Garnett's Cafe

Delicious! I ate here a while ago and it was fabulous. They get the bread from a local bakery, AnnaB’s Gluten Free in Mechanicsville, so it’s celiac safe. It’s such a cute spot!

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

— Very

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

I’ve eaten a here several times. Loved my sandwiches and have never had issues. Safe place to eat. Large portions.

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Separate toaster, gluten-free bread available, and many gf sides! Take celiac/allergies very seriously + great tasting food

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

— Very

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 is a little old school cafe gem. And they have great gluten free hot and cold sandwiches, soups and salads. And gluten free cake and/or pie!!!

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies

So many options! They take GF really seriously.

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

— Very

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

Ordered from here and the food was excellent! They made the ordering process easy. I did an order pickup and I was amazed at how quickly it was ready. It tasted so good, and I was able to order everything GlutenFree. I have celiac disease and have had no reaction from eating there. I will definitely be back the next time I’m in town.

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

Amazing food. Customer service is abrupt and they don't really care but food more than makes up for it. Plan on no parking. plan on restaurant being full because they are tiny. food makes up for it. I order food to eat there and food to eat later its so good and creative

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for keto
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies

Background: I was diagnosed with Celiac last April and have had a tough time finding places to eat where I feel safe. I found Garnett’s Cafe on the Find Me Gluten Free app, and it had wonderful reviews! I checked out the website and was so excited to see an entire page dedicated to the efforts the staff takes to ensure no cross contamination.

I was visiting my family in Richmond this past weekend and decided to treat everyone to sandwiches. I placed my order online, selected the GF option for my sandwich + noted that I have Celiac, and drove 15 minutes there and 15 minutes back to get everyone’s sandwiches. The cafe is so cute, and the employees very kindly told me that they were still working on my order when I got there. The chef was warm and welcoming. I noticed that the lady working put all of the boxes of sandwiches in one bag with the exception of one (that she put in a separate bag) which I figured was my gluten free sandwich. When I got back to my sister’s, I couldn’t find my sandwich. The sandwich in the separate bag was a normal sandwich that my boyfriend had ordered. I figured that the box at the bottom of the filled bag was mine because the bread was unlike the rest, however it was not at all what I had ordered (I ordered a gluten free Manny but received what looked like GF bread + spinach + tomato + cheese). I called the cafe and informed them that my order was incorrect and that I was also worried because I wasn’t sure it was the gluten free sandwich (it was packed with the rest, wasn’t labeled, and was not filled with the ingredients I had ordered). The employee told me that the the chef was new and that they are busy. I asked if the chef was trained in avoiding cross contamination with gluten, and she (rudely) assured me that he was. The employee said that I could some back to get a new sandwich or I could get a free sandwich the next time I placed an order. I expressed that this was frustrating because I was leaving town the next day and am rarely in Richmond and that I had just spent 40+ minutes (15 minutes to drive there, 10+ minutes waiting after it said it was ready, and 15 minutes to get back) to get a sandwich I didn’t order and to be worried about cross contamination. She did not apologize, offer a refund, etc. I drove back to get the correct sandwich, however my boyfriend went in to get it for me. The employee told my boyfriend that I was extremely rude and that I called them incompetent. This is absolutely not true - I simply asked if the new chef had experience with avoiding cross contamination (because I was worried and did not want to get sick). My boyfriend then went to open the box to check if the order was correct and said that the employee was extremely offended by this, placed her hand over the box so that he would not open it, and said “the order is correct and there was not cross contamination.” I found this to be extremely unprofessional. The sandwich did end up being wonderful and my family enjoyed theirs, however I did get sick the next morning (this could have been from several factors - I cannot guarantee that it was from the sandwich). Although the food was wonderful, it was overall a terrible experience and I will not be returning when I am back in Richmond.

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

— Not 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?

— Good

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

The food was delicious. I had a ploughman's appetizer, which they amended to use gluten free bread, and a grilled cheese sandwich also with gluten free bread. It was delicious and the service was very nice.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good with other allergies

Service was great! food was awesome! got a turkey avocado sandwich, the potato salad was BANGING!! even my non celiac husband enjoyed. mint lemonade was a real treat!

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

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

Loved this restaurant! Small and cute! We had salads and sandwiches- all delicious (loved their smoked salmon). Best of all, we didn't get sick at all. Restaurant owner is very cognizant of making her restaurant safe for celiacs.

