Eating out as a coeliac diner or someone with a gluten intolerance can be a tricky business, and these days more and more of us are saying goodbye to gluten as a lifestyle choice. But boy, they don’t make it easy for us. From the confused look on the waiter’s face at the word ‘gluten’ to a sauce that looks suspiciously thickened with flour, sometimes eating out makes you feel more like a master interrogator than a hungry customer.
So we thought it was high time that we delved into our unbounded archive of restaurant knowledge to give you the lowdown on where’s hot when gluten’s not. And the good news is that the restaurant industry is finally stepping up its game, with plenty of places now ready and willing to cater to your millenial needs. No longer will you be stuck with a miserable-looking plate of leaves while all your so-called friends wolf down baskets of freshly baked bread and bowls of pasta with gleeful abandon.
We caught up with gluten-free goddess Caz Roberts of The Gluten Free Foodie blog and founder of Gluugle (a website and app where you can discover and share gluten free places to eat) and asked for her pick of places to go gluten free.
Claridge’s, Mayfair (above)
Afternoon tea at Claridge’s is a timeless institution and the gluten-free option is no different. From cream-filled scones to delicate finger sandwiches and to-die-for macarons, there’s not a trace of gluten in sight. It’s also heartening that such a traditional establishment has taken this step with a cornerstone offering , hopefully pave the way for many more to follow suit.
Dishoom, all branches (below)
Indian is a great cuisine for the gluten-free diner because it doesn’t rely on wheat flour and curries are generally gluten-free. However, if you’re unfamiliar with Indian dishes you may find it hard to determine exactly what is going into your curry. Step forward, Dishoom. A Bombay-style café serving contemporary Indian fare, with an extensive, colour-coded gluten-free menu. Excuse us while we take a moment to recover from excitement.
E&O, Notting Hill
Asian food can be a minefield for coeliac diners because sneaky soy sauce is lurking at every turn. But E&O has a separate coeliac menu with a colour-coded system to let you know what is already gluten-free, what can be made gluten-free and what contains gluten and can’t be changed. With plenty of dim sum and imaginative Asian salads, those who are game for gluten will no doubt be happy too.
Honest Burgers, all branches (above)
Oh, for the days when you could swing by the latest hip burger joint and enjoy a juicy patty washed down with a beer for under a tenner. Wait, what’s that? At Honest Burgers those days are back. With gluten-free buns and beer, and over ten varieties of burger to choose from, you don’t miss out on a thing.
Locanda Locatelli, Marylebone (above)
Italian cuisine doesn’t appear very gluten-free friendly: pasta, pizza, ciabatta…need we go on? Chef Giorgio Locatelli, however, has a daughter with multiple food allergies and caters thoughtfully for them all at his Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant. The range of gluten-free options is excellent and includes gluten-free pasta dishes. This is a place where even the most nervous guests can let their hair down, as the cross-contamination procedures are incredibly strict. It comes with a hefty price tag but is definitely worth it.
Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxfordshire (below)
This two-Michelin star restaurant really goes above and beyond. Chef Raymond Blanc was one of the first to really care about food intolerances and strives to make your experience, dare we say it, even better than everyone else’s. We were given a plate of our very own canapés and have rarely felt more pleased with ourselves.
Nopi, Soho
Ottolenghi’s upscale café falls more into the fine dining category, though the Middle Eastern-inspired dishes are small and made for sharing. They’ve bothered to create a separate gluten-free menu which will tell you which of the ever-changing seasonal dishes are suitable for you. Fingers crossed that you’re the only coeliac on your table so you won’t have to share…
Orrery, Marylebone (below)
This consistently delicious French restaurant won’t bat an eyelid when you mention that you’re gluten-free, instead promptly pointing out your options as easily as they would for a vegetarian. They’ll then bring you a separate basket of gluten-free bread without even asking. Heavenly.
The Soho Hotel, Soho
A wonderful space with modern European influences which has strong knowledge of both allergies and the dreaded cross-contamination. Artisan gluten-free bread comes in a variety of flavours, such as poppy seed and tomato, while gluten-free pasta is also available. Breakfast options include gluten-free muesli and homemade muffins.
The Truscott Arms, Maida Vale (above)
This excellent gastropub gives you everything that you’d ever dreamed of: the clearly-labelled menu is almost entirely free from gluten. Drop in for a breakfast of gluten-free bread and sausages, or enjoy gluten-free Yorkshire puddings in your Sunday roast. Like beer? Silly question… choose from three different gluten-free varieties.
Click here for our full list of gluten-intolerant and coeliac-friendly dining options in London
This article was checked and updated 12 May 2016