Tag: Travel

Top Gluten-Free Eating Spots in New York City

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We spent a brilliant few days soaking up the sights and culinary delights of New York in May. The amount of walking we did over the four days definitely balances out all the cake and pizza, right!?

Virgin Atlantic

We headed to New York on a direct flight from Manchester, UK. We notified Virgin Atlantic of my coeliac needs n advance and was given a gluten-free meal as a result – chicken tikka masala, side salad, fruit pot, Nairn’s crackers, cheese and a gluten-free bread cake. Unfortunately they weren’t able to accommodate for gluten-free and lactose-free travellers. If you have multiple dietary requirements I’d recommend taking your own food on board with you to avoid disappointment.

Places to eat lunch in NYC

Twenty One Grains – Diamond District, Manhattan

With so many sights to see, I wanted a casual takeout lunch to eat on the go. Twentyonegrains is a chain with lots of gluten-free lunch-on-the-go options including salads, bowls and wraps.

Tap NYC – Upper West Side & Midtown East

Gluten-free Brazilian chain offering sandwiches, açai bowls, smoothies and my favourite Brazilian soda Guarana.

Modern Bread and Bagel – Upper West Side

When in New York it feels obligatory to have a bagel, and thankfully Modern Bread and Bagel sells freshly baked gluten-free bagels. I took my salmon and vegan cream cheese bagel to go and devour in Central Park.

Gluten-free Bakeries in NYC

By The Way Bakery – Upper West Side, Manhattan

By The Way Bakery is a gluten-free and dairy-free bakery in New York. I was impressed by the variety of options they had, with plenty of cakes, biscuits and brownies on offer.

Posh Pop Bakeshop – Greenwich Village

Oh my goodness! Posh Pop Bakeshop is absolute gluten-free heaven! Cakes, cookies, doughnuts, brownies, pies and everything in between. If you have a sweet tooth, this may well be the best gluten-free bakeshop I’ve ever been to. They had plenty of dairy-free options too. The products here are not cheap, but worth every cent in my opinion.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery – Lower East Side, Manhattan

Totally vegan and gluten-free, I didn’t get chance to visit Erin McKenna’s but heard good things.

No Glu – Manhattan

No Glu is another popular gluten-free bakery and cafe in Manhattan. I didn’t get chance to try here.

Sixteen Mill Bakery – Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s vegan and gluten-free bakery. Another bakery I didn’t get chance to try.

Everybody Eats – Brooklyn

Everybody Eats in Brooklyn bakes gluten-free, nut free, soy free, and sesame free bread. It looks delicious.

Gluten-free Dinner in NYC

Friedman’s – Multiple locations including Herald Square and Hell’s Kitchen

After landing in NYC we wanted somewhere nearby to have dinner before calling it a night. Friedman’s was perfect, with loads of gluten-free options and singing waiters too. I hear they do a mean breakfast.

TLK by Tiger Lily Kitchen – Noho, Manhattan

I loved TLK so much I visited twice. Their menu is totally gluten-free, with lots of Asian-inspired dishes. We shared lots of different options as we couldn’t decide from the menu. The menu is veggie friendly too.

Rubirosa Pizza – Lower Manhattan

I really wanted a New York pizza, but being lactose intolerant at the time made it slightly tricky as vegan cheese didn’t seem to be easily available in many restaurants. Rubirosa Pizza served me a gorgeous gluten-free pizza – no cheese, just veggies which admittedly I was a little dubious about at first, but it really did not disappoint!

Nami Nori – West Village

Nami Nori provides freshly made gluten-free sushi, served like mini tacos. We ate at the bar watching the chefs whip up our order.

Bar Verde – Noho, Manhattan

Wow! We discovered Bar Verde on our final night and it has to be my favourite place we ate. The menu is entirely gluten-free and vegan! Who knew vegan food could taste this good?! It was genuinely the best Mexican restaurant I’ve ever visited, and my meat loving, gluten guzzling husband said the same.

Wild – West Village

We sat outside in the sunshine enjoying a gluten-free vegan pizza at Wild. The menu is pretty international and is completely gluten-free.

Senza Gluten – Greenwich Village

A dedicated gluten-free Italian restaurant. I didn’t get chance to visit but the reviews look great.

Risotteria Melotti – Noho, Manhattan

If you’re after a risotto, Risotteria Melotti is the place to go. It is completely gluten-free. We didn’t get around to trying this restaurant, but it was recommended by other coeliacs.

