My Gluten-Free Kitchen

Four days after our gorgeous wedding in May, we landed in Nashville, TN to start our honeymoon. I was mostly excited for the music and the food, and was not disappointed on either front!

We spent five days in Nashville, and though we were largely drawn to the music and buzz of downtown, we branched out as much as we could during our time there, visiting Germantown, East Nashville, Music Row and Midtown. Our general impression was one of a brilliant, characterful city, and I was delighted to find the ubiquitous country music followed us everywhere we went.

As with any recommendation, the below are all based on my own experience and I couldn’t possibly guarantee they’re coeliac safe, or that there won’t be cross contamination.

There are also doubtful dozens of other gluten-friendly spots in the city, so be sure to look for recommendations and reviews for more inspiration.

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Honky-Tonk Hits: Top Gluten-Free Spots in Nashville

Frothy Monkey (Downtown Nashville)

This cafe, less than a 10-minute walk from Broadway, was so good we ended up eating here twice!

After some extensive Googling on our first day, fresh out of the Johnny Cash Museum, we wandered in slowly shrinking circles until we found Frothy Monkey.

I couldn’t pick anything but the Betsy sandwich (I can only assume they know about our sassy house bunny and had aptly named this sandwich after her).

This was some of the best gluten-free bread I’ve eaten—I suspect buckwheat is their secret to soft, fluffy, gluten-free bread—and paired with a delicious chicken and cranberry salad filling, this was the ideal fuel to head back down towards Broadway and spend the afternoon exploring the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

We returned to Frothy Monkey on our last full day in Nashville and quickly realized we weren’t the only fans of this place! There was a queue to get in, but we duly waited our turn, put down our names, and waited the requisite 20 minutes. This passed by quickly, and it was well worth the wait.

The same delicious gluten-free bread, topped with egg, avocado, tomatoes, and mozzarella—this was the best avo-toast I can remember eating. I washed my brunch down with an enormous ‘golden monkey’ latte (espresso, steamed milk, honey, cinnamon, and a special turmeric blend).

The staff at Frothy Monkey are friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. I specified my need for gluten-free bread on both occasions, and the staff didn’t bat an eye. On both visits, the food was delicious and safe, and since the Monkey was highly recommended online, this seems to be a popular opinion!

Recommended For:

• Brunch
• Lunch
• Snacks

Kitchen Notes (Omni Nashville Hotel)

Kitchen Notes was another place that was so good on the first visit, we had to come back again!

On our first visit, we had the loveliest waitress, Rasha, who, having strict dietary requirements of her own, was only happy to help me pick out the safest (and tastiest) breakfast options.

I eventually plumped for the gluten-free pancakes with a side of bacon, washed down with copious amounts of black coffee. Having chatted about what I might order, Rasha knew I was curious about the Biscuits and Gravy, and insisted on bringing out a gluten-free biscuit for me to try.

I was absolutely full-to-bursting and hadn’t even finished my pancakes, but I had to give it a go. The result – a salty, buttery, crumbling biscuit that convinced me a good gluten-free scone is possible (I just need to crack the recipe).

I’d go as far to say that these were the best pancakes (fluffy, rich, and not even the slightest bit dry) I ate across the entire trip. So it was a no-brainer that we’d visit again before leaving Nashville.

On our second visit, I had to go for the biscuits and gravy. I added a side of country-style sausage, but honestly, it wasn’t necessary. Once again it was a case of eyes-bigger-than-belly, and I only managed to eat about two-thirds of my plates before admitting defeat. This was excellent fuel for our day wandering around Opry Mills, and with such a filling breakfast we didn’t feel the need to stop for lunch.

We had such a good impression of Kitchen Notes that when we happened across an Omni Hotel later in New Orleans, we immediately got our hopes up that we’d find a similar breakfast spot inside – alas, that wasn’t meant to be – but more on that in my New Orleans post in a couple of weeks time.

The food was delicious, the staff knew what they were doing, and more importantly, it was safe. I would absolutely come back for a third round, and I highly recommend those pancakes, if you get a chance!

Recommended For:

• Brunch
• Lunch
• Snacks

Butcher and Bee (East Nashville)

Friday night in Nashville called for somewhere really special. We’d seen a few reviews of Butcher & Bee online and were excited to try their Middle Eastern-inspired menu.

Upon arriving, we quickly realized that due to a mix-up with Google Calendar and time zones, we’d made our reservation for 1:00 am that morning—meaning we were 19 hours late!

Thankfully, the staff took pity on us and found space at the bar. We were absolutely thrilled and very grateful, as this turned out to be one of the standout meals of our trip.

We’d already reviewed the menu at the hotel and knew we wanted to try the “All the Mezze” option to sample as many dishes as possible. Only one of the seven dishes contained gluten, and the staff made sure I was aware of it.

After some deliberation (and very welcome input from the bartender), we also added the grilled oyster mushrooms to our order, and they did not disappoint! The rich umami marinade complemented the earthy mushrooms perfectly. Together with the mezze, it was the perfect meal size for two.

