If you find yourself in Chelsea at anytime of the day or night, you have to check out Cafeteria. Cafeteria, sister restaurant to one of my favorites, Delicatessen in SoHo, is especially great for late night eats as it is open 24/7. Yes, that means you can go in the morning for a yummy brunch, or at 4am for some late night food! Ever since it opened, Cafeteria has been pulling in crowds, especially late at night, and on first glance, you might think the restaurant is a club. Don’t let the bouncer fool you; Cafeteria is not a club, it’s a restaurant and there are plenty of gluten free options to satisfy your late night cravings…
Let’s begin with brunch. There are many gluten free options, including your typical omelettes and scrambled eggs. I always order the egg white omelette and fill it with spinach, avocado, and onions. If you are looking to try something more dynamic, I recommend the green eggs and ham, which consists of scrambled eggs with pesto and goat cheese and country ham steak; this is 100% gluten free as long as you ask for no buttermilk biscuit. For dinner, I recommend the roasted halibut with cauliflower puree. On my last visit to Cafeteria, I ordered the baby spinach salad with maple glazed pancetta, soft poached egg, charred mushrooms and mustard seed dressing and it was delicious! Of course, I ordered the truffle parmesan fries on the side and they were especially yummy; however, the fries are subject to cross contamination so if you are sensitive I suggest skipping the fries. Cafeteria also has many decadent items on the menu, but sadly many of these items are not gluten free such as the mac and cheese spring rolls, and their “signature” items including the chicken and waffles, biscuits, and fried oreos.
Fun scene, and even better food; it’s no wonder why Cafeteria has become such a staple NYC hotspot. Cafeteria is a great for everything from brunch to late night eats and although much of the menu is not nobread approved, I always enjoy my experiences at Cafeteria. Most importantly, the waitstaff is more than willing to help and accommodate anyone with gluten allergies and they are knowledgeable of the menu. I’ll definitely be back at Cafeteria soon, probably for a late night bite; this is something everyone must experience at least once!