10+ Places to Eat Gluten Free at the Denver Airport
Staying gluten free while traveling can be a challenge, especially if you are not familiar with where you are traveling. Sometimes it’s easier to plan ahead so you know exactly where to go before you arrive. I’ve been gluten free for a few years, so I know the struggle of trying to find something while you travel. If you come to Denver, rest assured you’ll be able to find something. Here is a guide of where to eat gluten free at the Denver Airport.
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Please note, these restaurants may not be certified gluten free and may have cross contamination. Make sure to ask about cooking methods if you have Celiacs or another condition where you cannot have trace amounts.
These are also just suggestions for gluten-friendly meals, meaning they have meal options with ingredients that don’t have gluten. They may require further questioning to make sure your specific choice is gluten-free.
This list is meant to help the general gluten free traveler find their way through restaurants at the Denver airport. Not necessarily those with Celiacs.
*Denver has a main terminal and 3 concourses for flights. Check out how to navigate the Denver airport so you have a better idea where the restaurants are!
Table of Contents
DIA (Denver International Airport) has a lot of great restaurants throughout. But if you are looking to cut gluten in your diet, here are a bunch of great options:
Mercantile
Located in Concourse A
Mercantile is a hot spot for eating downtown Denver, but now you can enjoy farm-fresh foods in the airport, too!
Mercantile offers creative choices, with great gluten-free options with many of the salads. You can find the Mercantile right in the center area of the terminal as you enter from the escalator.
Freshens Fresh Food Studio
Located in Concourses A and B
Freshens Fresh Food Studio will give you just that: Fresh food for a busy travel day.
While their specialty is crepes, they also offer smoothies and salads for my gluten-free friends. The smoothies pack superfoods (like the Apple Kiwi Kale smoothie) or heartier cups like the Peanut Butter Protein smoothie.
You can also order one of 6 designed salads, or completely create your own!
Chick-Fil-A
Located in Concourse B
Chick-Fil-A is a great option for finding gluten free options at the Denver airport. From grilled chicken nuggets to grilled chicken sandwiches (with a gluten free bun), Chick-fil-A is a great gluten free option.
Many of the sides and sauces are gluten free as well.
Exactly where is Chick-Fil-A in the Denver airport? It’s located in the B concourse in the main area. That’s convenient if you are flying United or other airlines in B terminal. But if you have a long layover (or a lot of time before your flight), you can jump on the train to terminal B and just go upstairs to the restaurant. Then go right back to the train and to your gate.
City Pho
Located in Concourse B
City Pho serves up Vietnamese dishes and is great for people trying to eat gluten free at the Denver airport. They serve up dishes like Banh Mi, Pho Bowls, and Noodle Bowls. For gluten free eating, choose a Pho bowl. You’ll get your choice of protein and toppings in the bowl of rice noodles and broth.
Aviator’s Bar and Grill
Located in Concourse B
Aviator’s has a selection of smoked meats as well as some salads. In addition, they have starters if you are just wanting a snack. Try the meat and cheese board for a quick snack before your flight.
Cantina Grill
Located in Concourse B
Cantina Grill is a Mexican restaurant in the B concourse.
They are open for breakfast, giving you mouthwatering options to appease your early morning hunger.
Most breakfast dishes come with a corn tortilla (and just sub a corn tortilla on what doesn’t). You’ll get options like a Torta with eggs, potatoes, and your choice of protein. Or go for the chilaquiles, corn tortillas/chips with all sorts of goodness on tip.
You can enjoy lunch and dinner as well.
Grab some tacos with pork or chicken or sofritos for vegetarians. Or grab a house salad with chips and salsa.
Garbanzo Mediterranean
Located in Concourse B
Garbanzo is a delicious, healthy, Middle Eastern restaurant available with great gluten free options at the Denver airport. This is one of my favorite fast-casual spots to eat with plenty of healthy options (that are very filling).
Like many restaurants at the airport, they have a shortened menu compared to their outside locations. Stay away from the pitas, and then enjoy the many veggies on salads and rice bowls.
Modern Market in the C concourse
Modern Market
Located in Concourses B and C
Modern Market is just about my FAVORITE restaurant ever! As someone who tries to eat healthy and gluten free, Modern Market is the golden ticket. Anytime we go to Colorado Springs, we make sure to stop at the Modern Market there.
Luckily, there is one at the airport too. Modern Market has an abbreviated airport menu, consisting of Salads, bowls, and sandwiches (GF bread available!) that are so flavorful. Choose from a Chicken basil sandwich, a Thai coconut flavor, or a hearty salad, among other delicious options.
Jamba Juice
Located in concourses B and C
Jamba Juice is a classic, healthy, fresh, quick, on-the-go item that’s great for travelers. Enjoy a hearty smoothie with add-ins and protein as a meal replacement, or grab something small to hold you over as a healthy in-between.
