What’s Gluten Free at Denver International Airport (DIA)?

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This article is dedicated to helping you find out what’s gluten free at Denver International Airport (DIA).

Traveling is already challenging enough, but for those of us who are gluten-challenged, trying to find safe dining options is even harder and sometimes downright frustrating!

So if you’re gluten free, and traveling through Denver’s airport, here are a few gluten-free food options for you to consider.

First, if you’re lucky enough to be in the C concourse (I’m there often because I like to fly Southwest), you’ve hit the gluten-free goldmine. The C concourse is home to two healthy restaurants that cater to gluten-free eaters, Root Down and Modern Market, and it’s home to another local treasure, Smashburger.

Even if you’re not in concourse C, you can simply take the train, grab a bite to eat, and head back to your terminal. It’s worth the extra time and effort, especially if you’re hungry.

Here are a few restaurants that I know will take care of you if you’re gluten free and eating your way through DIA:

Root Down at DIA

Root Down is a hip and fun restaurant in Denver (a wonderful date night restaurant) that offers American fare with a global spin. The majority of its ingredients are locally sourced too.

Root Down’s DIA location includes plenty of gluten-free options. In fact, about a good chunk of the items on the menu can be made gluten free by request.

You can enjoy Thai Carrot Curry or Pozole soup, a variety of fresh salads, delicious bento boxes, along with burgers, tacos or chicken. There truly are so many options for the gluten-free customer.

Root Down also has a gluten-free Chocolate Bomb (almond flour brownie for dessert). Not bad for airport food, right?

If you’re looking for something gluten-free at Denver International Airport, definitely give Root Down a try. There are plenty of grab-and-go options (although many of those contain gluten, beware), as well as sit-down-and-kill-some-time options.

You’ll also feel healthy after eating here as this menu is fresh, healthy and full of delicious options that won’t leave you feeling bloated, tired and sick!

Modern Market

Modern Market is a Denver-based fast-casual restaurant that offers a variety of fresh and fast foods and much healthier options than you’d find at your typical airport fast food restaurant. You can find Modern Market in both Concourses B and C.

Modern Market uses simple, whole ingredients in its foods, and gluten-free customers can choose from delicious soups, generous salads, and savory grain bowls (both grain bowls on the DIA menu – Lemongrass Pork Bowl and Heirloom Rice Bowl – are gluten free). The menu is seasonal, so watch for changes.

If you are from Denver and have been lucky enough to eat a Modern Market outside of the airport, you know that you can get gluten-free pizza at Modern Market. However, the DIA location does not have the gluten-free pizza at this time. (Even if they did, you must be careful of cross contamination in the preparation of your pizza.)

If you’re looking for a quick, healthy and fresh option while eating gluten-free at Denver International Airport, be sure to give Modern Market a try.

Smashburger

Smashburger is open for business in Concourse C and offers plenty of gluten-free options. In case you haven’t heard of Smashburger, it’s a fast casual burger restaurant with locations throughout Colorado.

You can order up tasty burgers (lettuce wrapped or with a gluten-free bun) at Smashburger. The bun is actually a gluten-free pretzel bun by Udi’s (I prefer lettuce wrapped for a healthier treat – but the option for a GF bun is available at Smashburger). 

Double check the allergen menu at the airport, but most Smashburger restaurants have a dedicated fryer for French fries, so you can enjoy both regular and sweet potato fries at Smashburger. (I’m unsure if the DIA fryer is dedicated; inquire within).

If you’re looking for a savory, juicy gluten-free burger while awaiting your flight at Denver International Airport, be sure to put Smashburger to the taste test.

Chick-fil-A

Inside Concourse B, you’ll find a trusty Chick-fil-a, where you can order some grilled chicken and fries. While most Chick-fil-a restaurants have a dedicated French fry fryer, you’ll need to inquire if the DIA location has a dedicated fryer as well before eating them.

Qdoba

You can also enjoy gluten-free burrito bowls and salads from Qdoba, another beloved Colorado restaurant similar to Chipotle. Qdoba is located in Concourse B.

Garbanzo Fresh Mediterranean

Also in the B Concourse you’ll find Garbanzo Fresh Mediterranean, a beloved Colorado fast-casual restaurant that offers plenty of gluten-free options. The falafels are fried and gluten free (inquire within to be extra certain), and you can order a hummus plate with plenty of fixings.

Read more about how I order at Garbanzo and what gluten-free items the restaurant has to offer in this article.

Gluten-Free Snacks at DIA

If you’re looking to eat that’s gluten free at Denver International Airport after hours (i.e., everything is closed or nothing sounds good), there are also plenty of options for snacks.

Look for gluten-free chips, bars, nuts, seeds, jerky and of course, whole fruit.

My go-to snack is often an apple with portable peanut butter from Justin’s. Stay away from the tempting junk food that will leave you feeling sluggish and unsatisfied.

As always, when traveling, be sure to pack plenty of your own snacks, just in case you get stuck on a plane or hunger strikes. I have a complete list of portable gluten-free snack ideas on my website that you should definitely read!!

You’ll also find plenty of Starbucks and Caribou Coffees to keep you caffeinated, and many have some packaged gluten-free snacks you can pick up too.

An in both Concourse B and C, you’ll find Jamba Juice, where you can alway indulge on a fruit smoothie.

Safe Travels

New restaurants are opening at DIA all the time. Be sure to search the Dine at DIA website for the latest in gluten-free dining options.

If you discover a restaurant not included on this list, please leave me a comment or contact me so I can add it.

Also, please note that due to Covid-19, many restaurant hours are limited. This is why you should always bring your own food, just in case there’s nothing open and gluten-free safe for you to eat. I’ve got some great portable gluten-free snack suggestions for you in this article.

Visiting Denver?

Refer to my list of the best gluten-free restaurants in Denver.

Also visit (and support) these amazing gluten-free bakeries in Denver.