Antidote – Williamsburg, Brooklyn

A Chinese restaurant offering gluten-free options. This is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. We didn’t get chance to visit here as we spent most of our time in the Manhattan area.

Claro – Brooklyn

100% gluten-free Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn. We didn’t get chance to stop by here.

Springy Burger and Fries – Financial District, Manhattan

Gluten-free, no seed oils and 100% grass-fed beef. Springy sells gluten-free burgers and fries for takeout only.

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.

New York City is an absolute haven for coeliacs. You name the cuisine, there will likely be gluten-free restaurants offering exactly what you want. It was incredibly relaxing to be in a city where I had so much choice and felt coeliac disease was truly catered for. We really were spoilt for choice, and the only problem was having the time to fit everywhere in.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Everywhere we went coeliac disease was well-understood and the amount of dedicated gluten-free eateries available is testament to that.

Safety

Rating: 5 out of 5.

All the restaurant staff I spoke too completely understood the need to avoid cross-contamination and I had no problems during my trip.

Best Gluten-Free Options in Prague: A Foodie’s Trip

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I spent a week in a sunny Prague over the summer. Staying in an apartment meant that I prepared some meals at home, but I wasn’t short of delicious gluten-free options when eating out.

Restaurants

Alriso

A dedicated gluten-free Italian restaurant situated in a tucked away square, offering the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by. I really enjoyed it here so visited twice. I had some gorgeous gluten-free and lactose-free bread and oil, steak, and risotto over my two visits.

Bassotto

Fancy a pizza? Bassotto is 100% gluten-free and they offer vegan cheese too! This restaurant is nestled away so you may not notice it walking by. I watched the chef freshly make my margherita pizza, and it was as good as it looks. Bassotto offers the option to takeaway or eat in, and also had a selection of gluten-free and some dairy-free sweet treats.

My Raw Cafe

As a coeliac I often find myself at vegan restaurants like My Raw Cafe. As an avid meat and gluten-eater before my diagnosis, I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to get a table here in the past, but boy would I have been missing out. I went for the full three courses and did not regret a single bite. This was without a doubt my favourite meal of the trip – 100% gluten-free, raw and vegan!

Restaurace u Agamy

Restaurace u Agamy is a dedicated gluten-free restaurant offering local cuisine. It looked absolutely gorgeous, but visiting in the 35 degree heat of the summer, I didn’t much feel like eating a warm hearty meal like this. If I were to travel back in cooler temperatures, I’d be sure to pay a visit here.

Hard Rock Cafe

Always a winner, you can find Hard Rock Cafe in the heart of the city. As a Coeliac UK approved restaurant chain, you can rest assured the menu will cater for coeliacs and gluten-free diners.

Bakeries

Babiccina Spiz

I didn’t get chance to visit but Babiccina Spiz is a popular and well-reviewed gluten-free bakery.

Buchta Cukrarstvi

Another gluten-free bakery in Prague offering breads and sweet treats. I didn’t visit here, but the photos look awesome.

Svet Bez Lepku

Yet another gluten-free bakery which I didn’t have time to visit. You’re spoilt for choice!

Supermarkets

Albert

I found an Albert supermarket closely to my apartment, and there are stores dotted around the city. They had a dedicated gluten-free section in the stores I visited, filled with lots of local and international gluten-free brands such as Schar. Local brand Nature’s Promise, also seemed to offer lots of gluten-free products including oats and biscuits. I was also lactose intolerant during this trip and they had plenty of lactose-free options including yoghurts and chocolate.

Useful words and phrases

English

Gluten-free

Gluten

Milk

Czech

Bez Lepek

Lepek

Mleko

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get my hands on gluten-free food in Prague. There were plenty of options both in terms of dedicated gluten-free eateries and clearly marked gluten-free products in stores.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I felt that coeliac disease and allergies were both generally understood and treated seriously in the places I visited.

Safety

Rating: 5 out of 5.

All the places I visited understood the need to avoid cross-contamination and with lots of dedicated restaurants and bakeries. As a result I felt really safe in the restaurants I ate in.

Best Gluten-Free Restaurants and Supermarkets in Dubrovnik

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This summer I enjoyed basking in the glorious sunshine on the Dalmatian coast in Dubrovnik. The ancient walled city offered history, beaches and beautiful sunsets.

