Eating Gluten Free in San Diego: Complete Disney Cruise Port Guide [2026]

Last updated on August 20, 2026

With beautiful waterfront views, year-round sunshine, and an incredible food scene, San Diego is a great destination to explore before or after a Disney Cruise. Disney Cruise Line has offered sailings from San Diego for many years, making the city an important West Coast port for cruisers and a destination worth spending some extra time exploring.

During my visit to San Diego, I stayed at the InterContinental San Diego directly across from the cruise terminal. The location made it easy to explore the waterfront, Seaport Village, Little Italy, and other nearby areas — many of which are also convenient for Disney Cruise Line guests spending time in San Diego before or after a sailing.

And, of course, I tried plenty of gluten free food along the way! During my visit, I found everything from 100% gluten free Mexican food and gluten free vegan ravioli to smoothie bowls, cider, and some seriously good gluten free fried food.

In this guide, I'm sharing my firsthand experiences eating gluten free in San Diego, along with a few additional restaurants that are on our list for a future visit. Whether you're spending a few days in San Diego before or after a Disney Cruise or simply planning a Southern California vacation, I hope my experiences make planning your own gluten free San Diego adventure a little easier.

Sarah with Gluten Free Fried Options at Bivouac Ciderworks in San Diego / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

Before You Go: Planning Your Gluten Free Visit to San Diego

I found San Diego relatively easy to navigate gluten free, with a good mix of dedicated gluten free restaurants and restaurants offering gluten free options. Since I only had a few days in the city, I did some research ahead of time to narrow down the places I most wanted to try.

**Do Pre-Cruise Research**

Before my trip, I spent some time researching gluten free dining options in San Diego. I reviewed restaurant websites and menus, YouTube videos, social media, blogs, and gluten free food apps to put together a list of potential restaurants and backup options.

I found it particularly helpful to organize potential restaurants around where I planned to be each day. For Disney Cruise Line guests, there are plenty of options near the waterfront, downtown, and Little Italy, but having a few restaurants saved in other neighborhoods can be helpful if your San Diego plans take you farther from this area.

Where I Ate in San Diego

I had several days in San Diego and tried to fit in as many of the places on my list as I could. Of course, I didn't get to everything, but I managed to fit in quite a few gluten free meals and found some real standouts along the way. My favorites were the 100% gluten free taquitos at El Tianguis and all the gluten free fried food at Bivouac Ciderworks.

I also found some great options closer to the waterfront and my hotel, which could be especially convenient if you're visiting San Diego before or after a Disney Cruise and staying in that area.

Here’s where I ate gluten free during my time in San Diego and what I thought of each experience.

Malibu Farm at Seaport Village

Sometimes the best meals are the ones you don't plan! Malibu Farm wasn't originally on my list of restaurants to visit in San Diego. I had actually planned to grab tacos at Puesto, but without a reservation, they were too busy to accommodate me. So, I wandered around Seaport Village looking for another option and ended up at Malibu Farm.

It turned out to be a great change of plans. Located right along the waterfront, Malibu Farm has a relaxed coastal atmosphere with beautiful ocean views and an emphasis on fresh, healthful food. Seaport Village itself gave me major Amity Island from Jaws vibes…thankfully, without the shark problems!

Gluten Free Shrimp Tacos from Malibu Farm / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

I ordered the gluten free blackened shrimp tacos, served on queso tortillas with shredded fresh cabbage and cilantro, along with black beans, cilantro cream, and vegetables. The tacos were fresh and flavorful, and I loved having all of the vegetables and lighter sides with the meal.

I paired everything with their seasonal Old Fashioned, which featured stone fruit and was absolutely delicious. Between the fresh food, great cocktail, ocean views, and laid-back atmosphere, Malibu Farm ended up being one of those unexpected finds that I was really glad I stumbled across.

El Tianguis Rolled Taquitos

El Tianguis was at the very top of my list of places to eat in San Diego, and I'm happy to say it was absolutely worth the trip. The restaurant is 100% gluten free, and they don’t use products with peanuts or tree nuts.

Unlike some of the restaurants I visited around the waterfront and downtown, El Tianguis is a little farther out. I took a rideshare from my hotel, and it was definitely a bit of a hike. The restaurant itself is an unassuming fast-casual spot in a strip mall, but don't let that fool you. This ended up being one of my favorite meals of the trip.

Gluten Free Taquitos from El Tianguis / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

The menu focuses on rolled taquitos with several different fillings. I couldn't choose just one, so I tried the California with shredded beef, potato, and cheese; the chicken with tomatillo sauce; and the potato with mashed golden potato. All three were crispy, filling, and absolutely delicious, but as a potato lover, the potato taquitos were easily my favorite. I honestly could have eaten an entire plate of just those! The regular taquitos are served with sour cream, shredded cheese, cotija cheese, cabbage, pico de gallo, and guacamole, with salsa on the side. If you’re dairy free or vegan, they have options that can be easily modified too.

Gluten Free Churros from El Tianguis / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

And definitely save room for dessert. I also ordered Manny's Churros with chocolate sauce, which were so, so good. Gluten free churros aren't something you can find that often, so getting taquitos and churros at a completely gluten free restaurant made the trek out here more than worth it.

El Tianguis would be an especially good fast-casual lunch option if you're planning to visit Balboa Park or the San Diego Zoo. It's only a short drive from that area, so pairing the two could make more sense than making a special trip from the cruise terminal just for lunch.

