A Gluten Free Guide to Wollongong by Ashley Hally-Burton
Wollongong local Ashley Hally-Burton shares her favourite gluten free destinations for the NSW South Coast city!
GUEST BLOG: Ashley Hally-Burton
I’m Ashley – born and bred in Wollongong, married mum of two daughters (my 8-year-old coeliac and my 4-year-old happily along for the gf ride). Before we dive in, a quick note on what this guide isn’t. It’s not a list of the fanciest gluten-free restaurants in the ‘Gong. Those places are brilliant – and one day my daughter may eat sashimi – but we’re just not there yet. GF kids (in most cases) want nuggets, chips, donuts and simple pasta. But they also need separate fryers and prep areas.
Our family’s approach? Prioritise safety without sacrificing fun. We picnic. We eat out…occasionally. We try not to hover in a constant state of panic. Because as serious as coeliac disease is, life is still for living. And thankfully, Wollongong is packed with places that make that possible.
Here are the spots we lean on again and again.
Yo-Chi
Probably the trendiest place on this list – you’ll know it by the queue of Gen Z wrapping around the block. A self-serve frozen yoghurt bar, most flavours are naturally gluten-free, the toppings are clearly labelled and the staff are switched-on about allergens. My daughter usually builds some elaborate creation involving Nutella, raspberry coulis and popping pearls. You pay by weight and leave on a sugar high.
Glory Days
For stunning gluten free fish and chips, drop in on Glory Days
They have gf scallops! Need I say more? Glory Days is proper old-school fish and chips with a dedicated fryer for gluten-free orders. Most things can be made gf (their chef is coeliac!) – battered fish, chips, burgers, fried chicken. Eat in or grab takeaway and wander to the beach.
J.Winnfield
Our emergency nugget-and-chips provider. When we end up at a pub chosen by friends with no separate fryer, we do a dash to J.Winnfield. Fifteen minutes later, our daughter has tenders and chips that are safe and often better than the pub option anyway. The truck sits permanently outside Principle Brewing, serving up burgers, fries, fried chicken and wings. The food is great, the team is lovely and almost the entire menu is gluten-free (they offer gf buns too). They barely advertise their gf-ness, but it’s a gem.
Pizza Jet
Every family has their pizza place – this is ours. The gf base is genuinely good, they have a separate prep area and trays, and the gf boxes are clearly labelled. We order online, select “GF base” and cruise through drive-thru pick-up. It’s our tired Friday night go-to, and it’s never let us down.
Gringa
Find great food and family atmosphere at Gringa Wollongong
A unicorn: 100% gluten-free and delicious. Gringa sits next to Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine in Tarrawanna and offers tacos, nachos, chicken bites, breakfast, desserts and weekly specials. The tacos are generous and flavour-packed. My girls love the corn chips, dips and chicken bites. The brewery vibe is great too – live music, trivia, friendly staff. When coeliac comes to stay and spontaneity packs its bags, places like this feel like a gift.
Grill’d
Great for a shopping day in town. Grill’d does gluten-free really well: all their chips are gf, as are their sides - onion rings, chicken bites, tenders and sauces. My girls get the “mini me chicken bites” kids pack, and the staff at the Wollongong Central store are always diligent – changing gloves, double-checking prep, making sure we feel comfortable. Simple, easy, reliable.
Kneading Ruby
The most “grown-up” spot on this list, and one I love with or without my coeliac daughter. Kneading Ruby is modern Italian – generous, warm and polished without being pretentious. They handle dietary needs beautifully and always ask about them upfront, which removes that feeling of being a burden. My daughter has happily eaten pizza, pasta and even the polenta chips here. Great for celebrations, work lunches and family dinners that feel a bit special.
OMG Donuts
Find your nearest OMG Donut pop up around Wollongong
Anyone gluten-free knows the joy of spotting that teal and pink tent at the markets. These donuts have won major baking awards – blind-tasted – so the judges had no idea they were gluten-free. They pop up all over Wollongong (Crown St markets especially). They freeze well and revive beautifully in the microwave. A lifesaver. Hot tip - become a member of Coeliac Australia, and you’ll get a voucher for a free OMG Donut on your birthday.
Figtree Bakery
A blessing. A miracle. The legends behind The Bistro on Beaton (RIP) now run Figtree Bakery and stock it with gluten-free treats baked off-site in a dedicated gf kitchen. Vanilla slice, pies, sausage rolls, lamingtons, cheesecakes, mini pizzas – the works. If you need a gf option for a school event or birthday that doesn’t scream “substitute”, this is your place. The gf cabinet is separate and the staff know their stuff. So glad to have these guys back.
Feelin’ Chipper
GF Eats now has a re-brand with Feelin’ Chipper in Figtree
No Wollongong gluten-free guide is complete without Feelin’ Chipper. Formerly GF Eats, now in Figtree, still 100% gluten-free. People travel for this place. Burgers, schnitties, loaded fries, fish, thickshakes, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes – plus a freezer range that’s perfect for last-minute “I need a gf option right now” moments. This place has saved us more times than I can count.
Final thoughts
Gluten-free life with kids is tricky – they want simple, predictable, friend-approved food. Wollongong’s gf options have come a long way in the past few years, and with the places above, my daughter still gets to join in, eat what the other kids eat and feel included.
And one day, I might be able to include Balinese, Thai, Indian and Japanese on this list.
