ULTIMATE London Gluten Free Guide (All Vegetarian Friendly!)
I've lived in London since January 2018, and have spent a lot of time conducting important research into the gluten free market (by which I mean I've eaten as much as possible). I often get messages asking for recommendations in London, and it's so hard to fit everything into a message, so I've put together this Gluten Free Guide to London!
It's split into brunch, dinner, and treats, so there's something for any time of the day. It was impossible to fit everything in, but I've included all my favourites.
I'm also vegetarian so can vouch for all of these places having gluten free veggie options too!
Don't forget that some of London's best gluten free finds are at the markets - so make sure to check out my London Markets Gluten Free Guide too.
Follow me on Instagram @the.gfg to never miss a find.
Brunch
For 100% Gluten Free Mexican: Near and Far
The food at edgy Camden hotspot Near and Far is created by Elote, and it is absolutely to die for. Everything we had was so full of flavour. I recommend the quesadillas, white chocolate and tequila pancakes, and veggie burger in a bagel topped with an egg.
Location: Camden, Peckham
For Venezuelan (and my favourite): Arepa & Co
If you haven't tried Venezuelan food, you absolutely must head to Arepa and Co. Arepas are naturally gluten free maize dough 'buns', stuffed with delicious fillings like black beans, avocado, and plantain (or pulled meat). The brunch options are my personal favourite here - just look at the mix of flavours! No cross contamination concerns and totally delicious food.
Location: Bethnal Green, Haggerston, SW
For Waffles: Utter Waffle
Utter Waffle is a short trip out of London, but it is worth it! ALL the waffles are gluten free except one (curse you Lotus biscoff), and it’s a difficult choice which one to have. The waffles include a fried chicken waffle, vegan fried chicken waffle (my fave), and all kinds of sweet and savoury concoctions.
Location: Herne Hill
For Sugar Free or Vegan: Lele's London
Lele's is a great little local cafe that not many people know caters amazingly for gluten free. Everything is vegan, and it's the perfect spot for brunch before spending the day at Victoria Park as it's within walking distance. I can wholeheartedly recommend the pancakes, just look at them!
Location: Lower Clapton Road
For Cooked Brunch: Leadbelly's
Leadbelly's has a 99% gluten free menu and have recently added “gluten free” markers which are always reassuring. I love their veggie and vegan cooked breakfasts - the scrambled tofu is to die for - and their lunch and dinner options are incredible too. With options such as waffles, open sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips, and even roast dinners, it's not one to miss.
Location: Canada Water
For Plenty of Options: The Bach
The Bach (pronounced 'Batch' and named after a New Zealand style of modest beach house) is the most gorgeous place to go for brunch. Almost everything can be made gluten free, including pancakes, french toast, cooked breakfasts and toasties. My personal fave are the corn fritters with halloumi, avocado, chilli jam and aioli pictured below. Their Broadway Market location is a great place to stop for brunch whilst exploring the Saturday market.
Locations: Hoxton and Broadway Market
For 100% GF Bottomless Brunch: Mommi
Not only is Mommi 100% gluten free, it’s also loads of fun on a weekend. They play music you can’t help but sing along to and the atmosphere is great. To top it off, the food is yum too! For a really reasonable price you get popcorn nibbles, a main of your choice and a decadent dulce de leche brownie dessert.
Location: Clapham
For Edgy/Vegan: Love Shack
Love Shack is a great East London spot for a summer’s day or a cute place to hide from the rain. Everything is vegan and plastic free, the staff are friendly and the decor is cool and relaxed at the same time. Plus you can bring your furry friend, or just make friends with other people’s. The choc pancakes with fruit and gooey nut butter are basically chocolate cake for breakfast.
Location: Bethnal Green
Dinner
For Indian: Dishoom
If you like Indian food, I can't speak highly enough of Dishoom. The Bombay style food includes mouthwatering dishes like paneer masala, black lentil dahl and the infamous (and not-to-miss) gunpowder potatoes. The staff's allergy knowledge is second to none and all dishes come with allergy markers. Get there very early or go at lunch time as there's always a huge queue, but the staff look after you it's worth the wait.
Locations: Carnaby, Covent Garden, Kensington, King's Cross, Shoreditch
For Pizza: Rossopomodoro
Rossopomodoro do a great gluten free pizza. The base is both soft and crispy and the tomato pizza sauce is just delicious. Don't be fooled by the seeming lack of cheese, Rossopomodoro know just how to do pizza!
Locations: Camden, Chelsea, Covent Garden, Hoxton, Kingston, Oxford Street, Swiss Cottage, Wandsworth
For Thai: Rosa’s Thai
Rosa’s is a chain restaurant with a great gluten free menu. The food is always delicious and it’s such a treat to be able to have wide noodles. I have heard of people having mixed experiences here in relation to understanding of gluten free, so if you’re coeliac make sure that you’re happy the staff are clued up.
Location: all over London
For 100% GF Vegan: Holy Carrot
Holy Carrot is Knightsbridge’s hot new vegan restaurant. It focuses on ethically sourced, in season food and everything we had was so fresh, full of flavour and delicious. This is not just your average aubergine-full vegan restaurant - it has a diverse menu of truly tasty GF vegan eats.
