Maldon’s Bistro
$$ • Restaurant
Reported to be dedicated gluten-free
Most Recent Reviews
Great food, great service and a great experience all around. The entire restaurant is celiac safe and I highly recommend it.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Avocado Toast, French Toast, Cupcakes, Quiche & more
Went with family (I’m the only one with celiac). Everyone was happy except that the bread for the short rib was dry. It was the chefs first day so there was a bit of a wait for the food but they brought out complementary cream puffs and ice cream for us. Couldn’t try the cinnamon rolls A they had run out.
Dedicated GF
Dedicated gf. Lots of delicious choices. We had brunch and a cinnamon roll.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls
Photos
Tips
Run, don’t walk to this amazing bistro! Best burger in the OC with a house made brioche bun!
More Reviews
I haven’t had a crepe in years and it was delicious. I would highly recommend.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — English Muffins, Crepes, Bread/Buns, Toast & more
This place is amazing. I wish I could have visited again to try more of their food. What I had was out of this world! Highly recommend the biscuit trio.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits
Food was amazing, truly gourmet. The staff was SUPER nice! Definitely would recommend and definitely want to go back and try more!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, Avocado Toast, Baguettes, Bread/Buns
If you’re on the lookout for a place that caters fully to gluten-free dining without sacrificing flavor, this is your spot! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and genuine enthusiasm from the staff.
The menu is a dream for anyone avoiding gluten—not just a couple of options, but the entire menu is gluten-free. The trio biscuits are a must!!
What truly stood out, though, was the service. The staff is incredibly attentive and clearly knowledgeable about gluten-free diets. They took the time to explain different menu items and make recommendations, which I really appreciated.
Order a brownie to go.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, Brownies, Burgers, Muffins & more
I’ve been here twice and can’t wait to go back again! The first time we went for Sunday brunch so the menu is limited but so good! We shared the French toast and short rib Benedict. This week I went for lunch and had the omelette du jardin. It was so good but the star was the GF bread served with it!! I’m looking forward to trying the French onion soup as well as the crepes!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — French Toast, Soup, Crepes, Bread/Buns & more
Loved the American Breakfast I got and shared it with my kids, my husband loved his BLT, ate half of it for lunch and the rest for dinner tonight. My son(3years old) really wanted ice cream but they were out of the brownie with ice cream, but later in our meal the chef came out and gave us a sorbet he made just for my son! Totally on the house, it was so kind and my son was super excited. Just a nice bonus to having a safe place for me to eat(celiac), they were also very nice and the food tasted great!
Dedicated GF
I’m very confused as to why this establishment has received such glowing reviews, but I think I may know why. After trying it today and then re-reading the reviews after the fact, I think I understand. The food was beautifully presented and looked delicious, but that’s where the good ended. If you inspect the reviews here, you’ll notice that the vast majority are vague: “it was delicious!”; “food was amazing!”; “so good and with such variety!” Well, this is the hallmark of a gf consumer population that is not very discerning and lacks experience with gluten free outside of Orange County or even California. I am well traveled and in my experience, California in general has a low bar for gluten free food, and it really shows at this establishment.
The French toast was not actually French toast because there was no egg batter used. Although it had a lovely sugar crust on the outside, the inside was dry and tasteless. This is the stereotypical gluten free dry, stiff bread with no softness or flexibility.
The plain biscuit was decent, albeit small. The cheddar and peppers biscuit was intolerably peppery and too hot to be enjoyable.
I don’t remember what sandwich my fiancé got but it had ham that was the kind you’d find in the supermarket packaged meat aisle, the bargain meat with a completely uniform pink texture. The sandwich bread was toasty on one side but the rest was soggy and gummy.
I appreciate this establishment trying to give celiacs a safe place to eat, but they can do much, much better. I will not be coming back and it’s very disappointing to experience how low the bar is for gluten free food here in Orange County. I lived here for 25 years and have since moved to the east coast and let me tell you, the gluten free market in California should be ashamed at what it’s trying to pass as good food.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Avocado Toast, Biscuits, French Toast, Soup & more
Entire menu gf: French Onion soup, cinnamon rolls, crepes, sandwiches, French toast, etc etc. Absolutely excellent. They validate parking for main lot directly off main Street. Hard to find: tucked around the corner from the coffee shop.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — French Toast, Soup, Sandwiches, Crepes & more
Other
- — Good for dairy-free
This brunch location is an absolute gem! Very reasonably priced, delicious food, and lovely location. Dedicated GF facility with lots of pastries, order ahead breads, and of course a brunch and lunch menu. I tried the biscuits and gravy and the French toast, both were great and I would order them again. Can’t wait to come back!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, Bread/Buns, Biscuits & Gravy, Gravy & more
Dedicated gluten free facility. Great variety of items on the menu. The food was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. Highly recommend a visit.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, Baguettes, Burgers, Sandwiches & more
Don’t walk- run!! So good. The biscuits are amazing and the French toast. The pastries too.. you can get items to go to bake at home too! I may come back for lunch it was so good and safe!
