Breaking Bread: Food Allergy-Friendly Restaurants and Bakeries In and Around Franklin, Tennessee
For those who struggle with food allergies, navigating social gatherings can be extremely tough. Though in 2025 there is more awareness about food sensitivities than ever, dining experiences can still be difficult to maneuver. From attending parties to simply going out to restaurants to eat, there is, understandably, an extra layer of ever-present stress surrounding mealtime. Especially for those who are extremely food sensitive, extra precaution is crucial, as sometimes trace exposure to an allergen can mean a trip to the emergency room. If you or someone you love experiences this hurdle daily, knowing there are places that can easily accommodate your needs can take the headache out of it all, ensuring that dining out is the relaxing and enjoyable experience it’s meant to be. In and around Franklin, Tennessee, and Williamson County there are a selection of bakeries and restaurants that can meet specific dietary needs without sacrificing flavor and experience. Whether you need to avoid gluten, dairy, meat, tree nuts, or otherwise, these establishments have got your food allergy covered.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Baked Goods
Something you may not consider if you don’t have food sensitivity is the difficulty surrounding holidays and celebrations. Often, half the fun is getting to enjoy a fun dessert to celebrate a special day or milestone. If you can’t safely enjoy a sweet treat, that portion of the party can be disappointing at best. Especially for kids that don’t quite understand allergies, not being able to partake in the goodies that their friends get to has the potential to be pretty devastating. Not to mention, no matter your age, having to constantly think about food naturally takes some of the joy out of your experience. To help ease this obstacle, there are some places in nearby Nashville, Tennessee that specialize in allergen-free baked goods perfect for your next party (and they taste good too)!
Berries ‘N Cream Bakery makes cakes and pies that are classic, gluten-free, and vegan. Established in 2018, the bakery was the first of its kind in Nashville. Whenever possible, the dietary-inclusive establishment uses fresh, local ingredients with the goal of enhancing classic treats with sustainable food education and recipes that cross cultural lines. All of Berries ‘N Cream goods are made from scratch, ensuring that you know exactly what’s in their products. Likewise, they take extra precaution when cleaning equipment. The company is also committed to environmental consciousness, composting and using sustainable packaging. You can order specialty cakes and pies individually online (available for delivery or pick-up) or book Berries ‘N Cream for your next event. To schedule a tasting or consultation, contact the bakery via their website. 72-hours notice is required for standard orders. Catering and custom orders require 2-weeks notice. Weddings and special events should be booked 30 days in advance. Keep an eye out for Berries ‘N Cream at pop-ups around Nashville. Their baked goods are regularly at Old Hickory Farmers Market and Amqui Farmers Market.
Sunflower Bakehouse is a vegan restaurant and gluten-free bakery in Nashville. The Lebanon Pike location is a sister restaurant to Sunflower Cafe in the Berry Hill neighborhood. Since 2019, the establishment has offered allergy-friendly, gluten-free, and vegan options for customers. Their award-winning desserts—always vegan and gluten-free—include cupcakes, scones, cookies, muffins, upside down cakes, and cupcake parfaits in a variety of incredible flavors. Baked goods are available to order online, in store, or for special order. Beyond dessert, the restaurant has one of the most developed vegan and gluten-free menus in Middle Tennessee, and includes sandwiches, beyond burgers, salads, soup, hot entrees, sides, breakfast items, smoothies, lattes, and more. All menu items are vegan, meaning that none of their dishes are made from animal products including dairy, meat, eggs, or honey. Likewise, the kitchen takes extra care to prevent cross contamination. Their hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Cupcake Collection operates out of Nashville, but ships nationwide. Although not exclusively a vegan and gluten-free bakery, they offer an extensive, made-to-order cakes and cupcakes that can be ordered either way. Their #1 seller is their sweet potato cupcake, which can be made vegan or gluten-free upon request. There are 3 locations: Nashville’s Historic Germantown, Hendersonville, and Lenox Village. Loved by tourists and locals alike, The Cupcake Collection is considered to be one of the top 5 best bakeries in the country. Their legendary cupcakes are also very affordable, typically ranging from $2.50-$7.50 each. Vegan and gluten-free options tend to run out fast, so it’s suggested to plan out orders in advance. As an added bonus, the bakery also makes special Pupcakes to celebrate your sweet pup! These treats are safe for dogs and made with rice flour, cinnamon, honey, pineapples, coconut, shaved carrots, peanut butter, and sugar-free Greek yogurt. The Cupcake Collection also has a food truck, perfect to serve guests (with or without dietary restrictions) at birthday parties, weddings, and other large events.
The Gluten-Free Goose in Nashville is a certified, exclusively gluten-free bakery. Many of their baked goods are also vegan and dairy-free, making it a no-sweat stop for anyone especially cautious about ingredients. The bakery is women-owned, and in partnership with Gluten-Free Food Products Inc., a food program that has been active for over 20 years, equipping businesses to serve customers who experience celiac disease or other gluten sensitivities. In a time where “gluten-free (GF)” has become a buzz-word, their certification and training program ensures that businesses and manufacturers use the GF label with integrity, meeting high standards for gluten safety. The Gluten-Free Goose is open Thursday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Outside of the bakery, their products are also sold at Forevermore Coffee in East Nashville, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Belmont University’s Bruin Bites, Honest Coffee Roasters (all locations), and Franklin Juice in Hendersonville.
Popular Franklin destinations for baked goods include Triple Crown Bakery, Ellie’s Old Fashioned Donuts, and Five Daughters Bakery. While these destinations are not exclusively vegan or gluten-free, they do offer favorite local flavors with dietary modifications and accommodations, from grab-and-go treats to custom orders. To learn more about Franklin sweet treat options, check out the top bakery and dessert spots downtown.
