- The state of Minnesota covers more than 79,600 square miles and serves as home to numerous attractions, such as the Water Park of America in Minneapolis, the North Shore Scenic Railroad in Duluth and Heritage House in Rochester. Although the state offers numerous dining options for vacationers, tourists with celiac disease or other conditions that require dietary restrictions may worry about finding a location that can accommodate them. Fortunately, gluten-free restaurants are available in some of the state's most popular destinations.
- Cafe Levain is on Chicago Avenue between East 47th and 48th streets in south Minneapolis. Difficult to spot due to its small size, the building is most recognizable because of its bright red door. Inside, the restaurant has an open floor plan, allowing diners to see into the kitchen as their dishes are prepared. The restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "extraordinary to perfection" for its food, "very good to excellent" for its service and "good to very good" for its decor.
Four of the restaurant's seven entrees are either gluten-free or modifiable to make them such. Options include braised beef shortribs and the chicken and sausage cassoulet. A signature side dish, the brussels sprouts with shallots and chives, also contain no gluten. The wine list features around 70 selections from around the world.
Cafe Levain serves dinner Tuesday through Sunday and closes every Monday. Reservations are recommended. For a night of people-watching, ask for a table outdoors along the sidewalk during nice weather. The open dining room and hardwood floors can often make the restaurant noisy; plan to dine at off-peak hours if quiet conversation is your goal. Casual attire is acceptable. The nearest available parking is along the street.
Cafe Levain
4762 Chicago Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-823-7111
cafelevain.com - The Duluth Grill is at the corner of South 27th Avenue West and Huron Street in Duluth, adjacent to Interstate 35. The family-owned and operated restaurant opened in 1991 and has appeared on the Food Network television show "Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives." Much of the produce used by the restaurant is grown on-site in the restaurant's outdoor urban garden, and the eggs and many ingredients are organic.
The menu features 10 gluten-free lunch and dinner options, including sandwiches served on gluten-free caraway and buckwheat bread baked in-house. An entree specialty, the pesto pasta consists of gluten-free rice noodles, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, feta cheese and a choice of chicken or grilled tofu.
The Duluth Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are not taken. Casual attire is appropriate. The family-friendly restaurant has options for children, with high chairs and booster seats available. The restaurant has on-site parking, and free wireless Internet is accessible inside.
Duluth Grill
118 S. 27th Ave. West
Duluth, MN 55806
218-726-1150
duluthgrill.com - The Hubbell House is on North Main Street in Mantorville, a small town 18 miles west of Rochester. A former inn constructed in 1854 serves as the setting for the restaurant, which has Civil War memorabilia on display in keeping with its historic feel.
The restaurant has both a lunch and dinner gluten-free menu available. The latter features 21 entrees, including specialties of the house like the smoked pork chops and the barbecue ribs. Early-bird gluten-free specials are also available Tuesday through Friday. The restaurant has a full bar.
The Hubbell House is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday and closes every Monday. Reservations are highly recommended. Casual attire is the norm. The restaurant has a children's menu, high chairs and booster seats. On-site parking is available on the sides and at the rear of the building.
The Hubbell House
502 North Main St.
Mantorville, MN 55955
507-635-2331
hubbellhouserestaurant.com