During my time there I hunted out lots of delicious gluten-free options.

Panorama Restaurant

Wow. This place boasts a stunning view of the coastline and its islands. You will have to book in advance to eat here, and it was certainly worth the advance planning as the view of the sunset from the hilltop was perfect.

The restaurant staff were vary accommodating to my gluten and dairy free needs and I had a super succulent steak with an assortment of grilled vegetables. This was my favourite and most memorable meal of the trip – a steak with a view, what’s not to love!?

Nico’s Trattoria

seafood spaghetti at Nico's Trattoria in Dubrovnik

As always, an Italian restaurant often delivers of the gluten-free front and Nico’s was no exception. The chef was able to whip up a delicious gluten and dairy free seafood spaghetti.

Castello

Another Italian with plenty of gluten-free options. This time I opted for the prawn and courgette risotto. My only complaint was that I just wish there was more!

Vive Sol Mexican Bar and Restaurant

En route back to our apartment we stumbled across this roadside Mexican eatery where we indulged in corn tacos and frozen margeritas – a great pit stop before heading home.

Supermarkets

When arriving in Dubrovnik I headed to the local supermarkets, Studenac and Prima to check out their gluten-free produce. I wasn’t too hopeful, but I needn’t have been so pessimistic as they offered a number of gluten-free treats including plenty of Schar cereals, biscuits, crackers, local ham and crisps. Each were clearly labelled.

Boat trip

woman looking out to sea

We booked a full day boat trip around the islands which included both lunch and drinks. I was a little nervous about this given the boat was only small, meaning a very small kitchen area. Luckily the staff were very understanding and I was able to tuck into freshly-caught fish, mash potatoes and a cabbage salad along with the other island hoppers – all naturally gluten and dairy free!

I holidayed in Dubrovnik for just a few days, so there were plenty of places I had on my list but didn’t get chance to try:

Igra Street Food

This is 100% gluten-free, and the only dedicated gluten-free eatery I came across when researching restaurants in Dubrovnik. Igra serves casual bites such as hummus, sausages, chips and breads.

Pizzeria Mamma Mia

Another well-rated Italian restaurant serving gluten-free options.

Soul Kitchen

Soul Kitchen is an international kitchen with gluten-free options. The photos of their food looked like they offer a good selection of healthy choices.

Azur

A mediterranean restaurant with an Asian twist offering gluten-free options. This place would be top of my list if I were to go back to Dubrovnik, the food looked fantastic.

Hard Rock Cafe

It’s always a comfort to know that if all else fails, there is a Coeliac UK restaurant like Hard Rock nearby.

Dundo Maroje

International menu with gluten-free options.

Food Bar Guloso

A burger joint with vegetarian and gluten-free options. The burgers look really hearty here!

Dubrovnik Airport

Whilst I was waiting for my flight I had a wander around the terminal shops and restaurants and came across a few clearly labelled gluten-free options like this brownie.

Useful phrases

Most of the people I met in Dubrovnik spoke excellent English, but it is always handy to have some local lingo up your sleeve in case you need it.

English

Gluten-free

I am coeliac

Lactose-free

Croatian

Bez glutena

Ja sam celijakija

Bez laktose

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Being a fairly tourist-centric city, Dubrovnik catered to most allergies and intolerances and so I felt fairly comfortable eating out and felt confident my dietary requirements were understood.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Croatian people I spoke to seemed familiar with coeliac disease and the requirement for gluten-free food and the avoidance of cross-contamination.

Safety

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I felt that my food was prepared safely in all of the places I ate.

Gluten-Free Travel in Norway: Tips and Dining Recommendations

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trolltunga in the sunshine in August 2024

This summer I spent a week in Norway. It is somewhere that has been on my bucket list for a long while, and it was certainly worth the wait.

On our visit we mainly focused on the fjords, staying in Bergen, Odda, and then Vik.

The scenery was magnificent, and we were surprised by how few people we saw at times, even in August. If you’re after rugged landscapes, beautiful scenery and a place to escape from the noise, I would 100% recommend Norway…just make sure to bring some waterproof clothes!

When is the best time to travel to Norway?

We went to Norway in August as we felt we’d have the best chance of some decent weather for hiking and enjoying the views. It rained! If you’re considering a holiday in Norway, be prepared for all weathers whatever the time of year. Whilst it rained most days of the week we were there, there were plenty of dry spells which gave us opportunity to get out and enjoy some hiking. The temperature was fairly mild, around 16 degrees celsius, but as you might expect in the great outdoors, the weather can be extremely changeable, so we made use of wooly hats, waterproofs and suncream in any given day.

