Sarma Restaurant

They have a very weird policy here where they won’t make any modifications. There is a celiac safe menu so I felt they understood cross contamination, but almost everything on this menu had nuts sprinkled on it, usually easily left off at most restaurants, but not an option here. I had some dips.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Beware - the gluten free menu contains items that are cross contaminated (shared fryer). As others mentioned, there are very few items that are truly gluten free - fortunately they’re exceptionally delicious!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

There are five items for anyone who is additionally dairy free and there are absolutely no modifications even to leave a condiment on the side.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I’ve been a huge fan since they opened and since I now live far away, I’ve eaten there almost every time I’m back in Somerville. It greatly pains me to say this, but the most recent time I visited, I learned that the kitchen now has a rather draconian No Modifications policy. They wouldn’t even leave off breadcrumbs from an otherwise GF dish. Very disappointing, as this meant I only had about 5 dishes to choose from (though they were all delicious, of course).

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Food was absolutely delicious. They gave me a celiac friendly menu and I had no negative reaction to the food!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Reservations recommended

The food I had was great but there were very few options that were celiac friendly. The staff and chef know how to make safe food and how to not cross contaminate, but also don’t offer many options that are safe. The waiter gave me the celiac friendly menu but then also wrote down “all 6” options on a piece of paper and said that’ll be easier than looking through the menu

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Reservations recommended

Food was amazing, one of the most delicious and unique meals I've ever had. Separate gluten free menu contained about 50% of the normal menu items. Cocktails were also top notch.

Note: They also had a nut allergy menu, however the options were limited for combined nut allergy and celiac.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I wanted so bad for this restaurant to work out but unfortunately it was not a great experience as a celiac diner. While they were able to provided a “celiac friendly” menu, there was only about 7 options. We ordered four dishes. When the second came out I confirmed it was gluten free and was told it was not. The third dish was the same. They remade the second dish but the third they indicated was not actually safe and they couldn’t remake. While I think they understand what gluten and cross contamination are, I don’t think there is clear communication around it. I hope others have a better experience because the food looked and smelled amazing

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Reservations recommended

Called ahead and Sarma assured they can take care of me. We arrived and I was pleasantly surprised by a separate menu that wasn’t just labeled gluten free, it specifically said “celiac safe”. The celiac safe menu was a smaller subset of the standard menu, with ~2/3 of options able to be made gluten free. My partner and I shared 4 plates and cocktails, all were amazing and I didn’t have a reaction!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Reservations recommended

Yes, the options on the gluten free menu were rather limited- perhaps 40% of the offerings are safe to eat. However, I really loved everything that I had and can’t wait to go back. I had the scallops, the beef tartare, and the sugar snap peas.

Gluten free options are really limited. Server was fairly rude about the whole situation. And frankly the food wasn't all that great. It was fine, but I think the best thing we had was the marinated olives, which really isn't saying much. For the prices, it isn't worth it.

Celiac menu is very limited, they aren’t willing to make even small modifications- and its a small thing but the celiac menu instead of just listing what you CAN hav, it literally just crosses out 80% of the items in the regular menu. Seemed like their attitude was not accommodating and the menu reflected it.

Delicious Mediterranean/Moroccan tapas! While the gluten free selection was much smaller than the regular menu, there were more than enough dishes to get a good variety. Servers were knowledgeable and helpful and announced whether each dish was gf as they were presented.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I have Celiac disease. They provided me a gluten free menu. I was able to have mostly everything on the menu. I got the Potato Falafel and Steak Tartare.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

So here’s the thing, my boyfriend loved loved loved this restaurant but I was a bit disappointed with the gluten free options. They really didn’t have much and they couldn’t make any modifications to the menu items. I think their menu changes so you might have better luck than me. :-)

Gluten free menu available upon request. Every item was announced whether it was "allergy safe" when it was delivered to the table. Everything I had was delicious!

I left a note that I had Celiac Disease while making a reservation and was told the server would be able to help me when ordering. The menu does not mark what is or is not gluten free, but my server suggested I find several things I wanted to order with several back up choices (it is a small plates restaurant where you order multiple things) and that they would inform me which items I could or could not have. I was able to have all of my choices with some slight modifications (croutons on the side, crackers on the side of hummus dip with vegetables for me to use, no phyllo dough wrapped egg but replaced with a fried egg for me). Everything was delicious and I did not get sick (and I am fairly sensitive to cross contamination). They have daily specials that servers walk around with and that server even know which items I could or could not have (he was not my original server that I told I needed to eat gluten free, all wait staff was aware of my intolerance though). The dessert was a frozen yogurt with different topping options that are served on the side. I had the same experience here, picked one or two I wanted and was told if I could have them or if they could be modified for me. Overall it was delicious!! Will definitely be back. Reservations highly suggested.

Celiac friendly?

Yes