If you have food restrictions such as a vegan diet or have celiac disease, it can be frustrating to go out to a nice meal only to find there isn’t one thing you can have on the menu. Luckily in Port Townsend there are many tasty and locally-sourced options if you have a food allergy or restriction.

These are five of my favorite restaurants, and a bonus vegan ice creamery, for gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian diets.

Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar

In addition to a delicious glass of wine, enjoy a wide variety of Mediterranean gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes at Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar.

With options like Stuffed Peppers (V), Roasted Red Pepper Manicotti (V), and a Farm-Fresh Risotto (GF) made with local ingredients. Vegans, don’t worry! Many of the vegetarian offerings can be easily modified by requesting no dairy.

One of my favorite Vegetarian salads in Port Townsend is Alchemy’s Pan-Salad, a rustic bread salad with tomatoes, capers, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and organic lettuce topped with a delicious cilantro oil.

Silverwater Cafe

Silverwater Cafe makes it easy for patrons with dietary needs by noting vegetarian and gluten-free dishes on the menu and suggesting modifications to make certain dishes gluten-free or vegetarian.

Wanting to order the Lemon Olive and Herb Roasted Chicken? To make this dish gluten-free decline the bread and croutons ask for a gluten-free pasta substitution. Vegetarians and vegans will enjoy dishes like the Spinach and Roasted Beet Salad and Sesame Snap Peas.

Heading to the Starlight Room to catch a movie? Silverwater Cafe provides the small foods menu, desserts, and cocktails to eat before or during the movie.

Owl Spirit Cafe

Owl Spirit Cafe is a must visit for anyone with a gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diet. In addition to offering a wide variety of foods for everyone, the cafe prides itself on serving delicious, handmade food made with local and organic ingredients.

Owl Spirit Cafe has an extensive menu of sandwiches, wraps, burgers, burritos, and more (including deserts!) and is open for lunch and dinner. Enjoy a Reuben or Tuna Melt Sandwich made with gluten-free bread, veggie wrap, or taco bowl. Finish off the meal with a Orange Caramel Creme Brulee (GF).

Reveille at the Commons

Fort Worden is a must-see when you are in Port Townsend. Explore tidepools on Kinzie Beach and hike trails leading you through the woods, beach, and historic military bunkers. After your Fort Worden adventure, enjoy a meal at Revielle located in the Fort Worden Commons (or grab a drink and a snack at Taps at the Guardhouse, situated in a historic jail on the property!)

Revielle (aka “wake up” in French) highlights the food of the Pacific-Northwest with french flair serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Savor delectable dishes including Grilled Asparagus Salad (V/GF), Vegetable Stack (V, GF), and Canonelloni (V). And bonus, during Sunday Brunch from 8am to 2pm, Revielle offers bottomless mimosas for $6!

Lehani’s Eat Local Cafe

Right below the With These Rings studio is Lehani’s Eat Local Cafe. Lehani’s always has quick gluten-free and vegan offerings like soups (two soups prepared daily - both GF and one V/GF) and muffins (GF). Lehani’s only uses organic ingredients in their farm-fresh soups, salads, sandwiches/wraps, and addditional deli offerings.

Lehani’s caters to those with dietary restrictions and is open for breakfast and lunch. The deli menu changes daily but expect dishes including breakfast wraps, polenta pie, savory croissants, and a wide variety of sandwiches.

Bonus: Fiddlehead Creamery

What is dinner without dessert? Well, in Port Townsend, we a have a wide variety of vegan desserts but none quite like Fiddlehead Creamery - a vegan ice creamery. Fiddlehead offers vegan, seasonal ice creams and updates their frozen offerings frequently. Owner and chef, Amanda Thieroff, is a vegan chef and educator who handmakes each batch of ice cream herself.

Fiddlehead Creamery offers classic ice cream flavors like chocolate and mint chip, but venture to try something truly unique like Avocado Mint Chip or Cardamom Rose. You can pick up a pink Fiddlehead Creamery at the Port Townsend Co-op, and occasionally grab a scoop at the PT Farmers Market and Finnriver Farm & Cidery.