Cape Cod is known for its lobster rolls and Sandwich town, so you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s a difficult destination for gluten-free travellers. This couldn’t possibly be more false. My mother has been a Cape resident all her life. When my wife was diagnosed as having celiac, I realized how serious the situation is. Cape Cod Restaurants will accommodate this diet restriction.
Cape Cod’s cuisine is a proud representation of its Portuguese heritage. Many people from this area came to the United States in the 1880s for work in the whaling industries. I grew up slurping kale soup with my fish, and I devoured linguiça long before I liked lobster.
Since the 1990s, seasonal migration of Jamaicans has also spicified local menus. Today, there is a vibrant community of Jamaicans who live in Jamaica year-round, and a tradition of locally influenced jerk, curries, and other dishes.
Gluten-free versions of all these dishes, as well as creative dishes that update Cape Town’s culinary identity are available, so that those who cannot eat gluten do not have to compromise.
Some of these spots are family favorites, while others have only recently joined the ranks. There are some restaurants from the Upper Cape and Mid Cape on this list, but the Outer Cape has a better representation, partly because that’s where I have been traveling and partly because local restaurateur Mac Hay is gluten-intolerant. Mac’s gluten free fried fish sandwiches may make you think that the Cape is one of the best GF destinations on the planet. Here’s where to try it—plus plenty of other spots worth a stop on your next trip to the area.
You can find us in: Falmouth
A down-to-earth café along Falmouth’s Main Street, Pickle Jar Kitchen excels at creating gluten-free sandwiches, salads, and other options—even gluten-free French toast—for a casual breakfast or lunch. The staff were very knowledgeable when I visited, and there are many choices on the menu. For breakfast order a GF egg and cheese with linguiça for some local Portuguese flair; at lunch top your lettuce leaves and other assorted veggies with apple-cranberry vinaigrette and chicken salad, or try a sandwich with pastrami-cured salmon, pea shoots, and fennel.
