The Gluten Free Epicurean

Spoiler alert, I haven’t actually tasted anything.
They were having technical difficulties with their payment system and 3 employees later still no luck.
Fine, that happens. But maybe get one of the employees to at least acknowledge the other customers that, you guessed it, probably had cash and wanted to give it to you, take something,. and eat it.
This review stands until I actually get service or something in my mouth to judge,. it sure looked tasty.

I can’t believe it’s gluten free: I go to this shop every time I am in the neighborhood. My favorites include the Baguettes, Breakfast Sandwich and the Apple Fritters! The baking is consistently light and delicious.

For the lemon lavender cupcake, the lavender is on top of the white vanilla icing; the icing is a bit sweet — taste like sugar more than vanilla. The lemon jelly curd in the middle of the cupcake tastes real — sour not sweet. The vanilla cupcake base is not sweet; it is better than the icing. The vegan pumpkin cheesecake tart is healthy– the pumpkin cheesecake is smooth, tastes little salty and not sweet. The tart skin is a mix of cocoa, nuts, dried shredded coconut (maybe with dates) which tastes bitter and not sweet. You can taste the real ingredients in the baked goods.
I’m impressed that the box they use to put the individual cupcake in is the box that The Noodle Box uses to put their noodles in. The girl behind the counter is helpful and friendly. I would go back to try other baked goods.

Cute little bakery located slighly off the beaten path, but for anyone with food requirements this is worth the detour.
The guy behind the counter was so friendly, I am not used to having so much choice so it took me awhile to decide what I wanted, but he was really patient with me and told me all about the place and the owners, luckily I was there when it wasn’t too busy.
He recommended this scone thing with berrys and icing and maybe caramel? I can’t remember exactly what it was but I know I snaffled it up on the walk home and it was delicious. Vegan and gluten free and so good. This is what vegan baking should be, just as good as anything else, so good that you would never be able to tell.
He helped me pick out the perfect pizza base for me to take home. I froze it and made four pizzas out of it and everytime it was delicious, and good for the price considering it made four meals. I also got the peanut butter brownie and I meant to share that with a friend… I ate it all as well. Oops.
Brought in a yummy Matchstick coffee, and I like that the two businesses let you bring the others products, it gives it a really nice community feel. The space is airy and cute, they use real china, doilies and you could bring your laptop and chill out here for a good while.
I would come back here more often but the food is so good that I eat too much so I have to leave it as a treat, but it really is amazing. The owners and workers here are clearly take pride in what they do (as they should) and it shows.
A great place for treats for anyone with dietary restrictions, but I think anyone would enjoy the treats here. Go there now!

This is a BAKERY ONLY. with a few tables & chairs, enough seating for maybe around 20.
Came here with my good friend who is gluten free (due to actual medical reasons) and I saw online they also have vegan food, which I prefer.
First off, it’s the CUTEST place. White furniture, glass full of pastries, real china if you order tea.
Now, as it had come up with «Gluten free restaurants» on Unilocal (and I looked at pictures with tables) I assumed it would have hot meals but that’s Unilocal fault, not the Epicurean.
I was thrown though, since I had to downgrade my expectations from breakfast to finding the vegan baked things.
There were QUITE a few things available including pineapple pizza with cashew cheese (they also dont do soy there, which is great because I cant have it) I see myself coming back here for a pastry & tea or a box of goodys to go or even their gluten free vegan mixes to go.
People are right, some staff are a bit off putting, or hipster as I like to say but I dont think its a big deal. Our questions were answered, we were served despite taking a long time deciding & it’s far better to me then staff acting like my new best friend.

Wow! The sales person could not be more rude — when I asked for a specific cookie, while buying 4 of them at whatever ridiculous price (it came to $ 12 for 4 cookies), she said «oh so you’re going to be that person are you?» I’m honestly not sure why I still went through with the purchase — the cookies are actually very dry. GFE might want to revisit some basic principles of courtesy and customer service considering the price point.

Baked goods are really good here! Cool little spot, feels like grandma’s kitchen. Has a small play area for kids, but it is a small place to for dining in overall. Maybe I came later in the day and the selection of food items was limited, but the menu doesn’t offer too much either. That’s why I took a star off.

Horrible Customer Service! I have been here a number of times and each time I am faced with snobby, arrogant and cold employees who really don’t seem to enjoy dealing with people. This last time I went in with my 1 year old (because I do like that they have a play area), however the guy with the glasses behind the counter blatantly ignored me for 5 minutes. He saw me, and he really wasn’t doing anything else (except moving boxes which I am sure could have waited) and he didn’t even acknowledge me standing there with my toddler. The food is only mediocre and way over-​priced. Just another cold Vancouver café with underpaid hipsters who obviously should not be working with people. I won’t go back there.