Buon Appetito

I stumbled across Buon Appetito Restaurant somewhat unexpectedly while exploring San Diego's Little Italy. I had originally planned to eat at Ironside Fish & Oyster, but with no reservations available, I wandered around the neighborhood and was able to get a walk-up table at Buon Appetito.

I ended up having a lovely al fresco dinner along India Street. It was a little chilly that evening, but the heat lamps kept things cozy and it was a great spot to take in the atmosphere of Little Italy.

Gluten Free & Vegan Ravioli from Buon Appetito / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

I was also impressed with their gluten free options. When I visited, I was told that their gluten free pasta is cooked in dedicated pasta water to help prevent cross-contamination. I ordered the vegan and gluten free ravioli with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil. It was light but so flavorful; I honestly didn't miss the dairy at all.

Gluten Free Burrata & Prosciutto from Buon Appetito / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

I also had the burrata with prosciutto appetizer, which was delicious. Sadly, there wasn't any gluten free bread to go with it, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it! And, of course, what's an Italian dinner without some wine? They had a nice selection of Italian wines available by the glass or bottle.

**Pro Tip:**

Before or after your meal, it's also worth popping into The Market by Buon Appetito right next door. I found several Italian gluten free products there plus bottles of wine, which was a fun little bonus while exploring Little Italy.

Bivouac Ciderworks

Bivouac Ciderworks was an absolute favorite from my San Diego trip and one I'd happily make a special trip to visit again. I ate at their North Park Restaurant + Bar, which is definitely a hike from the waterfront and cruise terminal. I took a rideshare there, but for me, it was completely worth it.

North Park has a totally different feel from the waterfront and downtown areas. The neighborhood is quirky and fun, and Bivouac fits right in. The restaurant has an outdoorsy, camping-inspired vibe, complete with booths featuring swing-style benches.

Gluten Free Fried Shrimp and Fries from Bivouac Ciderworks / Photo ©️ Gluten Free Disney Cruise

The gluten free food was the real highlight. When I visited, almost the entire menu could be made gluten free, and they had dedicated fryers. That meant so much gluten free fried food! I ordered the cider-fried shrimp with cider aioli and fancy fries, and everything was absolutely delicious. Next time, I'm definitely trying the gluten free fried chicken sandwich or chicken tenders.

Of course, I couldn't visit a ciderworks without trying the hard cider. I ordered a flight of three and accidentally ended up with a bonus fourth when I was initially given the wrong flavor. No complaints from me! The ciders were fantastic.

The servers were knowledgeable about gluten free dining, and there's even a shop next door where you can pick up cider to take with you. It's a longer rideshare from the cruise terminal, but between the food, cider, and fun North Park atmosphere, Bivouac was absolutely worth the trip.

Choice Juicery

For an easy gluten free breakfast near the cruise terminal, Choice Juicery was a convenient option. The menu is 100% gluten free, with smoothies, smoothie bowls, juices, and other lighter options.

I stopped in for breakfast and ordered a smoothie bowl, which was a nice change of pace from some of my heavier meals in San Diego. They were out of a few items when I visited, including some of the grab-and-go cookies I had hoped to try, but I still had plenty of options to choose from.

The location I visited was in Little Italy and roughly a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal area, making it especially convenient if you're staying near the waterfront. If you're looking for a quick breakfast before starting your day, or just want an easy 100% gluten free option, Choice Juicery is a good one to keep in mind.

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Of course, coffee is an essential part of travel…at least for me! While exploring Little Italy, I stopped at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, a local San Diego coffee roaster with several locations around the city.

Other Gluten Free Friendly Restaurants in San Diego

Of course, I couldn't fit every restaurant on my list into one trip! Here are a few other San Diego spots I had researched and considered visiting.

Nectarine Grove: A 100% gluten free restaurant and bakery with locations in Encinitas and Del Mar. The menu includes breakfast, baked goods, sandwiches, bowls, and more. This one was high on my list, but the locations were a bit too far from where I was staying.
Phatties Bake Shop: A gluten free and vegan bakery with donuts, cookies, scones, bagels, cakes, savory options, and more. This is definitely one I'd like to try on a future visit.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery: A popular breakfast and brunch spot with gluten free options, including pancakes. Since it isn't a dedicated gluten free restaurant, be sure to ask about current preparation and cross-contamination procedures.
Gaslamp Breakfast Company: A convenient downtown breakfast and brunch option I had considered while staying near the waterfront. I'd recommend confirming their current gluten free options and preparation procedures before visiting.

Eating Gluten Free in San Diego Made Easy

Overall, I found San Diego pretty easy to navigate gluten free, and I had some really memorable meals during my visit. If you're spending a few days in San Diego before or after a Disney Cruise, don't be afraid to explore beyond the immediate cruise terminal area. Little Italy is easy to reach from the waterfront, while places like El Tianguis and Bivouac Ciderworks were well worth the rideshare for me.

I still have plenty of places on my list for the next time I'm in San Diego, but between the 100% gluten free spots, casual options, and restaurants closer to the waterfront, I had no trouble finding plenty to eat during this trip.

As always, menus, ingredients, and restaurant procedures can change, so be sure to confirm current options and discuss your individual dietary needs directly with the restaurant before ordering.

Want to learn more about our Disney Cruise Line gluten free food adventures? Be sure to check out our Destinations page to explore other places that we have been and what we ate at those locations gluten free.