By Amy Burkhart, MD, RD | Dr. Burkhart is the only physician in the United States who is also a registered dietitian and board-certified in integrative medicine.
What Is Kitava?
Kitava is a 100% gluten-free restaurant in San Francisco, California. It is also free of dairy, soy, corn, refined sugar, and peanuts. For those avoiding grains, rice is the only grain on the menu and appears in just a handful of dishes. Kitava can also accommodate an AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet, making it one of the most allergy and diet-friendly restaurants in the country.
I am giving it 10 thumbs up, two thumbs from every member of my family, including the kids, who declared it their new favorite restaurant on the spot!
Is Kitava Safe for People With Celiac Disease?
Yes. Kitava operates a 100% dedicated gluten-free kitchen, which means there is no risk of cross-contamination from shared fryers, prep surfaces, or gluten-containing ingredients. For people with celiac disease, this is the gold standard. It is the difference between hoping your food is safe and knowing it is.
For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, eating out can feel like navigating a minefield, with vague answers from servers, hidden gluten in sauces, and shared equipment. Kitava eliminates all of that. You can sit down, relax, and actually enjoy your meal. That alone is worth celebrating!
What Diets Does Kitava Accommodate?
Kitava is one of the rare restaurants that genuinely accommodates multiple dietary needs at once. Here is a quick breakdown:
Kitava is 100% free of:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Soy
- Corn
- Refined sugar
- Peanuts
Kitava is also suitable for:
- Celiac disease — dedicated gluten-free kitchen, zero cross-contamination risk
- Non-celiac gluten sensitivity — safe and stress-free dining
- AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet — can accommodate AIP needs
- Paleo diet — grain-free options throughout the menu; the only grain used is rice
- Vegan diet — fully plant-based options available
Whether you’re managing one dietary restriction or juggling several at the same time, Kitava has something for you. It is basically Disneyland for those of us on restricted diets and the food is genuinely delicious, not just “safe.”
Amy Burkhart MD RD
Why 100% Gluten-Free Restaurants Matter
Most restaurants that offer “gluten-free options” are not truly safe for people with celiac disease. Shared fryers, shared prep surfaces, and gluten-containing ingredients in the kitchen create cross-contamination risks that can trigger a reaction even when a dish appears to be gluten-free.
A 100% dedicated gluten-free restaurant like Kitava removes that risk entirely. No gluten ever enters the kitchen, which means every item on the menu is safe by default not just the items labeled “gluten-free.”
This is why, as a physician and dietitian specializing in celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, I only recommend restaurants with fully dedicated gluten-free kitchens for my patients with celiac disease.
Finding 100% Gluten-Free Restaurants Near You
Kitava is a gem but what about when you are traveling outside of San Francisco, planning a trip, or simply looking for safe options in your city?
That is exactly why I created my FREE Worldwide 100% Gluten-Free Restaurant Locator. Every restaurant listed in the guide operates a fully dedicated gluten-free kitchen to the same standard Kitava meets. No shared equipment, no hidden gluten, no guesswork. Just safe, delicious dining wherever you are.
I have personally vetted or carefully researched every entry in the locator, and I update it regularly. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, it is one of the most useful free tools I offer, and my readers tell me it is a game-changer for travel.
Planning a visit to Northern California wine country? Check out the Gluten-Free Dining Guide in Napa Valley for trusted local options right in our backyard.
Bookmark the 100% Gluten-Free Restaurant Locator and share it with anyone you know who eats gluten-free — it may be the most useful thing you share with them all year!
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitava
Is Kitava celiac-safe? Yes. Kitava is a 100% gluten-free restaurant with a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. There is no cross-contamination risk from shared equipment or shared preparation surfaces.
Is Kitava vegan? Yes, Kitava offers fully vegan options, and the restaurant is also free of dairy, soy, corn, refined sugar, and peanuts.
Can I eat at Kitava on an AIP diet? Yes. Kitava can accommodate an AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet. It is one of the few restaurants in San Francisco that explicitly supports AIP diners.
Does Kitava use any grains? The only grain used at Kitava is rice, and it appears in only a few dishes. The restaurant is otherwise grain-free, making it suitable for paleo and most grain-free diets.
Where is Kitava located? Kitava has multiple locations: San Francisco in the Mission District, San Francisco International Airport, Oakland, Albany, and, coming soon, Walnut Creek. Visit kitava.com for current hours and location details.
