Your Chance at $1 Million.
Sign Up for Dormont Gazette’s Million Dollar Rochambeau™ to compete for a chance at $1,000,000!
Pittsburgh’s Gluten-Free Mt. Rushmore, Part 1
For those navigating Pittsburgh with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, dining out can be a game of 20 questions. Which menu items are safe? Is there a dedicated fryer? Can I trust the kitchen? Finding a restaurant that answers those questions with confidence is good. Finding one that’s also delicious, with a great atmosphere and a full bar, is monumental.
Welcome to the first installment of an ongoing series celebrating the absolute best-in-class, the titans of gluten-free dining in Pittsburgh. These are the places that don’t just offer a gluten-free option; they offer an experience so good you’d never know anything was missing. They are chosen for their exceptional food, inviting ambiance, and the deep level of trust they’ve earned from the celiac community. These are the restaurants that deserve to be carved in granite.
This is Pittsburgh’s OG Gluten-Free Mt. Rushmore.
The True Original: Mercurio’s Pizza & Gelato
There’s gluten-free pizza, and then there’s Mercurio’s. This family-owned eatery has achieved something of a holy grail: a gluten-free Neapolitan pizza crust that is more-or-less indistinguishable from its gluten-filled counterpart. It’s light, with the perfect chew and the signature leopard-spotting char from a blistering hot oven. This isn’t just a pizza; it’s a magic trick. They use a long fermentation process and imported Italian gluten-free flour, and the care they take with their gluten-free dough is legendary, earning them national recognition.
Step inside their Shadyside location and you’re immediately transported to a bustling pizzeria in Italy. The ambiance is warm and casually energetic, built around the roaring wood-fired oven and a gleaming gelato case. Mercurio’s also has a newer location in Fox Chapel. With a glass of wine in hand, you can confidently order nearly any pizza on the menu.
Although cooked in a shared oven without a protective tray, which would normally be a red flag, legions of loyalists have confirmed that they regularly enjoy the delicious pies without issue. Eat at your own risk and use caution, but it’s certainly worth a try. To finish, a scoop of their authentic, house-made gelato isn’t just a recommendation—it’s an essential part of the experience.
The Cool Kid: Mullett’s
Tucked onto the charming Beverly Road shops in Mt. Lebanon, Mullett’s has cultivated a reputation as a trendy, top-tier neighborhood bar that just happens to have a phenomenally gluten-free-friendly menu. This isn’t an afterthought; their whole menu is built around it.
A deep fryer and exclusively gluten free menu (regular buns for our gluten-eating friends upon request) means crispy, safe french fries and, more importantly, the ever elusive gluten-free fried chicken sandwich. It’s a masterpiece of texture and flavor that will make you forget every lackluster grilled chicken sandwich you’ve ever settled for.
The vibe at Mullett’s is intimate and stylish, with a focus on expertly crafted and unique cocktails that rotate seasonally and weekly. Their menu is a wide range of elevated bar food, from their famous fried provolone wheel to creative weekly specials that keep the locals coming back. It’s the perfect spot for a date night or a casual weeknight bite.
The Heavy Hitter: Fat Head’s Saloon
A South Side institution, Fat Head’s is loud, lively, and quintessential Pittsburgh. Their commitment to gluten-free dining is just as serious. Known for their massive, inventive sandwiches (affectionately called “Headwiches”), many of them can be made safely on gluten-free hoagie rolls. The real game-changers are crispy french fries and golden-brown tater tots, cooked in a dedicated fryer.
The atmosphere is pure, high-energy saloon, with an enormous and ever-changing list of craft beers on tap, including several gluten-free ciders and beers. It’s a place that buzzes with energy, and on some nights, the sound of live music. For anyone who has missed the simple pleasure of a great sandwich and fries washed down with a cold beer, Fat Head’s offers a welcome and delicious return to form.
The Modern Classic: Moonlit Burgers
What started as a cult-favorite pop-up on Friday nights on Beverly Road in Mt. Lebanon has blossomed into a burgeoning burger empire, and its original brick-and-mortar location in the heart of Dormont’s Potomac Avenue shopping district remains a must-visit. Moonlit’s genius is in its simplicity: perfectly crispy, lacy-edged smashburgers and shoestring fries. For the gluten-free crowd, they offer high-quality gluten-free buns and, crucially, a dedicated fryer for those crave-worthy fries.
The vibe is modern-diner cool, with a welcoming bar and the delightful bonus of serving Millie’s Homemade Ice-Cream’s beloved soft serve. It’s an ideal spot for a quick, satisfying meal that hits all the right notes. When ordering, be sure to skip their signature Moon Sauce, as it is not gluten-free, but plenty of other delicious toppings are available. From its pop-up roots to its current multi-location success, Moonlit has kept its focus on doing the simple things exceptionally well—and safely.
In a city with a culinary scene as rich as Pittsburgh’s, it takes something special to stand out. It requires a distinct point of view, a mastery of craft, and an atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. This is the first in a series celebrating the restaurants that have reached that monumental status—the places you recommend without hesitation to friends, family, and out-of-towners.
These are the spots that define what it means to have a great meal in the Steel City. They are chosen for their exceptional food, their undeniable vibe, and a passion that’s evident in every dish. And for those who need it, they also happen to be champions of gluten-free dining, executing it with the same care and quality they apply to everything else.
