Five to try: gluten-free eats
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It’s not easy to find a restaurant that provides good gluten-free options, let alone offers a diverse menu.
But from a warm and gooey chocolate fondant to gluten-free ramen, there are plenty of places where you can find good food. You just need to know where to look.
Luckily, I’ve done the hard work for you (AKA the eating – I know, it’s a tough job) and found even more gluten-free eats you need to try in some unexpected places. Worth your time and your tastebuds, pop these five restaurants on your bucket list.
Italian and Sons (City)
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Craving an authentic Italian lunch? Gluten-free foodies are in for a treat at Italian & Sons. Opening a lunchtime Focaccia Bar earlier this year, the talented team offers a range of delicious lunchtime options available Wednesday to Friday using 72-hour naturally risen sourdough, all baked in-house. And yes – they make gluten-free focaccia.
Baked fresh from the wood-fired oven, choose from a range of authentic Italian fillings, including pistachio mortadella, Stracciatella and crema di pistachio and Berkshire Pork, rolled with rosemary and pancetta, salsa verde, watercress, mostarda and crema di cauliflower. Pair with the zucchini fritti (which are incredibly addictive) and thank me later.
7 Lonsdale Street Braddon | Available 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, Wednesday to Friday | italianandsons.com.au
Ramen O (City)
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I’ve never tried authentic ramen (for obvious reasons) so when I found out that CBD Ramen O was making gluten-free ramen, I had to give it a go.
With yuzu and spicy variations, depending on your preference, you can choose between Tonkotsu ramen or a vegan option made with a rich and creamy soymilk broth. I tried the spicy option, and it blew my mind (literally – she was HOT). Delicious, warming, and comforting, it’ll transport your tastebuds.
Just a note – at the time this was an exclusive special, so you might want to double check that it’s still on before making your way there.
1/28 University Avenue, City | Open Monday to Thursday, 11.30 am – 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm, Friday 11.30 am – 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm – 8 pm, and Saturday 12 pm – 2 pm and 5.30 pm – 8 pm | ramen-o.com.au
Inka (City)
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It’s known for its amazing Japanese-Peruvian food, but Inka has one of the best gluten- free desserts I’ve ever tried – and months after trying it, I still think about this dish.
Their gluten-free chocolate fondant is decadent, warm and chocolate-y (AKA everything I want in a dessert), but it’s the addition of the miso caramel sauce, chocolate soil and sweet banana ice cream that made me want to lick the plate.
If you have a sweet tooth, it’s a must-try. Actually, even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, it’s still a must-try.
Shop B11A/148 Bunda Street, City | Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30 am – 3 pm and 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm and Monday 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm | inka.com.au
Contentious Character (Fyshwick)
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With plenty of gluten-free options available, I was highly impressed by Contentious Character’s urban cellar door. From a gluten-free antipasto platter to a seasonal mushroom trio risotto with shaved Gruyère, I was actually overwhelmed with options (which any gluten-free foodie knows isn’t a common occurrence).
In the end, my friend and I decided to share a few tapas with a glass of wine and the highlight was the chargrilled baby octopus with aioli and roasted capsicum and the roasted eggplant with olives, baby capers, sun-dried tomato, and basil pesto. Fresh and punchy, I’ll be back to try a main meal (and the gluten-free cheesecake for dessert).
Building 4, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | Open Sunday to Wednesday, 7 am – 7 pm and Thursday to Saturday, 7 am until late | contentiouscharacter.com.au
Mínima (Yarralumla)
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Cobia sashimi with Sichuan citrus and mandarin powder, a raw scallop and cabbage pancake with Chinese hot mustard, and Karubi wagyu with capers and kecap manis…need I say more?
Newly opened in the Yarralumla shops, Mínima should be at the top of any gluten-free foodies bucket list. Fresh and flavoursome, a majority of the menu is already gluten-free, so there’s no need to awkwardly ask if you can eat any of it. And all of it is amazing.
You will need to book, because although this restaurant is already mighty, it’s also tiny and tables fill up fast.
29 Bentham Street, Yarralumla | Open Tuesday to Wednesday, 5.30 pm – 9 pm and Thursday to Saturday, 12 pm – 2 pm and 5.30 pm – 9 pm | eatminima.com.au
