The Best Gluten Free Restaurants In The UK

Over the past few years, there has been something of a renaissance in the world of gluten free eating. Besides food retailers providing some truly excellent gluten free alternatives (such as our 100% yellow pea pasta), more and more restaurants are popping up offering some absolutely top notch fare.


According to Coeliac UK, an estimated 1% of the UK population has coeliac disease and up to 6% have gluten intolerance. This means that it is very likely we all have friends or family members who need to be careful about their diets. Whether you are looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion or somewhere just because no one can face cooking, there are a myriad of options out there for people who are avoiding gluten.


Coeliac UK have launched a pretty amazing accreditation scheme! At restaurants with this accreditation, you can be sure that the food has been handled in a gluten safe environment and that there will be plenty of choice. Some are nation-wide chains, some are independent. There is something for everyone.


Read on for our round up of the best gluten free restaurants all around the UK!



London | gluten free friendly restaurants

London is a melting pot and because of its diversity, there are many gluten free restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something bougie or budget, you’ll be able to find something to suit your mood.


Purezza

At Purezza, they believe that vegan food should be delicious and accessible to everyone. Their London location is nestled in the heart of Camden, near Regent’s Canal, and offers a warm and inviting place to share a pizza. Better yet, ZENB pasta stars in their signature side of plant-based mac and cheese!


  • Website: https://purezza.co.uk/
  • Address: 45-47 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PN
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Italian
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no, but have dedicated gluten free cooking utensils


Niche

Niche is a casual fine dining restaurant, located just a stone’s throw from Sadler’s Wells. Niche has a bit of a reputation in the gluten free world, as it was the first totally gluten free restaurant in London and the first to receive gluten free accreditation from Coeliac UK. Their focus is on local suppliers and seasonal produce - gluten free, but you wouldn’t know it! Insiders’ tip: founder Mark has coeliac disease himself, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands.



Indigo at One Aldwych

Smashing location in Covent Garden aside, Indigo at One Aldwych is known for its simply delicious food and stylish neighbourhood buzz. Chef Dominic Teague is a pioneer in the field of free from cooking and is passionate about reinventions of classic dishes.



Ceviche

Inspired by Lima’s bohemian neighbourhood, Ceviche’s approach is eclectic and upbeat, where the Pisco is always flowing. Peruvian food is often naturally gluten free, but Ceviche are great at allergy labelling. And most of the menu is gluten free! New to Peruvian food? Check out the Discovery Menu.


  • Website: https://cevichelondon.com/
  • Address: 17 Frith Street, London, W1D, 4RG
  • Cuisine: Peruvian
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no

Banana Tree

At Banana Tree, you will find a Pan-Asian feast. The best dishes from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia have been hand-picked, so whether you fancy wok-cooked noodles, curry, or stir fry, you’ll find a panoply of choice. And they take food allergies seriously! Besides being clearly labelled, they have a handy downloadable allergy guide.


  • Website:https://bananatree.co.uk/
  • Address: Flagship restaurant: 166 Randolph Avenue London W9 1PG, also 12 other locations in London and the South East.
  • Cuisine: Pan-Asian
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no


Yorkshire and The North | 

gluten free friendly restaurants

Northern hospitality is famous and these restaurants live up to it! From fish and chips to sell-out Sunday lunches, and everything in between, the North of England and Yorkshire, are certainly giving the rest of the country a run for its gluten free money.


The Clean Bean

At Clean Bean, their USP is straightforward: serve delicious food with a focus on healthy, nutritious, and locally sourced ingredients. Everything on their diverse menu can be made gluten free, from their full English breakfasts to evening meals. Clean Bean is a truly unique restaurant, situated on the beautiful North East coastline.


  • Website: https://cleanbeanseaham.co.uk/
  • Address: 22 North Terrace, Seaham, SR7 7EU
  • Cuisine: British and British fusion
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no

The Oxford Place

The Oxford Place is proudly Leeds’ first gluten free restaurant. A family-run establishment, they make no bones about being fine dining and gluten free. They have a reputation for quality of service, allergy awareness, and delicious food.



