Flavor Without the Gluten
Local spots you may not know, offering gluten-free goodies
Whether you are gluten-free by choice or because it’s doctor-prescribed, it doesn't have to feel like a life sentence. Being gluten-free used to mean missing out on delicious carbs, but more and more places are offering these options. Here are some of my favorite gluten-free spots in our area!
Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant | This Italian restaurant owned by Lasinda and Jimmy Crane of Highlands Ranch has been serving up comfort food and unbeatable hospitality for more than 12 years. What's even more awesome for the GF diner, Cranelli's also has a delicious assortment of GF pastas, breads, and desserts, purchased from a dedicated GF kitchen. 10047 Park Meadows Dr, Unit F, Lone Tree, CO 80124 | cranellis.com
Desert Donuts | Fresh, hot, made-to-order donuts fried in dedicated GF equipment. Treats like this didn’t exist before gluten-free folks! 1100 Sgt Jon Stiles Dr #108, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | desertdonuts.com
HashTAG | Their GF pancakes are thick and fluffy, and non-GF people have said they are even better than the regular pancakes. 1485 Park Central Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | hashtag-restaurant.com
honey B’s Macarons | Naturally gluten-free, these cookies are the perfect treat to add to any party to have a non-gluten option for guests. 40 Springer Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | honeybsmacarons.com
Casa Caliente | Mexican restaurants are already a great spot to eat since most things are corn-based anyway, but this spot has an incredible gluten-free dessert as well - their Grande Brownie Margarita. 8800 S Colorado Blvd Unit G, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 | casacalienterestaurant.com
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches | A sandwich is a real craving when you are GF, and this place has a dedicated gluten-free prep space with a separate set of toppings to avoid cross-contamination with gluten. 1525 Park Central Dr #400, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | ikessandwich.com
Highlands Ranch City Lifestyle Editor
Angela Grissom
Angela has lived in Highlands Ranch for 16 years. She is a professional branding and family photographer (angelamariecreative.com), and is married with five teenagers. Angela loves hiking and anything active outdoors. Her other passion is eating (because balance!) and she's been gluten-free for three years now and has made it her goal to find all the best gluten-free options.
Date Night
Hot Spots Around Town
There are so many things to love about Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree, including a variety of “date night” restaurants to please any discerning palate and budget. Here is a short list of many hot spots around town for either a special occasion or just a fun, relaxed night out.
Sierra | Enjoy flavorful appetizers and comforting mains, such as Prime NY Strip Tacos or Sonny’s West Texas Spaghetti, accompanied by a glass of wine or specialty cocktail like The Annie Oakley Margarita.10680 Cabela Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124 | sierrarestaurant.com
Old Blinking Light | Delight in shareables and a variety of mains, such as OBL’s signature Fire Roasted Mac & Cheese, while sipping innovative cocktails, like the Golden Hour. This longtime Highlands Ranch restaurant is now under new ownership and management. 9344 Dorchester St, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | oldblinkinglight.com
Via Baci | Indulge in warm, cheese garlic bread as a starter, paired with a crisp Via Baci Salad and a glass of house wine, followed by Wood-Seared Salmon or Neapolitan Pizza. 10005 Commons St, Suite #200, Lone Tree, CO 80124 | viabaci.com
Smokin Fins | Palate pleasers begin with sea salt edamame, followed by a wide variety of fresh sushi options, like the Mango Tango or The Unicorn, enhanced with a signature cocktail, such as the Limoncello Spritz. 1104 Cpl Max Donahue Ln, #102, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | smokinfinsrestaurant.com
The Capital Grille | Experience signature starters, premium seafood, and aged steak selections, such as the Bone-In Dry Aged NY Strip with shallot butter, while sipping The Doli, in their new Lone Tree location. 9067 Westview Rd, Lone Tree, CO 80124 | thecapitalgrille.com
Postino | Choose from a variety of starters and boards, such as Brie, Apple & Fig Spread or Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil, while enjoying a Prickly Pear Lemonade or signature Espresso Martini. 1497 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | postino.com
Social Media Coordinator
Angie Jehu
Angie has been creating social media content for Highlands Ranch City Lifestyle magazine since 2024. She’s lived in both Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch for a combined 17 years and has loved creating family memories and lifelong friendships in these communities. She also owns Couture Videos (couturevideos.com) and offers a variety of video editing services, from video reels for small businesses to sports reels for high school athletes.
Coffee, Drinks & Other Delights
Ways to sustain yourself during or after the workday
No matter what part of town you find yourself in, or what time of the day, here are some locally owned establishments that should make any coffee collab, lunch date or post-work recuperation a rousing success.
Peaky Peak Coffee & Charcuterie | This inviting neighborhood shop owned by husband-wife team Quy “Q” and Tracy Nguyen, offers authentic Vietnamese coffee, inventive cold foam coffee flights, bánh mi boards, craft cocktails and more. 10047 Park Meadows Dr Unit A, Lone Tree | peakypeakcoffee.com
The Happy Crew Coffee House | One of the best kept secrets in town that we hope to remedy, Happy Crew offers full coffee bar service with breakfast pastries, Bonfire burritos, and great views. The shop is a nonprofit supporting The Happy Crew youth group, which provides mental health and peer support programs for Douglas County teens, founded by Highlands Ranch resident Amy Mays. 9044 Forsstrom Dr Fl 2, Lone Tree | happycrewcoffeehouse.com
Vibe Foods Superfoods Bar | This tiny and always-busy smoothie shop is owned by Lone Tree resident Shannon Weston and offers smoothie bowls, toasts, bone broth, fresh juices and other treats with a big nutritional punch. 9500 E. Heritage Hills Circle, Lone Tree | lovevibefoods.com
Gelato & Co. | The Barsness family, wanting to recreate some of the delicious magic they found during trips to Italy, brought Gelato & Co. to Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock. Lucky for us, they got it right. With more than 20 flavors of the Italian-style ice cream in their cases at a time, and gorgeous pastry chef-prepared desserts, kids and adults win here. 1509 Park Central Drive, Suite 300, Highlands Ranch | gelatoeco.com/stores/colorado
Living the Dream Brewing | A Highlands Ranch craft brewery, Living the Dream Brewing just celebrated 12 years in west Highlands Ranch and is a gathering spot for beer lovers in South Denver. Stop by the taproom for a rotating selection of house-brewed beers, food trucks, events and a laid-back (and dog-friendly!) atmosphere. 9150 Commerce Center Circle, Suite 300, Highlands Ranch | livingthedreambrewing.com
Bacchus Wine & Spirits | Not a bar or restaurant but Bacchus Wine & Spirits is a local purveyor worth knowing. Family-owned in Highlands Ranch for 30 years, and now run by the founders’ son Keegan Jenks, Bacchus is a go-to for wine and spirits of all kinds. Stop in and get to know the friendly and knowledgeable local staff, most of whom grew up in the area. Make this your new hometown bottle shop. 9265 S Broadway, Suite #400, Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch City Lifestyle Owner/Publisher
Jennifer Starbuck
Jennifer has owned Highlands Ranch City Lifestyle for seven years and loves connecting people through good stories.