Whether you’re coeliac, gluten intolerant or just trying to cut gluten out of your diet, it can sometimes be challenging – especially when dining out. Lucky for you my gluten-avoiding friends, we’ve decided to make it just that little bit easier for you. So without further ado, here’s a rundown of twelve of the best gluten free restaurants in London:
1. Plant Club, Stoke Newington
If there’s one thing us gluten avoiders crave, it’s a bloomin’ good pizza – and they are so hard to come by, even in this day and age. But Plant Club’s pizzas are maybe the best I’ve ever had. Seriously, gluten free Italian food doesn’t come much better than this – and that’s before I’ve even mentioned the rest of the menu (which, by the way, has no gluten in sight)!
I’d also recommend Plant Club’s incredible pastas (the Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe is to die for!), their Indulgent Garlic Bread, and the Pizza Vicki; a pizza bread topped with lashings of sweet, pistachio cream. Believe me, there’s a reason this restaurant is in the number one spot. Read our full review.
You’ll find Plant Club at 49 Green Lanes, Newington Green, N16 9BU. Nearest station is Canonbury.
2. Los Mochis, Notting Hill
Los Mochis is another 100% gluten free spot, serving Mexican x Japanese fusion food in a truly spectacular way.
We popped in specifically to try their brunch menu—which was new at the time—and were blown away by the waffles with honey-truffle fried chicken, lashings of maple syrup and whipped butter, as well as the pancakes with grilled peaches, blueberry compote and maple syrup. There are also things like churros on the menu, which, well… need I say more?
The cocktails come STRONG, even before midday – but what can you expect from an Agavaria with one of the largest collections of fine and rare tequilas? Los Mochis’ bar space is really lovely, and their drinks are equally nice. I’m a big tequila fan, so it was hard for me to choose. I landed on an Espresso Mezcaltini, but I bet they make a great spicy marg.
The lunch/dinner menu is where the Japanese influence really rears its head, and people were starting to order lots of delicious looking sharing plates as we were leaving. Rumour has it they’re opening an even bigger branch in the city later this year, so I’m excited to work my way through the menu when that arrives.
For now though, you’ll find Los Mochis at 2-4 Farmer Street, W8 7SN. Nearest station is Notting Hill Gate.
3. Mommi, Clapham
More than just a restaurant, Japanese-Peruvian fusion joint Mommi is all about great sharing plates, top service, smashing cocktails and mixing cuisines in a very clever way. The menu features some incredible standout dishes, including the rare ahi tuna with whipped avocado, coriander, cucumber kimchi and a honey dressing and the roasted cauliflower steak with salt baked fennel and cauliflower puree, aji panca roasted chickpeas and chimichurri.
The best part about this Clapham spot though is that all the food here can be made gluten free, and there are loads of dishes for vegans too. I’ve heard they do a pretty mean bottomless brunch, and they’ve got a happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm-12am. Margaritas for five quid? Buenas noches…
You’ll find Mommi at 44-48 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UR. Nearest station is Clapham North.
4. Niche, Clerkenwell
Next up on this roundup of the best gluten free restaurants is Niche, an award-winning spot that whips up ‘seasonally-inspired crowd pleasers with a distinctly modern twist’. Just down the road from the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, everything here is 100% gluten free, and it was in fact London’s first Coeliac UK accredited gluten free restaurant.
Their menu is full of everything you’ve ever missed or craved from the world of gluten: pies, burgers, fried chicken, onion rings, sausage and mash, mac and cheese… the list goes on and on! They also do a pre-theatre and a low FODMAP menu too.
You’ll find Niche at 197-199 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TJ. Nearest station is Angel.
5. Farmacy, Notting Hill
This pretty, vegan-friendly spot is well worth a visit if you’re ever in Notting Hill. Everything on the menu at Farmacy is plant-based and free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and chemicals, and most of it is sourced from a biodynamic farm in Kent.
In terms of gluten free options, you’re spoilt for choice here. The creamy coconut curry and loaded mushroom tacos are standouts, but the ‘got no beef’ burger really draws the eye. With the option to be gluten free, it’s a mushroom, walnut and beetroot burger served with beetroot pickled onions, tomato, lettuce, goji berry ketchup and a ‘secret’ sauce. Special mention to the gluten free and vegan macaroni cheese too, because that almost changed my life. Finish up with a chocolate brownie sundae and you’ve got one heck of a meal.
You’ll find Farmacy at 74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH. Nearest station is Bayswater.
6. Utter Waffle, Herne Hill
These guys know batter (sic) than to tease a coeliac with good looking food. Everything on their menu is suitable for even the strictest of gluten free diets, and frankly, absolutely anyone else. Who doesn’t love a waffle?
