We reached out to two local foodies who specialize in eating Gluten-Free in Charlotte for their recommendations on restaurants to trust for delicious and gluten-free desserts, sweets and holiday meals. Please give them a follow to stay up to date on their finds, and please let us know if we missed your local fave.
Nat | @alwaysaglutenfreegal | Celiac-Safe Eats & Everyday GF Life
Amber | @glutenfree_clt_and_beyond | Celiac & Gluten-Free Recommendations
Holiday Picks from Amber | @glutenfree_clt_and_beyond
Pink Turtle Cookies
Gluten-free, grain-free and dairy-free custom made cookies made with almond flour, eggs and honey. Located in the Charlotte area. Thanksgiving preorders will start on November 4th. Christmas preorders will start on November 24th. All offerings are also free from artificial dyes. Possible pop-up the Saturday before Christmas. Order at pinkturtlecookies.com
Roses and Whiskers
100% Gluten-free bakery specializing in a variety of GF treats located in Charlotte. Online ordering and event pop-ups at rosesandwhiskers.com
- Thanksgiving – Fall flavors: pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, Snickerdoodle bars, s’mores sugar cookies. But I can make gf apple pie upon request.
- Christmas – sugar cookies, red velvet cookie sandwiches with cream cheese frosting, gingerbread cookie sandwiches, mint brookie sandwiches and hot chocolate sugar cookies.
- Always has oatmeal creme pies plus also offers cookie decorating kits
- Last day to pick up online orders is Dec. 17. The last day to place an online order is Dec. 13.
- Event schedule:
- Sat Nov. 1: Statesville Pumpkin Festival, 10 am – 5 pm, Downtown Statesville
- Fri Nov. 7 (7 – 9 pm, preview night, tickets required) – Sat Nov. 8: Merry Market, Grand Hall (Mount Holly), 10 am – 4 pm
- Sun Nov. 9 – Belmont Farmers Market, Stowe Park, 11 am – 3 pm
- Sat Nov. 29: Small Small Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm, Camden Road, Charlotte
- Thur Dec. 4 – Sat Dec. 6: Christmas in Davidson, 6 – 9 pm, Downtown Davidson
- Fri Dec. 5: Deck the Hall, 6 – 9 pm, Grand Hall, Mount Holly
- Sat Dec. 13: Cramerton Christmas Bazaar, 9 am – 1 pm, CB Huss Recreation Complex
- Wednesdays at Common Market Oakwold, 4 – 8 pm through Dec. 17
Seemingly Overzealous
Dairy, egg and gluten free ice cream. Have seasonal flavors available and lots of special items coming for the holidays that will be announced at a later date. Follow for more info.
Donut i Love U
A 100% GF donut food truck.
- Will be at the Holiday Light Spectacular (Ballantyne Backyard) most nights.
- Nov 22nd Will have hot cocoa and hot cider plus Southern Charm at the Farm festival.
Eleven Eleven Wellness Bakery
Celebrate the season with clean, gluten-free treats made from scratch with organic and non-GMO ingredients so you can enjoy every bite without compromise. All items are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and soy-free, made with clean, simple ingredients that Bake People Happy. Place your order online at: 11elevenbakery.com
Thanksgiving Menu (through Nov. 21st):
- Apple Galette
- Lemon Tart
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pecan Pie
- Graham Chocolate Pie
- Cakes
- Artisan Bread and Dinner Rolls
Christmas Menu (early December):
- Holiday Cookie Boxes
- Mini Holiday Cakes
- Ginger- molasses bread
Find Eleven Eleven at Matthews Farmers Market every other weekend with a full selection of baked goods and at Front Porch Sunday on December 7.
The Southern Olive
A gourmet 100% Gluten Free grocer and bakery located in Fort Mill. They will have a combination of both savory and sweet options available for Thanksgiving and Christmas including meal sides! Order at thesouthernolive.com
Wild Flour Sweets
A 100% GF bakery located in Rock Hill offering fresh pastries, breads and desserts with high quality, allergen friendly ingredients. Also offers dairy-free and egg-free! Pies, cheesecakes, banana pudding, cinnamon rolls, dried stuffing mix, dinner rolls, apple cider donuts and more. Order at wildfloursweetssc.com
Raw Bites By Risa
A whole food raw bakery located in Charlotte. Everything is gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free and seed oil-free. They will have Thanksgiving pies (pumpkin, pecan, chocolate silk) and some Christmas themed bite & dessert boxes. rawbitesbyrisa.com
Burtons 3 Charlotte area locations
• Recently launched a Catering menu with tons of GF options, perfect for holiday receptions, family meals, and corporate lunches. They clearly label and send along allergen information with every order so everyone can enjoy a delicious and safe meal. Catering is available for delivery or takeout.
