6 Mins Read
Wheat allergies. Gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease. Dining out with gluten-intolerance is rough. I can only imagine the chagrin when they have to have their servers pick apart the menu to find dishes that won’t ruin their digestive system. The whole thing is a tummy ache, which is why knowing what you’re getting before you go is crucial. Lucky for us, our city is cultivating an ever expanding list of health-conscious restaurants that includes a growing list of gluten-free dishes. Here at Green Queen, we’ve compiled a list of fab dining spots that have taken meticulous care in offering patrons plenty of options for wheat-less, grain-free dining.
Brickhouse
A late night Mexican hotspot, Brickhouse offers freshly made gluten-free tortillas and tostadas to go with their savory bite sized noms. Going the extra, the kitchen can have the sauces on the side with most dishes to make them gluten-free. Buen provecho!
20 D’Aguilar Street, Central. Open Monday to Wednesday 6:00PM – 2:00AM, Thursday – Saturday 6:00PM – 4:00AM. Food served until 12:00AM. Email info@brickhouse.com.hk or send a message on Facebook for more information.
Café Causette
Tucked inside Hong Kong’s legendary Mandarin Oriental, Café Causette offers international contemporary and convenient all-day dining that truly offers something for everyone. In addition to being one of our favorite places for afternoon tea, their menu has a wide range of gluten-free dishes from HK classics to Western fare (and even gluten-free penne if you’re up for some Italian)- they even have tons of gluten-free Southeast Asian dishes to choose from.
5 Connaught Road, Central, +852 2825 4005, mohkg-cafe@mohg.com. Open Daily 6:30AM – 11:00PM.
DiVino Patio
Partnering with social enterprise Green Monday to promote a healthy and eco-conscious Italian menu, DiVino Patio’s veggie-friendly menu comes complete with gluten-free pasta AND gluten-free pizza crust for a nominal fee. Dine alfresco in their extended outdoor terrace or opt for an indoor booth reminiscent of an old-school Italian grocer.
1/F, 28 Harbour Road, Brim 28 at Causeway Centre, Shop 11, Wan Chai, +852 2877 3552; Email info@divinopatio.com or send a message on Facebook for more information.
Mak Mak
If you’re a fan of serial hospitality entrepreneur Yenn Wong (think Aberdeen Street Social, 22 Ships, 208 Duecento Otto, Chachawan, etc), you’re going to love this gorgeous Landmark location. Mak Mak whips up authentic Thai cuisine housed in a retro 1960’s Thai shophouse with ample seating, including a private dining room if you so fancy. Collaborating with Green Monday to promote low carbon living in HK, almost all of Mak Mak’s vegetarian menu is gluten-free! Bonus: they are very vegan friendly too!
2/F, 15 Queen’s Road, Landmark Atrium, Shop 217A, Central, +852 2983 1002; Email contact@makmak.hk for more information. Open Daily 12:00PM – 2:30PM, 6:00PM – 10:30PM.
Moi Moi by Luke Nguyen
November 2017 Update: Moi Moi has changed their concept and no longer offers gluten-free dishes or a gluten-free menu.
Celebrity Australian chef and author Luke Nguyen’s first foray into Hong Kong, Moi Moi, (which means “welcome” in Vietnamese) presents a fresh, modern take on Vietnamese cooking. Sourcing the freshest organic and sustainable produce possible, almost all of the lunch and dinner menu items are gluten-free. In addition, certain dishes that normally contain gluten, such as the soft rice paper rolls or salt and pepper silken tofu, can be prepared gluten-free upon request.
Lobby, 41 Connaught Road, Nexxus Building, Central, +852 2808 1086. Open Monday to Saturday 11:30AM – 10:00PM.
Mott 32
Named after the address of New York City’s first Chinese convenience store in Chinatown, Mott 32 is an upscale Cantonese dining experience with signature Beijing and Sichuan dishes and a modern approach to Chinese cuisine- though a lot of HK natives are obsessed with their dim sum. This, you probably already know. What may not know, is that Mott 32 has a dedicated gluten-free menu. From soups to starters, BBQ to Bird’s Nest, meats, veggies, noodles and dessert, the extensive menu is truly a boon for celiacs and those with gluten allergies.
Basement Level, 4 – 4A Des Voeux Road, Standard Chartered Bank Building, Central, +852 2885 8688, reservations@mott32.com.
Picada
Gluten-intolerant diners looking for Latin American bites should look no further than Picada. Located in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong, both the lunch and dinner menu (specializing in South American dishes) and all the desserts are entirely gluten-free with the exception of the Argentinian empanadas. Made to share, come in for the creative menu and stay for the live music and dancing. Read our full review here.
2/F, 29 Wyndham Street, LFK29, Central, +852 3425 4037, eat@picada.hk. Open daily from 12:00PM – 12:00AM.
Spasso
Relocating to a massive 6,000 square foot harbor-front space occupying the ground floor of Empire Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, Spasso’s Italian menu takes into consideration diners with gluten allergies with gluten-free pasta available on request. Dig in on classic favorites like homemade ravioli or bolognese while overlooking Victoria Harbor.
68 Mody Road, Empire Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui East, +852 2730 8027, info@spassoristorante-bar.hk. Open Daily Monday to Thursday 12:00PM – 2:30AM; Friday to Saturday 12:00PM – 2:00AM; Sunday 11:30AM – 2:00AM.
The Water Buffalo
A Pui O pub favorite serving classic British fare and real ales on hand pump, The Water Buffalo is committed to serving the GF-community with dishes such as gluten-free fish and chips, scampi and salad, cauliflower crust pizza, and cauliflower crust wrap. A delicious gluten-free apple crumble is also served for all you dessert lovers. Please let the kitchen know you are gluten-intolerant so they can handle your request with special care using dedicated fryers.
G/F, 13 Lo Wai Tsuen, Pui O, Lantau Island, +852 2109 3331, info@thewaterbuffalo.com.hk. Open Tuesday to Friday from 11:00AM – 11:00PM, Weekends from 10:00AM – 11:00PM.
Pure Veggie House
We’ve written about this gem many times and it continues to be a great option for the gluten-free among us. For lovers of dim sum, as well as Sichuan cuisine, it’s a true find. Bonus: the entire menu is vegetarian with lots of vegan-friendly options.
6/F, M88, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central; +852 2525 0552. Dim Sum Hours: Daily 10:30AM-4:30PM.
Images courtesy of Pexels (lead), Brickhouse, Cafe Causette, DiVino Patio, Mak Mak, Moi Moi, Mott 32, Picada, Spasso, The Water Buffalo and Pure Veggie House.
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