Specialising in ‘posh’ gluten free waffles, you can expect far from boring dishes such as the James, Jules & the Giant Peach featuring a warm waffle coated in cinnamon sugar, topped with smoked bacon, caramelised peach, rosemary honey, cream-cheese-frosting & pistachio crumb. Or, if you’re more the savoury type, the Club Waffle with smoked bacon, fried chicken, garlic aioli, bloody-mary-relish & crisp baby gem lettuce stacked between layers of their signature mozzarella & thyme stuffed waffle. Anyone else salivating? There’s even a dedicated vegan menu, for those of you who avoid animal products as well as gluten.
Utter Waffle started business from their beloved food truck at various markets across the city, but now they’re settled in their very own bricks and mortar site in Herne Hill. Going up in the world, they’ll even serve 90 minutes of bottomless bubbles alongside any main course at any time of day, any day of the week — all for just £37.50 (or £42 for a main and dessert).
You’ll find Utter Waffle at 119 Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, SE24 0NG. Nearest station is Herne Hill.
7. Honest Burger, various locations
So we already know that they make some pretty fab veggie burgers, but did you know that beloved burger maestros Honest Burger also offer all of their burgers with gluten free buns, too? So you can gorge yourself silly on some of their classics like the ‘Tribute’ – a beef and bacon burger with American cheese, burger sauce, French’s mustard, pickles, onion and lettuce – or the veggie friendly ‘Plant’ burger without worrying.
On top of all this, their onion rings and fresh rosemary chips are also gluten free, as is their Two Tribes Powerplant beer – so you’ve got a right feast on your hands here.
You’ll find Honest Burger at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
8. Indigo at One Aldwych, Covent Garden
Next up on this list of gluten free restaurants in London is ‘Covent Garden’s neighbourhood restaurant’, Indigo at One Aldwych. All the food served here is sourced from the best independent producers, and better yet, it’s all gluten free and dairy free too.
Chef Dominic Teague champions the best of British with a twist, and it shows with his innovative menu. Mouthwatering dishes include the spiced Cornish monkfish—which is cooked over charcoal with fennel and minted couscous—and the warm truffle and celeriac terrine with smoked potato, mushroom ketchup, grilled baby leeks and broad beans. Plus, they also do a cracking afternoon tea!
You’ll find Indigo at One Aldwych at 1 Aldwych, WC2B 4BZ. Nearest stations are Covent Garden and Temple.
9. Arepa & Co., Bethnal Green, Haggerston and Stockwell
Another personal favourite of mine, Arepa & Co. is an absolute go-to for gluten free grub. Venezuelan cuisine is largely gluten free by nature, and this includes their speciality arepas, which for the n00bs are best described as a sort of cornbread pitta. Stuffed with the likes of shredded beef, plantain and guacamole, they are not to be sniffed at.
Enjoy alongside a portion of yuca fries and tajadas, and job’s a good’un. I’d recommend washing it all down with something from their excellent cocktail menu too, which features a suitable amount of rum and tequila.
You’ll find Arepa & Co. at various locations around London. More information here.
10. Libby’s, Notting Hill and Belsize Park
Ask a room full of gluten free people what they miss the most, and I guarantee the majority of them will say croissants, or just decent pastry in general. And, well, I don’t want to alarm you, but I might be about to change your life.
At Libby’s, you will be absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to patisserie! With a 100% gluten free menu full of fresh breads, croissants and cakes—even pizzas and bagels!—this place is practically heaven on earth for anyone who has been missing the good stuff. They do a really great coffee too, so it’s the perfect morning stop. It’s probably also worth mentioning that they have a huge selection of refined sugar free items available, too.
You’ll find Libby’s at 61 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA and 41 England’s Lane, Belsize Park, NW3 4YD.
11. Duck & Waffle, Liverpool Street
It’s the restaurant in the sky that everyone wants to go to, with that breakfast view that’s been Instagrammed countless times. But did you know that the Duck & Waffle, way up on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower in Bishopsgate, also has its own menu completely dedicated to those who are gluten free?
Besides their signature ‘duck and waffle’, you can also tuck into a roasted rack of salt marsh lamb, roasted scallops with creamed cauliflower and guanciale, and a lemon meringue waffle with lemon curd, Italian meringue, lemon sorbet and dill. So, on top of the sunset view, you’ll also bag yourself some pretty fantastic gluten free fare. What’s not to like?
You’ll find Duck & Waffle at 110 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY. Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
12. Pastaio, Soho
Last but by no means least we have another mention of great gluten free pasta. Pastaio, while not totally gluten free, totally gets it – and you can order most of their dishes with gluten free pasta. I thoroughly recommend the classic carbonara, but it’s also worth trying their wild garlic pesto (usually with gnocchi, but still really great with the gluten free option).
Quite often I find restaurants just don’t get gluten free pasta right, or it’s just there to tick a box, but Pastaio have done it really well. Pair your pasta with a negroni or one of their signature prosecco slushies, and you’ll be happy as Larry.
You’ll find Pastaio at 19 Ganton Street, Carnaby, W1F 9BN. Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
So there you have it, a rundown of some of the best gluten free restaurants in London. So no more excuses – get out there and get wining and dining!
Also published on Medium.