TNF Gluten-Free Food & Travel Guide: January 2023 Updates

TNF Monthly Food & Travel Recap

I’m launching a new monthly series on The Nomadic Fitzpatricks: my Food & Travel Recaps.

Previously I shared these updates in a newsletter, but publishing them on the blog makes them easier to reference later. You can return here for restaurant recommendations, itineraries, and gluten-free inspiration without digging through your inbox.

Dylan and I travel a lot, and I’m always scouting gluten-free options to share. This series will document our trips, the best gluten-free dishes we find, and practical tips for visiting the same places.

Here’s what we ate and where we traveled in January 2023 to kick off the new series.

TNF Travels In January 2023

Number of States Visited: 2 (Maine, New Hampshire)

Winter in New England can feel slow when the days are short and the weather is gray. When snow arrives, outdoor options open up, but much of January felt rainy and dull this year.

Despite a period of grief and the gloomy weather, we still filled weekends with small adventures: a day trip to Portland, Maine, our favorite winter hike at Lonesome Lake in New Hampshire, rounds of disc golf (even in snow), and time exploring Boston and Salem.

TNF Eats in January 2023

January featured familiar favorites, long-awaited visits, and new finds. Below are the gluten-free spots we tried in the Boston area and on our Portland day trip.

Boston Area Gluten-Free Eats

Restaurants we visited in the Boston area during January:

Grainmaker, Woburn MA

Grainmaker is an Asian-fusion fast-casual where the menu is entirely gluten- and dairy-free. With locations in Woburn and Boston, it’s rare to find a buffet-style restaurant where cross-contact is not a concern, and that makes it a standout for celiacs. I usually build a rice noodle bowl with chicken, greens, crispy shallots, bean sprouts, and their peanut-lime sauce. Dylan tried a Teriyaki chicken bowl and enjoyed it.

Danvers Gluten-Free Pizza

Pizza shops can pose a cross-contact risk from airborne flour, but Danvers Pizza & Subs addresses this by using only rice flour as bench flour and maintaining a fully dedicated prep area, utensils, and process for gluten-free pies. The owners prioritized safety for celiac customers, and the results show: their gluten-free pizzas (we order two) are reliable and delicious. My favorite is the Fenway; Dylan likes the buffalo chicken. They also offer gluten-free wings and fries in dedicated fryers.

Adriatic Restaurant, Salem

Adriatic is our go-to for date nights. This Mediterranean restaurant serves Italian and Greek dishes and regularly accommodates gluten-free requests. They don’t have a separate gluten-free menu, so clear communication with staff about allergies and preparation is essential. For our anniversary dinner I had penne bolognese with gluten-free pasta, Dylan had cavatelli with spicy sausage, and we enjoyed cocktails and the cozy atmosphere.

Downeast Cider

We finally visited Downeast Cider in East Boston. The taproom offers flights of popular, often sweet flavors. Due to high production, they limited guests to one flight per person and no full pours as of January 2023. We sampled a variety — my favorite was Tropical Smoothie (very pineapple-forward) and Dylan loved the Blackberry. It was a fun outing, and I appreciated being able to share drinks — an experience that feels rarer when managing celiac disease.

Maine Gluten-Free Eats

On our Portland, Maine day trip we tried several spots. Note: these places are not 100% gluten-free, so always use caution and judge based on your comfort level.

Holy Donut

Holy Donut is famous for potato donuts and offers a dedicated gluten-free room for production. Their public note explains they take precautions but cannot fully guarantee no contamination, and they advise those with severe allergies to decide carefully. I’ve had no issues and enjoyed dark chocolate sea salt and a chai-flavored donut on this visit.

Elevation Burger

We used Find Me Gluten Free to locate Elevation Burger. In fast-casual burger joints you must be proactive about allergy communication to avoid cross-contact. The staff at this location explained procedures, offered a sturdy gluten-free bun, and used a dedicated fryer for fries. It was a convenient, satisfying meal by the waterfront.

Alpine Club

Portland Hunt & Alpine Club is a cozy spot for drinks and people-watching. Their menus are cleverly designed like old maps, and we enjoyed a warm tea and a neat cocktail while relaxing before heading home.

TNF Reflections on January 2023

January left me feeling a bit stuck — a mix of grief and the winter slowdown. I’ve been working through it with journaling, meditation, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness. Short days and dreary weather can intensify those feelings, but getting outside, playing disc golf, taking day trips, and connecting with my community have helped.

Writing these posts and interacting with the Confident Celiac community has also brought purpose and connection. I’m aiming for more nature, more community, and more mindfulness in February.

Have you ever felt stuck? Share how you moved through it in the comments — I’d love to hear.

Our Next Gluten-Free Travel Destination…

In February we’re headed to Portland, Oregon — a city known for being celiac-friendly with dozens of dedicated gluten-free options. I’ll scout the local gluten-free scene ahead of Dylan and my sister-in-law Lindsay, and I can’t wait to share what we find, from snowshoeing to exploring the Columbia River Gorge and Cannon Beach.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up this month’s Food & Travel Recap. Thank you for reading and being part of this community.

Do you like these recap posts? Should I continue them? Let me know in the comments!

Follow me on Instagram @thenomadicfitz for updates on trips, food, and day-to-day adventures.

Looking for more celiac travel posts?

Avoid common mistakes when dining out with celiac disease, find tips for flying with celiac, and learn how to travel with both celiac and IBS. You’ll also find detailed gluten-free travel guides for Boston, New York, Madrid, Buenos Aires, and more in my destinations and itineraries section.