Top 4 Non-Vegan Restaurants in Toronto with Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Dinner Options
Toronto's diverse culinary landscape offers a range of dining experiences that cater to various dietary needs. While it is relatively easy to find gluten-free, dairy-free options at the numerous vegan restaurants that make up Toronto's culinary scene, it can be challenging to find restaurant options that will also satisfy the palette of your non-vegan friends. Here, we explore four exceptional restaurants in Toronto offering delicious dairy-free and gluten-free options.
We have ranked these restaurants based on the number and variety of dishes (mains / entrees) available to someone avoiding gluten and dairy, transparency of allergen information from the restaurant, and the attractiveness of options for others without dietary restrictions.
Note, all allergen information comes directly from restaurants, however we cannot guarantee no cross-contamination. Always make sure to notify your server to ensure the appropriate measures are taken to accommodate your dietary needs.
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1. Barque (Roncesvalles)
Barque Smokehouse, opened in 2011 in Toronto's Roncesvalles Village, is renowned for its 'Refined BBQ' featuring smoked meats such as ribs, brisket, and chicken, along with a variety of fresh sides and desserts. The restaurant, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and commitment to scratch cooking, also emphasizes fair wages for its staff, addressing concerns about tipping culture. Environmentally conscious, Barque uses locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. Importantly, for those with dietary restrictions, Barque is accommodating with detailed allergen information on their menu, and notably, they have a dedicated gluten-free deep fryer, ensuring that guests can safely enjoy a range of fried foods without gluten contamination.
Zesto's Gluten-free, Dairy-free picks:
Smoked Chicken Wings (Starters, $19): 6 Jumbo wings with your choice of sauce or rub.
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Rubs: 299 Rub, Lemon Pepper, Smokey Dill Pickle, BBQ 5-Spice, Cajun
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Sauces: Honey Garlic, Kansas City Style, Nashville Hot, Jerk BBQ
BBQ Pork Two Ways (The Bar-B-Que, $36): Smoked Farmer’s sausage and chopped BBQ pork with Texas honey.
Smoked Beef Brisket (The Bar-B-Que, $44): Half pound sliced brisket -- sauced and seasoned and ready to enjoy, but extra sauce is available for purchase.
Half Rack Baby Back Ribs (The Bar-B-Que, $48): Half rack served -- sauced and seasoned and ready to enjoy, but extra sauce is available for purchase.
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Sides:
Crispy Brussels Sprouts (Sides, $12): Lemon Pepper rub, Carolina BBQ Sauce, sesame seeds.
BBQ Fries (Sides, $11): Shoestring fries with Fry Rub. Fried in a gluten-free fryer.
Steakhouse Mushrooms (Sides, $12): Button mushrooms, butter, parsley, shaved grana padano, porcini steak spice. Can be made dairy free upon request.
Extra Sauces (Gluten-free, Dairy-free): Texas BBQ Sauce, Carolina BBQ Sauce, Smoked Garlic Chili Crisp Sace, Smoked Poblano Sauce
Extra Sauces (Gluten-free, Dairy-free): Texas BBQ Sauce, Carolina BBQ Sauce, Smoked Garlic Chili Crisp Sace, Smoked Poblano Sauce
Smoked Chicken Wings
Baby Back Ribs
Smoked Beef Brisket
BBQ Fries (Gluten-free Fryer)
2. R&D (Chinatown)
R&D, nestled in the heart of Toronto's Chinatown, is a vibrant collaboration between "MasterChef Canada" champion Eric Chong and Michelin-starred chef Alvin Leung. This 85-seat establishment blends a relaxed and intimate dining atmospheres under an umbrella of striking lighting and murals inspired by Chinese street art. The menu at R&D ingeniously merges Canadian and Asian culinary traditions, offering standout dishes such as the French Onion Spring Roll, the Hiramasa Sashimi with fermented jalapeño and ginger crème fraîche, and the unique twist on traditional Lobster Chow Mein. In addition to its eclectic menu, R&D takes pride in its attention to diners' health and dietary needs, providing comprehensive allergen information on their website to accommodate guests with specific dietary requirements. This thoughtful approach ensures a delightful and worry-free dining experience for all patrons.
Zesto's Gluten-free, Dairy-free picks:
Hainan Chicken Rice (Large Plate, $37): Heritage chicken roulade, kecap manis, garlic sambal, ginger confit. Naturally dairy-free and can be modified to be gluten-free.
Popcorn Shrimp (Small Plate, $19): Prawn-crusted nobashi shrimp, laksa mayo. Uses a shared fryer, so if you need a dedicated gluten-free fryer, you'll want to avoid this.
