Last updated in March 2024
I can remember so clearly the first time I ate out at a 100% gluten free restaurant after my coeliac diagnosis. It was in Australia at the Gluten Free For Me cafe on the way to Australia Zoo. I can remember the feeling of being able to eat anything I wanted, the pure joy, relief, excitement. The not having to ask loads of questions just to find something safe and realising how much eating out had become a game of Russian roulette since being diagnosed as Coeliac. After a lot of deliberating over the menu, eating waffles for breakfast set me up for one of my best days in my two month trip to Australia and New Zealand and apart from Australia Zoo being totally amazing I’m sure my food experience played a huge part in my memories.
For many, 100% gluten free options may be the only places you’ll consider eating out at to protect yourself from any potential risk for cross contamination, that you definitely don’t want whilst on holiday. If that’s you then a trip to London is easily doable with so many 100% gluten free eateries. Every Coeliac I think gets excited at being able to pick anything to eat off a menu and just feel normal, in which case there’s plenty for you to try on a trip to the Capital!
Gluten free options in London change frequently so do double check somewhere is open and trading before you travel out of your way there. Please do also let me know if anywhere on the list you discover to have closed. RIP to some of my faves – Beyond Bread, Leggero, Cookies and Scream, Pearl and Groove, Andina and Yorica but welcome to some new gluten free hot spots in the city.
Bakeries and Sweet Treats
Borough 22 – 100% Vegan
Location: Selfridges, Oxford Street (Bond Street)
Borough 22 doughnuts can be found in Selfridges and at various cafes around London. Delicious ring donuts that are gluten free, dairy free, vegan and soy free so a great option for those with multiple allergies wanting to indulge in a sweet treat. I love these, although the texture is more cakey than that of normal donuts so be prepared for that! (Also check that the cafe is storing them safely, Borough 22 donuts are 100% gluten free but when I went to buy one from Timberyard they’d cross contaminated them by storing them with normal cakes).
As of 2022, Borough 22 have also perfected the fried doughnut which go onsale online every Friday at 6pm, but be quick as they reportedly sell out in minutes! They also do pop ups regularly in London so do follow them on social media to make sure that you don’t miss out!
Dendara – Vegan and Refined Sugar Free
Location: South Kensington
A gluten free bakery that is on the pricy side that I’m yet to try but it is definitely on the list for when I am next in the area. They have some amazing sounding options that I haven’t seen elsewhere, and I have seen great reviews for the chicken and date pastillas.
Doughnut Time – 100% Vegan
Locations: Various across London – The London Bridge branch definitely sell the gluten free ones
Doughnut Time has created a gluten free range to their baked doughnuts that are made in a dedicated gluten free facility and sold individually wrapped. They are incredible loaded baked doughnuts so more cakey than doughnut but amazing nonetheless.
Some branches of Doughnut Time sell individually wrapped gluten free doughnuts, or six packs can be ordered online.
Location: Broadway Market, Hackney (Bethnal Green)
An effort to get to Broadway Market on a Saturday (9am-5pm) rewards you with the 100% gluten free bakery stall with to die for baked goods and gluten free donuts. Yes the panic will set in as you question whether they really are gluten free but just relax and enjoy the delights that they are.
Freefrom Bakehouse – many dairy free and vegan options
Location: Borough Market (London Bridge)
The Freefrom Bakehouse is the must visit stall at Borough Market for those on a free from diet. All gluten free, with lots of dairy free and vegan options you’ll be there a while deciding which delight to go for. For me it has to be the Battenberg, the only place I’ve seen it sold in London although it doesn’t regularly feature on the menu. On my last visit I tried a soft and delicious bakewell tart.
Grom
Location: Piccadilly Circus
A dedicated gluten free gelato parlour is the dream, and my non gluten free five year nephew thought so too when he visited. His strawberry ice cream was his favourite part of his day out in London when we last went – a big claim considering the activities that we did that included a trip to Hamley’s toy store!
