Ginger Lemon Drop is fantastic

Zen Chinese Bistro

10 recent ratings
$$$ • Chinese Restaurant
Reported to have a gluten-free menu
Safety Rating
8 ratings

As rated by the community

45 Danforth St
Portland, ME 04101

Most Recent Reviews


Celiac
2 months ago
Safety
Taste
Variety
Symptomatic Celiac
3 months ago

I think this place is great if you’re gluten sensitive or just wanting eat gluten free. However, if you have Celiac, and especially if you’re symptomatic, I would choose another restaurant. I had the sesame chicken and brown rice (which was delicious), but got sick a few hours after finishing the meal.

Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Hashimoto's
8 months ago

This is one of the best spots in Portland for gluten free Chinese food. They have fried rice, appetizers, and things like orange chicken. A little on the pricey side but so delicious.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

Important

This establishment is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with celiac disease. Please contact the establishment directly to inquire about safety precautions.
Information contained in this listing is based on reports by the community. Please verify all information directly with the establishment.

Reported safety features

Other

Collections
In 3 Public Collections

Photos


Out door dinning is available in the Summer
2 levels of dinning areas, cozy and beautiful, great place to bring  your friends and families here.
They offer happy hours from 3:00-5:00pm.
Beautiful bar offers large selections of wines and cocktails
Ginger Lemon Drop is fantastic
Add a photo View all photos

More Reviews


Celiac
10 months ago
Safety
Taste
Celiac
1 year ago

Very good Chinese food and lots of choices. They brought me some tamari soy sauce without being asked. They were takeout only for a while, but the dining room is open now, sort of, they open the dining room at 5PM on Fridays and Saturdays only.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
1 year ago

Amazing!!! We got takeout for back at the hotel tonight and had teriyaki beef, boneless spareribs, house fried rice, and orange chicken. All Was fantastic and no tummy issues to report !

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
1 year ago

Lots of GF options. I hadn’t had Chinese food in so long as they are rarely safe. We’ve eaten there a couple of times now and never had an issue. Servings are generous. They were takeout only during pandemic, but think they recently began dine in again.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Safety Features
  • — Food flagged
Other
  • — Delivery
  • — Takeout
  • — Online ordering
Gluten Intolerant
1 year ago

I’ve been ordering from them for a year now and everything is amazingly delicious. Everything is clearly marked on the menu what’s GF and if ordering through a delivery ap you can apply an allergy to each item. No reactions to their food whatsoever

Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Symptomatic Celiac
2 years ago

No dedicated gluten free fryer. Lots of items listed as gluten free but have a shared fryer. Buyer beware.

Safety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Symptomatic Celiac
2 years ago
Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
2 years ago

celiac safe

Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Celiac
2 years ago

We was in Portland this weekend and I have not had any food like this in 10 yrs do to celiac disease we are in ellsworth I will be making a monthly trip just for it Thank you so much for gf

Safety
Taste
Variety
3 years ago

As someone who is gluten intolerant, I have a deep appreciation for Zen and its management. Not only are most dishes gluten-free, but they are also made with high quality, FRESH ingredients (for instance, dishes do not contain MSG).  I order from here at minimum once a week, and I have to say it is the most consistent restaurant in the area. The food is always top quality, the atmosphere is chic and spotless, and the management could not be any sweeter. My recommendations: hot & sour soup, Singapore rice noodles, moo goo gai pan, sweet & sour chicken, orange chicken, Chinese bok choy, Szechuan string beans, and sesame chicken

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Symptomatic Celiac
3 years ago

Good Chinese.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Celiac
3 years ago

They can make almost any dish gluten free! It’s so great to have that option with Chinese food again. It is a little pricey but I love it

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Safety Features
  • — Dedicated kitchen space
  • — Knowledgeable staff
  • — Dedicated fryer
Other
  • — Healthy options
  • — Delivery
  • — Lunch
  • — Takeout
Celiac
4 years ago

Amazing gluten free options! So delicious:)

Safety
5 years ago

Alway a stop when I travel to South Portland....staff is amazing and I always buy so much, just so I can bring home left overs...is a little pricey but what gluten free food isn’t.

Safety
Celiac
6 years ago

GF items are noted on the menu. Good food, not amazing.

Safety
Celiac
6 years ago

Zen has GF marked items on the menu and a knowledgeable staff, this is our go to for GF Chinese food. I have been going here for years and we have never had problems here.

Safety
Celiac
6 years ago

Lots of options, soy sauce is gluten free

Safety
8 years ago

food was absolutely delish! waitress was knowledgeable and made sure proper care was tooKen with my order. thought it was a bit costly though.

8 years ago

Great GF options! Im celiac and didn't get sick. A little pricey but ... Yum, will return!

Safety
Symptomatic Celiac
8 years ago

My absolute favorite Chinese restaurant. Incredible GF options.

Safety
9 years ago

I took my niece who has celiac here... She was thrilled to be able to enjoy all of the dishes we ordered. The menu is clearly marked with many GF selections and the dishes we ordered were all carefully made so NO stomach problems! The food was delicious! We have been to this restaurant numerous times and have greatly enjoyed every meal. I highly recommend the Zen Chinese Bistro!

Safety
Celiac
9 years ago

Their hot and sour soup is GF and amazing!

Safety
10 years ago

I have to say, beside having a menu that clearly articulates GF dishes, the food was probably the best authentic Chinese I have had in years. Great staff as well.

Just remember to ask for the GF soy sauce for the table.

Great place.

Safety
10 years ago

Zen Chinese Bistro is a gourmet, healthy and delicious Chinese restaurant. They offer a HUGE selections of GLUTEN FREE choices. Everything on the menu is well marked for GLUTEN FREE, and it is very helpful. They use a lot of local sources for their entrees so it is very fresh. The food is fresh, healthy and delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Safety
Out door dinning is available in the Summer
2 levels of dinning areas, cozy and beautiful, great place to bring  your friends and families here.
They offer happy hours from 3:00-5:00pm.
Beautiful bar offers large selections of wines and cocktails
Celiac
11 years ago

I got glutened. They offer a number of gluten-free items on their general menu (marked GF) but I do not feel it was celiac-safe.

Safety
Celiac
11 years ago

The hot and spicy soup was to die for! I got the chicken with broccoli and it tasted delicious.

Celiac
11 years ago

I love, love, love Zen Chinese Bistro! I've gotten take-out several times, and dine-in once. The GF selection is fantastic, especially for a Chinese restaurant. I've never had a bad reaction here, for which I am so thankful. The staff is so wonderful—always warm and welcoming. Oh, and the Chicken with Ginger & Scallion is to die for!

11 years ago

Big portions and good prices. I had the Kung Pao Chicken, it was great! Their selection of gluten free is pretty good, though most of it includes items that don't contain gluten in general. But, the fact that they are aware of GF is a big plus! I'll definitely eat there again! The staff was friendly, the service was quick, and the ginger mojito was delicious!

11 years ago

fantastic food and very well versed on gluten free

Celiac
12 years ago

GF menu and portions were huge. I had the Cashew Chicken, which was very good.

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