Food intolerances can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Fortunately, Block Island offers a variety of delicious options for those who are gluten-free, vegetarian, or simply health-conscious. Below, we highlight the best spots to eat clean without sacrificing flavor.
Persephone’s is beloved for their smoothie bowls, whether you’re grabbing one to go or indulging with granola and fruit. They also offer gluten-free granola and bread as substitutes for options across the menu.
Smoothie and Bowl options:
- Blush: Strawberry, blueberry, banana, grape juice
- Golden: Pineapple, mango, banana, coconut milk
- Buttercup: Almond butter, cacao, kale, banana, almond milk
- Envy: Pineapple, kale, banana, lime juice, honey, coconut milk
Toasts to try:
- Goat cheese & tomato
- Ricotta, honey & sea salt
- Almond butter, strawberry, & agave
- Nutella & banana
- Avocado, radish & sea salt
Another standout is their Vegan Rancheros, a plant-based take on the traditional dish. It features black bean quinoa, avocado mash, salsa fresca, cilantro, and lime. (The non-vegan version includes cheddar cheese and a fried egg.)
Planning a nice family dinner? Kimberly’s is a great choice, with numerous gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly dishes.
Vegetable Pasta
Sautéed vegetables with garlic, olive oil, and basil served over linguine.
Gluten-Free Fresh Salads:
- Watermelon Feta Salad: Watermelon, feta, strawberries, mixed greens
- Beet Salad with Roasted Asparagus: Roasted red peppers with goat cheese, balsamic dressing
The Beachhead is another wonderful option for a family dinner, offering an array of seafood and entrees. Below, we gathered a few gluten-free options that stood out!
Health-Conscious Picks:
- Grilled Asparagus: Grilled fresh asparagus, with extra virgin olive oil, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese
- Beachhead Waldorf Salad: Mixed field greens, sundried cranberries, wasabi peas, fresh apples, blue cheese crumble, balsamic vinaigrette
- Veggie Rice Bowl: Summer vegetables, teriyaki sauce, pickled vegetables, sushi rice
The Mohegan Restaurant and Bar
With a prime location on the main strip, The Mohegan lets you enjoy coastal views while dining. Menu items are marked as gluten-free (GF) or gluten-free optional (GFO), making it easy to choose wisely.
Recommended Dishes:
- Greek Salad (gf, v): Mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoni, feta cheese, kalamata olives, red onion, red wine vinaigrette
- Tuna Tataki (gfo): Seared rare sesame crusted yellow fin tuna, over mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrot straws, crispy noodles with honey ginger dressing
- Udon Noodles (v): Cold noodle salad, with fresh herbs, mixed greens, and purple cabbage tossed in serrano soy vinaigrette
- Beet Salad (gf, v): Mixed greens, goat cheese, balsamic dressing, and glaze
- Cobb Salad: Lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, boiled egg (protein addition optional)
- Kimchi Tuna (gfo): Kimchi, shredded cucumber, sesame tamari
- Hoisin Sticky Ribs (gfo): House-smoked baby back ribs, broiled with sweet chili hoisin sauce
Winfield’s
Winfield’s may have a smaller menu, but every dish is thoughtfully crafted. These gluten-free or gluten-free optional dishes stood out:
Starters and Salads:
- Winfield’s Salad: Mixed greens, herbed goat cheese, pistachios, dried cherries, sherry vinaigrette.
- Tuna Tartar: Gochujang aioli, seaweed salad, and rice paper crisps.
- Panzanella Salad (gfo): Cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, red onion, basil, mozzarella, and sourdough balsamic vinaigrette.
Entrees:
- Seared Scallops (gfo): Roasted carrot puree, pomegranate beurre blanc, and dressed greens.
- Creamy lemon Pasta: Spring peas, artichokes, asparagus, basil, goat cheese, and pistachios (ask if gluten-free pasta is available)
Ideal for a date night or upscale dinner with friends, Winfield’s combines fine dining with fresh, health-conscious ingredients.
Dead Eye Dick’s
For fresh seafood with a view, Dead Eye Dicks’s is a must-visit. Their raw bar is entirely gluten-free, and the menu offers something for everyone.
Gluten-Free Appetizers & Salads:
- Honey Soy Edamame: Sea salt, sesame, honey-soy dipping sauce
- Swordfish Bites: Cajun-spiced with citrus-mint crema, house pickles
- Tartare Trio: Trio of soy-ginger tuna tartare, charred-pineapple salmon tartare, Mediterranean paper chips
- Wedge Salad: Iceberg, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, diced pancetta, house-made blue cheese dressing
- Burrata and Beet Salad: Roasted beets, charred plums, arugula, fennel, pecans, burrata, maple dijon vinaigrette
- Summer Shrimp Salad: Grilled shrimp, arugula, cucumber, mango, tomato, red onion, grilled corn, and apple cider vinaigrette
- Rhode Island Clam Chowder: Loaded with clams in a RI-style clear broth
Gluten-Free Entree Highlights:
- Salmon: Beet-parsnip puree, roasted vegetables, trio tahini-lime sauce
- Roasted Half Chicken: Three pepper marinade, black bean pancetta rice, grilled bell pepper and onion, cilantro coulis
Additionally, they offer a “Vegetarian Ragu” that is served with fusilli tossed in “sugo finto”- a meatless ragu made with mushrooms, pine nuts, and shaved parmesan.
The Spring House
Dinner with a view? Or perhaps a scenic lunch? The Spring House offers a large, all-day menu with standout gluten-free, health-conscious options.
Top Picks:
- Roasted Beet Salad: Fresh garden beets, mixed greens, citrus segments, endive, goat cheese, golden raisins, pistachios, lemon honey vinaigrette
- Autumn Salad: Kale, arugula, quinoa, shaved sprouts, apple, roasted squash, dried cranberries, pepitas, pomegranate vinaigrette.
Craving Mexican food? Yellow Kittens have you covered. Burritos and bowls can be made gluten-free with your choice of rice or quinoa, pinto beans, house cheese blend, cilantro salsa roja, and shredded cabbage.
Bonus: Try the Vegan Nachos, which can be made gluten-free. They include corn, tortilla chips, vegan cheese, pickled jalapenos, pinto beans, guacamole, and cilantro.
Poor People’s Pub
If you’re in the mood for pizza or classic bar food, Poor People’s Pub offers gluten-free options, even if limited.
- 12” Gluten-Free Pizza Shells
Customize with toppings like cheese, onions, green peppers, pepperoni, black olives, fresh mushrooms, genoa salami, hamburger, sweet Italian sausage
Don’t Lose Interest
These are not all of the restaurants Block Island has to offer; in fact, there are new dining spots already in the works for Summer 2025. The island’s food scene continues to grow and evolve, with more chefs enhancing ingredients and increasing their menu options. So if these featured restaurants do not spark your interest, there are plenty more to discover- whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or an extended stay.
From cozy cafes like Persephone’s Kitchen to upscale waterfront dining like Dead Eye Dick’s, Block Island’s culinary sector caters to all palates, dietary needs, and health goals. Block Island proves that maintaining a healthy lifestyle does not mean sacrificing taste or the experience. With each thoughtfully prepared dish and scenic setting, every meal can be both nourishing and memorable, leaving room for an unforgettable time with family and friends.