Bizzie Lizzie’s

Skipton is lucky enough to have two locations of Bizzie Lizzie’s, serving up mouth-watering fish and chips. At their Swadford Street restaurant, Bizzie Lizzie’s has a separate and dedicated gluten free fryer, so you can enjoy peace of mind and deliciously crispy fish and chips.



Midlands | gluten free friendly restaurants

The Midlands is home to a varied collection of gluten free restaurants, featuring traditional pubs and award-winning fine dining. Here are some of our favourites, from destination dining to food in the heart of the city.


The Golden Cross

The Golden Cross is Coventry’s oldest pub (dating all the way back to 1583!) and also boasts a totally gluten free kitchen. You’ll find traditional, homemade, British pub classics along with a vegan and vegetarian menu and a dedicated burger menu. Also, if gin is your thing, check out their gin of the month!



Orbis

An AA two rosette and award-winning restaurant (Including the accolade of Restaurant of the Year from the Great Food Club Awards), if you are in Stamford Lincolnshire, Orbis is worth a visit. Come for the ambience and the completely gluten free menu, stay for their signature cocktails. Though we must say, their boozy brunch (served Friday-Sunday) sounds absolutely chef’s kiss.



Vigour and Virtue

Vigour and Virtue specialise in 100% plant-based and 100% gluten free food. A haven for those who need to be careful about what they eat, V&V pride themselves on being Derbyshire’s leading specialist eatery. Besides toasties and gluten free naan pizza, you’ll also find nourishing rainbow salad bowls as well as freshly baked sweet treats.



The Rooftop Restaurant at the RSC

If you happen to find yourself in Stratford-upon-Avon, and particularly if you are planning to see some theatre at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Rooftop Restaurant must be added to your to do list. A gorgeous waterside setting, delicious pre-theatre two or three course menus, and excellent gluten free labelling (with lots of options!) are just a few reasons. And they have a children’s menu as well!



Lost & Found

Lost & Found showcases classic British food in a quirky and playful setting, with serious nods to Victorian decadence. Better yet, they have a separate menu dedicated to showing off their wheat and gluten free food. With lots of options both for dinner (British classics like steaks and roast chicken) and for their famous bottomless brunch (green shakshuka served with Genius™ bread), you’ll find something to tickle your fancy. Besides Birmingham, Lost & Found also have branches in Bristol, Leeds, and Knutsford.




East of England &  the South East | 

gluten free friendly restaurants 

It is hard to write about the East and Sout East of England without mentioning the coast and idyllic home counties villages. All this is featured in our restaurant list below. And of course, we couldn’t resist adding in a slightly zany one from Brighton.


Blue Joanna

In the heart of Norwich’s Golden Triangle, you’ll find the little haven of Blue Joanna, a bar with Asian street food, cool cocktails, and vinyl records - oh, and a blue piano. You’ll discover live music most nights and delicious street food every night, like sticky Korean barbeque wings and wasabi battered prawns. And the entire menu is gluten and dairy free!



Oscar & Bentley’s Bistro

Once Canterbury’s best-kept secret, now booking is strongly advised! At Oscar & Bentley’s, the menu changes regularly to feature as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. The menu is entirely gluten free, with all food being prepared on-site. They take great pride in serving fresh delicious food, cooked to order by real chefs.


  • Website: https://www.oscar-bentleys.co.uk/
  • Address: 10 Guildhall Street, Canterbury, CT1 2JQ
  • Cuisine: Modern British
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no

The Red Lion Badlesmere

For more than 6 years, the Red Lion have been serving up delicious 100% gluten free food in the beautiful village of Badlesmere. A family-run affair, they offer proper pub grub as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu. In the summer months, you can even enjoy your food al fresco in their beautiful country garden.