Bistro complètement sans gluten avec une super équipe attentionnée. Juste ma crêpe n’avait que deux petits bouts de bacon et celle de ma sœur avait des oignons dans sa jambon-fromage. Il manque le basic pour les enfants. Mais sinon rien a dire c’est vraiment bon, mes parents ont beaucoup aimé!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — English Muffins, Crepes
Just ate here for the first time, it was so good! I had the eggs Benedict with a side of hash browns. The serving was perfectly proportioned. Where I feel full, but not overly so. I grabbed a snicker doodle and chocolate cream puff on my way out to bring home to the wife. I tried a bite of the snicker doodle, and it was so good!
Just be careful of the croissants I guess they are the only things not gluten free, at least for today. When I inquired about the chocolate croissant they let me know it's not gluten free.
I'm already thinking about when I can come back, 10/10 do recommended.
Update: looks like they now have gluten free croissants, I've eaten here a number of times now and never gotten sick, I have bumped it up to a 11/10 do recommend.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Eggs Benedict, Croissants
Is there a gluten-free menu?
- — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
What a pleasure to be able to order ANYTHING you want off the menu. Yummy food. The cinnamon roll was an absolute treat! Only small knock would be the fairly dense English muffins on my eggs Benedict. But I had eggs Benedict! My gluten eating friend really enjoyed her BLT sandwich and the cinnamon roll.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Eggs Benedict, Sandwiches, English Muffins, Cinnamon Rolls
Halle (spelling) was our server and she was the sweetest! We shared the BLT with fries and Quiche Lorraine with a side salad, both fantastic and the dressing on the salad was delicious. We wanted to try a cinnamon roll as well but they had issues with their printer so we’ll have to try next time. We will definitely be back!
The service and food are amazing! Have tried almost everything on the menu! Can't wait to go back.
Been here a handful of times. It’s all gluten free which is nice you don’t have to worry about that and you can eat bread yay! But depending on what server you get the service can be god awful. They do mess up orders all the time and wait times for food become long as a result. Beware if you step in for a quick lunch, you could wait over an hour and never eat lol. If you have any other special needs or try to sub just beware they rarely get it right. But cute place and they always have room. Food is good too when they get it right! Drinks are also great!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Bread/Buns, Dessert
Is there a gluten-free menu?
- — Separate gluten-free menu
Finally found this place after being diagnosed with Celiac - it is fantastic! GF bread is great - I had a fabulous short rib sandwich and fries and my husband had a veggie omelet. Everything is GF - will be back ASAP! Service was amazing too ◡̈
Update- went back again today and still fabulous! The sourdough bread WOW. Had the breakfast crepe & met the owner’s husband - the staff is so amazing. Will be back!
Dedicated GF
An Amazing experience! Gluten free Heaven Everything tasted amazing, will definitely be back! Recommend their homemade GF cinnamon roll & French toast!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Avocado Toast, Biscuits, French Toast, Baguettes & more
I think I've died and gone to heaven. Don't sleep on the popover carousel! And maybe best gf sandwich ever?!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Avocado Toast, Sandwiches
Amazing restaurant. Feel so safe eating here. They have kid friendly food too!! The pastries are amazing and their French baguette is very good too!
Not related to GF… Service can be slow.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Avocado Toast, Biscuits, Quiche, Baguettes & more
Pretty awesome spot to eat as a celiac. Really good food.
Safe and tasty food. Small portions for what you pay. Nice atmosphere. Very slow/inconsistent service. Not sure I will be back.
Dedicated GF
This was our third time in one week! The food is superior! The place is clean and nicely decorated. It is family owned and operated by some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I can personally recommend the burger, soups, crepes, eggs Benedict, cookies, cream puffs and quiche. Everything is gluten free and made in house from scratch.
Completely gluten free and delicious! We ordered the popovers, avocado toast, French toast, and Nutella crepe. Everything was really good! I also got a few croissants and cream puffs to go. Only issue we had is that the oat milk they use for coffee is califia farms which isn’t certified, so we got almond instead.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Avocado Toast, Bread/Buns
Other
- — Vegetarian options
ENTIRELY GF. Pop overs, croissants, sandwiches, crepes, quiche, everything! All delicious!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, French Toast, Cupcakes, Quiche & more
Owner has Celiac so you can feel safe eating here. Fun menu and a nice little spot in a business park. The popovers and french onion soup were amazing! I also enjoyed the biscuits. Took some cookies from their bakery counter for later and the chocolate chip was excellent. Great service! Will definitely be back.
