Finding gluten-free options can be a struggle and sometimes underwhelming when you do. Not everyone is interested in always having crouton-less salad, soup, or French fries. You want to be able to enjoy as much of the menu as you can and order pizza, bagels, pasta, and pancakes like everyone else. We have searched and scoured through menus, photos, and reviews to see which establishments serve gluten-free options of typically gluten dishes — the foods you’re probably really missing. We came across avocado toast, cheesecake, empanadas, and more. Read on for a guide to which Essex County restaurants have gluten-free versions of typically gluten-filled foods.
Disclaimer: Be sure to inform the staff of any dietary restrictions or allergies in order to avoid cross-contamination and stay as safe as possible.
Avocado Toast
^ Avocado toast from Zest
- The Corner | 115 Grove Street, Montclair
- Green Point Juicery | 532 Bloomfield Avenue Verona
- Mercado Montclair | 605 Valley Road, Montclair
- Samba | 7 Park Street, Montclair
- Springbone Kitchen | 321 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Read More: The Best Gluten-Free Pasta Spots in Northern New Jersey
Bagel + Bagel Bites
- Bagels by Jarrett | 451 Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange
- Bareburger | 480 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Belleville Bites | 500 Cortland Street, Belleville
- Beyond the Bagel | 219 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
- Ike’s Bagel Cafe | 277 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston
- Plum Bakery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
- Seymour’s Cafe | 567 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Breads for Burgers, Sandwiches, + Toast
^ Barbacoa Sandwich from Springbone
- Blue Hippo Coffee Co. | 662 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
- Blueprint Cafe + Lounge | 369 Raymond Boulevard, Newark
- Coda Kitchen + Bar | 177 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Dan + Day’s | 598 Valley Road, Montclair
- Dutch’s Sandwich Shop | 16 Church Street, Montclair
- How Delish HD: Vegan Desserts | 55 Kingsley Street, West Orange
- Liv Breads Artisan Bakery + Coffee Bar | 184 Essex Avenue, Millburn
- Mercado Montclair | 605 Valley Road, Montclair
- Millburn Deli | 256 Park Street, Montclair + 328 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
- Nevada Diner | 293 Broad Street, Bloomfield
- Park Wood Diner | 1958 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
- Pilgrim Diner | 82 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
- Pineapple Express Barbecue | 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
- Restaurant Lorena’s | 160 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Samba | 7 Park Street, Montclair
- Smashburger | 989 Bloomfield Avenue 1C, Glen Ridge
- Sparo’s Deli and Catering | 197 B Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
- Springbone Kitchen | 321 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
- Sweet Basil’s Cafe | 498 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
- The Corner | 115 Grove Street, Montclair
- The Naked Bird | 480 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Brick City Vegan | 915 Broad Street Retail 1, Newark
- West Essex Diner | 516 US-46, Fairfield
Brownies
- Green Point Juicery | 532 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
- Springbone Kitchen | 321 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- Yellow Rose Vegan | 410 Ridgewood Avenue, Maplewood
- worldFLATS | 58 Church Street
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Cheesecake
- Green Point Juicery | 532 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
- How Delish HD: Vegan Desserts | 55 Kingsley Street, West Orange
- Liv Breads Artisan Bakery + Coffee Bar | 184 Essex Avenue, Millburn
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
Chicken Bites, Nuggets, + Tenders
^ Gluten-free chicken from Bareburger
- Bareburger | 480 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Montclair House Grill | 12 Church Street,Montclair
- Pineapple Express Barbecue | 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
- Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. | 252 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Cookies
- How Delish HD: Vegan Desserts | 55 Kingsley Street, West Orange
- Springbone Kitchen | 321 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- The Able Baker | 187 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Yellow Rose Vegan | 410 Ridgewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Crepes
- Trend | 411 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Dessert
^ Flourless chocolate cake from De Novo
- Bareburger | 480 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Cait + Abby’s | 15 Sloan Street, South Orange
- Gigi’s Cupcakes | 1925 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
- How Delish HD: Vegan Desserts | 55 Kingsley Street, West Orange
- Liv Breads Artisan Bakery + Coffee Bar | 184 Essex Avenue, Millburn
- Montclair House Grill | 12 Church Street, Montclair
- Nothing Bundt Cakes | 749 Bloomfield Avenue Unit B, West Caldwell
- Plum Bakery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
- Samba | 7 Park Street, Montclair
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- The Able Baker | 187 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
