City Lights Cafe

This was the happiest find of a recent trip my family took to Cherokee. We were on our way home and the breakfast spot we originally planned to go to was closed, so we did some research and drove a little out of the way to try City Lights Cafe. First of all, the downtown area was adorable. Lots of shops and nice people.

Walking into City Lights Cafe we already loved it. Really cool, laid back atmosphere. The menu is expansive and offered great options for our entire family (including my celiac and my picky children).

I am a coffee lover. I often go to try to coffee shops and see who has the best ones. While at City Lights I ordered a latte and it was delicious. I spoke with the staff while it was being made and had a very pleasant conversation.

I ordered a gluten free crepe and it was incredible! My daughter also had a crepe, my son had a grilled cheese, and my husband tried the breakfast burrito. We were all going on and on about how good the food was.

While putting up our plates I noticed the “take a note, leave a note” basket and absolutely love this concept. We also enjoyed checking out the local art and goods around the restaurant. The next time we drive anywhere in that direction, we will absolutely be back!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Always have great gluten free options — bagels, burritos, sandwiches all gluten free + great vegan options.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

My husband is a celiac and this is one of our staple places. They are very careful. When ordering, let them know you are celiac. He’s had everything from crepes to sandwiches and never had an issue.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Great gluten free options that are clearly marked on the menu. They have crepes, bread for sandwiches, salads and soup options! They also have some GF desserts in the case. The Italian crepe was amazing.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Very nice little café. Very knowledgeable about gf and vegan. Had the gf crepe cakes and a breakfast sandwich. The food doesn’t comes out fast, but I’ve found that careful places take longer to prepare your food. I would eat here again.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

This place is such a gem! Very knowledgeable about gluten free foods. The person helping us order listed off what is gluten free once I told her my dietary restrictions. I got the tuna sandwich on gf bread with a side salad. Came back and got the gf/df chocolate oatmeal cran cookie as well As the peanut butter cookie-both were amazing! Will be back next time we are in the area!!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

This place has great food and decent selection. They are knowledgeable and helpful regarding which items are safe and most can be made gluten free. Very accommodating and made a great impression on my family as well. Fabulous coffee and bagels! Highly recommend. Bookstore is fun to browse thru as well.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Great place! Turkey sandwich was delicious and they have dedicated panini press and toasters! Couldn’t do the crepes as they are done on same grill. Also couldn’t do muffins as they are stored in same place with gluten muffins. They said they could pretty much do anything on the menu as gluten free! The have both bagels and bread in gluten free

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating

Cute little place to visit for breakfast. The gluten free crepes were out of this world. They also have delicious coffee!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

My husband and I eat here almost weekly, as its really the only place I've found that I can safely eat since moving here a year ago. They have amazing GF and Vegan options. I highly recommend!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Had gluten free blueberry bagel and maple cream cheese. Staff ensured it was gluten free. Tested with Nima gluten sensory and tested positive for gluten. Ate anyways due to some reviews and regretted. Definitely had wheat or serious contamination very sick.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

So good!! The staff was very knowledgeable and the gluten free crepes are amazing!! Wonderfully, funky little place!! Highly recommend!!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Be sure to call ahead and make sure they are actually open. Website says open until 9, closed at 6.

100% great food. Love it. My friend and I ordered a GF version of one of the sandwiches. Love going to this place for dessert or dinner.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My fiancée is celiac diagnosed and gets violently ill when cross contaminated. Two of my daughters haven’t been diagnosed celiac but get ill when they are exposed. When we came in they advertise several GF options but do have a disclaimer for celiac diagnoses due to a shared kitchen. I am happy to say that all three ate breakfast and had zero exposure. They took the time to prepare the food as evidenced by the GF food coming out before the rest of the food the other family members ordered. As new residents to the area we will make the drive to come here on a regular basis.

Most of menu could be made gluten free but they did have signs that they will do their best but it’s not a dedicated kitchen. Seemed like a small enough place that you could tell them you have celiac and specify you want the griddle cleaned and precautions taken. We don’t have celiac so I just popped some anti gluten pills for cross contamination. Very casual place. Soft corn tacos were good. GF crepes seem to be their specialty. I’ve never had a crepe before so don’t know how to compare but the one I got tasted bland. They gave me extra salsa which helped. Plus we needed more salsa for the chips which are one of the side choices. (Other is salad). I give it 5 stars for the breadth of gluten free offerings and that the meats are antibiotic free and they use local organic produce, etc and service was good. But we just didn’t like what we ordered so I gave it 4 stars.

All I had to say was that I needed gluten free. They knew what I needed automatically and I enjoyed a delicious, safe and healthful meal! Accommodating, knowledgeable and respectful of my needs.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Amazing!! So many gluten free options. Great Celtic music. Gluten free beer!!! Very very Celiac friendly!! Love it.

I ate at City Lights all through college. I practically survived on it due to limited options on WCU campus. Great food with many options. I recommend the My Big Fat Greek pasta with GF pasta. They have GF desserts as well but they are in case with non-GF items. However, I've never gotten sick due to this. Look out for their GF Strawberry Cream cake! It's amazing! Just make sure you reiterate that you're eating GF. They will take precautions. I had made friends with the cooks there and they would even have me taste test their new GF baked goods for free! Also, there are more GF options on the street below at their sister restaurant Evolution Wine Kitchen.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

When I discussed cross contamination with the cook, she said the gluten burns off of the cooking surface! After explaining to her that it does not burn off, she told me she would cook the gf crepes on aluminum foil. There are not many choices in a tiny mountain town, so we are there with fingers crossed.

Celiac friendly?

No

Great service, separate cooking area for GF crepes. Yummy!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Has a delicious beef fajita in a gluten free crepe. Knowledgable about cross contamination. Highly recommend.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

crepes are great. breakfast and lattes all day.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This is the only restaurant with something for our whole family. My daughter with gluten intolerance ate until she was full and had no stomach problems. As a vegetarian, I had many delicious options. My carnivorous husband had a meat burrito. We even found food for the picky eaters in the family. The prices were great too.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Delicious crepes! Great coffee. Cute atmosphere too.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Awesome for gluten-free options! Everything is clearly labeled as GF or GF option. Mine was served wrapped in aluminum foil, I think to protect it from any cross contamination. I ordered a tex-mex style wrap and it was awesome!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We were on vacation in the smokies and went here for breakfast. I had two crepes. breakfast and dessert. pretty good. I've had better in Las Vegas. But with that being said.... They were good. I didn't get sick. I was full. I recommend this place and try the cinnamon apple crepe. Yummm.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great GF options! We stop here every time we travel through. In fact, we go out of our way to make sure we travel through when we're in the area. Worth it!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Relaxing place to have gluten free treats or beer in his quaint mountain town. The day I was there they had gf lavender cupcakes --yum! Enjoyed a gf beer on the sunny patio .

Glad I found this place while on a road trip. A little off the beaten path, crowded and tight, but good GF food and awesome GF desserts!

Great food. Menu identified with GF, DF, Veg. Helpful staff. Save room for dessert - many (6!) different baked goods to choose from and they tasted great!

Nice and layed back atmosphere with good gf food:-) Nice people too!!! I stop by every time I'm in town:-) You must try it!!!!

A rare gem in the smoky mountains!!!! I had a gluten free eggs Benedict crepe. Delicious!!! Any crepe could be made GF and had GF bakery items also!!!

Fantastic and very friendly. Gluten free bakery items and gluten free items to buy.

City lights cafe is awesome! Sylva is lucky to have such amazing healthy choices of food and they offer a variety of gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian options!