We all know someone who can’t eat gluten, right? According to a University of Nottingham study, the number of people diagnosed with coeliac disease in the U.K. increased fourfold between 1990 and 2011.
More: 10 Simple food swaps that make gluten-free eating a cinch
While this is most likely because of better diagnosis, rather than more people developing the condition, it means the public in general are much more aware of what it means to be gluten-free and an ever-increasing number of restaurants, cafes and takeaways are offering GF dishes. Here are 10 of the U.K.’s finest — just for starters.
1. Ceviche, London
In the heart of Soho and Shoreditch is Ceviche, which offers an enticing menu of Peruvian dishes — most of which are naturally gluten-free. For starters, try the Don Ceviche (raw seabass with amarillo chilli tiger’s milk) and pulpo (marinated and braised octopus) and chorizo skewers. And wash it all down with a pisco sour cocktail (or three).
Ceviche Soho, 17 Frith Street, London W1D 4RG; Ceviche Old St, 2 Baldwin Street, London EC1V 9NU
2. Tea 42, Manchester
Tea 42 describes itself as a “social eatery and bar that fuses casual fine dining and gourmet classics” and it has built up a loyal following in and around Manchester for its informal, relaxed space, superb afternoon tea and extensive gluten-free menu.
Tea 42, 58 High Street, Mancheser M4 1EF
3. Nibsy’s, Reading
Nibsy’s is Reading’s first exclusively gluten-free coffee shop, which has been going strong since it opened in late 2014. Cakes (worthy of mention are the lemon drizzle and coffee and walnut varieties), sandwiches and quiches are always made fresh on site and and the coffee is locally roasted in Winchester.
Nibsy’s Coffee Shop, 26 Cross Street, Reading RG1 1SN
More: Gluten-free Christmas menu
4. Naturally Chinese, Surrey
If you love Chinese food but don’t love the effects of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Surrey’s Naturally Chinese is for you. The extensive GF menu has been put together by nutritionists, showing how seriously this place takes its clean-eating customers. We want to try everything but we’ll start with one of the most popular dishes, the gluten-free Singapore noodles.
Naturally Chinese, 59-63 Brighton Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5LR
5. Cafe Andaluz, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh
Scotland does tapas in the shape of Cafe Andaluz, a popular restaurant with branches in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. It offers a great range of gluten-free options, such as tapas mainstay tortilla espanola (Spanish omelette) and queso de cabra al horno (grilled goats cheese with Seville orange and chilli marmalade).
Cafe Andaluz, 12-15 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2DW; 77b George Street, Edinburgh EH2 3EE; 271 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BR
6. Fosters Fish & Chips, Manchester
As one of the top 10 fish and chip restaurants in the U.K. it’s not surprising that cares about what its customers want. Which includes offering completely gluten-free fish and chips every Sunday at each of the three branches: Alderley Edge, Bramhall and Didsbury.
4 Chorley Hall Lane, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7EU; 193 Moss Lane, Bramhall, Cheshire SK7 1BA; 812 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UH
7. Honest Burgers, London
The owners of Honest Burgers know that a burger isn’t a burger without a bun, even if you’re a coeliac sufferer. Their gluten-free bun option makes it a favourite hangout of GF Londoners and the onion rings and beer are also GF.
Honest Burgers has branches across London.
8. Eatalio, Brighton
Eatalio only opened in Brighton a few months ago but is well on the way to establishing itself as one of the city’s top gluten-free snack spots. Various gluten-free pasta dishes are available and most of their meats, sauces and salad bar-style toppings are also GF.
Eatalio, 128 Queens Road, Brighton
9. 2 Oxford Place, Leeds
2 Oxford Place is one of the few restaurants that can claim to be 100 percent gluten-free, making it a really popular choice with gluten intolerant Northerners. Choose from brunch staples like eggs benedict or swanky dinner choices like chicken liver parfait and Yorkshire-reared fillet steak.
2 Oxford Place, Leeds LS1 3AX
10. Las Iguanas, nationwide
Las Iguanas has branches throughout the U.K. including Bristol, Newcastle, Reading and Surrey. The gluten-free menu is extensive and includes mouth-watering Mexican treats such as xinxim (chicken and crayfish in a creamy lime and peanut sauce, served with spring onion rice, fine green beans, pico de gallo and coconut farofa) and picanha steak.
Las Iguanas has branches across the U.K.
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