Conscious Dining Options
A traditionally fun and relaxing experience like going out to eat can feel like a hazardous minefield to those with food allergies. So much of our social experiences revolve around food. From friendly dinners and first dates to important events and business meetings, there is an additional level of stress for those with serious food restrictions. On top of this, an ever-present stigma around the topic may hinder people from speaking up about necessary accommodations when they need to, therefore rendering options almost non-existent. Especially for those with very serious allergies, finding places that cater to these needs can help ease minds, offering a normal dining experience that doesn’t require elite-level strategy in order to safely enjoy a meal. There are a selection of wonderful spots in Franklin where good, fresh food is priority and dietary accommodations are hassle-less.
Herban Market in Franklin is a premier, family-owned, health-conscious spot. Multi-faceted, the evolved market offers dining, coffee, beer & wine, grocery shopping, supplements, baked goods, beauty products, and more. In all areas, their mission is to serve the community the best of the best in food, drink, and wellness products. Ingredients at Herban Market, owned by the Hogencamp family and led by Chef Bobby Benjamin, are expertly sourced and organically grown. Their always organic menu includes grass-fed and pastured meat and eggs, wild-caught seafood, no soy, canola, or seed oils, no preservatives or MSG, no artificial sweeteners or dyes, gluten and dairy free options, vegetarian, and vegan options. Their commitment to organic ingredients and consumer health makes Herban Market a top spot for anyone with food allergies or other dietary needs. Dedicated to the holistic health of our community, they are incredibly transparent about sourcing and their support of small, independent farms across the country.
Radish Kitchen is a family-owned, fast/casual restaurant dedicated to high-quality, fresh ingredients. Menu items include mouth-watering salads, bowls, and wraps. Since its opening in 2020, the restaurant now has 4 locations: West Nashville, Cool Springs, East Nashville, and the Assembly Food Hall in Downtown Nashville. Radish Kitchen prepares all of their food in-house, including marinades, dressings, and dips. Their commitment to quality is also reflected in their ingredient sourcing, minimal use of canola and soy oil, and sustainability efforts. The prioritization of health makes the restaurant a great choice for those wishing to eat clean, making it easy avoid any allergy-inducing or inflammatory foods. Radish Kitchen also provides a detailed nutrition guide on their menu, which includes allergen information. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Catering services are also available for customers in the Nashville and Franklin areas. For frequent visitors of Radish Kitchen, there is also an app available on IOS and Android, allowing for effortless ordering and additional information.
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza + Craft Bar has been enhancing the classic combo of pizza and beer with fresh ingredients and innovative recipes since 1998. Alongside its location in Franklin, Brixx has 20 restaurants across the Southeastern United States. While other restaurants that specialize in pizza and brews might not be ideal for those with food allergies, the franchise accommodates dietary restrictions, with a full gluten-free menu that includes their classic pizza recipes with gluten-free crust. Vegan cheese is also available upon request. In addition to this, the restaurant has a detailed allergen sheet for your dining convenience. Although these modifications can be great for those with mild to mid-level allergies, keep in mind that Brixx does warn against possible exposure to allergens in their common kitchen space. Brixx is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Kokomo Trading Company in Franklin’s Westhaven neighborhood is where Island flavor meets Middle Tennessee. Kokomo’s made-from-scratch kitchen includes local ingredients when possible; almost everything is free of seed oils. Many of their menu options, from appetizers to desserts, are gluten-free or substitution friendly, with gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps readily available for Kokomo sandwiches. With its indoor/outdoor dining and fun atmosphere, Kokomo is a great place for private parties and events, and even offers catering. The restaurant also has great weekly specials, such as Kids Eat Free Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, and daily happy hours from 3 to 5 p.m. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 .m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1o p.m.
Two Hands is an Australian restaurant group with a new location in downtown Franklin at The Factory at Franklin. They are committed to community and nutrition, with an emphasis on local sourcing and sustainability practices. The company partners with family farms and supplement companies to secure the freshest and most nutrient-dense ingredients. Many of Two Hand’s menu items are dairy free, gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan, and labeled clearly as such. For added reassurance, an allergen guide is available through the restaurant’s partnership with Picknic, an online application that makes it easy to find safe dining options based on your specific dietary needs. Alongside regular dining, Two Hands can also host private events or provide catering. The Franklin restaurant is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The closest second location is in Nashville, on 8th Ave South.
Franklin, Tennessee and its surrounding areas are full of incredible dining options for every meal and occasion. Although many restaurants would most likely be more than willing to accommodate the needs of customers, it is good to have a list of go-to places you can regularly dine without warring about meal modifications or cross contamination.
Enjoy Your Meal, Worry-Free
Being able to gather around a table with family and friends is one of the great joys of life, breaking bread and savoring precious time together. For those with a food allergy in any capacity, however, this common, communal activity can prove more daunting than enjoyable. Establishments like the restaurants and bakeries we’ve highlighted extend solace to those with food allergies and sensitivities, making sure that no one misses out on the chance to gather together around great food. Especially as the restaurant industry makes efforts to shift toward more sustainable practices and sourcing, there will hopefully continue to be growing opportunities to find fresh, whole foods that support a conscious diet and customer health.
Dealing with food allergies is a unique challenge that we may not consider if not personally affected; however, being aware of the difficulties this may pose to the people around us is important, especially in settings that revolve around food. Finding and frequenting places that can readily accommodate our friends is a great way to be hospitable and considerate of dietary needs, to put minds at ease, and ensure that everyone has a seat at the table!
