5 Easy, Low Stress Ways to Dine Out Gluten-Free on Vacation
Dining out gluten-free can feel like a gamble—especially when you’re away from home. Menus change, staff knowledge varies, and cross-contamination is a constant concern. But with a bit of planning and a few tried-and-true strategies, it’s possible to enjoy meals out on vacation without the anxiety.
On our recent family trip to Anna Maria Island (AMI), we dined at several restaurants, explored the island by bike, and still felt confident about our food safety. Here’s how we made it work—and how you can too.
1. Do Your Homework Before You Go
Researching restaurants ahead of time saves you from the “hanger + panic” combo that often leads to unsafe choices. Before our trip, we always make a list of GF-friendly spots that sound interesting and have great reviews. I’ve compiled a list of AMI favorites in my Best Gluten-Free Restaurants & Coffee Shops in Anna Maria Island: 2025 Guide.
For a quick recap:
Our safest and most trusted restaurant
Fresh ingredients and corn tortillas (though their grill is shared)
Beachfront dining with many well labeled, naturally GF dishes
95% gluten-free BBQ menu
Elegant dining with many gluten-free options
2. Ask Clear, Direct Questions
When dining out gluten-free, specifics matter. Don’t be afraid to ask:
“I see that the steak isn’t noted as gluten-free on the menu, would you mind telling me why that is and if there is anyway we can modify it to be gluten-free?”
“Do you have a dedicated gluten-free fryer?”
“Can you please bring me out the ingredient list for the sauce that is used for this meal, I would like to confirm that it is gluten-free and there aren’t and tricky ingredients in it that could contain gluten?”
“Can you prepare this meal on a freshly cleaned surface, change gloves and use utensils that are clean as well to prevent cross-contmaination?”
“Is the grill where this will be prepared used for gluten containing items?”
“Can you use new, freshly opened, ingredients to make this dish (like butter, sacues etc that would come in contact with gluten) to ensure it’s gluten free?”
At Poppo’s Taqueria, for example, we learned their corn tortillas couldn’t be grilled because the grill is shared—but we still enjoyed safe, flavorful bowls with containers of ingredeints that hadn’t been used for any other orders that day - ensuring I would be safe.
3. Pack a Backup Meal
Even with careful planning, sometimes a restaurant can’t meet your needs. Keeping a safe option in your cooler or backpack gives you peace of mind. On our trip, we usually have the following handy:
A charcuterie kit with GF crackers, meats, and cheese
Paleo Valley Beef Sticks (for easy protein)
Fresh fruits and veggies for snacking
My homemade gluten free bread or toritllas in case I can have the insides of a sandwich, but need a wrap or bread to make it gluten free.
This safety net allowed us to say “yes” to spontaneous adventures—like watching sunsets at Bean Point or tackling two escape rooms back-to-back—without worrying about where our next meal would come from.
4. Eat at Off-Peak Times
Restaurants are more likely to handle special dietary requests carefully when they’re not overwhelmed. We found that arriving early for a meal always keeps me the safest since the kitchen is clean and less contaminated. Going later works as well, but usually reqires more adaptations from the kitchen staff to keep me safe - increasing the chances of cross contamination. During these times, the staff has more time to answer our questions, check with the chef and take extra precautions in the kitchen which are so important.
5. Build Relationships with Staff
Expressing gratitude goes a long way. The team at Cheesecake Cutie now knows our family by name. We’ve built such a beautiful friendship over that past few years and through that friendship, the Gluten Free Community is even more safe than ever before at their restaurant. The owners truly care about keeping everyone they serve safe and they’ve invested their time into learning more about gluten, cross contamination, and how to keep everyone safe.
