Because I have a gluten sensitivity I am always on the lookout for organic veggies and grass fed meats that won’t upset my system. By choosing restaurants that emphasize sustainability we can vote with our pocketbooks which will make this type of food more available for everyone in the future. If you have Celiac disease please always check with the management and use your intuition/good judgement to gauge the safety of each establishment to avoid cross contamination. I hope you get a chance to enjoy these great places when you are out and about in Nashville, my hometown.
Paleo and Gluten Free Restaurants in Nashville, TN
Fresh veggies at The Turnip Truck hot bar |
Is half health food store and half restaurant with featuring a hot bar with cooked vegetables, baked chicken and fish. Always be aware of breading and sauces if you are gluten sensitive. They have many organic vegetables on their salad bar, just be aware of the tuna salad or chicken salad which will have most likely have inflammatory soybean oil mayo. You can also get raw grass fed meat to take home for grilling or cooking in your crock-pot.
Awesome bunless local beef burger at M. L. Rose |
This adorable restaurant has a locally grown farm to table philosophy that is not common these days. They have a great grass fed burger that you can get on gluten free bread or go Paleo and be bunless. You can also get a veggie bowl and add meat for a small fee. My little sister loves the chicken salad but I am not sure about their chicken quality. They also have a farm stand inside where they have eggs, local goat cheese and organic seasonal produce. They also have a new location in Cummins station downtown that has similar offerings.
The beet salad with lamb at Burger Up Photo credit |
Burger at Gaby’s with Sweet potato fries Photo Credit |
This casual spot has some awesome paleo eats such as rotisserie chicken (not organic though), sweet potatoes with coconut sprinkles and the best Caribbean turnip greens with stewed tomatoes anywhere. They also have low-carb options on the menu and great salads. The jerk sauce has gluten in it according to the web sight but other than that the gluten containing items are pretty obvious . I have been going here since I was a kid and have fond memories of this place. Another great thing is that it is super cheap and filling.
Downtown $$
This place is very hip offering an east meats west flair and an assortment of Pan-Asian dishes. They have gluten free soy sauce and the menu has gluten free labels on many item. I actually attended school with the owner who was on Top Chef a few years ago. Way to go A. Mynt! He also owns PM which has a great burger and Cha Cha featuring tapas which has great bacon wrapped dates, raw milk cheeses, and house cured olives. All three places clearly mark their menu’s with gluten free labels.
Sylvan Park $$$
Better make a reso at this smancy joint. My sister recently went there for V-day and said it was great. They emphasize farm to table, local sustainable food. They also ask each diner if they have any food allergies before taking the orders! It is a little high end but great for that special occasion. They even have periodic farm dinners! The menu reads like a native tribe hunt: wild boar, quail eggs, Muscovy duck, paddle fish roe, fresh spring water trout, ect. It sounds like heaven to me!
Crema $
Sobro Area
The best thing about Crema is the housemade almond milk. No weird aftertaste and slightly sweetened, it is perfect. It brings a whole new meaning to an almond milk latte. They also have seasonal offerings and I have been privy to two that were made with coconut milk and other spice selections. All terrific. Great option anytime for a coffee fix or treat. They also offer some limited gluten free baked items.
East Nashville
The Post East is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to get a gluten-free treat. a fresh organic juice, locally blended tea, or a solid almond milk latte. Most of their gluten free options are made with a blend of rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch, all of which many Paleo eaters indulge in on occasion. Some of it has “vegan butter” so tell them that is something they could reconsider next time for coconut oil or sustainable palm shortening. I personally shared a Egg in a Basket Biscuit the other day that had a perfectly cooked egg in the middle of it’s tender biscuity interior, so good. The coffee shop is beautiful with a dramatic handcrafted coffee bar where you order your house-made items. They have gluten free treats as well as lunch or light dinner offerings. Great little coffee shop tucked into an East Nashville neighborhood.
SoBro Area
This trolley barn turned multi-entertainment adult playground boasts a coffee shop in front, restaurant and bar in the middle, an antique bowling alley in the back, and a patio and pool outside. The food is not super inventive, but all the flavors are strong and fresh. One such lunch consisted of Pork Rinds with Adobo to start, Kale Caesar Salad to get my roughage, and Beef Tongue Reuben (just ask for no bun). They also offer a seasonal oysters on the half shell option with eclectic toppings chosen by the chef. The wait staff is very friendly, and happy to answer any questions about the menu. Since I was pregnant when I went, I was able to enjoy the Fresh Ginger, Lime, and Tonic Mocktail, it was so good and made me feel special without the booze.
