Jardin Kitchen + Juice Bar: A Gluten-Free Gem in Toronto’s Distillery District

We were so grateful for the opportunity to not only visit Jardin Kitchen + Juice Bar but also to sit down with Chef Esau Abraham Garcia Ramos to discuss the menu, the inspiration behind the dishes, and their impressive commitment to maintaining a gluten-free environment.

The Location

You’ll find Jardin at 28 Gristmill Lane in The Distillery District, and honestly, you can’t miss it! Before you even step inside, the welcoming outdoor patio catches your eye with its large, (real!) plants and ample seating options.

The restaurant is a plant-filled oasis that seamlessly blends the outdoor environment with the indoor space.

We think that a restaurant’s atmosphere is crucial; it can tell you a lot about the food before you even look at the menu, and Jardin has absolutely nailed it! The décor is clean and minimalist, yet cozy, making it the perfect spot to settle in with a laptop and a smoothie (seriously, we want to try them all).

As soon as you walk in, you’ll see the service counter (order here!) with easy-to-read menus overhead, and there are also paper menus on the tables if you prefer to take a seat and have a closer look.

The Menu Offerings

Jardin’s menu truly offers something for everyone, and while there are options for any meal of the day, the brunch options are especially impressive. For our gluten-free brunch enthusiasts, you know how challenging brunch can be—but not here!

Jardin offers a wide range of dishes, including freshly pressed juices, smoothies, sandwiches, bowls, toasts, and of course an all-day brunch.

Our Visit to Jardin

As soon as we sat down and took a closer look at the menu, we knew we needed Chef Esau’s recommendations—there were just too many amazing options!

Chef Esau first guided us towards the juices and smoothies, recommending the Beet Citrus Zing (beetroot, orange, lime, pear, and ginger) and the PB&J Smoothie (milk, peanut butter, strawberry, banana, vanilla extract, flaxseeds, vanilla yogurt, maple syrup, and strawberry jam).

Beet Citrus Zing

Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by the flavour of the Beet Citrus Zing—mainly because I typically avoid beet-based juices, as they’re often a bit too… beety? But this one was totally different! Chef Esau explained that the citrus really offsets the earthy beet flavour, preventing it from being too overpowering, with the ginger and pear adding a nice balance.

Jardin offers a wide range of freshly pressed juices, from more vegetable-based options like the ‘B-Green’ (kale, spinach, cucumber, celery, fennel, apple, and lemon) to fruitier choices like the Watermelon Berry (watermelon, strawberry, orange, lime, and basil).

PB&J Smoothie

The PB&J smoothie is one of the most popular, and for good reason! It’s a great choice for peanut butter fans—the flavors blend perfectly to create a smooth, sweet taste.

And how fun is the design on the cup? C’mon, you can’t tell us that’s not an Instagram-worthy beverage!

The Bowls

Jardin offers a fantastic selection of bowls and salads, and Chef Esau mentioned that many of them can easily be modified to be vegan.

California Grain Bowl

With its base of red quinoa and black and white beans, the California Grain Bowl is hearty and filling. The avocado dressing adds just enough flavour to pull everything together without being overpowering.

A Note About the Flavours at Jardin

One thing that became very clear after tasting several dishes and speaking with Chef Esau is that Jardin really lets the natural flavours shine. Nothing is over-seasoned, and only mild oils like olive oil and grapeseed oil are used.

If we had to choose one word to describe the flavours, it would be ‘fresh’. With every bite, you can taste the individual ingredients while also appreciating how well they complement each other. Every single ingredient has its place in the dish, enhancing the overall taste.

Salmon Poke Bowl

We’re big salmon fans, so we were excited to try the Salmon Poke Bowl. Jardin’s version uses smoked salmon, which adds a distinctly salty flavour that elevates the other ingredients in the dish. We also loved the delicate pieces of watermelon radish (they look like flower petals!), adding the perfect twist of flavour!

Umami Avo Toast

Another customer favourite is the Umami Avo Toast, and it’s easy to see why. This isn’t your standard avocado toast! While the beloved avocado is still prominent, it’s layered over the incredible flavours of miso, tamari, and tomato sofrito. You’ll also find spinach, crumbled feta, and fresh cherry tomatoes. Paired with a fresh juice or smoothie, this makes for a filling meal or a great option to share with a friend.

