I adore the Virginia-based bakery The Happy Tart. This 100% gluten-free patisserie is dream come true for celiacs or anyone who cannot have gluten, as each pastry is more tantalizing than the next. 


With my mom visiting for the weekend, we decided to plan on enjoying The Happy Tart’s weekend brunch. Although I have popped in several times for cupcakes, cookies, and bread, I was excited to partake in their full service brunch, and have been waiting for an occasion to stop by and celebrate.


Brunch at the happy tart is a festive affair, with plenty of sweet and savory options to peak your interest. While dairy does limit some options nothing beats the peace of mind of knowing that everything is safely gluten-free.


The Happy Tart’s menu is excruciating to choose from, because each option is more tempting than the next. Being dairy-free does limit the cheese, butter, and milk-based dishes but there’s definitely some good options to choose from.

I started my meal with a lovely chai tea, which was brought out in an adorable red tea pot. The impatient person I am, I poured it before it it had time to fully steep, but even so the tea was warming and had a perfect array of chai spices. The teapot had about a serving and a half’s worth of tea, and did a great job keeping the tea warm between cups.

For my meal, I went with the coconut crusted french toast, which called to me from the moment I opened the menu. The dish is dairy-free, and comes topped with a decadent coconut creme anglaise and fresh cut strawberries. Each bit is rich and has a pleasant sweetness, channeling the classic flavors of vanilla, strawberry, and coconut. The bread was soaked with flavor, and achieved a lovely crust on the outside and moist interior. The serving was generous, and I definitely was in a sugar coma after eating it, but I had no regrets whatsoever with my selection- it was absolutely divine.

The french toast usually comes with bacon, but I asked for a fruit cup instead. I didn’t eat much of the fruit because of the sweetness of my french toast, but the fruit I did eat was fresh and flavorful.

I came into this brunch experience with the highest of esteem for The Happy Tart but this experience only made me love them more. They prove that gluten-free eating can and should be delicious, and I treasured the simple experience of being able to go to brunch and not have to worry about my food being safe. Menu prices are reasonable, and the food quality is unparalleled. 


It’s probably good I do not live in Northern Virginia because I would be here every weekend if given the chance! 

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.