly. Located between Bowral and Moss Vale (Moss Vale Road).
7. Josh’s Cafe
Josh’s Cafe is a cool little spot located in Berrima. They are more on the pricey side but really tasty and offer a big selection of starters, mains and desserts. I highly recommend the mushrooms, stuffed eggplant, Barramundi and Chocolate Fondant and Creme Brulee - all of which are gluten free.
Make sure you mention if you have coeliac disease or are strictly gluten free for other health reasons. Josh and his team are very careful around coeliac disease and other dietaries. Nothing on the actual menu is marked gluten free but they will let you know what can be made gluten free. A very cool vibe.
Prepare for Southern Highlands Gluten Free Options
As fantastic as many of these establishments are, it’s important to take into account none of them are 100% gluten free. They have shared kitchens where gluten is handled. Always check with the staff and let them know if you have coeliac disease, non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, a gluten allergy or require a gluten free diet due to a medical condition.
Menu items and cross-contamination protocols can change for a variety of reasons. This is not medical advice. Please always use your own judgement when dining out gluten free.
Finding More Support & Recommendations
If you’re looking for more gluten free places to eat in the Southern Highlands, elsewhere in Australia or worldwide, Ben recorded an episode with the founder of the app Find Me Gluten Free, Jason Elmore. We’re big fan of the app and use it regularly, especially when needing to find gluten free options nearby while travelling.
Ben also has an episode discussing what questions to ask when dining out when living with coeliac disease or if you’re gluten free for other reasons with the founder of Pasta Di Casa, Anthony Dionne.
* We’ll keep this Top 7 Gluten Free Southern Highlands recommendations list updated as much as possible. If protocols change at these venues and they’re no longer offering safe gluten free options, we’ll let you know as they are our regular picks *
If you visit these places and have a great experience, make sure to leave them a review on Find Me Gluten Free, their socials and Google. Letting them know they’re doing a great job will encourage them to continue providing safe options for us in the coeliac and gluten free community.
Cheers gluten free fam!
