This dedicated gluten-free restaurant in Leeds city centre is a coeliac’s dream! As the only fully gluten-free restaurant in the city, I was so excited to try The Oxford Place and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is 100% gluten-free and the menu offers a range of dishes to please all tastebuds, including vegetarians and vegans.
The cosy atmosphere, friendly staff and knowledge that cross-contamination simply won’t be an issue here, make you instantly feel at home.
The menu boasts a range of international cuisine amongst high-quality British dishes, from ale battered haddock with chunky chips and tartare sauce, to vegan “shepherd’s pie”. It was genuinely hard to make a selection with such a scrumptious-sounding menu. In the end we opted for the slow cooked pork belly with baked apple, celeriac puree, leek croquet crackling and red wine jus, and the venison burger with spicy red onion marmalade, and smoked Monterey jack skinny frites for the main course. Since our main courses went down a treat we couldn’t resist a dessert, especially at the prospect of an entirely gluten-free dessert menu, beyond a list of ice cream flavours. For our final course we went for the sticky toffee pudding and the warm chocolate brownie.
Both courses were cooked to perfection, and with so many brilliant options on the menu I am already planning my next visit. I’ll definitely make room for the full three courses next time around!
Overall rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
A cosy restaurant with a lovely atmosphere to share an intimate meal with friends, family or loved one. You don’t have to be on a gluten-free diet to enjoy the food here. My gluten-eating partner had a fantastic gluten-free burger and didn’t miss the ‘normal’ gluten-filled bread one bit.
Coeliac friendly
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
As a 100% gluten-free restaurant, it doesn’t get more coeliac friendly than this.
Safety
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Being a dedicated gluten-free restaurant, cross-contamination isn’t a worry here.
I recently went on a mini-getaway to Northumberland to explore its coastline, castles and gluten-free fish and chips! There is plenty to see and do in Northumberland and it makes a great location for dog and family-friendly holidays, and when it comes to gluten-free food, Northumberland catered for coeliacs really well.
Where we stayed
We stayed in the lovely Newton Hall, a wedding venue and hotel offering gorgeous rooms with free-standing baths. They also have some modern garden rooms which offer a small kitchenette and many with a hot tub too. Newton Hall is handily located in High Newton-by-the-sea, just a few minutes from the beach and a 20 minute drive from some of the main sites including Bamburgh Castle.
The room was beautiful! Really spacious and a free-standing bath with a wonderful view of the beach.
Whilst Newton Hall doesn’t have its own restaurant, just a few minutes walk away you’ll find their sister property, The Joiner’s Arms where you can fill up on good pub grub! The best part is, The Joiner’s Arms is Coeliac UK accredited and many of the staff there have allergies themselves so they are extremely knowledgeable and understanding towards allergies and intolerances, and have catered for diners with multiple allergies. The staff put me at ease from the get-go and I didn’t have a bad meal there. In fact I had three meals there, including the best pub gluten-free fish and chips I’ve had.
During my stay I sampled the gluten-free steak burger with truffle fries, gluten-free fish and chips and sea bream with seasonal greens. For dessert I had the creme brûlée. The food there was great, and my gluten-eating partner also had some delicious meals.
Whilst on a trip to Lindisfarne, Holy Island, I wasn’t expecting coeliac-friendly establishments to be plentiful due to the size of the village, but The Crown and Anchor is a brilliant find! The owner here has multiple allergies so is really understanding and accommodating of gluten-free folk. As a result their fryer only contains gluten-free produce as standard, meaning fish and chips is gluten-free for all (and delicious I’m told). Put at ease that there wouldn’t be cross-contamination in the fryer, I opted for the breaded brie sandwich with chips. The menu offered plenty of gluten-free options along with vegan and dairy free options too, making it hard to choose.
I didn’t get chance to eat at The Copper Kettle in Bamburgh, but I heard great things about this cafe, offering a wide selection of gluten-free options, with sandwiches, jacket potatoes and cakes on the menu. The cafe is well-located, just a short walk from Bamburgh Castle.
Unfortunately Di Sopra in Alnwick was closed during our visit so I wasn’t able to sample their Italian menu, but from speaking with them on the phone they seemed very knowledgeable about coeliac disease and cross-contamination. They also had an extensive gluten-free menu including pastas, risottos, antipasti and much more.
Again, this one was closed during our mid-week visit, but I heard good things about the gelato here. Plus they offer dairy free ice cream and gluten-free cones apparently. Worth a visit when on Holy Island.
Another Alnmouth find offering gluten-free options and some positive reviews from other gluten-free foodies. A tearoom by day, and restaurant by night.
This quaint little tearoom is Coeliac UK approved, and whilst I couldn’t see any mention of gluten-free on their menu as I passed by, the reviews online suggest there are plenty of gluten-free options available.
Overall verdict
Overall rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Northumberland had plenty of Coeliac UK accredited eateries and most places I came across offered gluten-free options, plus dairy-free too. Staff in venues were really accommodating and knowledgeable, putting me at ease right away.
Coeliac friendly
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Given the number of Coeliac UK accredited options, I felt really comfortable and welcomed as a coeliac in all the restaurants I visited.
Safety
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I didn’t have any bad experiences and was assured by restaurant staff that separate fryers and utensils are used in the kitchen, with all allergies and intolerances taken extremely seriously.
