Gluten Free Melbourne
Posted: March 18, 2022 Updated: July 14, 2025
Melbourne is my original home town and in the time I was living overseas (2015 to 2023) there has been an influx of gluten free options. Melbourne now, I think, is the gluten free capital of Australia.
Though Sydney is definitely king when it comes to gluten free French patisserie.
A quick gluten free Melbourne guide
This guide is a quick one, made up from experiences around Melbourne that I posted to my Instagram page. While it might lack a little detail, it’s a post I can put up in an afternoon to help you start planning your gluten free adventure in the wonderful city of Melbourne.
In the future I’ll post some more in-depth guides with detailed reviews of restaurants, bakeries and casual dining venues.
Gluten free guides to cities around the world are invaluable to coeliacs and those on a strict gluten free diet. I hope this guide gives you inspiration on where to go and what to try on your next visit!
A gluten free pub
Hotel Spencer is probably my favourite pub in Melbourne. Not because it’s a gorgeous pub, far from it, in the middle of the day it’s a bit tired.
But their menu is amazingly inclusive. The food is made gluten free as standard, with burger buns being the only wheat product used. They keep those buns out of the main kitchen.
I have had many wonderful lunches and dinners here, including handmade fettuccini.
Gluten free pies at the football
One massive change since I left Melbourne back in 2015 is that you can now get a coeliac-safe meat pie at the football. Heaven’s Bakehouse pies are cooked in their packaging (like the regular pies are) so there’s no risk of crumbs getting away.
Enjoy this classic food at the Melbourne Cricket Ground while watching an AFL match – fingers crossed your team wins! These pies are also available at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne’s other football ground.
Gluten free Greek
Stalactites is a Melbourne dining institution. Frequented by all, it was actually open 24 hours a day until quite recently. They serve all kinds of delicious Greek food but the best part is – they achieved Coeliac Australia accreditation for their gluten free food.
And yes, you can eat the chips.
If you’d prefer more casual or quick and easy Greek food then you should visit Hella Good (Melbourne CBD and Chadstone). Hella Good are owned by the same folks at Stalactites, they have casual food and are also Coeliac Australia accredited.
100% gluten free Japanese
Shimbashi Soba has the brilliant combination of gluten-free and vegan dishes available – it means I can go out for a meal with my strictly vegan brother.
The restaurant is 100% gluten free with locations in Northcote, Carlton and Collingwood. They source buckwheat from Tasmania to make their fresh soba noodles.
Shimbashi Soba have an extensive menu which varies slightly at each venue. I’ve visited Northcote and Carlton and I’ll hopefully get to Collingwood for my next visit.
Gluten free banh mi
Gluten free banh mi… Honestly I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it pop up in my feed. I immediately saved it and vowed I would get there.
Hanoi Rose in Brunswick serves a number of gluten free dishes and takes gluten free seriously – there’s even a sign where takeaway orders are packed with a list of what sauces are gluten free. I have to admit, when I get unlabelled sauces in a takeaway order I don’t eat them – I can’t trust it.
The bun used is so delicious I had to ask a staff member to confirm it’s gluten free. A very good sign! They told me that they serve their gluten free banh mi facing up to distinguish it from the regular gluten version.
Completely gluten free brunch in Essendon
Finding 100% gluten free venues where you can dine in is a bit tricky, but Noglu in Essendon has got you covered. Serving up brunch items to make anyone drool they offer an upmarket menu without a gluten free tax. I’ve been here a few times now and the best comment I’ve heard is “I kind of forgot it was gluten free.”
Read my full review of Noglu Essendon.
Spudbar
Spudbar is just… So easy. It’s not the most delicious food you’ll eat (see La Tortilleria below) but it’s hearty, hot, convenient and well priced.
Jacket potatoes with fillings you can customise to suit your appetite and dietary requirements.
It’s a franchise so you’ll find them around Melbourne, the most convenient being in Emporium shopping centre in the CBD.
Authentic Mexican
La Tortilleria in Flemington is completely gluten free and utterly delicious. It’s also packed, all the time.
Definitely check it out on your next visit to Melbourne, definitely book ahead and definitely get the fish taco.
Gluten free Thai
Another great gluten free option is Bang Pop which serve up Thai food in Southbank (quite close to the Melbourne Convention Centre).
I’ve only been once but I loved it. Try not to order too much food – the servings are bigger than you’d expect for such a slick looking venue.
Coeliac accredited Italian
Roccella is a Coeliac Australia accredited Italian restaurant. They have gluten free versions of just about every dish on the menu.
Roccella have two locations, East Melbourne and Bundoora (north of the city). I was fortunate to be invited to the Bundoora venue for lunch back in March 2025.
The pizzas are delicious and their hospitality is fabulous. Check out the reel to see their gigantic gluten free bread that’s baked in house.
Japanese soufflé Pancakes
Located in the CBD is Keki Milkbar where you can get gorgeous fluffy soufflé pancakes.
The pancakes themselves are gluten free (zero flour of any kind in the recipe ❌🌾) and every topping except two are gluten free!
Pictured below are maple pecan and matcha red bean.
Market doughnuts
Say market doughnuts to any Melburnian and they’ll tell you about the freshly fried jam doughnuts sold at the Victoria Market.
Sadly those are not gluten free but you can buy GF doughnuts at many markets around Melbourne.
I picked up a couple of OMG doughnuts at Flemington market, which is on the way to Victoria Market. It was still hot when we arrived and I enjoyed it while my husband got his classic Vic Market doughnut.
Ice cream galore
I feel like Melbourne has a disproportionately large number of ice cream and gelato venues. There’s so many options and so many stores work hard to provide safe gluten free options.
These days my favourite ice cream store is Piccolina Gelateria who have gelato stores around Melbourne, including two in the CBD.
Most recently I visited Kōri on Bourke St. They serve a number of Asian-inspired flavours. I tried the Fuji apple sorbet and the Hokkaido cheesecake ice cream and both were superb.
Most Melbourne ice cream stores are open incredibly late, my last visit was 10 o’clock at night.
If you’re after other sweet treats be sure to check out La Belle Miette (macarons) and Kudo.
More gluten free adventures
Are you dreaming of a gluten free holiday? Check out my other gluten free city guides or better yet, jump right in and read about gluten free Budapest – heaven on earth for coeliacs.
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