Café 21

Amazing food! Many GF options for eggs, savory cakes and fried rice dishes. There were not gF bread options or pancakes. Amazing seasoning, made from scratch and so delicious. One of my tapas didn’t have the allergy warning and came with toast on it due to misunderstanding with the server. It was brought back and rushed out immediately. Amazing service :)

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

Great tapas-style restaurant with gluten free options as well as modifications to accommodate gluten free diets. The server was very helpful and knowledgeable about possible instances of gluten. My wife and I shared the Mediterranean fried rice and the short rib omelette. Our server helped us out by telling us that they couldn’t confirm whether the blue cheese on the omelette was gluten free, and substituted for feta. Our friend had the overnight oats and the veggie power bowl. The food was all great and didn’t make anybody sick! The drinks were unique as well. Not your typical brunch, good for foodies.

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Amazing food and atmosphere. Menu items clearly labeled GF. Not sure about cross contamination in the kitchen. Mediterranean fries rice is a must! Will be going back here soon.

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

Great service! Great food! Must get the mixed fries.

They were out of gf pancakes when I went and had no other options to choose from that were also vegetarian!

My family and I enjoyed an amazing breakfast at Café 21 today. I have celiacs disease and am off the charts for sensitivity so eating out is often stressful considering cross contamination. This place has hands down the best gluten free pancakes I have ever tasted. The environment is beautiful and the staff seems to be knowledgeable about cross contamination. 10/10 would recommend to anyone, especially people with gluten sensitivities.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This place is AMAZING! Visited twice on our weeklong trip to San Diego. The atmosphere was perfect and everyone LOVED their food, including the incredible desserts. They do list which items are gluten free on the menu, so this may have changed since earlier reviews. However the mixed fries are NOT fried in a dedicated fryer. We asked before ordering. The staff is very knowledgeable and service was wonderful. Love this place!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

No separate gf menu. If you come here be prepared for the standard boring things like omelettes, salad and burgers with no buns.

Shrimp and spaghetti squash was excellent! I am celiac and did not get sick. Food was better than I expected! Pleasantly surprised.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The staff was extremely knowledgeable and was very much aware of cross contamination. They offered vegan and vegetarian options as well. Excellent experience!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

No online menu for pre-review and no GF designations on in-restaurant menu (this would've earned them 5 stars) but waiter was knowledgeable and food was tasty without side effects. Large portions and great brunch ambiance.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

There is NOT a Gluten Free Menu. If a restaurant takes the time to create a GF menu, you know they are serious about serving GF food. It just isn't worth the risk in my opinion to go to a restaurant without a GF menu and then have to deal with the waiter and then the chef coming out and then still feel not so sure about what you will be eating. There are so many great restaurants now with GF menus.

Celiac friendly?

No

Not sure why this place is considered celiac friendly in this day in age. No gluten free menu and nothing on the menu marked gluten free, the manager did at least KNOW what was gluten free or not, but that is something I expect from every place in a traffic metropolitan tourist area. To be fair they offer plenty of omelette gluten free and some side dishes like chips or a side salad but that was about it. I order 2 potato pancakes and my server suggested the sausage as well (not on the menu) and I am glad he did. I was also give the house salsa. The salsa made the meal.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Ordered the steak omelette in cast iron skillet. Very bland... GF and no problems after but just wasn't very good. Potato pancakes were great. Too expensive for an ok omelette.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

yes safe. however the chocolate dessert is made with a liquor derived from grain, use your judgment

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Service was rude and slow. My server didn't know what celiac was and didn't understand how it correlated to celiac. Food was ok but overpriced.

The food was delicious! I'm so glad I found this restaurant thanks to Find Me Gluten Free app. They had so many unique gluten free dishes. We shared some as tapas style. Dessert was the best gluten free dessert we've had. It was a flourless chocolate cake (souffle style) freshly baked in individual little pans with berries, served with vanilla ice cream. The staff was knowledgeable about gluten free choices.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very knowledgable staff, and the food was delicious. Understood cross-contamination issues.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Cafe 21 is a restaurant that I go to at least once a week. The staff has gotten to know us and are always so sweet and welcoming each time we come back. The menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happier hour all have plenty of gluten free friendly choices! The mixed fries are one of my favorite dishes to order - they're mushroom, eggplant, and avocado, dipped in a rice flour mix and fried fresh. They come with really yummy dipping sauces (avocado pesto, chipotle aioli, and garlic aioli) on the side. When we eat there for dinner I also can't leave without ordering the gluten free chocolate flourless cake. The cake typically comes in a mini skillet (large enough for 2 people to share) drizzled in fruit compote topped with fresh berries and a side of ice cream in a copper pot. No matter what you eat at Cafe 21, you'll love it!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The food was absolutely delicious. The server was very knowledgeable about my options. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because the meal took quite a long time to come out. BUT well worth the wait!

The staff seemed confused about my requests but were very nice about checking with the kitchen. The staff wasn't knowledgable but the chefs were, and I guess that's the important thing but I almost left due to unknowledgable (yet polite) waitstaff.

Incredible food all the way around. Mixed fires to flourless cake in the end. I highly recommend this place to everyone! Staff very knowledgeable and plenty to choose from

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This is a hidden gem!!! They are very knowledge of GF and the service very good. You MUST have their portobello mushroom, eggplant, and avocado fries.

Celiac friendly?

Yes