Champaign-Urbana's Favorite Places to Eat Gluten Free

Where to Find Gluten-Free Food Options in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond

Restaurants, desserts, grocery stores, and catering options for your gluten-free family member

By Natalie Kenny Marquez

Champaign-Urbana might not be the biggest metro area but when it comes to gluten free (GF) eats, it punches way above its weight. From RegCakes’ total dedication to Bibibop’s all-GF menu and pancake dreams at Original House of Pancakes, there’s a growing network of spots making sure no one misses out.

If you’re celiac, gluten-sensitive, or simply exploring life without wheat, this area has your back. From dreamy desserts to dinner with friends, there’s something safe for everyone. Here’s a round-up of standout spots, local legends, and hidden gems that make C-U a GF delight.

Editor’s Note: What might qualify as gluten-free for one person may not be the case for another. Our recommendation: Always ask to receive first-hand information regarding dietary needs and restrictions.

RegCakes: A Dedicated GF Wonderland, Champaign-Urbana’s ‘Shining Star’

There’s no place quite like RegCakes in the region. That’s why it gets a mention all its own in this article. One hundred percent GF and fully committed, it’s a staple for families managing dietary restrictions. RegCakes offers everything from cupcakes and cakes to cookies to full-on savory dinners; its tiramisu is divine!

It hosts adorable GF tea parties for two to four people and educational events to help stock your GF toolbox. As of May 2025, RegCakes has started offering weekly Wednesday night dinners for around $15, available for dine-in or carryout. This is truly the GF shining star of Champaign-Urbana.

Find more info about RegCakes on its website.

Restaurants We Recommend for Gluten-Free Dining

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

Its separate GF menu includes pastas, pizzas, and bread. A must-try? The Chicken Piccante Pizza, with spicy grilled chicken, bacon, leeks, goat cheese, and Italian cheese blend. Bold, flavorful, and 100 percent satisfying.

Bibibop Asian Grill

Did you know the entire menu is GF? From protein bowls to cookies, it’s all safe — no caveats. Don’t miss the Korean fried chicken!

Big Grove Tavern

While its kitchen isn’t fully GF, it offers GF beer, buns, corn tacos, and even a GF dessert. No separate fryer but its allergy alert system minimizes cross-contact. Bonus: great vibes and friendly staff. Check out its allergy guide here.

Forage Kitchen

Ideal for a quick, healthy lunch near campus. Its menu marks GF options, and staff are helpful and informed. It also offers GF bases (like organic black rice and cauliflower rice) and a wide selection of plant-based proteins and dressings.

Hamilton Walker’s

Perfect for a date night or celebration, with menu symbols for GF dishes and modifiable options.

Houlihan’s

Houlihan’s offers a variety of gluten-sensitive menu options including some flatbreads, burgers, and entrees.

Maize Mexican Grill

With the exception of their flour tortillas and tortas, nearly all of the menu is GF, with most items made from corn-based ingredients.

Nando Milano

Nando Milano in Champaign offers a refined Italian dining experience, with GF pasta available upon request, allowing guests to enjoy dishes like the Spaghetti Portofino or Rigatoni alla Beppe with a GF substitute.

The Original House of Pancakes

Its “gluten-friendly” pancakes are a revelation — fluffy, buttery, and not the typical gritty GF variety. One bite and you’ll understand the hype.

Silvercreek

Features a variety of GF options, including salads and entrées. Staff are attentive to dietary restrictions.

The Space

The Space carries Reg Cakes gluten free buns and has a number of gluten free dishes, too.

Sticky Rice

This downtown favorite clearly labels GF menu items. You’ll enjoy a stress-free dining experience with fantastic Southeast Asian flavors. Most of the curries and noodle soups are gluten-free. Sticky Rice also keeps a bottle of gluten free soy sauce.

Sun Singer

Sun Singer provides a dedicated GF menu featuring a selection of small plates, salads, and cheese boards. Try the Sun Singer Cheese Experience: A curated cheese board served with GF crackers, grapes, and dried fruit. Additionally, many of its salads, such as the Almond Crusted Goat Cheese Salad and the Spinach and Pear Salad, are naturally GF or can be modified to accommodate GF diets.

