York, Maine

I recently got back from my first family vaction with my son. I went to a place that is very close to my heart: York, Maine.

I went every year as a child with my cousins and have such great memories. I then brought my husband there and it becmae our special place, too. We got engaged there and would always visit once a year.

Most of the meals were made in our AirBnb but there were some notable places I went to, especially for ice cream!

Lovebirds Craft Donuts

Kittery, Maine (and Portsmouth, NH)

First up, I HAD to take a trip to Lovebirds Craft Donuts in Kittery. These are the BEST gluten-free donuts I have ever had. They make them in a dedicated part of the kitchen and use a dedicated gluten-free fryer. Their website says they are "celiac safe" but does have the disclaimer as CC could always be possible. Every time I go to Maine, I need to stop here. This time was no exception!

Their June Specials were: Cinnastick, Cosmic Brownie, Chocolate Glazed, and Strawberry Shortcake.

This was also my brother's first time having a gluten-free donut, and he just got diagnosed with celiac disease. They did NOT disappoint!

Please note: I did recieve these donuts as compensation for my review and promotion. However, the opinions are all my own! I have had them many times and love them.

York Harbor Inn

York, Maine

I did not get any pictures here since I was on a date with my husband (with a baby there are not many of those moments)!

The menu for the York Harbor Inn was clearly marked with a star if it was gluten-free or could be made gluten-free. The server we had was really knowledgeable about the menu, gluten, and if she was not sure about ingredients, she would check with the kitchen. They also had delicious mocktails. I had a blueberry lemonade and a non-alcoholic sangria, and both were so delicious. If you do drink, they had so many cocktails too!

We started off by splitting the mussels provencal and artichoke dip. The tortilla chips for the dip were from a bag and she assured me they were gluten-free. The mussels come with bread (which we opted out of, obviously) and oh my gosh, the sauce in the mussels is so incredible. I did drink some of it since I did not have any bread to soak it up!

For dinner, I got Pan Seared Caper Scallops. They came with creamed corn, which I substituted for a veggie of my choice (asparagus), and it was so tasty! The scallops were perfectly cooked and full of flavor.

They also offer gluten-free flatbread; however, they were out of it when I went, so I did not ask any questions regarding safety.

Village Scoop

York, Maine

My first visit was truly enjoyable! Their menu clearly indicates which flavors are gluten-free, they use a separate scoop for allergies, and they have a binder listing all the ice creams and their ingredients. I asked about a peanut butter flavor, which is my favorite and doesn't always have gluten, so I asked why, and they referred to the binder!

They make their own gluten free cones and they are kept in a separate container from the other cones.

The first time I went, they had an extra tub of ice cream in the back they scooped from with the allergy scoop and she washed her hands before handling my ice cream.

However, I went back a second time and they told me they can not get a new tub of ice cream. I ended up walking out and not getting ice cream the second time.

Wild Willy's

York, Maine (and Rochester, NH)

I've been visiting this place since childhood, and it always evokes many joyful memories.

Wild Willy's offers a gluten-free menu, with 2 burgers and 2 chicken sandwiches available gluten-free. Initially, I had a specific craving, but I appreciate their effort to keep those two burgers separate to reduce cross-contact. They offer various types of fries, cooked in a dedicated fryer, ensuring they are safe as well. Everything is clearly marked and labeled as gluten-free when served.

This is my go-to spot whenever I'm in the area. I didn't take any photos because I was enjoying the moment with my family.

Wicked Good

York, Maine

I ended up visiting this place three times. On one occasion, I didn't order anything because they were out of ice cream and extra tubs, and I wasn't in the mood for soft serve. I also went during a heat wave at the start of summer! The other two visits were incredibly positive! The staff was very knowledgeable about which flavors were gluten-free, and if they were unsure, they would check. They also had a list of extra tubs available in the back to choose from, and they even offered two different flavors! Their gluten-free cones were kept separate from the regular ones. They also informed me that the soft serve flavors they blend together pose a high risk of cross-contact since they use the same mixer as the Oreo/cookie mix-ins (similar to blizzard-style ice creams), but the vanilla, chocolate, and twist were safe.

The flavors my brother and I, who also has celiac, tried included Moose Tracks, Peanut Butter 180, and chocolate. They had many more gluten-free flavors, but only a few were available in a fresh tub in the back. It was a busy time due to the heat wave at the start of summer! Nonetheless, despite the crowds, they took excellent care of us, and we both felt safe. The person who scooped my brother's ice cream accidentally broke the cone, and when she handed it to him, she assured him that if there were chunks in the ice cream, it was because the cones kept breaking.

The Goldenrod

York, Maine

Now I just got the saltwater taffy from here since it is the BEST saltwater taffy! You can literally watch them make it in the window. The taffy is all made right there. They do not use any gluten-containing ingredients. Nothing but taffy is made on this equipment.

Such a great trip and so many delicious sweet treats!

As always, ensure you conduct your own research and ask your own questions. Places may alter protocols at any time. This reflects my personal experience and comfort level dining out with celiac.