H.U.G Bageri
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
“H.U.G is 100% gluten-free and, while known for their croissants and cinnamon rolls, in my mind, where they shine is their Danish specialties. Ask the staff what their favorites are; they won’t steer you incorrectly.
I went with some friends, and we might have overordered. It’s tough to pick favorites, but all the pastries with marzipan, as well as the brunsviger (a Danish coffee cake), were the standouts.
It’s worth planning a trip to Copenhagen for H.U.G itself!”
Manna Dew
Location: London, England
“This is one of the best gluten-free bakeries in London, if not all of Europe. You can expect a delicious pastry that flakes just like gluten-containing pastry does. The price reflects the quality, so just be aware it can be expensive.
There is a large range of vegan options as well—do note that there are a large amount of other allergens on site (hazelnut, almond, pistachio, etc.) that are used as fillings for other pastries. I’d recommend contacting them if you have multiple dietary needs.”
Cream Dream Vegan Pastry Cafe
Location: London, England
“Cream Dream is a Ukrainian cafe that is excellent for gluten-free and vegan pastries. They are fully vegan—excellent for dairy and lactose-free needs—and while they used to be fully gluten-free, they do now sell gluten-containing croissants that are baked offsite and are handled completely separately onsite. The star of the show are their gluten-free and vegan croissants (these are different from the aforementioned gluten-containing ones). The flavor is neutral, so I’d recommend getting a filled one. A plain one, if you can tolerate meat and dairy, is great to bring home and add ham and cheese to. There are rotating supper clubs and guest chefs making appearances for limited time events. The ones I have been to have been excellent.”
Copains
Location: Paris, France
“With over a dozen locations across Paris and more on the way, Copains is the gluten-free bakery of the moment, and one bite makes it easy to see why. Everything is beautifully crafted (the owners previously worked in fashion houses, and it shows), and you’d never guess it’s all gluten-free.
Hot take, but skip the croissants and opt for the white chocolate Leo, a babka, the apple tart, an eclair, any fruit tart if they’re in season, and absolutely take a sandwich to go. The chocolate bread is outrageously good, and I’m also a fan of their quinoa baguette.”
Isabella Glutenfreie Pâtisserie
Location: Munich, Germany
“The best gluten free bakery chain in Germany by far—I’ve been to this one in Munich the most, but there are locations around the country in Frankfurt, Hamburg, I could go on… Expect a big selection of cakes, their flagship macarons, breads (and croissants!), and brunch food. There are vegan options, though I have not seen much proactivity in cross-contact prevention here. Don’t leave without getting a cheese croissant, the pretzel bread, and if they have the raspberry cake, you want that too.”
I’m donut ? Gluten-free
Location: Tokyo, Japan
“This is a gem in Tokyo for a gluten-free baked treat. There is one location that is fully gluten-free, and another on the same road that is gluten-free AND vegan (if that’s what you need for allergen safety), and as the name suggests, they only sell donuts. These are cake/baked donuts, not fried, and when you walk in you’ll be overwhelmed by choice. There are SO many options to choose from. Some flavors are conventional, some are a bit.. out there. My recommendation is to stick to the conventional flavors as those were significantly better than the crazier ones. The egg donut, in particular, was one I wish I didn’t try. I also got a donut from the gluten-free and vegan shop and I liked it better than any of them from the gluten-free shop. Take that as you will, but don’t write off the vegan ones!”
Leopoldo Cafebar – Senza Glutine
Location: Napoli, Italy
“Leopoldo Senza Glutine in Naples is a true gluten-free dream and easily the best gluten-free bakery I’ve visited in Italy. The selection is staggering and the quality is exceptional, from sfogliatelle (lobster tails) to beautifully layered fruit tarts and creamy cornetti that rival their gluten-filled counterparts. I still think about the strawberries and cream pastry I had. If you see it, do not hesitate to purchase four. The service was rushed, but I’ll overlook that stress for this crazy selection.
Everything I tried was perfectly textured and flavorful. The bakery is directly across from the National Archaeological Museum, so it’s the perfect stop before or after exploring one of Naples’ most important landmarks. Even in a country famous for its baked goods, Leopoldo stands out for offering gluten-free versions of classic Italian sweets.
There are several branches of Leopoldo, and while all have some gluten-free options, only the one across from the museum has their full gluten-free range.”
NachuRa Gluten Free Cafe
Location: Shibuya, Japan
“This is a cute bakery located not far from Shibuya. Their range is very modest, but what they have, they do very, very well. The standout to me is their cream puff with absolutely beautiful gluten-free choux pastry, though the Basque cheesecake deserves a shout-out too. They have some non-refrigerated baked goods too. I’d recommend the cheese cookies. My tip? Have some of these in the cafe to take advantage of their well-trained barista.”
Pan Filio
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
“Pan Filio is a dedicated gluten-free bakery in Mexico City and the place to go for iconic Mexican pastries like conchas and polvorones (Mexican wedding cookies) done right. You’ll see these treats in traditional bakeries all over CDMX and feel like you’re missing out until you come here. Everything is safe, delicious, and beautifully made. The concha has that soft, slightly sweet brioche texture with a perfect sugar crust, and the wedding cookies are rich and buttery with the ideal snap. It’s a bit outside the city center, but 100% worth the inexpensive Uber ride.”
