Gluten Free at Francesca's

This is one of my favorite restaurants and I was very pleased to know that they have a gluten-free menu. I recently found out that I am intolerant to gluten and it has been hard to find good menus to choose from. They have a really good gluten-free bread that looks like a pita bread. And a big selection in the gluten-free menu.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I’m surprised by the bad reviews- our server was excellent and very knowledgeable. They had a good gf menu. He brought out separate gf bread and even poured separate dipping oil so I wouldn’t have to share. He was just very careful which was refreshing.

We love francescas! It’s great for date night and they have a lot to choose from! I love they have appetizers I can eat too. The steak tartare is awesome!

The kitchen was very small and extremely busy, so I was nervous that it wouldn’t be safe. However, the food was delicious and I didn’t get sick!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They have a gluten free menu. Waiter was knowledgeable. When they make a gf dish, they clean the area and dishes to make the dish.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We had a FANTASTIC experience here! As soon as we told our server I’m celiac, the manager came over and took care of us for our entire meal - they had a large gluten free menu, and they were able to reassure me about the process they use to handle allergy tickets - a dedicated pot for boiling their gluten free pasta, separate prep area, etc. They even ran a martini shaker through the sanitizer before they made my martini, and gave me a heads up that because of where the parmesan cheese is stored in the cooler, I might want to steer clear of it on my dish. I’m extremely sensitive to any traces of gluten due to cross contamination, and I felt great after eating here. It’ll be one of my go-to’s for sure!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Large gf menu. Although all my food was ordered gf, they put a large cookie on my ice cream. I returned it and asked for a replacement. A few hours later I was very sick, I think they just removed the cookie.

Celiac friendly?

No

I’ve eaten here safely several times, but the last time I was severely glutenated. Sick almost instantly (which is rare for me!). They did have different gf bread, not sure if that was the culprit, but something has changed!

Celiac friendly?

No

Great experience. Servers were so thoughtful and careful with our order. They made me feel cared for and not a burden. Thank you, Becky!

Separate fairly large GF menu and the food was amazing! I stayed away from the GF pastas and gluten-substitutes. I opted for the asparagus salad for first course, the salmon with roasted tomatoes and capers over sautéed spinach, and the flourless chocolate lava cake with mint chocolate ice cream and berries. Service was a bit slow and forgetful but I’ll take it for a safe, delicious, high quality meal.

Delicious meal & wonderful dining experience. They have a nice GF menu with pasta, pizza, seafood & vegetarian items. Our waitress brought warm GF bread and told us which items on the main menu were also gluten free. Would definitely recommend!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Delicious gluten free pasta and sausage dish with goat cheese. They have a "gluten friendly" menu. Server was clear about communicating allergy to the chef, even with a large party.

Waiter, kitchen and hostess took the time to explain what was safe, how they could modify anything else I saw off the gf menu. Super delish !!!

Staff was great. Explained the menu asked questions. If they couldn’t answer mine they went and checked. Will eat here again. Delicious not too pricey and super safe.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Many GF options on the menu. Staff knowledgeable of celiacs. Best GF pizza crust I have had.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Dined here twice recently: for dinner in mid-March with my husband on a weeknight and for a family dinner (7 people) on Easter Sunday. Both times the food was delicious and the service was very good. The staff seems very knowledgeable about gluten free options and safe dining for celiacs. There are numerous gluten free food choices.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My daughter has celiac and has never had any issue with the gluten free pasta. The non gluten free menu for the other members of the family is awesome as well.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They will adapt most entrees to your specifications as most dishes are made to order.

Excellent food, and a wide variety of GF options. They have an entire separate GF menu, with multiple options each for appetizers, salads, pizzas, pasta, chicken, fish, pork, and desserts. The pomodoro pasta and the lava cake were outstanding. The waiter seemed knowledgeable about GF, too. He checked with me whether I was OK having bleu cheese on the salad.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The food was excellent but I had an awful experience with the service. The bus boy sent bread to my table that wasn’t gf. I sent it back and asked for the gf bread. They came back with another loaf of regular bread and told me it was gf. I ate two pieces before they told me they had made a mistake. They gave me a free gf desert to make up for it. They should have done more. Regardless, I got very very ill. This place it not safe for celiacs.

Celiac friendly?

No

Ordered the GF cake for dessert specifying GF, brought it with the non GF topping. Waitress blamed it on the new guy in the kitchen, but that is not a good excuse for those that are careful with all ordering and celiac. Disappointing

Returned with my Nima, the GF margarita flatbread tested positive for gluten. They didn't charge for the flatbread, but did not seem concerned that the GF meal was not GF.