R&D Fried Rice (Large Plate, $31): Mushroom xo, porcini butter, maitake, olive leaf, Singapore crunch. Can be modified to be gluten- and dairy-free upon request.
Black Cod (Large Plate, $46): Shrimp butter, Thai basil pesto, preserved ramp
Best Duck in the City (Large Plate, $120): Whole roasted Pekin duck, roasted garlic hoisin, cucumber, leeks, and steamed baos. Naturally dairy-free and can be modified to be gluten-free. Requires 24 hours' notice.
Wagyu Beef (Large Plate, $120): A5 Japanese Wagyu strip loin, ponzu bordelaise, pomme purée, pearl onion. Can be modified to be gluten- and dairy-free upon request.
Hainan Chicken Rice
Popcorn Shrimp
R&D Fried Rice
Best Duck in the City
Wagyu Beef
3. Earls (Financial District)
Earls Kitchen + Bar, a celebrated establishment in Toronto's dining scene, is well-known for its relaxed environment and excellent customer service. With its downtown Toronto presence in the bustling Financial District and the chic Yorkville neighborhood, Earls has become a favorite destination for food lovers. Additionally, the anticipation is high for its upcoming opening in the vibrant King West area. Committed to catering to a variety of dietary needs, Earls is known for their ability to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, but what makes the Financial District location stand out is that it publishes detailed allergen information on its website, including cross-contamination details for those who are highly sensitive to gluten or dairy.
Zesto's Gluten-free, Dairy-free picks:
Bigger Better Burger (Burgers + More, $22): Tomato, onion, lettuce, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard, brioche bun. Substitute with a vegan bun to make this gluten- and dairy-free.
Cajun Chicken Cheddar Sandwich (Burgers + More, $24): Tomato, lettuce, toasted bun. Substitute with a vegan bun, and request no cheddar to make this gluten- and dairy-free. The Cajun Chicken “may contain” gluten, so avoid this if that is a concern.
Salmon + Feta Caper Aioli (Seafood, $39): Jasmine rice, seasonal vegetables. Naturally gluten-free. Order without the feta aioli to make it dairy-free.
Tropic Thunder Pizza (Pizzas, $24): Virginia ham, marinated pineapple, white cheddar. Substitute with gluten-free crust and Daiya vegan cheese to make this gluten- and dairy-free. If cross-contamination is a concern, you might want to avoid because Earls does not have a dedicated gluten-free oven.
Bigger Better Burger
Cajun Chicken Cheddar Sandwich
Salmon + Feta Caper Aioli
Tropic Thunder Pizza
4. PAI
Downtown (Entertainment District) Uptown (Yonge & Eglinton)PAI Northern Thai Kitchen, is renowned as one of Toronto's top Thai restaurants. With locations in Toronto's Entertainment District and Uptown, it is celebrated for offering an authentic Thai dining experience, showcasing the depth and variety of Northern Thai cuisine. Alongside their commitment to traditional Thai flavors, PAI is particularly noted for being allergy conscious. They provide extensive information on their menu about major allergens, making it easier for guests with dietary restrictions to make informed choices. This attention to detail, combined with their unique beverage selections and traditional Thai dishes, positions PAI as not just a culinary landmark, but also a considerate and inclusive dining destination in Toronto.
Zesto's Gluten-free, Dairy-free picks:
Massaman Curry (Curries, $24): Peanut tamarind curry, potatoes, deep-fried crispy shallots, jasmine rice. Can be made gluten-free and dairy-free upon request.
Khao Soi (Chef Nuit's Favourites, $24): Fresh egg noodles with golden curry, coriander and green onions with your choice of protein. Crispy noodles served on the side as garnish. Can be made gluten-free and dairy-free upon request.
Pad Gra Prow (Other Mains, $24): Stir-fried Thai Holy basil, onions, red bell peppers with your choice of ground pork, chicken, beef or tofu (contains oyster sauce). Served on steamed jasmine rice with Thai style fried egg & prik nam pla sauce (fish sauce) on the side. Can be made gluten-free and dairy-free upon request.
Pad See Ew (Other Mains, $24): Stir-fried hand-cut rice noodles in sweet soy sauce, Chinese broccoli, egg, and your choice of protein (contains oyster sauce). Can be made gluten-free and dairy-free upon request.
Chef Nuit's Pad Thai (Other Mains, $24): Red-flame stir-fried rice noodles in a house-made tamarind-palm sugar sauce with beansprouts, tofu, egg, chives, shredded cabbage, fresh lime, and house-roasted peanuts. Choice of chicken, beef, tofu & veggies, vegan, or shrimp (contains oyster sauce) Choice of spice level required. Can be made gluten-free and dairy-free upon request.
Massaman Curry
Khao Soi
Pad Gra Prow
Pad See Ew
Pad Thai