Location: Knightsbridge
For Fish and Chips (or Battered Halloumi): Mayfair Chippy
Mayfair chippy is absolute heaven if you’re looking for gluten free fish and chips in London. They have gluten free batter and the gluten free items are separately fried. As for sides, think mushy peas and gluten free gravy! If you’re vegetarian you can also get battered halloumi (pictured below).
Locations: Mayfair, City
For Venezuelan: Arepa and Co
If you haven't tried Venezuelan food, you absolutely must head to Arepa and Co. Arepas are naturally gluten free maize dough 'buns', stuffed with delicious fillings like black beans, avocado, and plantain (or pulled meat). You can sit outside and enjoy the sun, or sit inside and enjoy the atmosphere. Whatever you choose, make sure to get a side of tasty yuca fries.
Location: Bethnal Green, Haggerston, SW
For 100% Gluten Free: Niche
Niche is a 100% gluten free restaurant with tons of vegetarian and dairy free options too. The menu ranges from sausages and mash to fried chicken baskets, with tons of amazing looking dessert options too. There is even now a low fodmap menu, so a must for anyone with multiple (or any) dietary needs.
Location: Islington
For Burgers: Honest Burgers
Absolutely everything at Honest can be made gluten free, including brioche buns and onion rings! The rosemary salted chips are the star of the show, joined by the onion rings which come gluten free as standard. Honest has a special every month which always looks incredible, often in collaboration with other restaurants or brands. They also have the infamous Plant Burger in collaboration with Beyond Meat (pictured below) which is now a permanent feature and is absolutely delicious - yep, it's vegan!
Locations: All over the place, check their website for your nearest branch
For something different: Ugly Dumpling
I absolutely love Ugly Dumpling’s amazing selection of gluten free dumplings (ask for that day’s gluten free offering). They are clued up on coeliac and the gluten free dumplings are prepared in a cross contamination free environment. They take a little longer to come out but it is worth the wait! Plus, all of the amazing sides are gluten free too.
Location: Carnaby. Note: be sure to call in advance to check the GF dumplings are in stock.
For Veggie Burgers: Vurger
Vurger has taken London by storm with its vegan burgers. The selection is incredible and pretty much everything can be made gluten free including mac and cheese, vegan chicken dunkers, tater tots and all of the burgers! Not one to miss if you’re veggie or vegan.
Location: Shoreditch
For 100% GF Latin American: Paladar
Paladar is a beautifully styled restaurant with a stylish courtyard and a huge choice of 100% gluten free small plates. The options include empanadas, tacos, all sorts of meat, fish and veggie dishes, but most importantly, they have CHURROS.
Location: Elephant & Castle
For Dim Sum: Ping Pong
Ping Pong has a fantastic range of gluten free dim sum, so is a real rare treat as gluten free Asian food is still quite limited in the capital. The veggie options are a bit more limited, but just about doable.
Location: various, see website
For variety: Leadbelly’s
A second mention for Leadbelly’s. As well as great brunch options, its gluten free dinner options vary from burgers to roast dinners, and you don’t have to miss out on burger buns, yorkshire puddings or dessert. A great casual place to meet with friends, and the cocktails are fab too.
Location: Canada Water
For Vegan/Dairy Free: Purezza
Purezza’s pizza bases may just be the best gluten free ones out there. Whether you’re vegan or not, it is well worth a trip to try it out! Their vegan mozzarella alternative is famous, and the gluten free options aren’t limited to Pizza. You can try everything from garlic bread to vegan lasagna. Oh and did I mention CHOCOLATE PIZZA.
Location: Camden
Other options include:
Mexican: Wahaca
Pizza: Apollo Pizzeria
Healthy/veggie: Mildred's
100% GF Italian: Leggero
Treats
For 100% GF and Vegan: Cookies & Scream
If you are vegan or dairy/egg free then run don’t walk to Islington to Cookies and Scream! Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll want to head over for one of their amazing milkshakes. I got a salted caramel milkshake with balls of cookie dough (!!) and it might be one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
Location: Islington
For Doughnuts: Borough 22
If, like me, you've spent much of your gluten free life not living in London, you'll know that gf doughnuts are nearly impossible to find. Not in London! Borough 22 has your back with their amazing gluten free and totally vegan (but you wouldn't know it) doughnuts. They're moist, and the flavour choice is to die for.
Location: stocked in various cafes around London and in Selfridges Food Hall - check the stockists section of their website to see where and which days
For Crepes: Crêpes à la carte
I love a crepe, and the lovely French owners behind Crêpes à la carte know how to make them. The staff's allergy knowledge is fantastic, and there are vegan options too. Personally I can never resist a sweet crepe, but you can also pick up savoury options.
Locations: Camden (stall), Kentish town (shop)
For Ice Cream: Grom
If it’s a sunny day in London, you’ll be wanting to head to Grom. Absolutely everything is gluten free, which includes the likes of cones, chocolate covered cones, all the ice cream and ice cream stuffed brioche. The Gianduja flavour (chocolate hazelnut) is to die for.
Locations: Picadilly
For cake: Pearl and Groove
Pearl and Groove is a beautiful little bakery and cafe with stunning cakes. Everything is 100% gluten free, and you can get brunch there too. It is well worth the trip, they have vegan and sugar free options too!
Location: Exmouth Market
Other options include:
Pancakes: My Old Dutch
Cupcakes: Lola's Cupcakes
