Gluten Free and Dairy Free in Phoenix

When the hubs said he was taking a work trip to Phoenix, I was all over it. I have family in the area I hadn't visited in a few years, and it didn't take much convincing to tag along. Our trip went by way too quickly, but I had a wonderful visit with family, got in some gorgeous outside time, and had my mind blown by all the gluten and dairy free food choices.

This Phoenix and Scottsdale food travel guide covers the gluten and dairy free spots we tried in person, plus a few more well-reviewed places worth checking out.

NOTE: THIS TRAVEL GUIDE WAS WRITTEN BY A FORMER EATING GLUTEN AND DAIRY FREE TEAM MEMBER, JILL. THESE WERE HER EXPERIENCES AT THE TIME OF VISITING- THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED SINCE THEN.

First Stop: The Grocery Store

You'll notice a pattern in my traveling: grocery stores are almost always our first stop after landing. We grab water, fresh fruit, and gluten and dairy free snacks to keep on hand. Phoenix has my dream lineup of grocery chains: Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Sprouts, all in one place.

We picked up a few kid and adult snacks that aren't available back home, including Nelly's Organics bars, which are vegan, gluten free, and dairy free.

Pieology

My aunt took me to Pieology for lunch, a build-your-own pizza chain with locations across the country. I was hoping to try their cauliflower crust, but staff let me know it actually contains dairy, so I went with their gluten and dairy free crust instead, topped with Daiya dairy free cheese.

It was some of the best gluten free pizza crust I've had: soft with just the right amount of chew, not overbaked the way gluten free crusts sometimes turn out.

A heads up since our visit: the specific Surprise, AZ location we ate at may have since closed, so use Pieology's location finder to find the closest one to you before you go.

Jewel's Bakery & Cafe

I'd heard so many great reviews about Jewel's Bakery & Cafe, and it did not disappoint. It's 100% gluten free, and not just a bakery, but a full-service cafe known for its brunch.

Being dairy free did limit my choices, but I was thrilled with what I ordered: a berry muffin and fluffy waffles with warm maple syrup and potatoes. It was a ton of food, easily enough to split between two people.

Their menu has a bit of everything, from biscuits and gravy to fried chicken and eggs, so if you're traveling with people who eat a more open diet, this is a great pick for the whole group.

Old Town Scottsdale

If you'll be in the Old Town Scottsdale area, be prepared to be spoiled. There are endless gluten and dairy free options packed into one walkable neighborhood.

Kaleidoscope Juice

Kaleidoscope Juice is worth putting on your list if you like fresh fruit juices, cleansing juice blends, or acai bowls. They also offer bakery items, smoothies, waffles, and toast with creative toppings, plus an entire cooler of cold-pressed juices. Portion sizes are huge; I left with a to-go bowl. Seating is limited, so it's better for a to-go order if you're traveling with kids. They now have several locations spread throughout the Phoenix area.

Scramble

Another great Scottsdale spot is Scramble, a breakfast and lunch joint using a lot of locally sourced ingredients. Their menu was gluten free friendly and clearly labeled, though I did need to specify dairy free with staff and ask that my bread not be toasted to avoid cross-contamination. My smoked turkey club arrived with cheese on it despite that, which was an easy fix since I could pick it off, but it's a good reminder to have staff repeat your order back to confirm. The restaurant itself was fun, relaxed, and kid friendly.

Quick Bite: In-N-Out Burger

If you need a reliable gluten free stop, In-N-Out never disappoints. Order your burger "protein style" (wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun) with no sauce, since their sauce contains gluten and dairy.

Their fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer using sunflower oil, so they're safe for peanut allergies too.

Or skip the guesswork and make your own copycat sauce at home with my Copycat In-N-Out Burger Sauce recipe.

Nekter Juice Bar

On our last morning in town, we stopped by Nekter Juice Bar close to our hotel. I branched out and tried dragon fruit in their Pink Flamingo smoothie, and it was so good we started making our own version back home.

They have several locations throughout the Phoenix area, so it's easy to work one into your trip.

More Phoenix and Scottsdale Spots Worth Checking Out

We haven't been to these next few in person, but they came up again and again in our research as some of the Phoenix area's most trusted gluten and dairy free spots.

Intentional Foods (IF Cafe & Market)

A Scottsdale restaurant free from the top 8 allergens (nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, gluten, seafood, soy, and sesame), started by a local couple.

A solid pick if you're traveling with someone who has multiple allergies to navigate, not just gluten and dairy.

BEG Bakery & Creamery

A South Scottsdale bakery specializing in butter-free, egg-free, and gluten free treats, including dairy free ice cream. Worth a stop if you're craving something cold and sweet.

Nourish 123

A health-conscious Phoenix restaurant built around food allergies of all kinds, including gluten free, dairy free, nut free, egg free, paleo, and vegan.

Get Outside: Pinnacle Peak Park

Scottsdale and Phoenix have so many outdoor opportunities. I enjoyed a hike around Pinnacle Peak Park on a perfect 70-degree day, quite the treat after leaving 8-degree snow and ice back home in Montana. It's a great way to balance out all the eating with a little desert scenery.

Is Phoenix Good for Gluten and Dairy Free Travelers?

Yes. Between a dedicated gluten free bakery, allergy-aware kitchens across Old Town Scottsdale, and multiple juice bar chains with locations all over the metro area, Phoenix and Scottsdale make for an easy, low-stress destination if you're traveling gluten and dairy free.

In Conclusion

This area has so much to offer, and we're already looking forward to going back and exploring more. If you've been, I'd love to hear your own recommendations in the comments.

Looking for more destinations? Check out our other Food Travel Guides for more gluten and dairy free travel tips.

Eat well and feel well,

Victoria

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