Overview
For someone who has an insatiable crush on wheat-based products, namely cheeseburgers and pizzas featuring anything topping-wise, the conversion to a gluten free diet has the potential to be both traumatising and seemingly impossible. But, Aucklanders, this need not be the case.
The city has embraced the gluten free trend with open arms and now basically any good eatery you happen across will almost certainly cater to our bread-less brothers and celiac sisters. In saying that, not every place quite understands the gruelling grind of gluten-freeness. Firstly, there are only so many gf orange madeira cakes one can eat before one feels as though they may undergo a similar transformation to Violet Beauregarde during her unfortunate blueberry incident in the Chocolate Factory, but with an orange twist. Secondly, simply having a greek salad on the menu does not qualify an eatery as gf-friendly. And lastly, just because one commits themselves to the gluten free regime, doesn't mean we are health nuts. Sure, the majority of us are yoga-doing, kale-consuming, maypole dancers (too far?), but sometimes it is nice to be able to order a gluten free fried chicken sandwich. And so, just to help out my anti-gluten comrades, here are the best celiac-friendly eateries that the city has to offer:
1. Mondays
The diet friendliest cafe that Kingsland has on offer, Mondays, is one of those eateries that cater for everyone. You could be a gluten-free, dairy-free, glucose-free, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and still be spoilt for choice upon entry into the adorable secret hideaway that is Mondays. I’m not exactly what their magic food is made from, since it doesn't seem to contain anything that people may be allergic to, and every time I ask I receive an extensive list of ingredients, most of which I have never heard of. Although despite the complex mystery ingredients, I have never once been disappointed with my Mondays meal. For us gluten-free kids, I recommend the salmon sandwich. The meal consists of a decent slab of fish between generous slices of this buckwheat and millet bread. I swear the bread tastes too good to be gf, because it is in a whole other realm to that cardboard-esque supermarket gluten-free ‘bread’. The buns are light and rich in flavour and I can guarantee that you’ll experience withdrawals over the next few weeks and be forced to return to Mondays for your next hit.
503b New North Road, Kingsland
2. Masu
Masu is a trickier one; but caters for gluten-free Japanese cuisine lovers flawlessly. The staff are happy to provide anyone who asks with an entire gluten-free menu to avoid the awkward half hour interrogation of the waiter as to what items of the menu contain no gluten. They even have a gluten-free soy sauce that proves to be such a convincing imitation of the real thing that it might consider a career as an impressionist. Being a sharing plate initiative, you may think that problems would arise when dining with a non-celiac partner. You’re wrong. The waiters ensure everyone at the table is clued up on which dishes are gluten-free friendly. And, to be honest, the food is prepared so brilliantly that the entire table could order from the gf menu and leave none the wiser that they’ve been eating celiac for the evening.
The king salmon is the dish not to miss at Masu: it is rich, complimented with pickled cucumber and cooked to that perfect crumbly consistency that one can never reenact at home. Also, their vegetables, namely the broccoli, are quite the exquisite delicacy.
90 Federal Street, Auckland CBD
3. Wilder and Hunt
A cafe for cavemen, Wilder and Hunt prides itself on being paleo-freindly, which is good news for us gluten-free guys, because paleo-friendly sort of goes hand-in-hand with gluten-free. With a focus on health food that avoids grains, sugars and artificial anything, Wilder ensures that its diners leave filled only with foods that could’ve been foraged from the wild. All about the good fats, high protein, plant-based lifestyle, everything on the menu oozes healthiness, but that doesn't mean it’s not awesome. Their food is amazing, and I’ve got to give an honourable mention to their sweet selection. It is hard to find a good gluten-free cake without running into that notorious orange madeira cake, but Wilder and Hunt has an impressive selection of sweet but healthy gf goodies. Both the Snickers bar and the Rawky Road knock it out of the park. But my all time favourite is the red velvet cupcake, which is so good that you’ll find yourself questioning the cafe’s promise that it is healthy. The icing is coloured with beetroot (I know, but don't knock it til’ you’ve tried it), which gives it this sweet infusion that is actually better than your average sugar-filled icing. I know. It is a miracle.
