My Top Ten Gluten-Free Dishes in Park Slope
When my husband and I moved to Park Slope in May 2024, I couldn’t wait to eat my way through our new neighborhood. A lover of food, I looked forward to sampling the bakeries, bruncheries, and Italian trattorias of great renown. I enjoyed my unbridled adventures in local cuisine for about ten months.
In March 2025, health issues landed me on a restrictive medical diet that wholly excluded gluten. As someone who drools over the mere thought of a pain au chocolat or a wood-fired pizza, I thought my life was turning from technicolor to a monotonous gray. Little did I know the delights that awaited me, filling the shops and eateries that lined the sidewalks of my new community.
One year and a more healed gut later, I have been blessed with the ability to dabble in gluten again from time to time. Straddling the line between gluten tolerance and intolerance has given me a helpful perspective: I know when a gluten-free substitute tastes like the real thing (or close enough), and I know what dishes are so downright delicious I reach for them no matter what. In no particular order, here are my top ten favorite gluten-free eats in Park Slope.
The Jalapeño Feta-Dill Scone from WINNER - dill adds the perfect brightness to briny feta and the savory, not-too-dense scone. Much more than a gluten-free alternative to the famous bakery’s floury offerings, I find this scone to be one of the best items on Winner’s menu.
WINNER’s delicious gluten-free scone sells out quickly, so plan to grab one early in your day.
Omakase at Sushi Katsuei - though I find the fish at Sushi Katsuei so fresh and flavorful it barely needs adornment, they offer a house-made gluten-free soy sauce, and can accommodate an entire gluten-free omakase menu. Yes, please.
Photo courtesy of Sushi Katsuei. The gluten-free “Patata” pizza from Ottava - Ottava hits the mark on several fronts: great pizza, great Italian-inspired drinks, and ideal al fresco sidewalk dining. They also offer two gluten-free crust options for their pies: one made from cauliflower, and the other from almond flour. Both work well as the base for their “Patata” pizza, a white pizza featuring guanciale, gremolata, and of course, thinly-sliced potatoes. Perfection.
Photo courtesy of Ottava. The Greens Sandwich from Lively - this small-but-mighty sandwich, packed with springy greens and hummus and served on gluten-free bread, is like a snack plate you can hold in your hands. Satisfying and delicious, it won’t leave you feeling shortchanged at lunch time.
Photo courtesy of @livelybrooklyn on Instagram. The “Jump Start” on a gluten-free bagel from Bagel Pub 7th Ave - egg whites, avocado, and turkey bacon are just a few of the layers in this perfect weekend breakfast sandwich. There is only one variety of gluten-free bagel offered at Bagel Pub (plain), but I find it to be the best option in the neighborhood for the Celiac* set. It hits the spot.
Courtesy of @bagelpub on Instagram. The gluten-free bar bites at Folk - the first time I agreed to meet friends for dinner at Folk, I figured I’d revel in the cocktail bar’s beverage program and see if I could nibble on any vegetable side dish before making my own meal at home. Much to my delighted surprise, Folk’s menu offers a range of clearly-marked gluten-free items that are both substantial and delicious. My favorites are the biryani arancini, the lamb meatballs, and the crab risotto. If you feel like making it a full supper, the fish and chips is just the right balance of crispy and tender – and still gluten-free.
The Brown Butter Corn Cake from Radio Bakery - technically, Radio Bakery is one neighborhood over in Prospect Heights, but this corn cake makes the list because it is worth the extra walking. I always grabbed one on trips to the bakery when it first opened on Underhill Avenue (and I was still eating gluten regularly), and only gleefully learned several months later that I could continue doing so while gluten-free. It’s just that good.
Photo courtesy of John Waite on Substack. The Massaman Curry from One More Charm - creamy, comforting curry with a hint of sweetness. I’d order it over and over even if I could digest all the gluten in the world. It can also be made as a vegetarian dish.
Photo courtesy of One More Charm on Google Maps. The Avgolemono from Athena Mediterranean Cuisine - on winter nights and rainy days, I reach for a bowl of avgolemono, a lemony chicken soup over rice, from Athena on 6th Ave. Salty, silky broth made with eggs and lemon juice lends just the right amount of punch to this classic comfort dish. Another staple I eat regardless of restrictions.
The Butter Chicken from Pangat - on my first trip to Pangat on 5th Avenue, my server encouraged me to order the butter chicken – “it’s different from the usual version,” she said. She was right. It was so much better than any butter chicken I’d ever had. Try it for your gluten-free self (and thank me later).
Photo courtesy of Food/NYC on Reddit.
As with any list, this one reflects my personal preference, so let me know your thoughts or if you think I missed anything. For a more robust gluten-free guide to the neighborhood, check out this one from Park Slope Pulse.
*This list does not account for possible cross-contamination. If you have Celiac disease or serious allergies to gluten, these options may not be suitable for you and do not constitute medical advice.