The Sutler $$
Melrose/Berry Hill
The eclectic Southern menu is conveniently labeled with the gluten free options. The Sunburst Farms Whole Rainbow Trout (trout hailing from nearby Asheville, NC) is rubbed with a spicy mustard rub and cooked to perfection. As far as sides, they have a Rocket & Waldorf Salad, Raw Veggies served with regional chevre and dressed with lemon and olive oil, and grilled veggies with a pimento-thyme dressing. They have brisket from Bear Creek farms which is amazing! It is a little hard to get it with two sides but maybe that has changed by now. I ordered that way and there was an uncharge. I just wanted a meat and 3 lol.
There are more paleoish options on the menu, and all clearly labeled. I appreciate when a restaurant makes a clear statement that they are willing to work with people with food preference or intolerance.
This is the best find since I have been here this past year. It is not grass fed but one can dream. They have gluten free brisket and several gluten free sauces. The best tip is the to call ahead and get a pound of beef to go and save money! They also have some good slaw. You will be so happy that you tried it.
East Nashville
Most of the items are gluten-free, and if you have any questions, the staff are very friendly. The tacos are loaded with meat, so if you decide to go avoid the corn taco shell, there will be plenty of meat to ply your appetite. My personal favorites are the chicken and carnitas (roasted pork) tacos. The carnitas taco has some sort of ridiculous tangy, cilantro sauce on them that makes them out of this world flavorful. They also have many flavors of agua fresca which is a wonderful, not too sweet treat of fresh fruit mixed with water and ice. When we went we had a Pineapple Cilantro and the Hibiscus agua fresca, I definitely recommend them both, so refreshing!
East Nashville and 12 South District and at Hot & Cold in Hillsboro Village
If you haven’t visited a Jeni’s, it is an experience in itself, even without getting a whole bowl of ice cream or gluten-free macaroon ice cream sandwich. You are able to sample as many ice creams as you want to try to find your perfect option. Jeni’s boasts two things that make them super special, ice cream made with Ohio grass-fed milk and ridiculously good seasonal flavors. Right now, one the the flavors blowing up on social media and among my friends is the Sweet Potato with Toasted Marshmallow. No this isn’t especially Paleo, but as far as a treat, it’s a great option.
Woodbine Coffee (changed to Red Bicycle 2015) $
Woodbine Area
Woodbine coffee is another great coffee shop, celebrating it’s TN pride with large artistic murals including the TN flag in one of them. Much like many of the cozy, industrial styled coffee shops, Woodbine hosts strong coffee, local salads and snacks, and almond milk. I recently went there and they had a special drink made with coconut milk, so good Paleo items are always on the horizon at Woodbine.
Downtown Farmer’s Market at Bicentennial Mall
Almost all of the food on the cafeteria-style line are gluten free except the things that obviously are not, such as the cornbread, rolls, and any dishes with pasta. The cook only uses cornstarch to thicken some sauces, if you want to avoid the cornstarch, just ask which ones are corn-free. The authentic jerk chicken is famous in Nashville as being one of the best. I personally love the oxtail, it’s one of the only casual places you can eat oxtail with some greens and sweet potatoes or plantains. Jamaica Way is not open on Saturdays, but any other day of the week, you can get some authentic, savory Jamaican food.
I-Phone Apps to Find Good Eats:
Bonus tip: Sign up to stay in an AirBnB so you can cook for yourself with your own kitchen! Check it out here.
The Yelp Application or web sight is easy to use with good maps and directions. You can search for organic, grass fed and gluten free to find healthy places on the go.
Find Me Gluten Free Application is a another one that you can use to find gluten free places on the go.
Gluten Free Card is another application that has celiac information you can show to your server in over 20 Languages.
Here are my other posts about Nashville:
The Best Paleo Friendly, Organic and Gluten Free Coffee Shops to Visit in Nashville: Music City
What are some of your favorite Nashville gluten free/ Paleo eats?
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Jenny says
Thank you for posting this list of great Nashville sites!!! I’m going to print it out & keep the list in my car. 😉