Dedicated GF
A very thoughtfully put together menu and restaurant. Friendly staff, excellent GF options and the food was really good. This is the type of restaurant that NCGS and celiacs should support. The attention to detail throughout is excellent.
We started with the biscuit trio and we each ordered different things to try. It takes between twenty to twenty five min. But it is worth the wait. This is a place where someone with Celiac does not have to worry. The total place is a dedicated gluten free restaurant. The staff is great their suggestions are helpful.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, Baguettes
This restaurant is not entirely GF. Their croissants are not GF. Their Instagram profile is very misleading because they say “First Gluten Free French American restaurant “ but they are not. Their website has a section “Our Flour” section and it goes on to say Gluten Free Foodies rejoice so I got excited to take my daughter there because she has Celiac. I met David at the door and told him we drove far to try the food here because my daughter has celiac and made us feel safe and welcomed. I let my guard down assuming the restaurant was entirely GF so I take some responsibility. But we told them when we arrived that my daughter has celiac and their staff let us down and failed us because we ordered the croissants and they are not gluten free. The one thing on the menu at this restaurant that is not GF but they want the GF community to rejoice and celebrate. Very misleading and falsely advertise as Gluten free. Many places accommodate for gluten free but don’t promote it.
This place was SOOOO delicious. The Belgian waffle was phenomenal and cinnamon roll was to die for. 11/10
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Biscuits, French Toast, Baguettes, Burgers & more
Love this place and can’t get enough. Crepes are okay. Benedict is amazing! Popover is to die for and so are the biscuits. Only thing not gluten free is the croissants.
This place is amazing. The gumbo was so good. The baguettes were the best bread. The cream puff was heaven. So much cream. Everything is gluten free! Amazing!
Dedicated GF
Just about everything here is gluten free and there's so many amazing sounding dishes it was hard to choose. Per to waiters recommendation I got the BLT and the short rib sandwich on gf sourdough (I know!). They were both impeccable. They cure their own bacon and it's a thick cut that's crunchy, but also melts in your mouth. They also have 3 gf beers on draft that is local, Divine Science, and my family that was with me said you couldn't tell it was gf. All of us (gf and non-gf) wish we had this restaurant back home. Great ambiance and food!
The only thing NOT gf is the croissants. They don’t make them in their kitchen, they buy it from somewhere else, and it’s kept in its own container area. Other than that, the food was so good and of course I didn’t get sick. Will be back!
Because of a severe wheat allergy, I generally only eat at places that are 100% GF. Maldon's menu is gluten free except for ONE item (croissants shipped frozen from France), which is why it never popped up in my 100% GF searches! They have a detailed allergy protocol (keeping them frozen until someone orders them, using different tongs and trays in the toaster, etc). I felt safe eating here.
The food is SO DELICIOUS. Everything is so full of FLAVOR. You would never know it's GF. The biscuits are insane! So much flavor and not hard as rocks. 1000% recommend. The restaurant is cute, with indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is validated. Staff is friendly and informed! Love this place.
Great experience! Wonderful pastries and great food!
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Dessert, Pastries
Other
- — Good for dairy-free
Wonderful food. Rarely is an all gluten-free restaurant this good - highly recommend. Terrific people running it as well. They mentioned the owner is Celiac, which explains why they take great care and pride in the food and service. Well done. Will return.
Dedicated GF
My daughter was just diagnosed with Celiac last month and missed eating at restaurants. When I saw a place with bakery items and sandwiches and it was ALL gluten free, I almost cried knowing she could choose anything on the menu and feel normal. The food was great as was the staff!
Can’t wait to go back!!! The food was delicious and all gluten free except two items kept in a special case. The biscuits and popovers were amazing. Best gf bread I’ve had in 13 years going GF. It was wonderful to have French onion soup. Staff was super knowledgeable and friendly.
Everything is delicious. Almost everything GF. Staff incredibly knowledgeable.
Top self everything enough said. Great vibe too.
Dedicated GF
GF Menu Items
- — Bread/Buns, Beer
Other
- — Good for keto
- — Healthy options
- — Breakfast
- — Brunch
Absolutely divine! It has been months since eating gf cinnamon buns and these exceeded my every expectation. I’ve been back in the weeks since with family and friends and will be taking everyone here for the near future as I feel 1000% safe eating here. If they were on DoorDash I would order every single day. Thank you thank you thank you
Great food and great service! Owner is super nice! French toast and cream puffs were amazing! I would have never assumed to find such a place in a corporate park but hope they last a long time because the food is truly phenomenal!
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