If you're celiac, and used to sitting quietly while everyone else tucks in — here's the good news: at Waffle Monkey Sarasota, the waffles are for you too. Every single one on the menu, sweet or savoury, can be made gluten-free. Not a token option tucked away at the bottom of the page. The whole waffle menu.
Safe — Not Just "Gluten-Free-ish"
Our gluten-free waffles are made from a separate mix on their own dedicated iron, in a prep area kept well away from everything else — so there's no cross-contamination. When you order, just let your server know you're gluten-free (or celiac), and the kitchen takes it from there. It's the kind of care you can actually relax around.
Built by Someone Who Gets It
This isn't a box-ticking exercise. Pete Collins, who owns and runs the Sarasota café with his wife Kathryn, is celiac himself. He knows exactly what it's like to be the person who can't eat what everyone else is having — so he built the café so nobody has to feel like an afterthought. Don't be surprised if he wanders over to check you're properly sorted. Read Pete and Kathryn's story →
What You Can Actually Eat
Pretty much the whole waffle menu. The tropical Waffle Monkey (banana, local honey, coconut), the Cinnabun, the Chocoholic, the Churro, the fruit-topped Waffle of the Day — all can be made gluten-free. After something savoury? The parmesan-crusted Easy & Cheesy and the Big Breakfast, of course — and here's the one that stops people in their tracks: our Chicken & Waffles can be made gluten-free too, breaded and fried, the signature dish almost nowhere else can put in front of you.
There's gluten-free bread on hand too, so the sandwiches and all-day brunch plates can be made gluten-free — it really is most of the menu here, not just the waffles.
Add the naturally gluten-free sides — bacon, eggs, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit — plus milkshakes, smoothies and fresh-squeezed OJ, and you've got a proper breakfast, not a consolation prize. Vegan at the table too? There's a dedicated vegan waffle as well.
And the coffee is worth the trip on its own — proper Café Britt, roasted at origin in Costa Rica, and naturally gluten-free to boot. So the grown-ups are looked after every which way.
What gluten-free guests say
“Waffle Monkey was a 10/10 experience from start to finish. The Churro Waffle was incredible, and the Sausage Roll was just as good. We also tried the gluten-free waffle and gluten-free sausage roll, and both were absolutely outstanding. It’s not often you find gluten-free options that are this good—you genuinely wouldn’t feel like you’re missing out. And a huge shout-out to Ciara! She was amazing—friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. Her service really made the visit special. Everything we tried was 10/10, the food was fantastic, and the service was even better. We’ll absolutely be back! Highly recommend Waffle Monkey! 🧇🔥”
“The owner Pete has celiac, the kitchen takes allergies very seriously. He is very nice and our waitress Cierra was great :) 10/10 would recommend this place!”
“Service was great… plenty of parking (street) tons of gluten free options and precautions. Everything we ordered was great… the chicken and waffles were worth going back for alone 😂”
Come and Have a Gluten-Free Meal
If it's been years since you visited a café with a full gluten-free offering you could actually trust, take this as your sign. We're on Gallery Row at 52 S. Palm Avenue, in the heart of downtown Sarasota — open breakfast through lunch (hours shift a little by season, so check the café page before you head down). Bring the whole table. Everyone's welcome here.