- worldFLATS | 58 Church Street
- Yellow Rose Vegan | 410 Ridgewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
French Toast
- Montclair House Grill | 12 Church Street, Montclair
- Samba | 7 Park Street, Montclair
- Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Fully-Gluten Free Venue
- Green Point Juicery | 532 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona + 97 Baker Street, Maplewood
- Plum Bakery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
- Nami Nori | 378 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Springbone Kitchen | 321 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
- Samba | 7 Park Street, Montclair
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Granola
^ Granola from Boomchia
- Boomchia | 427 Bloomfield Avenue Suite 101, Montclair
- Fresh Coast | 1227 Raymond Boulevard, Newark
- Green Point Juicery | 532 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
- Playa Bowls | Multiple Locations
- Springbone Kitchen | 321 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Muesli
- Chef V | Delivery Service
- Liv Breads Artisan Bakery + Coffee Bar | 184 Essex Avenue, Millburn
Muffins
- Cait + Abby’s | 15 Sloan Street, South Orange
- Green Point Juicery | 532 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
- TasteBuddy | 515 A Millburn Avenue, Short Hills
- Yellow Rose Vegan | 410 Ridgewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Other Dishes
- Several Flavors of Colombian Style Empanadas at Miti Miti | 10 Sloan Avenue, South Orange
- Burrito bowls at Tacoria | 367 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Homemade Ravioli at Violante + Son | 452 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
- Keto Cake Benedict at the Montclair Diner | 613 Valley Road, Montclair
- Mesob | 515 Bloomfield Avenue (Note: Mesob offers gluten-free options with its Injera and some desserts — give at least 4 hours’ notice.)
Pancakes
^ Pancakes from Original Pancake House
- Bluestone Coffee Co. | 123 Watchung Avenue #2, Montclair
- Montclair House Grill | 12 Church Street, Montclair
- Original Pancake House | 817 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell
- Toast | 700 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Village Coffee | 164 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Uncle Momo | 702 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Pasta (Typically Penne)
^ Penne from De Novo
- Ah’ Pizz | 7 North Willow Street, Montclair
- Anthony Francos Pizzeria + Ristorante | 303 Pompton Avenue, Verona + 489 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
- Bella Napoli | 1640 Broad Street, Bloomfield
- Boschetto | 111 Grove Street, Montclair
- Brix Restaurant + Pizza Bar | 371 South Franklin Avenue, Belleville
- Bucco Restaurant | 61 Washington Street, Bloomfield
- Cafe Giotto | 42 Church Street, Montclair
- Calandra’s Italian Village | 234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- Cucina 355 | 355 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
- Da Pepo | 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair
- De Novo European Pub | 275 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
- Ellie’s Bistro | 20 Green Street, Newark
- Enzo’s Pizzeria + Restaurant | 150 Valley Road, Montclair
- Fanny’s Restaurant + Bar | 1109 Broad Street, Bloomfield
- Forte Pizzeria | 182 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- Fresco Market | 115 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Laboratorio Kitchen | 615 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- La Rocca | 23 Midland Avenue, Montclair
- Napoli Trattoria + Pizza | 11 Park Street, Montclair
- Luigino’s Parmigiana | 173 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
- Luna Wood Fired Tavern | 223 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
- Pappardelle Ristorante | 77 Walnut Street, Montclair
- Panevino Ristorante | 637 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston
- Pizzanda | 128 Montgomery Street, Bloomfield
- Popolari Pizza + Pasta Bar | 1047 Broad Street, Bloomfield
- Ralph’s Pizzeria | 564 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
- Restaurant Lorena’s | 160 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
- Stephanie’s Italian Restaurant | 283 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- Tony’s Boys | 10 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston + 8 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
- West Essex Diner | 516 US-46, Fairfield
- Zi Zia Pizzeria + Trattoria | 80 Bay Avenue, Bloomfield
Pizza
- Ah’ Pizz | 7 North Willow Street, Montclair
- Anthony’s Cheesecake | 71 Washington Street, Bloomfield
- Anthony Francos Pizzeria + Ristorante | 303 Pompton Avenue, Verona + 489 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
- Blaze Pizza | 280 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston + 691 Broad Street, Newark
- Brick + Dough | 110 Walnut Street, Montclair
- Brix Restaurant + Pizza Bar | 371 South Franklin Avenue, Belleville
- Brook Tap House | 811 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell
- Calandra’s Italian Village | 234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- California Pizza Kitchen | 1200 Morris Turnpike Unit 8270, Millburn
- Cucina 355 | 355 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
