A Guide to Finding the Best Gluten-Free Dining in Central London

Written by Violet Mitchell

A resident Londoner, coeliac, and lover of food, Violet has spent a lot of time finding the best spots in the city. She loves dining alone with a good book, or meandering down the bustling streets, pastry in hand.

Whether you’re gluten-free by choice or have an allergy or intolerance, finding good places to eat can sometimes be challenging. While thankfully the range of options has increased in recent years, finding something delicious that also meets your dietary needs when travelling in a new place can be a worry. After all, just because you don’t eat gluten, that shouldn’t mean you’re stuck with the same old meal time and time again.

Fortunately, London is a city that has embraced all sorts of dietary requirements. In fact, creating food from unusual ingredients has become an art rather than a chore, creating a vibrant culinary scene that you’ll love to explore during your visit. 

But how do you find the best eats in the city? Here’s some top tips.

Pick a Gluten-Free-Friendly Cuisine

There are certain cuisines that naturally lean towards being gluten-free, or have a wider variety of options for coeliacs. For example, Levantine food often highlights a lot of fresh produce, including meat, fish and vegetables, all of which are gluten-free – accompanied by sides such as potatoes and rice. Of course, pitta breads do also feature, but as a side dish, so they’re more easily swapped out.

By choosing a restaurant that does a lot of gluten-free food anyway, you’re both widening your options and reducing the likelihood of cross-contamination. You won’t feel like you’re being difficult by asking for a gluten-free meal – you’ll simply be able to relax and enjoy the dining experience as a valued guest.

Look for Online GF Maps

The internet is a treasure trove of information when it comes to gluten-free eating. As well as being able to find reviews that mention gluten-free options, there are also dedicated maps online that allow you to easily see exactly what your options are. Thanks to the popularity of these sorts of eateries, these maps cover everything from breakfast places to bakeries and afternoon tea spots in the city. 

Especially in central London, there will be plenty of restaurants that offer options for visitors following a gluten-free diet. However, completely gluten-free restaurants are more rare, so you might need to look a bit harder and book ahead if this is something that would make you feel more comfortable.

Use Social Media

Social media is a great way to get an honest recommendation for gluten-free dining in London. Rather than online review platforms which can be a bit outdated, utilising social media allows you to find the hottest eateries and see photos of the meals to determine if it’s something you’d like to try. It can also be a great place to get inspiration if you’re not sure where you want to eat, with hashtags such as ‘#glutenfree’ helping you see a stream of options from smaller places like markets, which may not come up in a traditional search. In addition, certain content creators may focus their content on a gluten-free lifestyle, which can be an easy way to pick up recommendations.

Gluten-Free Food Doesn’t Need to be Boring

Eating a gluten-free diet doesn’t need to be restrictive or boring, especially in London. There’s no need to stick to chain restaurants, either, as there’s so many fantastic places to eat. Whether you’re a local or are visiting England for a foodie-inspired break, you definitely won’t go hungry.