  • Website: https://www.redlionbadlesmere.com/
  • Address: Red Lion Badlesmere, Ashford Road Faversham, ME13 0NX
  • Cuisine: British
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: yes


Happy Maki

Sustainability and ethical food is at the heart of what Happy Maki do, so unsurprisingly, they are a totally vegan and gluten free enterprise. With their roots in the festival circuit, Happy Maki now have dedicated premises in Brighton, where they serve up a delicious mix of sushi wraps and poke bowls, for casual eat-in or takeaway.


  • Website: https://www.happymaki.co.uk/
  • Address: 23 SYDNEY STREET, BRIGHTON, BN1 4EN
  • Cuisine: Vegan Sushi burritos and Poke bowls
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no

South West | gluten free friendly restaurants

Ah the coast again! Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall, how could we not? Health-focused food, local fish and chips, and the best Thai food in Gloucester - is your mouth watering yet?


Bangkok Canteen

Nestled in the centre of Gloucester, you’ll find Bangkok Canteen, a restaurant dedicated to serving the best of Thai food - always totally gluten free and with locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. So whether you are yearning for Tom Yum soup, a tangy Pad Thai, or a punchy Panang, you are sure to be satisfied.


Bonne Sante

Bonne Sante, in Plymouth, is all about providing delicious food while reducing saturated fats, refined sugar, and other nasties. Their entire menu can be made to be gluten free, from brunch to burgers and noodles to pizza. Don’t let your lifestyle compromise your enjoyment of delectable food!


14 Miles East

14 miles east of Exeter, you’ll find yourself in Sidmouth, and (hopefully!) at 14 Miles East, an independent cafe and bar. Champions of locally sourced and sustainable food, instead of gluten free labelling, you’ll see a warning that an item contains gluten. Whether you’re meeting a friend for lunch or popping out for breakfast, 14 Miles East will fit the bill.


  • Website: https://www.14mileseast.co.uk/
  • Address: 14 Miles East, 46 Fore Street, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8AG
  • Cuisine: British, breakfast & lunch
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: yes

Fraser’s Fish and Chips

Fraser’s Fish and Chips firmly believe in the power of the “dynamic duo” to lift your mood - and it should be something to be enjoyed by everyone. They take allergy labelling seriously, have a separate gluten free menu, and dedicated gluten free fryer, so you can enjoy your fish and chips with peace of mind. They have two locations in Cornwall, one in Penzance and another in Helston.


  • Website: https://www.frasersfishandchips.co.uk/
  • Address: Western Promenade Road Penzance Cornwall TR18 4HH
  • Cuisine: Fish & Chips
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: yes

Wales | gluten free friendly restaurants 

The reasons to visit Wales are numerous - over 600 castles (more castles than any other place in the UK), rich culture, beautiful scenery, windswept coastlines, and colourful market towns. Gluten free offerings in Wales are expanding too! Here are a couple of our favourites.


Creates

Creates in Monmouth is a cafe and bistro, attached to a boutique B&B and art gallery. They have extensive gluten free options on their menu, many things can be adapted to be gluten free as well. Serving breakfast, of course, but also lunch, dinner, and small plates - all cooked to order.



Porro

At Porro, they believe in seasonal eating and feature a menu that changes daily, depending on what local products are available. They also have a separate gluten free menu, showcasing gluten free bread, Monmouthshire pork belly and Welsh lamb. Located on the bustling Llandaff high street just near Cardiff’s famous cathedral, they are well worth a visit.



Scotland | gluten free friendly restaurants

Gone are the days when food in Scotland was limited to neeps and tatties or a fried Mars bar. Exciting food, and better yet, delicious gluten free food in Scotland is here to stay with wide-ranging, cosmopolitan offerings. A few of our Scottish highlights are below.


Dahkin

Scotland’s first authentic South Indian restaurant, Dahkin, also features a 100% gluten free menu. Located in the centre of Glasgow’s trendy Merchant City, Dahkin showcases dishes with chicken, lamb, and seafood, as well as vegetarian options. While dining, you can enjoy a view of the open-plan kitchen, in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.


