Jersey Shore restaurants, bakeries offer gluten-free options
How does a hearty meal like steak with garlic and shallot brown butter sound? Or pan-seared local scallops with sesame cucumber-daikon salad and chili miso aioli?
You can find them at Cavé Bistro, 515 Sylvania Ave., Avon-by-the-Sea, a 100% gluten-free restaurant that uses mostly organic products and grass-fed, pasture-raised meats. game and chicken from Silver Fern Farms New Zealand — and fish, shrimp and more from Local 130 Seafood in Asbury Park.
“Eat Well, Feel Your Best” is how they put it at cavebistro.com.
Of course, the restaurant is far from the only one on the Beach that caters to those with dietary restrictions. Many restaurants, ice cream shops and bakeries offer gluten-free dishes. From double chocolate brownies to pizza to buffalo wings, there are plenty of options.
Here are a few. While this list is not meant to be exhaustive, if we missed your favorite gluten-free place, let us know.
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Anna Bananas Bakery, Manahawkin
This bakery has many gluten-free options from muffins, birthday cakes and pies to almond-crusted cheesecake and French macaroons. Pignoli nut cookies are gluten-free, as well as a rotating cookie flavor (this week it’s mint chocolate chip).
Also try gluten-free cookie sandwiches.
Go: 657 E. Bay Ave. Suite 4; 609-488-2323, annabananasbakerynj.com.
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Cluck U, Manasquan
This Cluck U location has a fryer dedicated only to gluten-free foods, to prevent contamination. Most of the chicken and wings, empanadas and wraps can be made gluten-free, including the Ranchero Wrap with chicken, lettuce, bacon and ranch dressing; or balsamic chicken wrap, with chicken, lettuce, roasted red pepper and balsamic dressing.
There are also gluten-free appetizers, such as fried pickle chips.
Go: 2241 Route 35; 732-800-3131, cluckuchicken.com.
Crust & Crumble Pizzeria, Asbury Park
It’s rare for a pizzeria to have an entire menu of gluten-free options. Here, you can order anything from salads and appetizers; pasta like grilled chicken or shrimp bruschetta with fresh tomato basil, pan sauce and fresh mozzarella; and pizzas like Veggies with mushrooms, jalapeno, red pepper, pineapple, scallions, red onion, Portobello, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata, presto, broccoli, artichoke hearts and onions caramelized.
Go: 633 Lake Ave.; 732-776-7767, crustandcrumble.com
Cookman Creamery, Asbury Park
Most of the ice creams available at Cookman Creamery are gluten-free, but they also have vegan options that use dairy substitutes such as organic coconut cream, almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter or oat milk. . Try flavors like salted chocolate with almond butter, or strawberry with coconut cream. The creamery will also offer a homemade gluten-free and vegan cone.
Most of the breads available, including the carrot cake, are also gluten-free.
Go: 711 Cookman Ave.; 732-361-5215, cookmancreamery.com.
Good Karma Cafe, Red Bank
This vegan restaurant has a variety of gluten-free options, including the Gado Gado salad, with romaine lettuce, cabbage and carrots, with smoked tofu wraps, a mix of sesame seeds and toasted peanuts, dressed in a cilantro peanut.
Want to fill something up? Try the Kimchee Bowl with brown rice, black beans and fried tofu balls, topped with fresh arugula, roasted daikon, carrot and cucumber and homemade kimchee, finished with a spicy sriracha sauce.
Go: 17 E. First St.; 732-450-8344, goodkarmacafej.com.
Papa Ganache, Matawan
This vegan and gluten-free bakery offers many options. Try sweets like lemon blueberry donuts or double chocolate muffins, or hearty dishes like homemade soup and eggplant parmigiana.
Papa Ganache also makes whole cakes, like a black and white vanilla cake with chocolate frosting inside and out, or a carrot cake filled with cream cheese or vanilla frosting.
Go: 106 Main St.; 732-217-1750, paganache.com.
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Mensa, Long Beach
This Mexican restaurant prides itself on being the only 100% gluten-free restaurant on Long Beach Island. The menu is your oyster. Try tacos like The Birdie, with fried chicken, Brussels sprout hash and chipotle cream, or The Hippie, with roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, green carrots and chimichurri.
The restaurant also offers bowls with fried chicken, short ribs, pork or stir-fried veggies with rice, beans and a choice of sides; as well as sandwiches. Try the Lotta Beef Inside sandwich, which features pulled ribs, Boar’s Head top round London Broil, an Italian pickled onion, and topped with house-made corn chips.
Go: 13410 Long Beach Blvd.; 609-661-7466, mensaeats.com.
Some gluten-free spots
Cats Luck Vegan Bakery in Neptune City It has tons of delicious gluten-free options, from simple cookies to cupcakes. But the menu also offers gluten-free options such as an ordered breakfast biscuit with potatoes, vegan egg, country gravy, coconut bacon, cheddar and scallions; and tofu or egg scramble, with veggies, cheese, beans and home fries. Go: 140 Steiner Ave.; 732-361-7294, catsluckvegan.com.
Pulp in Asbury Park it’s juice, but they also have gluten-free bites like bagels, or toasts like Cucumber Zaatar with cream cheese, cucumber, tomato, hemp seeds, Zaatar spices and crusty bread at home. Go: 516 Summerfield Ave.; 732-361-3744, pulpasbury.com.
Talula is in Asbury Park is known for gluten-free options like the TeFiti salad with mixed spring greens, pea, English, snap peas, cucumber, radish, feta and green goddess dressing. They also offer gluten-free options, such as Detroit-style deep-dish pizza, Alternate Ending Beer Co. in Aberdeen. Go: 550 Cookman Ave., Suite 108; 732-455-3003, talulaspizza.com.
Veg Living in Manahawkin has breakfast and lunch options that are all gluten-free, including options like the Knuckle Sandwich with steamed tofu, tempeh bacon, tomato, vegan cheese sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper and vegan mayo; and a barbecue portabella wrap with brown rice, black beans, portabella, peppers, onion, romaine, tomato, avocado, homemade sauce and cabbage. Go: 657 E. Bay Ave., Suite 3; 609-891-2383, livingontheveglbi.com.
While this list is not meant to be exhaustive, if we missed your favorite gluten-free spot, let us know!
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network in New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for food and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
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