Location: Portobello Road
A gluten free, sugar free, organic and low carb bakery not far from Libby’s. This is an expensive modern bakery, where I picked up a couple of cookies. It’s a bakery I don’t feel the need to rush back to, but I would pick something up if I was nearby or maybe stop for a coffee.
Libby’s Gluten Free and Sugar Free Bakery
Locations: Notting Hill and Belsize Park
Libby’s bakery is relatively new to the London gluten free scene but well advertised on social media, mostly thanks to their awesome croissants which I highly recommend. Their actual bakery is also sugar free, so I personally wasn’t a fan of the tiramasu cake slice that I bought. I would definitely personally save your sweet treat purchases for else where unless you need them to be sugar free and focus on the pastries and bagels here.
Belsize Park is a new location that I haven’t yet been to which looks to be the one to visit if you can with a more extensive pastry menu and some amazing looking pizzas.
Location: Chiswick
Not on the tourist trail, so I have not made it out the the insane looking 100% gluten free Ma Ma Boutique Bakery but its firmly on the list to try.
The Polka Dot Bakery – 100% Vegan
Location: Spitalfields
A gluten free and vegan bakery that’s been on my must visit list for a while, but as it is only open at weekends I have just not found myself at Spitalfields when it is open. A must visit for anyone there at a weekend for sure!
Street Food
Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen – vegan options
Location: Camden Market (Camden Underground)
Arepas are amazing for those who are Coeliac as they are naturally gluten free and they have started to pop up all over London. Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen at Camden is one of my favourite lunch options and can be made dairy free or vegan. Head to Camden if you have never tried one as before this I didn’t know what I’d been missing!
Location: Whitecross Street Market
Having discovered tapioca crepes in Brazil, I am a huge fan. Beijummy offers a gluten free option at Whitecross Street Market.
Guasa – vegan options
Locations: Old Spitalfields, Greenwich and Mercato Metroplitano
Guasa also sells 100% gluten free arepas at markets across London and are the same owners as Guasa in Madrid.
Khanom Krok
Location: Borough Market (London Bridge)
If you’re missing some authentic Thai food visit Khanom Krok for some unbelievable pad Thai made using gluten free Tamari. There are also coconut pancakes if you fancy a warm, sweet, gooey, coconutty ( and vegan) dessert. I love both of these dishes.
Makatcha – 100% dairy free with a vegan option
Location: Camden and Broadway Markets
Makatcha Indonesian curries are on my must try list for another 100% gluten free, and dairy free option at both Camden and Broadway Markets.
Oli Baba’s – vegetarian
There are no words to describe this stall! Everyone loves halloumi but these halloumi fries are out of this world delicious. You must come to Camden for these! Oli Baba’s at Camden is 100% gluten free but the other locations are not.
Pabellon – vegan options
Location: South Bank
Another arepa spot but one I am yet to try, located at South Bank every weekend.
Papelon – vegan option
Location: Portobello Road Market
More Venezuelan food is found at Papelon, but this time you can discover cachapas to break up all the arepa eating.
Tacos Padre – vegan options
Location: Borough Market
When I visited Tacos Padre was all gluten free but it wasn’t advertised. A fab experience of a delicious lunch of tacos and feeling pretty normal! Their battered fish tacos do use gluten removed beer though so double check when you order that it is totally safe – for you – if you don’t drink this. Note that they also sell normal beers and it is just the food that is all gluten free.
Tapioc Wraps – vegan options
Location: Camden Market
100% gluten tapioca crepes can also be found at Camden Market at Tapioc Wraps.
Wicked Fish – vegan options
Location: Spitalfields Market location only
If you’re looking for 100% gluten free fish and chips in London then Wicked Fish has your needs covered. Fish and chips with mushy peas and curry sauce is always a must. I normally love to get a battered sausage and whilst this is on the menu, at Wicked this option appears to be the vegan option using Moving Mountains plant based hot dogs.
