If you’ve been searching for a gluten-free café in Sandgate that doesn’t ask you to compromise on taste, The Witchin’ Kitchen on Rainbow Street might just become your new regular haunt. This family-owned café and bakery has built a devoted following in the bayside suburb — and it’s not hard to see why.
The business is run by a coeliac family, and that lived experience shows in the care taken across every part of the operation. The pastry kitchen is kept entirely separate from the main café kitchen and is 100% gluten-free and coeliac-safe — wheat flour simply doesn’t come through the door. On-site, the pastry chef prepares everything from pancakes and fritters to the full cake cabinet. The café also maintains a dedicated fryer, a separate toaster and butter container, and thorough food-handling training for all staff.
One of the owners, Lisa, is a coeliac herself — which gives regulars and first-timers alike real confidence when ordering. Booking ahead is recommended, given how popular the spot has become.
The fit-out leans into the name with art deco flair and a playful personality — the eclectic building has a buzzing, welcoming vibe, complete with outdoor undercover seating and a dog-friendly policy, making it just as appealing for a solo coffee stop as it is for a family outing.
The breakfast menu offers something for every kind of morning. Highlights include apple crumble pancakes, banana bread French toast, and caramel pecan twists, alongside heartier options like a big breakfast or softly spiced scrambled eggs. For those after something lighter, a house-made granola bowl is a solid way to start the day.
Lunch shifts the focus to burgers — old-school in spirit but clearly crafted with a bit of extra thought. Classic beef and bacon combinations sit alongside veggie versions and more loaded builds for those who like to go all in. Standout dishes from reviewers also include truffle mushroom bruschetta and sweet potato feta frittata.
Then there’s the cabinet. Cheesecakes, tarts, pies, cupcakes, banana bread and more fill the display — alongside Nutella donuts and banoffee pie — and the whole lot is gluten-free. Most people are genuinely surprised when they find out.
Drinks include fresh juices, milkshakes and smoothies, with house specials like the Green Witch and Pow Pow Cacao rounding out the menu nicely.
The café sits at 227 Rainbow Street, conveniently close to the Sandgate foreshore — making it an easy stop before or after a walk along the waterfront. The kitchen operates Wednesday to Sunday, with breakfast and lunch service and online bookings available.
Whether you’re coeliac, gluten-intolerant, or simply after a good feed in a café that takes its food seriously, The Witchin’ Kitchen is worth the trip.
The Witchin’ Kitchen is located at 227 Rainbow Street, Sandgate. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
Published 18-April-2026