Celiac friendly?

No

absolutely wonderful food. they have a large gluten free menu and the server said the food was prepared in separate area.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Food was very delicious n restructuring is gluten free friendly however service was very slow n was horrible! Server kept forgetting about our table n never checked in on us

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Waiters are GF aware, and I had a nice GF pasta dish when here with a group from work. I definitely plan to return. I don't know about celiac friendly.

Celiac friendly?

No

Been here probably five times. Even ordered the pasta once which they say is cooked separately. I have had zero issues each time and the food is good. Will keep coming back.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Francesca's is now located in Davanti's next door. They had quite a few great GF selections. I selected the octopus. It was served over potatoes and everything was so fresh and delicious! Excellent service!

Elegant dining, entirely GF menu, well established practice to prevent cross contamination. Delicious GF toast, chicken, salads and appetizers.

Service was outstanding but I got contaminated here twice :-(

Celiac friendly?

No

Nice GF menu includes multiple pasta choices. My GF pasta was excellent. I have Celiac and had no reaction. Recommended.

Super accommodating kitchen and knowledgeable staff. They will customize any meal for you.

Great service, delicious food. Gluten free 🤗🤗. Pricey but worth it.

Used to love it here. Then they got me sick 3 times in a row and didn't care.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Waiter had to double check if pasta is cooked in separate water (it is), so staff are not super aware. Pasta was not the best I've ever had, but not the worst either. However, dessert was DELICIOUS, I licked the plate clean. I have Celiac and did not get sick, so definitely a good stop if you're craving pasta and in the area. For sure stop for dessert, and order the Torta Lava!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

From the carpaccio to the lava cake, this meal was perfection. The service was great and staff very knowledgeable.

Very flexible and accommodating with menu items

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Amazing flourless chocolate torte, large separate gf menu, and knowledgable staff!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I'm not celiac (FYI) but the gluten free pasta here has been tasty and I've had no issues after eating it. That said - based on the prior review, I really hope Francesca's isn't boiling the pasta in used wheat water, which entirely defeats the gluten free option.

very good gf pasta options and no reacations. this location didn't have gf bread like some of the others but food was good and not super expensive.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My husband and I recently moved to the area and found Francesca's and have been very happy every time. They do have a gluten free menu and are very accommodating and helpful. Remember to ask for a GF menu before you are seated so they don't have to run back to the front and get one. The restaurant itself has a very nice atmosphere and the servers have been excellent. They know gluten free - and the food has been excellent every time!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

A great place! I usually order the pasta and it's very good. They also have a lava cake, which was my favorite dessert before being diagnosed. Finding it here was a dream. And it's so amazing. The staff is very friendly and the place is nice.

Became extremely sick after eating the GF pasta here. Will not eat here again.

pretty sure my whole party's food was microwaved. Everything was either soupy, cold, or just not actually gluten free. many better Italian places near by.

There GF menu is one of the most complete I have seen! Even desserts... And calamari 😍 Which is amazing. I love Francesca's the most because of their calamari!

Overall, the staff is very accommodating and relatively knowledgeable about gf. Lots of yummy options, and the flourless chocolate cake is TO DIE FOR. They used to have a creme brûlée with gf biscotti, but it's no longer on the menu.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great GF options with pasta that tastes like my old favorites.

Very good pasta and pizza. The Torta Lava was amazing! We'll be back!

wonderful Italian i usually avoid this type of restaurant as I am not confident kitchen practices will be observed. the server assured me last night when ordering that the pasta was Cooked in fresh water. fettuccine alle verdure was huge in portion size. and no reaction. in town on business or would come here often.

Part of the Francesca's Italian chain of restaurants, the first San Diego location can be found in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center.Italian favorites are enjoyed on the restaurant's glorious patio or inside the trattoriastyle dining area. Mia Francesca's uses the Dilvella brand for gluten-free pasta specialties like the Del Pastore, sautéed with Italian sausage, garlic, white wine, sundried tomatoes and goat cheese.

I got glutened. I have narrowed it down to them cooking the pasta in the same water as wheat (or gluten) noodles. What a shame. The meal was tasty. The service was very good. My suspicions were aroused when I got my meal within 10 minutes of ordering..... and confirmed a couple of hours later in a hotel bathroom. I won't be eating at Francesca's again.

Celiac friendly?

No

Great service, great flavor. Loved the flourless lava cake!

Celiac friendly?

Yes