Restaurants
Indigo – 100% dairy free
Location: One Aldwych Hotel, Covent Garden
On the fancier and pricier end of gluten free dining in London you can find the hotel restaurant that went totally gluten and dairy free without telling anyone. This is a fabulous place to eat, especially if you also need to eat dairy free and is worth the splurge.
Los Mochis – vegan options
Location: Notting Hill
Los Mochis is a dedicated gluten free Mexican and Japanese restaurant located right near Notting Hill underground station and it is amazing. Order the calamari and the churros for dessert as they are both unreal. It is a pricy restaurant especially if you order three plates per person that is recommended and an evening meal would quickly add up so be prepared for that.
However, the breakfast menu is better value with one dish being enough and when we went for lunch we each had a breakfast dish along with some extra calamari and tacos! Probably a strange combination but all amazing. The pork dish huevos al pastor was an unexpected favourite and my non gluten free friends loved this restaurant too.
A second branch is due to open in April.
Location: Islington (Angel)
One of the favourites amongst gluten free-ers you’re bound to be astounded by the menu that includes fried food, burgers, pies and everything out of bounds on a normal restaurant menu. Order the fried chicken, it’s my absolute favourite! Oh and the peanut butter blondie dessert is exceptionally heavenly.
Location: Southwark
Whilst I personally love dedicated gluten free restaurants, I try to visit them when I’m by myself especially if the menu is heavy on bread, burgers and pizzas so I don’t have to subject my friends and family to gluten free bread. I prefer restaurants that can cater for me with good protocols instead so that noone feels like they are compromising. The best alternative however is dedicated restaurants based on naturally gluten free cuisine so that I am totally safe but everyone else can’t tell the difference either.
One of the best restaurant for this in London I believe is the South American restaurant, Paladar. All my friends absolutely loved the food and the vibe here. Go, and make sure you save room for the churros for dessert.
Plant Club – 100% vegan
Location: Newington Green
A little bit further out is this newer gluten free and vegan Italian restaurant in Newington Green that I am yet to try but also looks fab!
Location: Brixton
It may seem a long way off the tourist trail but Brixton is only a few stops on the Victoria line from Oxford Circus, Green Park or Victoria so is worth the effort of getting to for some delicious 100% gluten free food. When I visited I had the halloumi burger, which comes recommended and I’d love to return for brunch.
Locations: Kensington, St James Park, Canary Wharf and St Paul’s
A new healthy eating salad bar has opened in multiple locations in London with some amazing sounding options for a healthy lunch whilst in the Capital.
Vantra
Location: Oxford Street (Tottenham Court Road)
Vantra is a hidden gem of a restaurant near Tottenham Court Road for those following a gluten free, vegan and/or refined sugar free diet. Serving up vegan meals I’ve never actually eaten lunch there but the red berry cheesecake was amazing!
No Longer 100% Gluten Free
Cream Dream – 100% vegan
Location: Bedford Street (The Strand)
A vegan patisserie opened by a Ukrainian refugee who moved to London this is a dreamy pink cafe in Central London. However, it is a vegan cafe and whilst often advertised as all gluten free on my visit I noted that they used Oatly milk in coffees. They assured me that this wasn’t used in any of their bakes. They also now seem to stock other vegan products so the cafe isn’t dedicated gluten free, but do take cross contamination measures so I would still buy from here.
Holy Carrot – Temporarily closed/relocation
Location: Knightsbridge
I have seen this fancy vegetarian restaurant in Knightsbridge listed as 100% gluten free and I originally thought it was too, but whilst it caters well for gluten free I don’t think it is 100% gluten free.
Location: Clapham
Mommi is no longer 100% gluten free although they have plenty of gluten free options on the menu.
Near and Far – renamed Studio 48 – vegan options
Location: Camden
Whilst they still have what they’re calling a 100% gluten free menu and plenty of options as the gluten free menu looks to replicate the normal menu, they do not have a dedicated gluten free kitchen. It is unclear from the website how much of the normal menu is naturally gluten free or if a version of all items can be made gluten free in a shared kitchen so definitely ask questions over their processes if you decide to visit.