Note: This was our non-gluten-free partner’s favorite dish!

Shakshuka

Another highly recommended dish was the Shakshuka—a delicious combination of brown rice, spiced tomato sauce, baked eggs, and herbs served in a cast iron skillet.

If you’re looking for a heartier brunch option, the Shakshuka is sure to satisfy! We found it wasn’t overly saucy (as conventional Shakshuka dishes can be) but had the perfect tomato sauce-to-rice ratio!

Chatting With Chef Esau

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Chef Esau, and we’re grateful for the chance to gain his personal insights.

Gluten-Free Commitment

Given that this website is called Gluten-Free Toronto, we want to highlight how seriously Chef Esau, and the entire Jardin team take gluten-free dining.

Although this was his first time creating a 100% gluten-free menu, Chef Esau has plenty of previous experience working with dietary needs. As a former chef at Toronto’s Rosalinda, Chef Esau had previously worked with a completely vegan menu that also offered many gluten-free dishes.

Chef Esau explained the lengths they go to ensure that every ingredient is not only naturally gluten-free but also certified gluten-free. For instance, Celiacs can rest assured that the oats used in Jardin’s dishes, along with other ingredients, are all certified gluten-free. Cross-contamination is taken very seriously when it comes to sourcing ingredients used in their dishes.

Beyond gluten, they take other food allergies and intolerances very seriously as well. Chef Esau mentioned that all ingredients in pre-made items are printed out and easily accessible to the staff, ensuring they can provide accurate information if customers have any questions.

Staff Education

Although everything at Jardin is 100% gluten-free, Chef Esau emphasized that the staff still receive proper gluten-free education. I was impressed to learn that if a diner brings a non-gluten-free item, like a muffin, to eat alongside a juice or smoothie, they would be asked to enjoy it outside. While this might seem trivial to some, those with serious cross-contamination concerns will truly appreciate this level of dedication.

Menu Inspiration

While the menu overall has a “health-conscious-Californian” vibe, Chef Esau draws inspiration from a global palette. For example, many dishes and flavours have a clear Japanese influence, yet they remain uniquely true to Chef Esau’s vision.

The menu also features seasonal variety. For instance, Chef Esau mentioned that during the colder months, soups are added—so you can enjoy a warm, gluten-free soup while visiting The Distillery’s Winter Village this year!

A Broader Approach

For Chef Esau and the entire Jardin team, it’s not just about being gluten-free—it’s about offering a gluten-free dining that appeals to everyone. If you’re the only one in your family or friend group who needs to avoid gluten, you know how awkward it can be to suggest a 100% gluten-free restaurant, often due to misconceptions about gluten-free food being bland or falling apart.

At Jardin, this isn’t something you need to worry about. We’re confident that both gluten-free and non-gluten-free diners will equally appreciate the dishes. They really are all so delicious!

Ingredient Sourcing

Much of this can be attributed to how Jardin sources its ingredients. For example, Chef Esau shared the challenges of finding the right brand of gluten-free bread, which is crucial given that a portion of the menu items are toast! After being dissatisfied with many commercially available options, they found their perfect bread ‘partner’ in a Toronto gluten-free bakery, Cock-A-Doodle-Doo Gluten-Free Bakeshop.

Delicious gluten-free bread that also supports another Toronto gluten-free business? That’s a win-win in our books!

Take-Aways

Jardin Kitchen + Juice Bar has filled a unique void in The Distillery District’s restaurant offerings, providing something truly different from other restaurant options in the area. Whether you’re committed to a strict gluten-free diet or simply seeking fresh, flavourful, and health-conscious meals, Jardin is a standout choice.

The attention to detail, from the sourcing of gluten-free ingredients to the creative global inspirations behind the dishes, ensures that every meal is not only safe for Celiacs, but also enjoyable for everyone.

If you’re looking for a 100% gluten-free spot where quality, taste, and health are all on the menu, you will most definitely enjoy Jardin Kitchen + Juice Bar!

Jardin Kitchen + Juice Bar
Instagram: @jardin.to
Address: 28 Gristmill Lane (in The Distillery District, Toronto, ON)
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Sunday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.