• For those who want to host an event with Burtons, they offer group dining at Park Road and private dining in Blakeney and Birkdale. Menus can be fully gluten free.
• Serving Brunch as usual every Saturday & Sunday from 10:30AM-3PM throughout the holiday season. Also offering brunch New Year’s Day and extending it through that weekend, January 1-4 from 10:30AM-3PM. Some most popular GF dishes are Short Rib Hash, Cast Iron French Toast, the Avocado BLT, House-Made Donuts, and classic brunch beverages like Mimosas and their Derby Street Coffee.
• Open Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
• Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
A La Minute
A local catering company. Everything they offer that is gluten free either lists GF or no major allergens. They offer several GF options that typically contain gluten like turkey gravy & cornbread & apple crisp. Though they do have some gluten on their menu, it’s posted clearly as they take allergens very seriously. The chef actually founded the company due to his wife having celiac. Thanksgiving menu is currently open, and the Christmas menu will open up late November. Order online at alaminutenc.com. For additional information you can DM them or email Info@alaminutenc.com
Finally, If you are looking for restaurants to get together with family and friends during the holiday season, some of my favorite local celiac safe places include
- Napa Restaurants, Ted’s Montana Grill, Osteria LuCa, STK, The Capital Grille, Del Friscos, Bentley’s, Steak 48, Ruth’s Chris, Rosemont, Sixty Vines, Supperland and Ever Andalo.
Holiday Reco’s from Nat | @alwaysaglutenfreegal
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
Take a step back from cooking this year and let Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen do the work this Thanksgiving. Voted 2nd best pies in 2024, you can order your favorite sides, sauces and pies by 11/20 for pick up or delivery near Charlotte. Most items are gluten and nut free but be sure to specify any and all allergies to take care of your own needs. Pick ups will be on Tuesday & Wednesday — check their socials for specific timing.
The Accidental Baker
This is your sign to pre-order your Accidental Baker Thanksgiving Bundle asap. As I know, many of you have stood in early Saturday morning lines to secure your treats— these will be ordered online + first come first serve, so don’t wait. The bundle is limited-time only and is stocked with all your sweet & savory favorites that you can take and bake in the comfort of your own home! Pick ups will run Tuesday, November 25th & Wednesday, November 26th from 9 am to 3 pm.
Goods & Glee
A 100% GF bakery located in Huntersville, founder Grace Ostan’s, pop-up cart is making headway in the Charlotte community with her favorite fall sweets. Want first dibs on her next drop? Sign up for text alerts and check out the website here — because trust me, you won’t want to miss her holiday goodies. Order ahead and pick up on designated dates. Pickup Dates ahead: 11/15, 11/26 and 12/6. Tentative is 12/13 and 12/20.
- Menu items for 11/15 are: pecan pie bars, pumpkin pie cookies, pumpkin spice cookies with cream cheese frosting, and apple pie cookies
- Menu items for 11/26 are: apple crumble pie, chocolate silk pie, and pumpkin pie
- Menu items for 12/6: chocolate peppermint cookies, ginger cookies, frosted Christmas cookies, and brownie pb Reese’s cup cookie.
Sanctuary Bistro
Your table deserves a spread this good. Sanctuary Bistro’s Thanksgiving menu has everything from hearty roasts to cozy casseroles, irresistible dips, and decadent desserts — you can’t go wrong with any of it. Orders close Saturday, November 8th at 11:59 PM, so don’t wait to secure your feast. Pickups will be at Sanctuary Bistro on Monday, November 24th from 5–8 PM.
Soul Miner’s Garden
Your favorite Camp North End food stall is back — because you deserve more pie and less stress this year. This all-vegan, allergen-friendly spot is serving up a full lineup of gluten-free Thanksgiving favorites, from sides to dips to desserts. Plus, their staff is as awesome as their food — always kind, helpful, and ready to make your holiday a little easier. Orders close November 18th, so don’t wait to snag your Thanksgiving spread.
Maggiano’s
One of our favorite traditions since moving to Charlotte has been, Thanksgiving at Maggiano’s. It makes being away from home feel special. Their family-style dine-in feast is hearty, comforting, and incredibly accommodating — almost every dish can be made gluten-free. For those celebrating at home, their carryout bundles offer the same warmth and flavor, perfect for the gluten free community in Charlotte.