For Gluten-​free ers this is heaven. The pastries are as good as the best regular bakeries, I have taken Gluten eaters here and they can’t believe it’s Gluten-​free. Truly amazing!

Best Apple Fritter evah! Oh, and it’s GF but you wouldn’t know it. My kid loves the sausage roll. I like the quiche too. No coffee available but there’s Matchstick next door

After brunch my bf and I drove out to the Epicuran. It’s tucked away among other quaint stores unsuspectingly off of Kingsway. I was super excited to get inside and check out all the «sin gluten» goodies. Alex is very informed about the products and answered my questions before I even asked him! (Must be that Piscean intuition).
I ordered the Cinnamon roll with pecans and icing… my bf couldn’t tell that it was not made with wheat flour but a rice flour. I was not disappointed .We sat by the large window on small white wooden chairs and enjoyed everything about the bakery, although I did find out they make lunch too, which is gluten free/​vegan as well.
Before departing I bought a sour cherry chocolate cookie, a peanut butter brownie with icing and a pumkin pecan roll. Thus far I’ve nibbled the cookie which is not dry but chewy and very chocolatey, and devoured the peanut butter brownie… like it ever had a chance.
Go and enjoy everything, great people, sweet treats, creative setting. If I wasn’t with my bf I would have sat by the window and a sketch book and imagined my afternoon away.

Best GF bakery! Get the apple fritter!!! The vegan pizza was also delicious. Take away frozen waffles and pancake mix = best morning ever! Celiacs rejoice!!!

I have to admit when my mommy friend asked me to meet her at a café with the words «gluten» and «free» in the title I was skeptical. Very. Skeptical. I’m really not into the whole gluten-​free craze but after eating here, holy hell I might be converted! Their baked goods are UNREAL! I had a gluten-​free, vegan cinnamon bun with icing and I’m worried I might be ruined for regular ones now. The bun has big chunks of pecans on top and the most delicious filling. I also tried a chocolate cookie (bang on) and a slice of pepperoni pizza (for the non-​vegan gluten avoider). The pizza was pretty good but the crust definitely could’ve used the extra gluten. Sweet baked goods seems to be their wheelhouse. They don’t serve coffee but allow you to bring your own in from nearby Matchstick Coffee. I understand the reasoning for this but it isn’t the most convenient thing as a customer. I would recommend they offer a basic drip. The service was nothing amazing but the ambience is gorgeous and there are definitely kid friendly touches such as high chairs and toys. Overall a lovely little day date spot.

Nice selection of sweets and treats for anyone with gluten or dairy restrictions. I’m actually quite surprised that gluten and dairy free could taste so good. The apple fritter is amazing and I also really love the peanut butter iced brownie!!!

Called to ask info and got the snobbiest response. Happy to take my business elsewhere.

I have to say now that I cannot have dairy it’s been difficult to find tasty treats… once again GF epicurean saves the day with their great variety of dairy free and vegan options added to their already extensive list of goods.

Best gluten free bakery around! Many products are also dairy free!
The good: Everything. Seriously. I’ve never bought a treat I didn’t like! Pizza, croissant, cookies, apple fritter, quiche, crusts… Even the dairy free cookies and soft and moist. Yup, moist.
The bad: They don’t have coffee but the Matchstick coffee shop is next door and they let you bring it in.
Overall: delicious goodness! I highly recommend this place!

I really loved this place. The decorations are very chic and inviting. I got the raw, vegan pumpkin cheesecake which was not too sweet but very creamy and rich. The pumpkin flavor wasn’t overwhelming and I really enjoyed it! I also got a gluten free boston cream donut and salted peanut butter brownie to take home for my parents. I tried a bite of the boston cream donut and I have to say, it’s probably one of the best I’ve ever had! You seriously can’t even tell that it’s gluten free and the custard on the inside is rich and delicious. I also had a bite of the brownie which was decadent and chocolately however I can’t say that it was my favorite in the three pastries I tried.
The prices are a little higher, I think it came out to about $ 13 for all three. However, definitely worth it for quality, gluten free and vegan goodies! (The pumpkin cheesecake was also sugar free!)
Next time, I’ll definitely have to try their gluten free vegan pizza! It smelled delicious as they were baking it.

Brownie = heaven. So much thick icing and delicious fresh brownie flavour.
Apple Fritter = heaven also. Little slices of apple within a perfectly crispy fritter.
LOVED it.

Ok. It’s time to bump this sucker up. Why? Because since that first visit a mere two weeks ago, I have been back three times and yes ladies and gents — their baguette was worth the extra stars. Having to spend a month gluten free for health purposes, I can’t tell you how much of an oasis this place is soon to become.
And the vegan pizza buns? I’ll be back for those regardless.
Worth the trip. Worth the hype. This place is gluten free magic.