I was on the lookout for a gluten-free bottomless brunch recently, so I got in touch with plenty of restaurants across Leeds to see if they can offer gluten-free options and cater for coeliacs. Here is what I found…
Neighbourhood is a popular cocktail bar in Leeds offering a wide selection of yummy cocktails and Instagrammable decor. When I contacted Neighbourhood they told me that they had a few gluten-free options on the bottomless brunch menu and take all necessary measures to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. When I arrived the staff were knowledgeable about allergies and showed me the allergy matrix detailing my options. Gluten-free options included the poke bowl, burger with gluten-free bun, avocado on gluten-free toast, eggs benedict/royale with gluten-free bread, and the caesar salad without croutons.
I haven’t yet indulged in bottomless brunch at Mans Market, but when contacting them they assured me that they take every measure to avoid cross-contamination and have separate fryers. Gluten-free brunch options include gluten-free Prawn Crackers to start then either Salt & Pepper King Prawns, Tofu or Chicken Wings for Dim Sum. For the main course, choices include Beef/Chicken or Tofu with Blackbean or Sweet & Sour with the option of Steamed or Egg Fried Rice. All options sound delicious!
Whitehall were quick to respond to my enquiry and assure me that they have plenty of gluten-free brunch options and use completely separate utensils, chopping boards and fryers when preparing gluten-free meals. Gluten-free options included black truffle pasta, buttermilk fried chicken, steak and even creme brûlée for dessert.
Lost and Found gave me a super-detailed and reassuring response, detailing all of the extensive measures they take to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. Gluten-free options on the brunch menu were limited, with just the corn, butternut squash and chilli hash as an option, however there were plenty more options on the lunch menu.
Revolucion de Cuba told me that they cannot completely guarantee that cross-contamination would be avoided, but that they had plenty of gluten-free options on the menu including spicy fried chicken, albondigas (meatballs), spiced black bean queso and loaded nachos.
El Gato Negro is a tapas restaurant located in Leeds city centre. They offer a range of gluten-free tapas including tortilla, papayas bravas, beef short rib, and creme Catalan for dessert. The restaurant informed me that whilst they use separate utensils to prepare gluten-free options, due to the processes in the kitchen all dishes may contain traces of the 14 allergens.
On my first trip to London since being diagnosed with coeliac disease I was excited to explore of London’s plentiful options when it comes to gluten-free problem. The only problem was finding the time for them all in just one weekend. I’ve included the places I’ve visited plus some eateries that are very much on my list for next time.
My first gluten-free dumplings did not disappoint! Complete with gluten-free soy sauce, gluten-free tempura aubergine and a delicious dessert of assorted mochi, at no point of the meal did I feel I was missing out, far from it. Set in a cozy corner of Soho, the restaurant is decorated with quirky hand-decorated dumpling coasters from its many satisfied customers. I already can’t wait to return.
With most of ceviche’s menu being gluten-free, it felt a safe bet for a coeliac like myself. The menu is largely sharing plates, making it a great option to go with a group to try plenty of the menu. I ordered the aubergine tacu tacu, cassava fries, crispy squid jalea and Yana tuna ceviche.
Gluten-free crepe anyone?! Located in Brixton Village Market, Sarava offers a wide range of buckwheat crepes including ample selection of both sweet and savoury options. I opted for the picante.
I didn’t make it here, but Where the pacakes are offer a dairy-free, wheat-free and vegan batter option for pancakes, with plenty of sweet and savoury options on their all-day menu.
Another one on my gluten-free London bucket list, full of Middle Eastern dishes. Bubala have two restaurants, one in Soho and another in Spitalfields. Gluten-free options are clearly marked on the menu and they boast plenty of good reviews from fellow gluten-free diners.
Located just around the corner from Sarava in Brixton Village Market, Station 26 is fully gluten-free with plenty of rave reviews for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Located in Angel, I haven’t personally tried this gluten, nut and sesame-free restaurant yet but the food on their Instagram looks delicious – I’m talking gluten-free fried chicken, focaccia and chicken schnitzel.
I was spoilt for choice when it came to gluten-free bakeries, but with limited time and so many to try, I only had the time to visit just the one on this trip. I opted for Libby’s at Belsize Park, which offered plenty of gluten-free delights. I sampled the pan au chocolate, cookies, danish, sourdough bread and bagel (not all in one sitting – thankfully I was told the bread and bagel freeze well). They also offered plenty of other cakes and croissants, with some vegan options too.
On my list for my next visit, Cookies and Scream is a fully gluten-free AND vegan bakery located near Holloway Road tub station. Based on their website and Instagram it looks like they offer plenty of cookies, brownies, doughnuts, pies and shakes. I look forward to giving this a try.
Another fully gluten-free and vegan bakery located in Shoreditch, offering cakes, brownies, cookies and cookie dough. Their website also offers plenty of options to buy online for nationwide UK delivery.
Offering gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free delights near Charing Cross, I didn’t make it here, but Cream Dream’s Instagram suggests lots of yummy eclairs, dumplings and cakes.
Travelling from King’s Cross station made Leon a handy place to grab a gluten-free bite whilst on my travels. I tried the squash salad, waffle fries, and dahl. Perfect for a gluten-free bite on the go.
Scattered across the city, Honest Burgers has plenty of positive reviews from coeliacs, offering gluten-free burger buns.
There were a few other restaurants which I wanted to try but after contacting and explaining that I am coeliac they said that unfortunately they would not be able to accommodate. These included Banh Banh in Brixton, Oka and Imad’s Syrian Kitchen – a shame as they all looked delicious. It may be worth contacting yourself if you’re keen to try as restaurants may change their procedures.
Gluten Free Me 