How we verify restaurants

GFMapper's "dedicated gluten-free" status reflects our best assessment based on publicly available information and community reports at the time of review. It is not a guarantee, a certification, or medical advice. Individual sensitivity levels vary. Restaurant practices, ownership, and menus change. Always confirm directly with the restaurant before dining.

We hold a high bar on purpose. Clinical guidelines for celiac disease call for a strict gluten-free diet, and even small amounts of gluten can cause intestinal damage for people with celiac disease. That is why a restaurant's own claim is never sufficient on its own.

How we assess a restaurant

  1. Restaurants themselves are the best source of information as to whether they're dedicated gluten-free, and they advertise it specifically because they want to reach celiac and gluten-free diners. We look at their websites, their social media, and other public information they provide. Their menus are an important input at this step. Overall, a restaurant's claim is a strong signal, but it's not sufficient on its own.

  2. We then look at publicly available reviews on various review platforms (not on gluten-free review sites, which we've found to be unreliable) and use them to buttress the claim the restaurant makes. We look for evidence that specifically references gluten-free and celiac options.

  3. Then we identify other independent public pieces of information that can help us determine whether a restaurant operates as dedicated gluten-free. We also consider any certifications or affiliations they may have with gluten-free organizations.

  4. Once we've had enough corroborating data, we hand-review the information and make our best determination, based on available evidence, as to whether the restaurant operates as dedicated gluten-free. We want to provide the best information possible. The people doing this review live gluten-free every day themselves; read our story.

Community verification

Three consecutive community verifications are required to establish a restaurant's community status as dedicated gluten-free. This means three separate users must independently report that the restaurant's practices and policies meet the criteria for being dedicated gluten-free. Once that happens, it triggers a staff review based on the methodology above, as an independent cross-check on the community status.

This double-verification process helps keep GFMapper as accurate and reliable as possible. It allows for community input while also providing a layer of oversight and moderation from the GFMapper staff, and it helps maintain the integrity of the information provided to users seeking dedicated gluten-free dining options.

Ongoing reverification

We periodically reverify dedicated gluten-free restaurants, especially when we receive reaction reports from celiac or non-celiac gluten sensitivity users, or other negative evidence. We look for anything that contradicts a restaurant's claim of being dedicated gluten-free, such as cross-contamination risks or lack of proper training for staff.

Because of the periodic review cycle, there can be a lag between when a restaurant's practices change and when GFMapper updates its status. We encourage users to report any changes they observe to help keep the information current. Every listing has a "Something look wrong? Report it" control, and reports trigger a re-review.

Reading the verification panel

Every restaurant page shows a verification panel with two columns, GFMapper's assessment and the community's, headed by one of these marks:

  • Verified twice over. GFMapper staff research and community consensus independently agree the restaurant operates as dedicated gluten-free.
  • One verdict so far. Either our staff review or community consensus supports dedicated gluten-free status, but not yet both.
  • Non-dedicated. The restaurant offers gluten-free options but is not a dedicated facility. We don't editorially verify non-dedicated restaurants. These listings carry community reports only, never a staff verification.
  • Under re-review. Member reports conflict with earlier verification. We withhold the classification while we re-check the listing against fresh sources.
  • Source-checking in progress. We don't yet have enough corroborated information for a verdict either way.

A note on limitations. GFMapper is an information resource, not a certifying body or a medical service. Our determinations are opinions based on the best information available to us, and we may be wrong or out of date. Nothing on GFMapper is medical advice. Always confirm gluten-free practices directly with the restaurant before ordering, and consult your healthcare provider about managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.