More restaurant mentions:

Five Guys
Portillo’s
Chili’s
Olive Garden
Red Robin
Outback Steakhouse

Pizza Places with GF Crust

All offer GF crusts. Whether you like it deep dish or thin, there’s a GF slice waiting for you.

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
Old Orchard Lanes & Links
Monical’s Pizza
Papa Del’s
Papa Murphy’s
Jupiter’s at the Crossing
Brik’s Pizzeria in Mahomet

Bakeries and Sweets

Hopscotch Bakery + Market

Macarons, seasonal cookies, and cakes — clearly labeled GF (and vegan). A great spot to meet a friend who does eat gluten without sacrificing your safety.

Industrial Donut

It offers GF donuts about once a month for pre-order. If you catch the window, don’t miss it!

Parlor Doughnuts

Its gluten-friendly doughnuts are made fresh in small batches, with careful attention to minimize cross-contamination. GF donuts are made to order so they take a few minutes longer to make. Sweet, satisfying, and absolutely worth the wait. Parlor even offers a couple savory GF breakfast sandwiches.

Suzus Bakery

Order a GF lemon Japanese soufflé cheesecake with 24-hour notice. It’s airy, just sweet enough, and deeply satisfying. Other items on the menu are also GF and/or vegan.

Groceries and Markets with GF Options

Common Ground Food Co-op

While its prepared food items are labeled “wheat-free” (not certified GF due to shared equipment), its grocery section is a jackpot. GF pasta, oats, rice, beans, nuts, and chocolates are available in the bulk section, allowing customers to purchase the exact quantities they need. This is a huge savings as GF items typically cost more than non-GF items.

The store also offers classes on various topics, including healthy eating on a budget, which can be beneficial for those managing GF diets. Pro tip: you don’t have to be a member to shop at the Co-op, but it’s definitely worth it to join.

Harvest Market

A GF dessert lover’s dream. It stocks packaged GF sweets from trusted brands and local favorites like RegCakes. Don’t miss the freezer section, which includes RegCakes’ pizza dough, deep-dish pizzas, cinnamon rolls, and more.

Schnucks

Schnucks’ commitment to GF shoppers is evident through several initiatives including GF shelf tags allowing you to find products that are clearly marked as GF, and its rewards app features product filters, allowing users to search for GF items and view detailed product attributes.

World Harvest International Foods and Strawberry Fields Café

From GF flours and snacks to fresh deli items, the cafe is a great stop for anyone avoiding gluten. Its grocery store carries trusted GF brands and the café features clearly labeled GF dishes. Just ask staff if you have specific dietary needs.

More grocery store mentions:

Beachy’s Bulk Foods, Arthur
Health Food Store, Arthur
Meijer on Prospect, Champaign
Walmart, locations in Savoy, Urbana, and Champaign
Target, Champaign
Aldi, locations in Savoy, Urbana, and Champaign

GF Buns and Sandwich Bread

Culver’s: Udi’s GF buns served in a sealed bag.

Jersey Mike’s: Offers reliable GF bread or bun options.

The Space: Carries RegCakes brioche buns for next-level burgers.

Caterers in Champaign-Urbana that Offer GF Menus

Piato Catering
Michael’s Catering
Pan and Cake Catering Co.

Final Crumbs of Advice

Note: “Gluten-Free” ≠ Safe for Celiac. Some menus use “gluten-free” loosely, more as a dietary preference than a medical necessity. Only meals prepared with strict protocols should be considered safe for someone with celiac disease. Be sure to ask detailed questions (e.g., “Is this prepared on a shared surface?”), and look for certified GF items on menus and in stores.

This article contains a mix of dedicated and certified GF options as well as gluten-friendly, wheat-free, etc. There are obviously locations not featured in this article that could be included because they offer naturally GF foods (those that never had gluten to begin with — like fresh fruits and vegetables, plain meats, fish, eggs, dairy, rice, potatoes, nuts, and legumes). This author focused on those establishments that she has frequented, having been GF for nearly 20 years.

Did we miss some place you can count on when it comes to gluten free dining? Email us and let us know!

Champaign-Urbana’s Favorite Places to Eat Gluten Free