Finding a gluten-friendly dessert isn’t always easy, so when I spotted their vegan strawberry malabi, I knew I had to try it. This Middle Eastern-inspired dessert featured a creamy strawberry base topped with shredded coconut and fresh strawberries. Every bite was delicious and zingy with the fresh fruit—light enough that I didn’t feel stuffed afterward.

Our experience at Butcher & Bee was outstanding. The team went above and beyond to accommodate us despite the booking mix-up. I felt safe eating there because the staff were so attentive to allergens and knew exactly what was in the food. I’d go back in a heartbeat, and if I find myself in Nashville again, I’d definitely be making a beeline for this place.

Recommended For:

• Dinner
• A Special Occasion

Black Rabbit (Downtown Nashville)

For our final night in Nashville (sob!), we opted for Black Rabbit, a cosy, relaxed restaurant just a few blocks from Broadway.

To start, we shared the pork tacos, served on corn tortillas (so naturally gluten free!). Topped with braised pork, salsa verde, and cheese, these were a delicious start to the meal, and, shared between the two of us, proved the perfect size to whet our appetite ahead of the main event.

For the main course, we both chose the NY strip steak. Perfectly cooked to order and served with a side of broccoli, the steak was melt-in-your-mouth good—and the richness of the soubise sauce was perfectly balanced by the fresh grilled vegetables.

When ordering, I emphasized my need for a gluten-free meal, and the waitress taking care of us made sure this was the case.

As a general rule, dishes like steak are easy for any decent kitchen to keep free from allergens and cross-contamination. You can’t always assume that will be the case, though, so I’d always recommend mentioning your dietary requirements to the server to be on the safe side.

We ate so well in Nashville, and I loved spending time in the city so much that I hardly wanted to leave. I’d jump at the chance to return to the home of country music and would very, very happily revisit Black Rabbit again.

Recommended For:

• Dinner
• A Special Occasion

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Offbeat Options: Decent Gluten-Free Bites Around Town

Emmy’s Pizza (Gulch)

The highlight of our stay in Nashville had to be the show we caught at the Grand Ol’ Opry. We booked tickets a couple of months in advance, and planned the rest of our days around the show.

Knowing it would be a late night, and we were unlikely to find much open in midtown by the time we got back from Opry Mills later that evening, we decided to have a large, late lunch, and pick up some snacks for later.

This was a day in the middle of our trip where we didn’t have a particular itinerary, so we spent much of the morning wandering in and out of honkytonks on Broadway, and later on, wandered around the Gulch (more appealing than the name would suggest, the Gulch is a former industrial area that has in recent years been transformed into a vibrant, trendy neighbourhood).

Emmy’s was recommended as a local pizza spot that offered great gluten-free options. We chose to split a caesar salad with grilled chicken (and no croutons!), plus a ‘Roni Supreme’ gluten-free pizza.

Though not the best gluten-free pizza I’ve tried, it hit the spot, and set us up nice for an evening at the Grand Ol’ Opry. I wouldn’t hurry back, but if you’re craving pizza and in the Gulch area, it’s probably worth stopping by.

Chuy’s (Midtown Nashville)

After a long wander through the Vanderbilt University campus, not long after arriving in Nashville, we happened on a few different restaurants in a row, and decided that Mexican was probably a safe option.

Chuy’s was a homely-feeling place as soon as we walked in, and didn’t feel like a chain. Our waitress was friendly and helpful, and guided me on what would be safe to eat (the chicken taco salad). She warned me about potential cross-contamination with the tortilla chips – I nibbled on a few and felt fine but I didn’t want to push my luck so far).

On balance, after 20 hours of plane food and airport snacks a salad was probably the best thing for my body, but I couldnt help but stare in envy at my new husband’s ‘Elvis Combo’ – a combo of three different enchiladas, a taco and homemade chips with queso.

Overall, it was fine, I enjoyed my food and it was safe, but I didn’t have a great range of options – thankfully the rest of our time in Nashville proved much more fruitful… which brings me to –

Evelyn’s at the Hutton Hotel (Midtown Nashville)

Waking up on our first morning in Nashville, still feeling a little groggy and disorientated, we decided to check out the hotel restaurant for breakfast before heading downtown.

I couldn’t find much that was guaranteed to be safe on the menu, so opted for the caramelised grapefruit with a side of seasonal fruit and plenty of black coffee.

Returning to the hotel the same evening, there was a weather warning so we figured the safest option would be to hunker down in the hotel bar and wait for the storm to pass.

Having had a heavy, late lunch, neither of us was in the mood for a big meal, so we opted to share a couple of appetisers, whilst sipping on cocktails and planning out our next few days in Nashville. The shrimp cocktail and tuna tartare were delicious and perfectly gluten free, the ideal snack to enjoy with negronis while we waited for the bad weather to pass us by.