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

— Very

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

Awesome gf sandwich shop!! The gf bread is amazing, as are all of their ingredients! staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Rest of the family loves their gluten sandwiches. Shop is small so indoor seating is limited we either expect to eat at the adjacent park or just take it with us to go. Thanks to the owner keep up the great work!!

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

I love Garnett’s so much! Gf bread, new vegan cheese options, and they always have delicious gf cakes and/or pies available. They kept us fed and happy through much of the lockdown. Would absolutely recommend!

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

I ordered a sandwich with gluten free bread and the gluten free key lime pie! Great food, quick service, fair prices, and friendly staff. Very pleased.

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Knowledgeable and helpful staff. Separate grill for grilled sandwiches and delicious GF bread. The GF desserts are amazing!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great food! They offer gluten free bread for an extra dollar. I’ve eaten there at least ten times and I’ve never gotten sick. Also, they have a daily gf cake and/or pie available by the slice not to mention a hard cider for those who want a drink with their meal.

Great sandwich on toasted gf bread and gf soup. Staff was very aware of gf and even had gf cake and pie.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This place was amazing, quality was great, price was great and the quantity was more than enough.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Sandwiches are served on AnnaB’a Gluten Free bread (a local product) and are fantastic. GF cake and pie options are also available with rotating flavors. Great little GF paradise in the middle of the Fan!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Amazingly good. I had The Manny on gf bread. It was very good. Friendly staff and gf desserts... real cake and pies!

Great place with great sandwiches! Its so nice to have so many options!

This is a great little European style restaurant with lots of GF options & breads. I didn't check the potential of cross contamination but the server seemed to understand the concepts.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The restaurant totally understands celiac, they have gluten free breads and side options, breads are toasted in separate toaster or grilled on aluminum foil to avoid cross contamination. Great visit, great food.

Great food (seriously: fantastic sandwiches), awesome desserts, and knowledgeable staff who avoid cross contamination and are clear about how they are keeping you safe.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

A real treat. Delicious bread for the sandwich. All the sides were GF; we had the French potato salad and house - made pickles. They were very tasty. We finished by sharing the pecan pie and banana cake. So good. We'll be back.

Sweet find! Adorable place w great food and charming atmosphere. Knowledgable wait staff. Grilled sandwiches using precautions to ensure no cross contamination. Dessert. Yum!

Probably the best gfree bread I've had. I was terrified it was the real thing!

One of my FAVOURITE places to eat in Richmond. Staff are knowledgeable and informed about gluten and contamination, and you can get almost anything on the menu with gluten free bread. The bread is great too - just as good as regular bread. Haven't had a dessert there yet (i'm always too full!) but amazing looking GF options which are made by a bakery also aware of contamination issues. Love love love. Perfect for brunch, lunch, picnics, dinner... It's super small but efficient so turnover is pretty quick.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Staff very tuned to gluten issue. Fabulous date night (every night) options including bottle of wine. It is about salads, soups, sandwiches etc but you will love this small (seats about a dozen or fifteen at tables plus bar) Fan eatery. We go often mostly for dinner. Would give max rating but is not a full option (regular entrees) resturant.

delicious sandwiches and multiple gf desserts available! what an awesome place to find on a whim! !

Celiac friendly?

Yes

By far one of the best GF restaurants in RVA. A lot of delicious sandwiches and all of them can be chosen with gf bread. The bread they use isn't dried out or hard (like so many others can be). Most of their soups are gf and AMAZING, especially when paired with their sandwiches.

Their gf desert options are even better. Their pies and cakes are delicious, moist, and vary from week to week.

I've been going here for 3 years now and have not had any contamination problems nor have I been anything but thrilled by the food they offer.

This is one of the top gf places to try in Richmond.

Great sandwiches and sometime gf deserts!

Love this place! Huge variety of GF sandwiches, all gf sides AND the most delicious gf dessert I have ever had! Server very knowledgable and helpful. One note of caution: Garnett's is a small space (~7 tables plus bar). Be prepared to wait if you are going at a high traffic time.

Very good sandwich shop! Gluten free bread and all salad dressings are gluten free! Especially enjoyed the fact that they have gluten free dessert options. I tried the Hummingbird Cake and was NOT disappointed! It was moist, flavorful and the cream cheese frosting was fluffy and not too sweet.

good sandwich! owner is gf.