La Otilia
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
“La Otilia is a rare gluten-free (and refined sugar-free) bakery in Mexico City. There are plant-based options, as well as separate protocols to handle those. They have a few locations, each with the same menu. This is a real treat to have in Mexico as it is one of the few gluten-free bakeries that sells concha, or a Mexican sweet bread. Their brunch is also delicious, especially the huevos rancheros. The menu has allergen information listed where applicable. Don’t miss this if you’re in Mexico City!”
Craft Coffee & Pastry Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
“Craft Coffee and Pastry in Amsterdam serves some of the best gluten-free croissants in the world, full stop. It’s genuinely remarkable what they’ve achieved without using gluten-free wheat starch. The texture is flaky, the layers are impressive, and the flavor rivals even traditional versions. The ham and cheese croissant is a standout and worth every bite. Expect a long line, especially on weekends, but for croissants this big and this good, the wait is more than justified. I highly recommend ordering ahead to secure your favorites, but be aware you’ll still need to queue for pickup. Trust me, it’s worth it.”
Pastelería La Oriental Sin Gluten
Location: Madrid, Spain
“La Oriental’s fully gluten-free bakery in Madrid (right next to its gluten-filled sibling—don’t worry, it’s obvious which is which) is one of the best gluten-free bakeries in the world, full stop. Walking in is almost overwhelming with the sheer amount of pastries, cakes, cookies, and bread packed into the shop, and when it’s busy, the pressure to choose quickly is real. Ask me how I know. You must get an éclair and at least one croissant. The ham and cheese wasn’t my favorite, but everything else I tried was an 11 out of 10.”
Karaköy Güllüoğlu – Nadir Güllü
Location: Beyoğlu, Turkey
“This place is notable for one big reason: it’s the only place in the world that I have found gluten-free baklava. It’s a little expensive by Turkish standards, but this is such a rare treat to have. I would not rate them highly for other allergens, but for gluten-free, this is your spot. When I went, they had pistachio and walnut options—I recommend getting both. The pastry is good, not great, though I would rate the experience highly. Make a pit stop if you’re in Istanbul!”
Tawa Gluten-Free Eatery
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“I’m not ashamed to admit I went here four times on a recent trip to Abu Dhabi. This is an amazing, fully gluten-free cafe and bakery—the staff are trained well on allergens, and their menu is very clear on allergens present in their dishes. I was blown away by the éclair and the strawberry tart, as well as their chicken Caesar wrap and mozzarella sticks. It can be tough finding a safe gluten-free restaurant in this part of the world, and Tawa absolutely nails it.”
Verveine Cafe & Bakery
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
“I literally cried when I first walked into Verveine in Boston because everything looked so good, I could hardly believe it was all gluten-free. This place is a dream come true for any celiac or gluten-sensitive eater and an absolute gem for anyone who just loves good food. You cannot miss the breakfast sandwich, the galette of the moment, and the Gouda scone…but honestly, what am I talking about? Just get one of everything and don’t look back. The craftsmanship, flavors, and variety are unmatched. The head chef, Monica, is an absolute genius.
My parents, who can eat gluten, love this place more than I do. The wait will be long, but trust me when I say it is worth it.”
Sixteen Mill Bakeshop
Location: Brooklyn, New York
“Sixteen Mill might just be the best gluten-free bakery in Brooklyn, and honestly, you’ll have a hard time convincing me otherwise. Despite its tiny storefront and limited selection, every single item is a masterclass in gluten-free baking. This place clearly values quality over quantity, and it shows. I got the waffle, a scone, and the chocolate babka muffin, and all three were outstanding. I think of them regularly. The babka muffin, in particular, was perfectly moist and next-level, alone worth the trek. The only downside? They sell out fast, especially on weekends, so get there early or preorder to avoid disappointment.”
Dishon Gluten-Free Bakery
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
“This is one of the best gluten-free bakeries anywhere in the world, full stop. You aren’t going to find flashy sweet pastries, but what you will find are amazing breads, bagels, baguettes, and pizza. They do have a proprietary flour blend with a number of different possible allergens. I would enquire about your specific allergens if they go beyond gluten. The key to what makes Dishon great is that they mimic the process of baking gluten bread as much as possible, including baking directly on a stone surface. The result is absolutely insane bakes with quality I did not think possible for gluten free bread. Don’t walk out of here without getting bagels and a baguette (the best I’ve EVER had gluten-free) and thank me later.”
Sugar Daddy’s Bakery
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
“Walking into Sugar Daddy’s feels like stepping into a pink, gluten-free dream. This bakery has everything from cookies, cakes, cupcakes, bars, cookie sandwiches, and more. If you’ve been to Posh Pop in NYC, it has a similar vibe and presentation of baked goods. I tried a variety of treats, and my top picks were: Funfetti White Chocolate Cookie; anything funfetti here is a must; they really nail the flavor and texture. Strawberry Jelly + Custard Cupcake: Sweet, fruity, and perfectly balanced. Curried Pork Sausage Roll: SUCH a treat to have gluten-free. To drink, I went for the Iced Strawberry Matcha, and it was so worth the wait. Everything tasted fresh and high-quality, and the prices felt very fair for the craftsmanship. Allergy Notes: Sugar Daddy’s is 100% gluten-free, and every single item is clearly labeled with all allergens used in production. This made ordering super easy and stress-free. I left the bakery very happy, this is now a must-visit spot whenever I’m in Edinburgh!”