  • Website: https://dakhin.com/
  • Address: 89 Candleriggs, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 1NP
  • Cuisine: South Indian
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: yes

Cafe Andaluz

Escape to Spain without the flights and enjoy a spread of traditional Spanish tapas at Cafe Andaluz. They have locations in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, as well as one in Newcastle. You can discuss gluten free options with your server, though they recommend phoning ahead if you have severe allergies or coeliac disease.


  • Website: https://www.cafeandaluz.com/
  • Address: 10-11 George IV Bridge, Old Town, EH1 1EE
  • Cuisine: Spanish tapas
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no

Findlay’s Fish Bar and Diner

Findlay’s Fish Bar and Diner isn’t your regular chip shop. All their fish (be it haddock, lemon sole, or hand-peeled langoustines) are from MSC-accredited suppliers, always as fresh as can be and cooked to order. Better still, they have accreditation from Coeliac UK!



Nationwide gluten free friendly restaurants

Now, if you don’t happen to live near one of the places we’ve mentioned already, happily there are a fair number of nationwide restaurants with extensive gluten free offerings. Have a look, you might be pleasantly surprised by some that make the list!



Pho

If you haven’t jumped on the pho train, where have you been? Pho is a Vietnamese soup with rice noodles, and is endlessly customisable and delicious. Pho Cafe are a national chain, serving up Vietnamese street food, freshly cooked daily. With the exception of a few items clearly labelled, the majority of the menu is gluten free!



Pizza Express

Yes, Pizza Express can be gluten free! Over the past few years, Pizza Express has put the time in, training staff in gluten free safe cooking and expanding their gluten free range to include pizza, salads, and desserts, not forgetting their famous dough balls!



Carluccio’s

Founded by Antonio Carluccio in 1991, as a deli championing Italian food, Carluccio’s has expanded to 30 restaurants across the UK and Ireland. Their motto is minimum fuss, maximum flavour. And happily, they have accreditation from Coeliac UK, so you can rest assured that gluten free items have been handled in the proper way.



Chiquito

All 18 locations of Chiquito offer an extensive range of gluten free dishes, packed with flavour and prepared with the freshest ingredients. From tacos to fajitas and build-your-own burritos, there is something to satisfy your Tex-Mex craving. Be sure to ask your server for the full gluten free menu when you arrive.



Honest Burger

Honest Burger is honest about burgers. The menu is limited: just burgers, sometimes wings, and a few vegetarian and vegan options. But what they do, they do well. The rosemary salted fries, are particularly moreish. Now, because of their preparation process, they can’t guarantee that all food labelled gluten free is totally free from gluten, so Honest isn’t best for Coeliacs, but if you’re gluten sensitive, there are plenty of options, clearly labelled.


  • Website: https://www.honestburgers.co.uk/
  • Address: Over 40 locations In England, including London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds
  • Cuisine: Burgers
  • Cost: ££
  • Coeliac UK Accredited: no

Tips for gluten free dining out

If you are gluten intolerant, the safest place for you to eat out is at a Coeliac UK Accredited venue. You can find their full list of venues here.


However, as you can see from our list, there are plenty of places that offer gluten free food that are not Coeliac UK accredited, so here are a couple of tips to make your experience as easy as possible.


Check the website and phone ahead. Some restaurants will recommend that you phone ahead to alert the kitchen that you have special dietary requirements. Ask what their gluten free options are and, for your peace of mind, what plans they have in place to ensure food safety.


Confirm again when you arrive. Let your server know about your dietary requirements and let them know you phoned ahead. They will be able to point out gluten free menu items and provide information on any specials the kitchen is running that day.


Final thoughts

To sum up, the UK food scene is becoming more aware of catering to people who are sensitive to gluten. With allergen labelling becoming more de rigueur, it is easier than ever to find somewhere to eat out solo or with your pals.

As with any diet, gluten free eating can sometimes feel a little limiting, but hopefully armed with this list, you’ll find somewhere delicious to enjoy your next meal out. Happy eating!


**All information correct as of July 2023


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