The Best Gluten-Free Wedding Cakes & Bakeries in Cleveland


Finding gluten-free stuff sucks. While there are way more options than ever before, it’s not always clear whether a restaurant or bakery offers gluten-free options without visiting in person or digging through their website which can make wedding catering difficult to figure out. And if you’re celiac or vegan as well? As if wedding planning isn’t hard enough already. 


So, I decided to put together a list of bakeries in Cleveland that offer gluten-free wedding cakes and other dessert options to help out any and all couples on their wedding planning journey. No gatekeeping here 😘


This list is primarily bakeries with physical storefronts that I have visited myself. If you know of a good gluten-free bakery that isn’t on the list (or you’re said baker!), let me know and I’d love to add you to the list!

Philomena Bake Shop - Celiac Friendly, Most Allergy Friendly


Nestled between Slavic Village and Newburgh Heights is Philomena Bake Shop, an exclusively gluten-free and vegan bakery that specializes in allergy friendly baking for both special occasions and day to day living. Their menu and ingredients are published online for review and everything is baked fresh to order. They even offer soy-free baked goods. 


For gluten-free wedding cakes, they offer a 6 inch and an 8 inch option. Likewise, they have cupcakes which I’ve personally sampled at a wedding (for research purposes of course) and they were delicious. Philomena is roughly 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland and not far off of 77 South, so it’s an easy place to pick up an order.


From more of a lifestyle perspective, I visited the bakery recently and the interior itself is of course cute and cozy. These days, that’s almost a marketing requirement but it’s always nice to see a cheery space in person. 


Emily (my wife) and I chatted with the girl behind the counter and she was remarkably friendly and excited about what they did there. They served coffee for free with any order. And the people that came and went were familiar with the staff and clearly happy regulars. It was fun hanging out somewhere that felt like it had a community presence.


The owner, Caitlin Shea, is a professional baker with over 15 years of experience in the industry and she is diagnosed with all kinds of food allergies. While relatable and very unfortunate (just sniffing bread sets me off), it’s always cool when a business is run by someone who is very in-touch with their customers' needs, especially in the food industry. 


Oh and I should mention that we sampled a variety of baked goods and they were all killer. I personally recommend the pumpkin brownie if you’re reading this in time for fall. If you’re on the hunt for a celiac friendly, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan wedding cake/dessert option, this is the best option I’ve found in Cleveland for a strict cross-contamination free bakery.

Luna - Tiered Cake Options, Large Variety of Desserts,

*Not Celiac Friendly


When it comes to Cleveland scratch bakeries, it’s impossible to have a conversation without mentioning Luna Bakery & Cafe. Right in the heart of Cleveland Heights off of Fairmount and Cedar, Luna has been in business since 2011 and was founded by a professional pastry chef, Bridget Thibeault. Her euro-style approach has been a hit with locals and over the last 15 years, they’ve expanded the original building, opened 2 new locations, and started a production facility to keep up with demand. 


I’ve visited the Moreland Hills locations many times after spending a morning shooting in Chagrin Falls and it’s always a pleasant place to visit- the space is beautiful, the service is super friendly, and the food is of course, phenomenal. Their lattes are *chef’s kiss*. 


When it comes to gluten-free options, they offer a variety of desserts that are perfect for a wedding. Their gluten-free wedding cakes come in 6”, 8”, 9”, and 10” sizes, and they also offer tiered cakes which is a rare find. The size variety is awesome and allows you to accommodate a few guests or simply make the whole dessert table gluten-free.


Speaking of the dessert table, they also offer a variety of other gluten-free options if you’re looking for more than just cake. Their director of operations, Brynn, shared the most popular wedding options: macarons, shooters, panna cotta, pot de creme, brownies, & chocolate cups. And if you’re keeping up with Pinterest trends, they even have gluten-free cupcakes if you want to go that route. 


It’s important to note that while they’re very careful with the ingredients used in their gluten-free items, they are made in a shared kitchen so they can’t guarantee there isn’t any cross-contamination. If you’re celiac or allergic, this may not be the right option for you. 


