Gluten-Free & Kosher in NYC: A Celiac’s Guide
New York City is a food lover’s playground—but if you’re gluten-free AND keep kosher, that playground can start to feel a little off-limits. As someone who’s both celiac and keeps kosher, I’ve done the legwork (and a lot of taste-testing) to find the gems that don’t just “make do,” but absolutely deliver.
This is the guide I wish I had when I first came to NYC—equal parts comforting, delicious, and a little indulgent. Whether you’re local, visiting, or just dreaming of your next NYC food tour, here’s your list of must-visits, organized like the adventure it is.
Places in NYC that offer gluten free options with a hechsher:
🥯Modern Bread and Bagel🥯
Let’s start with the holy grail. Modern Bread and Bagel which has expanded recently to have multiple locations !! isn’t just a celiac-safe spot—it’s entirely gluten-free, kosher certified, and dangerously addictive. Their bagels are chewy, golden perfection. And the fact that I can order a kosher (vegetarian) sausage and egg breakfast sandwich on a real, honest-to-goodness bagel without asking a million questions? Bliss.
They have a display case of baked goods as well and at certain locations pizza! The make gorgeous challah, babka, cookies and pastries that don’t crumble into sawdust. Bonus: they now ship nationwide. But nothing beats visiting in person.
Buddha Bodai
If you are visiting Manhattan’s Chinatown this is a must visit. Buddha Bodai is a kosher, vegetarian dim sum spot that is known amongst celiacs to be super gluten free friendly. They have a full gluten free menu and while not everything is celiac-safe, they’ll help you navigate the menu.
It’s one of those places you want to go with friends and order the entire menu family-style to try a ton of different dishes.
🍰 By the Way Bakery 🍰
Everything here is gluten-free and dairy-free, and yes—kosher certified. Their raspberry linzer torte and almond cookies are not to be skipped.
What I love most is how unassuming it is. No big gluten-free signage, no fuss. Just a sweet little shop that happens to cater to your most specific dietary needs while making you feel totally normal about it.
🍕Pizza Time Brooklyn 🍕
For those “I need comfort food now” moments, head to Pizza Time in Brooklyn. Yes, they have a gluten free crust. Yes, it’s kosher. Yes, it’s that New York slice you’ve been dreaming of since you had to give up gluten. The owner said he tried dozens of gluten free crusts before finding one he liked and they are really willing to go above and beyond to avoid cross contamination as much as possible in the shared kitchen, just tell them you have celiac.
100% Vegan Restaurants and Bakeries: (for those that feel comfortable eating out vegan)
Sixteen Mill – A minimalist bakery with some of the best gluten free treats around. The owner Talia makes amazing breads, cookies, cakes, and more. My personal favorite is the sourdough scallion scones and salted chocolate chip cookies. Everything is vegan, and while there’s no hechsher, the ingredients are clean and simple. On their website they even state, “OUR FACILITY IS NOT KOSHER CERTIFIED, HOWEVER, MOST INGREDIENTS WE USE ARE KOSHER AND MADE IN A 100% VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE KITCHEN.”
WILD – Gluten-free pizza. Organic ingredients. Trendy vibe. WILD’s menu is about as GF-friendly as it gets, and while there’s no kosher supervision, they are fully vegan.
Modern Love – The opposite of boring vegan food, Modern Love has endless gluten-free options like pasta, oyster mushroom “calamari” and the last time I checked a DEDICATED FRYER. It’s not kosher certified, but it is fully vegan and is truly a treat.
✨ Final Thoughts
Navigating NYC with celiac disease and kosher observance can feel like a maze—but it’s also full of hidden gems, sweet surprises, and spots that genuinely *get it*. I’ve never felt more seen (or more full) than I do when walking out of Modern Bread with a fresh bagel in one hand and a babka in the other.