Smoothies are great for not leaving you feeling heavy as you board your next flight.
Superfruit Republic
Located in Concourse C, just up the escalator from the train
We are huge fans of Acai bowls, and if you are too, Superfruit Republic is a great place. If you want something lighter, fresher, and packed with nutrients that also allows you to order gluten-free at the Denver Airport, this is a great option.
While smoothie bowls are great for breakfast, we actually eat them a lot for dinner thanks to the nutrient-packed toppings you can load them up with.
You can find these acai bowls in the middle section of the terminal, towards the side with gates C38 and 39.
Smashburger
Located in Concourses B and C
Smashburger is a famous burger joint, serving up gourmet burgers. They also have chicken sandwiches and salads. The salad is a safe, natural GF options. If you’re really wanting that burger, ask for a gluten free bun or even a lettuce wrap instead!
Big Bowl
Located in Concourse C
Big Bowl is a Chinese restaurant specializing in bowls and sushi. While many of the dishes have flour or soy, they offer sushi which, depending on how you select, can be gluten free.
Big Bowl is a great option for breakfast, too. They serve up breakfast bowls of egg and sausage, giving you a nice hearty meal in the morning without the gluten.
La Casita
Located in Concourse C
Here is another great Mexican restaurant option for eating gluten free at the Denver airport.
At La Casita, you build your own meal like you would at a Chipotle or Cafe Rio. Decide between a bowl, taco, or salad. Then select your meat (or veggies) and salsa.
You can also select one of the menu salads, including a quinoa salad, for healthy options.
Root Down
Located in Concourse C
Root Down also has a location in Denver and it is one of my favorites. It’s known for flavorful dishes made from high quality ingredients. Now there is one at the airport to enjoy, albeit with an abbreviated menu.
These flavors pack a punch and shout creativity.
They actually have specific gluten free items on the menu, even sandwiches and burgers (beef, veggie, and turkey burgers.).
Try the Colombian Griddled cheese, packed with unique cheese and poblano. Or try the gluten free cheesesteak sandwich.
*Note, make sure to specify gluten free to get their GF offering.
Bonus: They even have a kid’s menu with gluten free options.
Tips for Staying Gluten Free at the Denver Airport
While there are so many restaurants at the Denver airport and so many choices on each menu, it can be hard to find gluten free items. Here are a few tips for finding gluten free options:
Look for Mexican Restaurants
Besides the flour tortillas and sopapillas, Mexican restaurants naturally have so many gluten free ingredients. Most meal combinations are made of rice, beans, salsa, veggies, and meat. Stay clear of burritos and use a corn tortilla on anything else (like tacos).
Look for Asian Restaurants
Asian restaurants often use lots of veggies, meat, and rice (or rice noodles, depending on which cuisine). This is another cuisine that offers naturally gluten free options. The struggle can be at Chinese restaurants, which contain soy sauce in many of the dishes.
Don’t Forget About Sauces
While many ingredients are gluten free, sometimes it’s easy to forget about the sauces that come on them. Some are thickened with flour.
If you are sensitive to gluten, make sure to ask if the sauces are thickened with flour or corn starch.
Steakhouses Have Great Offerings
As long as you aren’t vegetarian, steakhouses often have plenty of basic (but delicious) meats on the menu. Combine this with a salad sans croutons and you’ve got a hearty gluten free meal.
Smoothie Shops are Great
Like the Superfruit Republic listed above, smoothies are great, natural gluten free options. Making it into a smoothie bowl is even more satisfying and satiating. Watch for the granola if you are very sensitive to gluten, as not all oats are certified gluten free (but some are, so just ask what oats they use, if needed!)
Coffee Shops for the Quick Win
When trying to eat gluten free at the Denver Airport and you are really short on time, head to a coffee shop. Denver has a Caribou Coffee in every terminal, a Starbucks in concourses B and C, and other coffee shops as well.
Often, coffee shops will carry a few gluten free items like yogurts, parfaits (check the oats, if you need), egg bites, and sometimes even GF sweet breads. They also have grab-and-go salads.
Eating Gluten Free at the Denver Airport
I know how tricky it can be finding GF items anywhere, especially finding food that gluten free at the Denver airport. This is especially hard when you are new to eating gluten free.
If you are just eating gluten free as a lifestyle to limit gluten (and don’t have worries about cross contamination), then you’ll now see there are plenty of options for traveling gluten free at the Denver airport.
So browse the list above and decide where you’ll eat at your next layover or visit to the Denver airport.
Don’t forget to check out:
Complete Guide to the Denver Airport
10 FREE Things to do in Denver (with kids!)
Compare Parking Lots and Rates at the Denver Airport
