By Marissa Willman

 

Just because you're going on vacation doesn't mean you have to throw your diet out the window. If you're trying to cut gluten out of your diet, you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of accommodating restaurants in Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley. Whether you're looking for a hearty gluten-free breakfast, organic lunches to go or five-star dining experiences without the wheat, you'll find plenty of menus that fit the bill in Palm Springs.

One of the best gluten-free menus in Palm Springs is at LULU California Bistro on South Palm Canyon. From lettuce wraps and salads to pasta, seafood and desserts, you'll get your gluten-free fill here. LULU's sister restaurant, Acqua Pazza in Rancho Mirage, also has an impressive array of gluten-free selections, including gluten-free beer to go with your meal.

Sister restaurants Cheeky's and Birba are also gluten-free staples in Palm Springs. Cheeky's weekly rotating menu always features gluten-free options like waffles, while Birba offers a gluten-free crust for their artisan pizzas. Speaking of gluten-free pizzas, you'll find gluten-free crusts at Bill's Pizza and Giuseppe's Pizza and Pasta in Palm Springs.

Plus, you'll find gluten-free menus ranging from seafood to pan-Asian cuisine in Palm Springs. Check out the full list of restaurants in Palm Springs with gluten-free menus below.

Bill's Pizza
Bill's quest of making the best pizza possible led him to Italy and around the United States exploring a wide range of pizza styles and techniques including a pizza-making seminar with Chris Bianco, winner of the 2003 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest. Bill's Pizza only uses the finest ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, imported pizza flour from Italy, sourdough pizza crust, schreiner's custom make sausage and fresh vegetables oven roasted. Gluten-free crusts are also available. Head to Bill's to experience why they were awarded "Top 100 Pizzerias in the U.S." by the James Beard award winning team Jane and Michael Stern. (7603255571)

WP Kitchen + Bar
Wolfgang Puck has burst onto the desert dining scene with his casual pizza bar concept in the heart of Palm Desert's El Paseo neighborhood. Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar serves a range of Mediterranean- and Italian-inspired pizzas, pastas and entrees with a focus on sustainable sourcing and local ingredients. Everything from salad dressings to simple syrups are made in-house, resulting in the freshest meals possible. Plus, the casual restaurant shares the same ingredients as Wolfgang Puck's high-end Spago restaurant, but without the high price point. Separate menus highlight the restaurant's gluten-free and vegetarian options. Some of the most notable dishes include the San Daniele Prosciutto platter, the Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad and Wolfgang's Classic Smoked Salmon Pizza. Best of all? The average check is about $30 per person. ((760) 568-2700)

Wang's in the Desert
Wang's in the Desert offers some of the best pan-Asian cuisine and fusion creations in Palm Springs. Combined with immaculate decor and daily drink specials, Wang's in the Desert is a local favorite for dinner. Menu items include Thai, Chinese, Korean and Japanese dishes, and a dim sum menu is also available. Guests can choose between the elegant ambiance of the dining room or the lively atmosphere in the bar and outdoor patio areas. The menus also highlight all of the gluten-free items, so you can accommodate your dietary needs. The restaurant is also a great happy hour watering hole, offering drink and appetizer specials such as $2 well drinks and $4 martinis. (7603259264)

Spencer's Restaurant
If you're searching for a lunch restaurant soaked in quintessential Palm Springs style, make a reservation at Spencer's Restaurant. This award-winning restaurant in Palm Springs serves American fare influenced by French and Pacific Rim cuisine, and attracts locals, tourists and celebrities alike. At midday, the express lunch option--served with soup or salad, bread, an entree and pastry, is perfect for a filling midday meal. Other options include a lobster club sandwich, wild mushroom ravioli, an Ahi tuna nicoise salad. Plenty of gluten-free options abound throughout the menu. Reserve a table on the canopied outdoor patio to enjoy a Palm Springs lunch surrounded by Mount San Jacinto, palm trees and sunshine. (7603273446)

Roy's
Under the masterful tutelage of chef Roy Yamaguchi, this restaurant's menu is a skillful fusion of European and Asian cuisines. Here, Roy's standards are joined by dishes created by the resident chef, and the place has a reputation for lively ambience, attentive service, and incredible food. A devotion to impeccably fresh ingredients and a penchant for artistic presentation characterizes the menu, full of temptations like Hawaiian-style misoyaki butterfish, tri-peppercorn-crusted ahi, and ginger-steamed Chinese chicken. There's also steak, lamb, pasta, pork, and duck. A special gluten-free menu is available. Nightly specials make an appearance too, and the signature chocolate souffl� is absolutely sinful. (760-340-9044)

Birba
This al fresco pizza joint started as a waiting room of sorts for Cheeky's, the brunch joint next door also owned by serial restauranteur Tara Lazar. Soon enough, though, Birba evolved into its own, thanks to the pizzas and cocktails that have earned Birba a loyal following. Lazar's signature style shines through in pizza creations like the Blueberry, Goat Cheese, Basil and Kale, the White Corn, Leeks, Squash Blossom and Burrata, and the Asparagus, Fontina, Purple Potato and Pesto. Gluten-free crusts are available. Beyond the pizza, Birba prides itself on carefully curated dishes like ricotta gnocchi and tricolor salad, and the bar's handcrafted cocktail list is certainly worth a try. Gluten-free and vegetarian menus are also available. ((760) 327-5678)

Cheeky's
On any given morning, there's usually a crowd waiting to get into Cheeky's in Palm Springs. Before you let that deter you from eating here, know that anyone who's eaten at Cheeky's will tell you there's good reason for the wait. As one of Palm Springs' most popular brunch spots, Cheeky's focuses on transforming ordinary breakfast items into extraordinary dishes with creative additions, such as French toast with red currants and mascarpone. The menu at this farm-to-table changes every Wednesday to keep regular diners on their toes and incorporate seasonal produce. Don't mind the line--wait for a table at Cheeky's to discover the best breakfast in town. ((760) 327-7595)

LULU California Bistro
Modernism meets the restaurant scene at LULU California Bistro in downtown Palm Springs, the funkier, modern version of Acqua Pazza in Rancho Mirage. With sleek mid-century modern design and chic artwork, LULU has a modern vibe that embodies the spirit of Palm Springs. Seating includes the circular bar area, two floors of indoor seating and a patio boasting the best views for people watching in Palm Springs. Serving California cuisine, LULU is known for its paninis, chicken piccata and seafood benedict, as well as having one of the largest gluten-free menus in Palm Springs. Lunch patrons can also opt for the 3-course prix fixe lunch menu for just $19.99. If you're looking for a dining experience with atmosphere and character, head to LULU California Bistro in Palm Springs. ((760) 327-5858)

About Marissa Willman

Marissa Willman moved to the Coachella Valley in 2001 and loves discovering the best that the desert has to offer. As a Palm Springs local, Marissa enjoys sharing her knowledge of this desert destination through her travel writing. In a previous life, she worked as an English teacher in South Korea and spent months traveling throughout Asia. Today, Marissa prefers to explore her backyard in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, while occasionally jetsetting as her wanderlust strikes.

Read more about Marissa Willman here.

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