Portage Bay Cafe

Delicious food, lots of GF options, and aware of safe preparation

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?

— Good

Gluten free pancakes, eggs, and French toast options. French toast is made from house made challah.

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

The staff is very knowledgeable and they do a great job of identifying and separating GF. Their allergen menu online is impressive. And delicious 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

Went with my kid who is celiac. The staff was very celiac aware and made every accommodation for us even having a GF flag in the plate. Our food was all delicious. Closes at 1:30 and we showed up at 12:45 but never felt rushed.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch

I’ve eaten here a few times now and haven’t gotten sick. Clearly marked gluten free on menu as well as vegan. Very knowledgeable staff in regards to cross contamination, inform them of allergy/sensitivity or disease and they will properly mark the food for the kitchen and items came out with picks. I have very few places I feel safe eating and this is one.

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 have been a fan of Portage Bay for years and am thrilled to have one now in my neighborhood. The staff is helpful and understands celiac. I almost always get some sort of pancake and a side of protein. All the pancakes come with a trip to the fruit and topping bar. I also love their veggie hash. My non-gf partner especially likes the crab cake Benedict. Although it's a shared kitchen I have never had an issue at any of their cafes.

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

Had the best gf breakfast here on a recent visit to Seattle. I had the lemon ricotta pancakes, with lemon/raspberry topping. It also included a trip to the breakfast bar which had fresh fruit. So nice to eat a real breakfast. More gf choices available.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

What a great place! The berry bar is phenomenal. There is outside seating with heaters and blankets. The food was tasty and so many gf options.

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

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 breakfast/brunch
• Good for kids
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

My favorite restaurant for breakfast or brunch in Seattle. I always order the same item, Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberry Butter. Sooo good!! I’ve eaten at three of their locations and never had any problem.

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 have high expectations for GF pancakes and, especially, for lemon ricotta pancakes. I was disappointed in these. They were heavy and chewy, not light and airy like I would expect. The berry bar is nice, but likely a source of cross-contamination. Coffee is good. Service is safe and fast. I would order something else if I'm ever back in Seattle.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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?

— Good

Other Characteristics

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

Their menu makes it look safer than it is. The menu has extremely detailed allergen k formation about the ingredients, but there appear to be no cross contamination protocols in place.

Unfortunately I’ve been glutened at a different portage bay, but I wasn’t able to confirm it as I’d also eaten a Lady Yum macaron when I’d noticed. How is this related? Well, a few years later we got seated looking into the kitchen at this location. I was clutching my celiac pearls the entire time. The busy, understaffed, employees were rolling burritos and grabbing bacon and breakfast potatoes with the same set of gloves. The man poaching eggs was setting the ladle directly on English muffins. I couldn’t count the number of things I saw go wrong while waiting for my food.

The staff was kind and got out a new batch of potatoes for me but that was about all I felt ok eating that day.

If I ever want to return, I’ll have to confirm with management that training has consistently improved and been followed

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

— Not at all

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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?

— Good