Welcome to Atlanta
Gluten Free Travel
I was in Atlanta this past May for a conference, and did some “food” homework before I went. I get a little nervous before traveling because I have been in areas where I have had very limited options. {I will be posting my Celiac Travel Kit post soon!} Also to mention, one of the conference days we had a full day of facility tours and boxed lunch was going to be provided. I emailed two times beforehand to ensure that I would have a gluten free boxed lunch. I also mentioned that if it would be an issue, I was happy to pack my own.
I always carry some sort of protein bar, or high protein snack in my bag for emergencies, and this day was unfortunately an emergency. My “boxed lunch” ended up being a bag of potato chips, because the gluten free order went MIA?! So anyway a travel tip as a Celiac or any food allergy really, I always try to be prepared for anything/everything that could happen.
I found a few sites but this one was great, LOCAL CELIAC GUIDE for Atlanta: Traveling Gluten Free Mom
(By: Jennifer Harris GF Go to Guide)
Courtney from Traveling Gluten Free Mom Blog has local Celiac’s from different areas by write up about their favorite gluten free places. SO helpful, I highly recommend reading the Atlanta post by Jennifer Harris. Courtney & her family recently opened an AirBNB at Disney - Orlando that is Celiac Friendly (which I hope to stay at some day to take our kiddos).
I also have friends that live in the Atlanta area and they gave me some recommendations as well. Atlanta surprised me, the food options were fantastic! Reaching out to friends is also a great tip, because they offer suggestions and then I am able to do a little more research by looking at the menus ahead of time, or calling to see how they handle Celiac friendly guests.
First & foremost Inform the wait staff - Let them know you have Celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity and ask if they understand that you cannot eat anything that has flour, bread crumbs or soy sauce or you will become very ill, even if it touches the same cutting board, plate, gloves or hand-washing need to take place- any type of cross contamination will make you sick. If your server does not understand, ask to speak to the restaurant manager or the chef.
Listed below are the restaurants I ate at and some have multiple locations in the Atlanta area -Alma Cocina & Ecco- Downtown & Buckhead. I really loved Buckhead, and Ray’s on the River was a treat in Sandy Springs (my hotel was right down the road) because they have a beautiful outside space to just sit and have a glass of wine by the river in May (in Maine- some times there is still snow on the ground in some parts in May!).
ALMA COCINA: Downtown & Buckhead opening soon!
RAY'S ON THE RIVER: Sandy Springs (they have 2 other locations as well)
ECCO: Downtown, Buckhead & Airport - We ate at the Buckhead location
GYPSY KITCHEN: Buckhead
MEDITERRANEA ATL: Dedicated GF in Atlanta
STATS BREWPUB: Near the aquarium (salad not pictured)
