Washington, D.C. is an amazing city with so much to see and do. Known for its many tourist spots and wide variety of delicious cuisines, there is so much to explore in this city no matter how long you stay! I was able to spend a semester living in D.C. during my junior year of college and loved scouring for allergy-friendly restaurants and bakeries among the monuments and memorials. This allergy-friendly restaurant guide is sure to help you find some new spots to bookmark before scheduling your next trip! Make sure to read the descriptions of each spot to see what allergens they are able to accommodate! Without further adieu, here is my allergy-friendly restaurant guide to Washington, D.C.!
Where To Eat
I ate at a variety of restaurants and bakeries in the Washington, D.C. area throughout my semester living there. Read the list to learn more about each spot and how they accommodate food allergies. You can also take a look at the Google map below to see where these places are located throughout the Washington D.C. area!
1. The Smith Restaurant
With multiple locations throughout the East Coast, including two in Washington, D.C., The Smith Restaurant is a spot you do not want to miss! Their casual American-style cuisine is absolutely delicious and perfect for a variety of occasions. The entire staff is highly trained in accommodating guests with allergies! They mark every meal ordered with a red allergy flag, so both the waitstaff and the chef are aware of the allergies. The summer corn gluten-free pasta dish pictured above was one of my favorite meals from the entire trip!
2. Dog Tag Bakery
Dog Tag Bakery in Georgetown is a local favorite because of its amazing mission to empower veterans and their families. The entire bakery is 100% free of nuts! Note: while they do not use peanuts or tree nuts (except coconut) in the bakery, they cannot guarantee that their ingredients and suppliers will be completely free of cross-contamination. Dog Tag Bakery offers several gluten-free options, including the delicious vegetable frittata. This quickly became my go-to order, along with a large oat milk cappuccino! My non gluten-free friends say their cinnamon rolls are the best they’ve ever had!
3. il Canale
Another Georgetown favorite, il Canale is home to some of the best Italian food in the city! This family-owned, historic restaurant boasts an accommodating staff, options for both gluten-free pizza and pasta, and excellent allergy practices. With extremely limited nuts on the menu, and all desserts made in a completely separate kitchen, il Canale is a great spot for a meal after spending time in Georgetown. I had the prosciutto e melone to start, followed by the penne al salmone made with gluten-free pasta! Next time I’m in D.C., I’ll be back to try their gluten-free pizzas!
4. Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets, with locations throughout the city, describes itself as a community gathering place and cultural hub. The kitchen is completely free of peanuts. Additionally, there are only several tree nuts on the menu that are kept in a separate area. With a clearly labeled allergen menu, a large number of gluten-free and vegan dishes, and a DEDICATED gluten-free fryer, this restaurant is a must stop no matter what your food allergies are! My favorite thing to order for brunch is the sweet potato hash, but I also loved their fried brussels sprouts!
5. True Food Kitchen
With dozens of locations across the country, True Food Kitchen is known for it’s fresh food and extremely accommodating allergy practices. The D.C. location is technically in Bethesda, MD, but I highly recommend visiting for a day out of the city. There are no peanuts present at any True Food Kitchen locations, and all menus are clearly for top allergens! Their dishes rotate seasonally, but there are always countless gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free options. Their thin crust gluten-free pizzas are INCREDIBLE – my favorite from the fall/winter menu is the chicken sausage pizza with smoked gouda and roasted fennel!
6. The Hamilton
As a member of the allergy-conscious Clyde’s restaurant group, The Hamilton has a formal policy to accommodate guests dining with food allergies—they ask every guest if they have food allergies right when a party is seated! The menu is clearly labeled for gluten in dishes, and almost every dish is completely nut free. I indulged in their roasted half chicken with whipped potatoes and crispy brussels sprouts, topped with a gluten-free mushroom-marsala gravy. The Hamilton also has a full sushi menu! However, if you have a seafood allergy, don’t worry—all the sushi is made in a separate kitchen! Trying this restaurant is a necessity on any D.C. trip!
7. &pizza
&pizza is known for it’s customizable and delicious oval-shaped pizzas! Similar to other fast-food pizza chains like Mod and Blaze, they have a full top 8 allergen menu on their website that also lists every ingredient. There are no nuts on the menu (even in the pesto!), and they have options for gluten-free crust and vegan cheese! All &pizza staff undergo training in accommodating food allergies and will use necessary precautions when making pizzas for guests with food allergies. With multiple locations across the Northeast, you’ll definitely want to add &pizza to your allergy-friendly restaurant list for your visit to D.C. or your next East Coast trip!
8. Chaia Tacos
I had not heard of Chaia Tacos before visiting Washington, D.C. but I’m so glad my roommate convinced me to visit! The entire menu is completely vegetarian, nut-free, and gluten-free! They even list on their website: “all of our products are 100% nut-free and gluten-free (except for the beer!). We use no products in our kitchen that contain these ingredients, thus there is no risk of cross-contamination.” How cool is that! They offer tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, and sides that are all centered around specific vegetables, so the menu rotates seasonally! I frequented both their Georgetown and Chinatown locations through out my trip. My three favorite tacos were the braised mushroom, the creamy kale & potato, and the moroccan carrot—all pictured above! They can even make close to every item on the menu vegan by using dairy-free cheese! Chaia is a must-stop if you’re looking for the BEST tacos in D.C.!
9. Baked By Yael
Directly across from the Smithsonian National Zoo, Baked by Yael is a dedicated nut-free and kosher bakery that offers baked goods and sandwiches! They have several gluten-free and vegan options, including their famous cookie bar, and are highly knowledgeable about food allergies and cross-contamination! Even better, they make some of the cutest cake pops I’ve seen and have ones modeled after the pandas at the zoo! They also offer cake pop options that are free of gluten, dairy, and eggs! If you’ve spent a long day in Woodley Park and are in need of a sweet treat, Baked by Yael is the place to visit!
10. The Difference Baker
The Difference Baker is a dream spot for those with food allergies! It is a bakery and bistro that offers a variety of baked goods, as well as savory options, including pre-made meals, pizzas, and quesadillas. The entire bakery is dedicated free from nuts, gluten, soy, sesame, corn, and artificial dyes. Owned by a family that manages multiple food allergies, they are also able to accommodate other food allergies, including those outside of the top 9. They are located in Virginia, a little outside of Washington, D.C., but they also ship nationwide! While I wasn’t able to visit their storefront during my D.C. semester, I had their vanilla and chocolate donuts and cinnamon rolls shipped to Northern California, and they were both delicious! The Difference Baker is definitely one of the best spots if you’re looking for an allergy-friendly restaurant and bakery in one!
11. Clyde’s Restaurant
Clyde’s Restaurant in Georgetown is one of the most reviewed D.C. restaurants on the Spokin food allergy app, and it definitely lived up to the hype! The staff all undergo allergy training and are fantastic at accommodating all food allergies. They always ask if anyone at the table has food allergies when ordering. On top of this, they will check all dishes ordered with the chef! While there are nuts on the menu, the staff can easily adapt almost every dish to fit your unique allergens. Additionally, there are lots of gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan options, including gluten-free burger buns and bread. With a delicious brunch, appetizer, and dinner menu, Clyde’s is a great spot for any occasion!
Now you’re all set to book your next trip to the District of Columbia! Thanks for reading my allergy-friendly restaurant guide to Washington, D.C. If you’re looking for more travel guides, make sure to check out my Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Guide to Seattle! Let me know in the comments below what allergy-friendly restaurant in D.C. is your favorite! Or if you have one that’s not on this list, send me a DM on Instagram! I love finding new safe restaurants and bakeries!