On the other hand, if cross-contamination isn’t a major concern, this is a great option for couples that want to offer both gluten-free and traditional desserts without having to order from multiple bakeries. Between the “from-scratch” approach, the tiered gluten-free wedding cake option, and the variety in other items, Luna Bakery & Cafe is a seriously strong option for your big day.

White Flower Cake Shoppe - Nationally Acclaimed, Traditional with Gluten-Free Options

*Not Celiac Friendly


White Flower Cake Shoppe opened in 2007 and they’ve built up quite a resume over the last 19 years. They’ve created custom cakes for LeBron James, The Jonas Brothers, The Cleveland Art Museum, and other huge industry names. They’ve participated in Food Network challenges, won competitions, and featured on television shows. It’s an impressive clientele for a bakery and emphasizes both their creativity and professionalism. At this point, White Flower has 4 locations in Cleveland and they show no signs of slowing down. 


I’ve visited their West Side Market location many times and it’s a total Cleveland vibe. Their stand, F-3, has a beautiful display and everyone working behind the counter is always super friendly. Be mindful of their hours - the West Side Market isn’t open every day so if you want to sample their gluten-free options, call ahead to their flagship location at Eton Chagrin Boulevard, in Woodmere on the east side. 


While the majority of their offerings are made with traditional flour, they do offer gluten-free options for couples looking for a wedding cake. They have a single tier wedding cake available as well as wedding cupcakes. Their gluten-free cakes aren’t tiered due to how much heavier and denser they are than their traditional wedding cakes, but White Flower offers a unique option. You can order a 3-tier cake where only the top tier is gluten-free. It’s a great option for couples that want the tiered cake look without having to fully go gluten-free or gluten “full”. 


White Flower also offers macarons made with almond flower as an alternative gluten-free  dessert item which are perfect for the elaborate dessert table spreads. I’ve seen more and more couples lately go for this chic look rather than a singular large cake and it’s a perfect addition to the party.


If you’re looking for a local Cleveland bakery that has a national pedigree, The White Flower Cake Shoppe is definitely worth checking out.

Evexia - Vegan & Gluten-Free Options, Cake Flavor Variety

*not Celiac Friendly


A little ways from Cleveland, tucked away in the historic Aurora, Ohio, is Evexia Cafe. While I haven’t had the pleasure of stopping by myself, Evexia easily makes the list for 2 reasons. First, they offer a huge variety of allergy friendly options: vegan, gluten-free, nut free, soy free, and artificial color free. Second, while researching for this article, I saw a huge amount of love for them from previous customers.


It’s also an ideal location for Cleveland weddings that aren’t quite “Cleveland” proper. There are a multitude of beautiful, popular wedding venues in the area like Sapphire Creek Winery, Sun Valley, and Happy Days Lodge. This is near the heart of various nature preserves, wineries, and the CVNP. 


When it comes to their gluten-free wedding cake options, Evexia has a unique option: they offer round cakes as well as sheet cakes. They also offer a variety of flavors outside of the traditional vanilla and chocolate. If you’re fiending for some red velvet, confetti, or carrot, this might just be the bakery for you. They also offer gluten-free cupcakes with a variety of flavors, frostings and fillings. The menu is listed online here. 


They also have a diverse food menu and offer catering services so this is a great option if you’re looking for a vegan & gluten-free one-stop shop or catering a non-wedding event. Their facility does also process wheat and animal products however so they cannot guarantee zero cross contamination.

In Conclusion


If you’re mid wedding planning right now, I hope this article was helpful! Deep breaths, my friend. While planning a wedding is supposed to be fun, it isn’t always a cake-walk (lol) so I try my best to provide guides and vendors that make your life easier. If you’re still in the planning stages and in search of a photographer to document your wedding day & eat gluten-free cupcakes with, drop me a line. I’d love to chat and help guide you through the process as well. 


And if you’re a baker with killer gluten-free options, please get in touch! I’d love to add you to the list. Cheers!