If you’re planning a New Zealand road trip and you’re gluten free (or coeliac like me 👋), Wanaka and Te Anau are two absolute dream stops. Lakeside chilling, stunning views, AND food you can actually eat without living in fear??
Here’s how it went down 👇
Note: These 2 stops were part of a longer (almost 3 weeks!) road trip – to check out other recommendations read my other blog posts here.
Wanaka: Beach hangs, pies, and the best brunch 😍
First stop — Doughbin Bakery. Gluten free pies!! I repeat, gluten free pies!!! 🥧 (An essential New Zealand experience, don’t @ me.) I grabbed one and took it straight down to the lake because honestly… could it be more iconic?
It was in the same counter as the gluten pies but packaged in plastic… so maybe just don’t lick your fingers.
After pie time, we did all the classic Wanaka things – sat on the beach, people watched those kayaking around the lake (highly recommend actually doing if you don’t mind getting a bit damp 😂), and of course, snapped a pic of the famous That Wanaka Tree. You have to, it’s basically a rule. We tried to capture one where it looked like we were holding the tree in our hands because we saw a couple do it and it looked very cool… I don’t think we fully quite replicated the coolness of it though.
Highlight of the trip though? Brunch at Scroggin’s Café and Eatery. I am NOT kidding when I say this place was a gluten free goldmine. They could coeliac-safe nearly the whole menu (!!) and the food was unreal.
I got the eggs benedict on a potato rosti with sausage and I’m still thinking about it. Also tried the waffles (because balance) and grabbed an orange and date scone to-go. And bless them, they heated it up properly in a separate slate oven, not the cross-contaminated toaster of doom. 🥲
Small warning: it was PACKED at 11am on a Sunday, so we ended up sitting outside. But honestly… 10/10, would wait again.
Te Anau: More lake views, more gluten free wins 🏞️
Te Anau is another tiny lake town but it’s seriously cute. Lots of places had “GF” marked on the menu (although you always have to ask about coeliac safety) – but we played it safe and hit up Ditto.
And wow. Ditto was next level. Pretty much their whole menu could be done gluten free, properly. Like, separate fryers and everything 🙌.
The chicken karaage and crispy tofu were next level crispy, and if you’re missing out on bao buns (cry), they’ll swap it out for a crepe or a lettuce wrap – and honestly the crepe slapped.
PLUS they had gluten free beer from Wanaka’s b.effect brewery 🍻 – and it was actually good. Like, normal people beer good. Life = made.
TL;DR:
Wanaka and Te Anau = certified gluten free paradise 🥹🌟.
Massive lakes, chill vibes, gluten free pies in Wanaka and gluten free bowls in Te Anau. Add them to your NZ itinerary immediately.
