A Gluten Free Vegan’s Review of Sarasota Bakehouse in Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Bakehouse, previously Cupcakes A Go-Go, is a bakery that serves regular baked goods as well as allergen-friendly ones.

Richard and Vincent Ionata, who have a family history of baking, bought the existing bakery in March of 2022. The previous owners opened the bakery in 2007.

I love that Sarasota Bakehouse has options for just about everyone. Continue reading to learn about my visit to Sarasota Bakehouse as a vegan with celiac disease.

Entrance to Sarasota Bakehouse [Photo by Courtney Vanorio, Jan. ‘23]

Details

Designation: Gluten Free Options, Vegan options

Price Range: $-$$

Style: Bakery

Meals Served: Dessert

Location:

 

• Wheelchair accessible entrance, but no automatic doors

• In a busy area on Siesta Drive. Many stores nearby

• No bike parking

• Short walk from a bus stop

• Parking lot serving multiple businesses and street parking available

• Not far from downtown Sarasota

Atmosphere

Inside Sarasota Bakehouse [Photo by Courtney Vanorio, Jan. ‘23]

The staff are very nice and welcoming. The area for customers inside of the bakery is pretty small.

They have a display case with all the current flavors and some shelves with candles for sale.

Table and window at Sarasota Bakehouse [Photo by Courtney Vanorio, Jan. ‘23]

They do have one small table by the front window, but it was being used by staff at the time.

There is definitely more of a focus on to go orders than dining in. There is a small table outside if you want to eat your cupcakes there.

Menu

Cupcake menu at Sarasota bakehouse [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]

Cupcake menu at Sarasota Bakehouse continued [Photo by Courtney Vanorio, Jan. ‘23]

At Sarasota Bakehouse, all of the current flavors can be found in the display case.

Each one is labeled. Ones marked with both V and GF, in the display case and on the menu, have a vegan and gluten free option.

There are 12 gluten free and vegan flavors.

They also have an espresso machine for coffee.

If you would like to see their online menu, you can find it here.

Display case at Sarasota Bakehouse [Photo by Courtney Vanorio, Jan. ‘23]

Food

My order

Cupcake flavors top row, left to right: cookies & cream, blueberry lemon. Bottom row: carrot cake, classic chocolate [Photo by Courtney Vanorio, Jan. ‘23]

4 Gluten Free and Vegan Cupcakes ($20)

• Cookies & Cream

• Blueberry Lemon

• Carrot Cake

• Classic Chocolate

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Taste: ★★★★☆

The cupcakes were good! I thought the icing had a good texture too. Each of the cupcakes we tried were flavorful and moist. The cupcakes were sweet but not too rich.

All of the flavors were unique. I think my favorite was the carrot cake. I love carrot cake and haven’t had it since being gluten free and vegan. The other flavors were very close behind though.

I shared these cupcakes with my non-gluten free vegan family and they also thought they were good. They couldn’t tell they were vegan and gluten free.

Quality: ★★★★★

The cupcakes had a homemade, made from scratch, feeling. The cupcakes were fresh and perfectly cooked.

Variety: ★★★★★

It is very refreshing to have so many options to choose from at a bakery that isn’t dedicated gluten free and vegan. There are currently 12 flavors.

Quantity: ★★★★★

The cupcakes are a regular cupcake wrapper size.

Value: ★★★★☆

I thought the price for the cupcakes was fine considering the quality and being a specialty bakery item.

Service

Hospitality: ★★★★★

Everyone was nice and was able to help us with any questions we had.

Efficiency: ★★★★★

It only took a couple minutes to get our cupcakes.

Accuracy: ★★★★★

We got everything we ordered.

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Safety

Staff knowledge: ★★★★★

The staff is knowledgeable about gluten and celiac disease. I called ahead and spoke to them about how they prevent cross contamination and preparation.

They told me they have several customers who can’t eat gluten and they have never had any complaints.

Preparation: ★★★☆☆

• Not a dedicated gluten free kitchen

• Use flour ingredients which have a possibility of being dispersed into the air

• Wipe everything down before making gluten free cupcakes

• Use clean utensils

• They get cupcakes from a separate area in the back and not from the display case

Always tell staff you are vegan and have celiac disease, or a gluten intolerance, to make sure they take extra precautions and prepare your food with clean surfaces.

Did I get *glutened? No

*Glutened (verb, past tense)
When a person who has celiac disease, or a gluten intolerance, consumes gluten accidentally and experiences gluten induced symptoms.

Overall

★★★★☆

Would I go back? Yes

Sarasota Bakehouse is a good bakery option for gluten free vegan desserts. They have multiple options and can cater to any combination of gluten free, vegan, or neither.

They have good flavors and their gluten free vegan options are obviously not an afterthought.

Sarasota Bakehouse packaging [Photo by Courtney Vanorio, Jan. ‘23]

Tips

Special Occasions

You are also able to call in advance to order cakes or cupcakes for special events like weddings, parties, and corporate events.

Have you been to Sarasota Bakehouse? What did you order? Be sure to add your thoughts below!

Want to learn more about eating vegan and gluten free in Florida? Check out my related articles.