They are a Mexican independent restaurant with bottomless brunch options that was on my must visit list so I really hope they are still safe.
Location: Borough Market (London Bridge)
No longer 100% gluten free and I chose not to eat there on my last visit. They say that they can cater and that they are careful, but if you’re coeliac please note that the crunchy sev topping is a ‘May Contain’. They do not freely advertise this – I’ve been twice and had to ask quite a few questions both times to establish this, and the sev is everywhere. Many still eat it but I much prefer to get Pad Thai or tacos from one of the other 100% gluten free stalls.
Humbledough and Humble Crumble – Vegan
Location: Spitalfields
Humble dough is regularly listed as 100% gluten free, but their products are all a may contain and staff were absolutely clueless about why when I visited. They think they’re may contain products, and also made in a shared kitchen and as they didn’t really know much and they’re using oats I wouldn’t eating here or recommend it to those with coeliac. Humble Crumble now advertise as only being suitable for those with a gluten intolerance.
Online Orders Only
Apres Food Co was a 100% gluten and refined sugar free cafe and their menu was a dream. When they were a cafe, I visited for breakfast and had the American pancakes topped with bacon and coconut blossom and it was perfection. However, due to its Central London location they had to adapt during the pandemic and now they are an online gluten free business that is still worth checking out.
Manna Dew was a 100% gluten free patisserie located in Battersea. Serving up sandwiches using their foccacia, a breakfast menu with treats such as eggs benedict, cakes and an afternoon tea if booked in advance this was a place to seek out in London to truly indulge. Now they are an online business (although I believe you can still collect from their Battersea location, mostly now deliver across the UK). Their croissants that are available for delivery are some of the best I’ve tried and I order them annually for Christmas.
Romeos Gluten Free and Sugar Free Bakery – vegan options
This Islington based bakery has now moved to be an online business selling gluten free and refined sugar free treats.
Vida Bakery – 100% vegan
Vida is a colourful 100% gluten free and vegan bakery filled with the most delicious cupcakes and slices of cake. This should be on your London must visit list especially if you are also dairy free, egg free or vegan. However, from 31st March 2024 this bakery is to close and become online only. However, I have ordered amazing gluten free and vegan cookies by post from here and they were fab and they have postal cake options too.
Permanently Closed 100% Gluten Free Restaurants and Bakeries
Andina
Cookies and Scream
Location: Camden Market (Camden)
Also at Camden the 100% gluten free stall of Maize Blaze can be found serving up boxes of incredible Colombian food. Street food in London is easy to find gluten free when you know where to go and in the end you’ll struggle to know what to pick! However, online this is showing as permanently closed but I’m not sure if that is a seasonal closure or whether it applies to the Camden stall as well as their kitchen so could be worth checking if you head to Camden Market (and please let me know!)
There are so many exceptional places to eat in London gluten free and enough 100% gluten free places to choose from if you’re nervous eating out. Specialist gluten free eateries are opening and closing all the time so please let me know if you find any of these to be closed, or if there is anywhere that I have missed! Always double check for yourself that they are still 100% gluten free and meet all of your personal dietary requirements as staff, menus and ingredients change so frequently and what I consider as a safe option may not meet your personal comfort levels.
However, this list shows that you don’t need to be worried about eating out safely and that you don’t need to take food with you on a trip to London. I absolutely love eating my way around the city, and miss working in Central London daily!
Happy Travels, with no gluten!
Note: Writing a gluten free travel blog is a passion project of mine but the website has an annual subscription cost so it actually costs me money to run. If you find my guides helpful please consider buying me a virtual coffee through my kofi link to help me run this free resource for gluten free travel. Thank you!
The Sightseeing Coeliac 
What an amazing array of gluten free food! Top three on my list to visit are Niche, Beyond Bread and the Mae Deli, because I’ve read that’s good for gluten free too 🙂
LikeLike
Isn’t La Polenteria gluten free? They were fantastic when we last visited. They are in Soho I think. We found them by accident, glad we did.
LikeLike
They are now called Leggero!
LikeLike