15 Maskell Street, Saint Heliers & 65 Mackelvie Street, Ponsonby
4. Little Bird Unbakery
Ah. Little Bird. The founding father of good gluten-free dining in Auckland. The place started off all cute and boutique-like and has grown to the status of gluten-free institution. Created by partners Megan and Jeremy, Megan is also the head chef behind the venture having grown up on gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free diet. I would feel sorry for the kid who could never eat birthday cake if it wasn't of the fact that this lifestyle led to the opening of the Little Bird Unbakery. Raw foods are heated no higher than 46 degrees to ensure full nutritional value, and organic foods grown without chemicals, everything you consume in store is sure to extend your life expectancy by a few years. The best news for us gluten-free eaters is the cheesecake. Firstly, it is a cake, which actually tastes like a cake, with no gluten in it whatsoever. Secondly, since the team behind the counter reckons it is healthy for you, so you can eat a decent portion of the stuff. It seriously tastes like real live cheesecake without all the aftertaste of guilt.
1 Summer Street, Ponsonby & 385 New North Road, Kingsland
5. Kokako
The highlight of Grey Lynn is Kokako, a sweet little cafe that caters so well for gluten-free diets that no one will even know you’re avoiding anything wheat-based. I want to tell you all about the coffee (it is perfect) and the kicked back atmosphere thanks to the super friendly staff, but then I wouldn't have enough space to rave about the Kokako burger. That’s right kids, a gluten-free burger that has real burger buns and real ingredients - it’s a miracle on a plate. The buns are refreshingly light and taste just like real bread, and the burger is filled with Moroccan chickpea and red lentil, eggplant, pickled beetroot and avo. If you haven't already drooled all over your keyboard, the burger is dressed with this mint yoghurt that gives the whole phenomenon a bit of a Greek twist that is so awesome that you’ll never feel the need to eat a sub-standard gluten-free burger again.
537 Great North Road, Grey Lynn
6. Wise Cicada
Newmarket’s contribution to the gf dining scene is Wise Cicada. As is the norm these days, the cafe is one of those plant-based, organic and nutritious joints, but unlike your average cafe Wise Cicada is part grocer, part cafe, part deli. With a consistency delicious salad bar, a decent selection of sweets and its very own juice bar where you can dictate your own super smoothie, the place has a whole heap to offer the gluten-free diner. Another feature worth mentioning at Wise Cicada is their weekend buffet. When you are following a gluten-free diet, the word buffet might as well be synonymous with salad. The buffet breakfast spreads generally serve up hash browns (nope), toast (nope), croissants and pastries (nope and nope). But Wise Cicada dedicates its weekend mornings to serving up a flour-free feast that is about to be your regular Sunday morning hangout. Their scrambled tofu deserves as shout out, as do their mediterranean sautéed mushrooms.
23 Crowhurst Street, Newmarket
7. The Chip Shop
Can we just talk about how underrated fish and chips are for a minute? In New Zealand we really take the classic kiwi kai for granted, since there is a fish and chip shop on the corner of every block of shops, no matter how remote. Since the F&S spread is a given in our country, we never really step back and take the time to appreciate how good battered fish covered in Watties t-sauce is. Until you become gluten-free that is. Batter is one of the most difficult parts of being gluten-free. Especially on hungover Sunday mornings when deep-fried seems to be the only option. After much searching and scouring the city for gluten-free fish and chips, I finally stumbled upon the little gem in Royal Oak that is The Chip Shop. The place manages to defy all the givens of gluten-free frying - keeping their batter crunchy and awesome, instead of the usual soggy mess that tends to emerge from the fryer when gluten is left out of the mix. For those who have been on a gluten-free diet for a while, your patriotism and sense of Kiwi pride will be renewed with this incredible gf friendly feast.
711 Manukau Road, Royal Oak
8. Ethos
Under the radar eatery Ethos is East West Organic’ New Lynn cafe and bakery. They’re all about whole, organic food that caters for all diets, with the promise of not only edibility, but also deliciousness. I know it isn't exactly revolutionary to the gluten-free eater, but the chia breakfast trifle is heaven in a tall glass. Chia seed, apricot compote, nuts and seeds fill the glass to the brim with gluten free goodness. The best part about the cafe’s brekkie for gf diners though, is the hotcakes. The entire pancake family, including the waffle, pikelet and hotcake species, are extinct in the minds of celiacs. It is a travesty. But Ethos’ revolutionary creation of coconut based hotcakes with vanilla poached pineapple, berry compote and accompanied with coconut yoghurt and apple syrup will have you excited about the prospect of pancakes once more.
34D Portage Road, New Lynn