At times, finding a place to eat when you are following a specific diet can be difficult. Fortunately, there are many restaurants throughout St. Charles, Illinois that have special vegan or gluten-free menus and offerings that you can delight in if you are on one of these diets. Take a look at a few of these places below!
Gluten-Free
Photos Courtesy of Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk - where food and wine come together for an unforgettable evening out. If you're trying to avoid gluten in your diet, this shouldn't stop you from enjoying a meal at this establishment. Cooper's Hawk provides a full gluten-free menu (for both adults and kids), filled with delicious dishes including their Shrimp & Scallop Risotto or their Pan-Roasted Mahi Mahi.
Photos Courtesy of Eden Restaurant & Events
Take in the scenic Fox River while dining on their four-season patio and enjoy some fantastic Mediterranean food and innovative cocktails at Eden Restaurant & Events. Their menu is filled with vibrant flavors from different regions, and many of their offerings are gluten-free including their grilled skewers and a handful of their tapas selections like their bacon chorizo dates with a red pepper sauce.
Photos Courtesy of Shakou
For award-winning sushi and incredible Asian cuisine all inside a sleek-modern setting - look no further than Shakou. If you're avoiding gluten, this is a great spot to visit as they have numerous dishes on their menu that do not contain any. They offer starters that do not have any gluten, like their Shakou Salad or their Seafood Miso Soup, and unbelievable Maki Rolls for your entrée including their Rainbow Roll.
Photos Courtesy of St. Charles Place Steakhouse
Don't let trying to avoid gluten get in the way of experiencing an upscale dining experience like no-other at St. Charles Place Steakhouse, who is bringing back the times of the classic supper club. Their eclectic dining room creates a great atmosphere, which you can enjoy with a delectable dish from their gluten-free menu. This menu is filled with favorites such as their Shrimp Cocktail, Steak Au Poivre, and much more!
Photos Courtesy of The Wine Exchange
At The Wine Exchange, you can savor a glass of wine from their extensive selection of wine while you snack on terrific small-plates that include several gluten-free options. Even if they aren't originally gluten-free, many of the items on the menu can be customized to be so, like their flatbreads with a choice of a gluten-free crust. However, they also offer more options that don't need to be customized at all, such as their gourmet Wisconsin Beer Cheese Dip.
Gluten-Free & Vegan-Friendly
Photos Courtesy of Brown Butter Cafe & Bakery
If you haven't had the OG Donuts from Brown Butter Cafe & Bakery, you don't know what you're missing out on. These are some of the best donuts you will have anywhere, and the best part is they're gluten, soy, and nut free! They can even prepare vegan donuts, too, with a prep time of one business day. On top of that, you can also substitute any bread from their breakfast and lunch café menu with gluten-free bread, gluten-free jalapeno cheddar bread (a must try), or a gluten-free wrap.
Photos Courtesy of Core Nutrition
Sometimes, all you need is a delicious, healthy shake to refuel. However, making sure that every single ingredient in a shake is gluten-free or is vegan-friendly can be tricky. At Core Nutrition, not only do they serve shakes that will leave you craving for more, but they have plenty of flavors that are gluten-free, vegan-friendly, or both! Try their vegan, gluten-free banana bread shake, or their gluten-free Elvis shake.
Photos Courtesy of Smallcakes A Cupcakery
For both gluten-free and vegan cupcakes, Smallcakes A Cupcakery is the place to go! They have gluten-free and dairy free cupcakes available every Friday and Saturday, along with gluten-free chocolate chip cookies! If you're looking for a sweet treat that's vegan, they offer chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with a 24 hours notice for them to bake them (minimum quantity of four).
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Dining Outside
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Vegan-Friendly
Photos Courtesy of Buona Beef
If you follow a vegan-diet, chances are you haven't had an Italian Beef in a while. Fortunately, Buona Beef serves plant-based, vegan Italian Beefs, topped with either mild or hot giardiniera that is sure to hit the spot every time. If you want to ditch the bread, you can get it in a bowl, as well, topped with vegan cheese and house-made sweet peppers. Looking for some comfort food? Their minestrone soup is sure to warm you up, and is vegan-friendly, too!
Photos Courtesy of Crazy Fox Bar & Grille
The vegan cuisine at Crazy Fox Bar & Grille is second-to-none. If you're looking for a wonderful spot downtown for some top-notch drinks, and some upscale bar food that fits your diet, then this is your place. From veggie tacos to their beyond burgers - their mouthwatering vegan menu is a favorite in St. Charles, and is a local gem for anyone, whether they practice a vegan diet or not.
Photos Courtesy of Kava Diem
Starting off the day on the right foot is extremely important, so why not make your breakfast healthy and delicious? At Kava Diem, their ingredients are fresh and sustainable, and you can order from their full vegan menu for breakfast and lunch! From an array of different avocado toasts, to tasty wraps and salads, their vegan menu has something for everyone, no matter what you're craving!
Photos Courtesy of Taste of Himalayas
Discover the rich flavors of Nepalese and Indian cuisine at Taste of Himalayas, where only the finest ingredients are used to create a wide-variety of dishes, including their vegan options. Begin your meal with Vegetable Samosas, filled with green peas, potatoes, and fresh coriander leaves. For your main course, indulge in the Vegetable Biryani, made with fresh mixed vegetables, saffron, and an exotic blend of herbs.
Now that the days are getting longer and the weather is warming up, it's time to start planning your fun springtime activities! Click here to find some great ways to "spring" into the season.