Gluten-Free Travel & Food Guide: TNF January 2023

TNF Monthly Food & Travel Recap

Welcome to a new series on The Nomadic Fitzpatricks: my monthly food & travel recaps.

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

Dylan and I travel often, and I’m always hunting for great gluten-free food to share. These recaps let me document what we try and provide helpful details and resources if you plan to visit the same spots.

Here’s what gluten-free food and drink we enjoyed in January to kick off 2023.

TNF Travels In January 2023

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

Winter in New England can feel slow when the skies are gray, but snow changes everything. When January brought stretches of dreary weather, we focused on small weekend adventures to keep things fresh.

We took a day trip to Portland, Maine, revisited a favorite winter hike at Lonesome Lake in New Hampshire, played disc golf in the snow, and explored Boston and Salem. Even with muted light and personal grief after losing a family member, getting outside and moving helped a lot.

We made the most of January by combining familiar places with a few new stops, which brings us to the food portion of this recap.

TNF Eats in January 2023

This month included long-time favorites, new discoveries, and a few spots I’d been meaning to visit for years.

Boston Area Gluten-Free Eats

Here are the restaurants where we enjoyed gluten-free food and drink in the Boston area in January.

Grainmaker, Woburn MA

Grainmaker is an Asian-fusion fast-casual where the menu is entirely gluten- and dairy-free. That level of dedication makes it rare and comforting for people with celiac disease—no worrying about cross-contact at the buffet-style stations. You can build a bowl with rice or rice noodles, proteins, vegetables, and a variety of sauces and toppings. I usually make a rice noodle bowl with chicken, greens, crispy shallots, bean sprouts, and their peanut lime sauce. Dylan tried the teriyaki bowl and enjoyed it, even though teriyaki isn’t my favorite.

Danvers Gluten-Free Pizza

Pizza shops often raise concerns about airborne flour and cross-contact. Danvers Pizza & Subs addresses these risks thoughtfully: they use only rice flour as their bench flour and maintain a dedicated prep area, utensils, and process for gluten-free pizzas. The owners designed the space specifically with celiac safety in mind, so ordering gluten-free pies here feels confident. Our favorites include the Fenway (sausage, peppers, onions) and the buffalo chicken pizza. They also offer gluten-free wings and fries cooked in dedicated fryers.

Adriatic Restaurant, Salem

Adriatic is our go-to for date nights in Salem. It’s a Mediterranean spot serving Italian and Greek dishes. They don’t have a specific gluten-free menu, so clear communication with your server is important. On our anniversary night I had penne bolognese with gluten-free pasta, Dylan had cavatelli with spicy sausage, and we enjoyed cocktails and gluten-free bread to start. It felt cozy and reassuring on a rainy January evening.

Downeast Cider

I finally visited Downeast Cider in East Boston. The taproom is popular and their seasonal flavors are beloved. Due to demand, they limit guests to one flight per person and no full pours as of January 2023. Dylan and I sampled several flavors; my favorite was the Tropical Smoothie cider and I also loved the Blackberry. It was a treat to share flights—something that feels special when you can safely share tastes as a celiac.

Maine Gluten-Free Eats

Below are the places we tried during our Portland, Maine day trip. Please note these are not 100% gluten-free facilities—use your best judgment and communicate your needs when dining out.

Holy Donut

Holy Donut is famous for potato-based donuts and offers a dedicated gluten-free room where those donuts are made. The company is transparent about the potential for airborne contamination in retail shops, so they recommend that people with severe gluten allergies decide carefully. I’ve had no issues; favorites this trip were Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and a chai-flavored donut that tasted like chai tea with vanilla frosting.

Elevation Burger

We found Elevation Burger on Find Me Gluten Free and approached the order carefully, discussing allergens and preparation with staff. They offered a sturdy gluten-free bun and a dedicated fryer for fries. Fast-casual burger joints require clear communication to prevent cross-contact; if you’re comfortable advocating for your needs, Elevation can be a good option for a quick, affordable meal by the water.

Alpine Club

When it’s cold, cozying up with a drink is ideal. The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club serves imaginative cocktails and warm hospitality. We sat by the window with drinks—Dylan with a neat cocktail and me with tea—before browsing shops and heading home at sunset.

TNF Reflections on January 2023

January felt heavy at times. Between grief and a sense that the season was nudging me toward rest, I experienced periods of feeling stuck. To work through that I leaned on journaling, meditation, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness.

Getting outside—snowfalls, disc golf, hikes, and short day trips—helped lift that feeling. Writing, connecting with members in the Confident Celiac Community, and talking with other celiacs online also provided purpose and support. I’m aiming for more nature, connection, and mindful practices in February.

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

Our Next Gluten-Free Travel Destination…

In February we’re headed to Portland, Oregon—a city known for having many celiac-friendly options. I’ll be scouting the gluten-free scene with Dylan and my sister-in-law Lindsay, planning snowshoeing, visits to the Columbia River Gorge, Cannon Beach, and exploring Portland’s food and drink offerings. I’ll arrive a few days early to scout restaurants so I can share a detailed recap next month.

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 keep doing them? Let me know in the comments.

Follow me on Instagram @thenomadicfitz for updates on where I’m traveling and what I’m eating.

Looking for more celiac travel posts?

Avoid common mistakes when dining out with celiac disease, get tips for flying with celiac, and find strategies for traveling with both celiac and IBS. You can also explore my gluten-free travel guides to Boston, New York, Madrid, Buenos Aires, and other destinations for more ideas and resources.