- De Novo European Pub | 275 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
- Dough Artisan Pizzeria | 437 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- Ellie’s Bistro | 20 Green Street, Newark
- Enzo’s Pizzeria + Restaurant | 150 Valley Road, Montclair
- Famous Ray’s Pizza of New York | 10 Pompton Avenue, Verona
- Forte Pizzeria | 182 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- Fortissimo Osteria + Pizzeria | 484 Pleasant Valley Way ,West Orange
- Fresco Market | 115 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
- Gencarelli’s Pizzeria + Restaurant | 501 Bloomfield Avenue, Newark
- Leone’s Pizzeria | 19 South Park Street, Montclair
- Lombardi’s Bar + Restaurant | 587 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
- Luna Wood Fired Tavern | 223 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
- Maplewood Pizzeria + Family | 489 Valley Street, Maplewood
- Master Pizza | 379 East Northfield Road, Livingston + 41 Freeman Street, West Orange
- Mozzarella | 396 Valley Street, South Orange
- Mr Dino’s Pizzeria + Restaurant | 119 Watchung Avenue, Montclair
- Panevino Ristorante | 637 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston
- Pizzanda | 128 Montgomery Street, Bloomfield
- Pizzeta Italian Kitchen + Bar | 62 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston
- Popolari Pizza + Pasta Bar | 1047 Broad Street, Bloomfield
- Ralph’s Pizzeria | 564 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
- Salute Brick Oven Bistro | 173 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
- Tony’s Boys | 10 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston + 8 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
- Village Trattoria | 21 South Orange Street, South Orange + 2 Inwood Place, Maplewood
- Violante + Son | 452 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
- West Essex Diner | 516 US-46, Fairfield
- worldFLATS | 58 Church Street, Montclair
See More: Behind the Gluten-Free Doughnuts Taking Hoboken by Storm: Hayley’s Donut
Waffles
- Le Souk | 51 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
- Montclair House Grill | 12 Church Street, Montclair
- Original Pancake House | 817 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell
- Raymonds | 28 Church Street, Montclair
- Toast | 700 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Zest | 418 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Raising Cane’s to Open First Essex County Location in Fairfield
Anyone who’s traveled beyond the Garden State knows about the long list of popular fast food chains that we just don’t have (yet), like In-N-Out, Saxby’s, and Whataburger. But come late 2025, Northern New Jersey residents will no longer have to miss out because a Louisiana-founded fast food chicken spot is making its way up Route 46. Raising Cane's, best known for its chicken fingers and signature sauce, has plans to open its first Northern New Jersey location in Essex County at 645 US-46, Fairfield. Read on for what to know about Raising Cane's bringing its chicken fingers and southern charm to Essex County, New Jersey.
The Details
Northern New Jersey residents will no longer have to experience FOMO whenever they see a Raising Cane's mukbang on social media. The South's beloved fast food spot will open on Route 46 in Fairfield sometime this fall or winter at the former Houlihan's, as per NorthJersey.com.
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Read More: Mashed Burgers Soft Opens on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair
As of this writing, there are six Raising Cane's locales in New Jersey, all of which are located in Southern New Jersey. This Northern New Jersey expansion is part of a larger wave of new chains popping up around the Garden State, including in Edison, where it will be the first Central New Jersey site, as per My Central Jersey, and Glassboro, which opened to the public in January. According to NorthJersey.com, the franchise has proposed plans for another spot in Watchung.
Upon opening, locals can indulge in a menu of all things chicken fingers. The restaurant also serves Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, chicken sandwiches, coleslaw, and its signature Cane Sauce.
About Raising Cane's
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In 1994, Todd Graves proposed an idea in a college business class for a restaurant that only serves chicken fingers. Because his professor believed it wouldn't be successful, his plan received the lowest grade in the class, as per the business's website. Sticking to his original concept, Todd eventually went to the banks to ask for a loan, but no one was willing to try.
After humble beginnings, the franchise first opened at Lousiana State University in Baton Rouge by then-24-year-old Todd in 1996. Todd first planned to name his restaurant Sockeye’s, "as a tribute to his time in Alaska," the website reads. But after working on the franchise's first construction site, he named the company after his Labrador, Raising Cane.
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What first started as a campus grub spot has turned into a fast food empire. Raising Cane's now has over 800 locations across the country, with 118 of them opening in 2024.
See More: Alessio’s to Open Casa Italia Gourmet Market in Hoboken on 4/10
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