When speaking to the locals, they said that the rain was slightly unusual for that time of year, however not completely out of the ordinary. Our hiking guide also recommended coming in the winter when you can hike in the snow.

Do I need to hire a car in Norway?

We decided to hire a car for our multi-stop trip. We flew from Manchester in the UK directly to Bergen, before hiring a car with Sixt at the airport. We opted for a 4×4 and we were very glad of it on some of the rural roads we were taking.

That said, if you want to just focus on visiting the main cites and towns in Norway, such as Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo, Norway can be done without a car. You can also get to the fjords on public transport from Bergen, however you wouldn’t have the opportunity to venture out too much unless you opt onto organised trips and tours.

What to pack for Norway

Whether you’re visiting Norway for adventure and want to get involved in the hiking, kayaking and climbing scene, or you simply want to take in the views. I’d recommend packing an assortment of clothing for all weathers – layers is certainly the way to go. Here’s what I packed:

  • Waterproof clothes – trousers, coat and cap
  • Quick dry sportswear – including tshirts, mid-layers and leggings
  • Hiking boots – even if you’re not planning on hiking, some hiking boots or good trainers will serve you well to explore a little. If you are planning on hiking, make sure you’ve worn your boots in before attempting a long hike (or have some blister plasters at the ready).
  • Backpack and waterproof backpack cover – a backpack is handy when going out for walks to pack with plenty of snacks, water and extra layers or waterproofs. The waterproof backpack cover came in extremely handy too – if you’re backpack isn’t waterproof, I’d recommend investing in one to avoid some very soggy sandwiches!

Norway 1-week itinerary

Day one: Fly UK to Bergen

We had an evening flight, getting into Bergen at 11:30pm so we opted to call it a night and rest at the hotel Scandic.

Day two: Drive Bergen > Odda

Rested and raring to go, we collected our hire car from the airport and headed to Odda for our first stop. The drive from Bergen to Odda took around 3 hours. Odda is a small town, but an ideal location if you are planning on hiking the Trolltunga. We stayed in an apartment overlooking the fjord, and took some time to relax before the Trolltunga hike the following day.

Day three: Trolltunga Hike

Bright and early at 07:30am we joined our hiking guide and group from Trolltunga Active. We met at the P2 car park before getting the shuttle to P3. I would strongly recommend getting the shuttle to P3. The climb up from P2 to P3 is steep, and is not a particularly beautiful hike as it is along the windy road up the mountain. We past many weary-looking hikers in the shuttle.

Thankfully we were blessed with beautiful sunshine all day on our Trolltunga hike, and didn’t get a spot of ran throughout the day. As a result we were rewarded with fantastic views and had a really pleasant day. The first part of the hike is uphill, but after this it is fairly flat and any uphill climbs are much shorter.

The hike took around 9 hours to complete with plenty of stops for food and photos. If you were hiking without a group and have fewer stops this could definitely be done quicker.

Day four: Drive Odda > Vik

After a well earned rest, we were up and back on the road, this time to the Sognefjord town of Vik i Sogn. The scenic drive took around 3 hours and once we arrived we enjoyed soaking up the unspoilt view of the fjord directly from our Airbnb.

Day five: Kvitenjuk hike

We were the only ones on the trail up to see the panoramic view of the fjord. It was an uphill climb, but worth the effort as we sat and enjoyed soaking up the view and silence at the summit. The Kvitenjuk hike was a much shorter hike following the Trolltunga, and took us around 1.5hours with a break at the top.

Day six: Bordalsgjelet Gorge and Voss

We travelled to Voss which is a lovely little town 1.5hours away from Vik i Sogn. Whilst we were travelling through a heavy downpour, the skies cleared and the sun came out for our arrival in Voss. We parked up and started the Bordalsgjelet Gorge hike, a short hike to a tucked away gorge amongst the local residents’ homes.

The great thing about hiking in Voss was that the town offers plenty of cafes and restaurants to refuel afterwards.

We ate at Vangen Cafe which offered a number of gluten-free options. I went for the vegetable curry with gluten free bread.

Day seven: Huldafossen Hike

On our last full day we went to another remote hike where we were the only people there. The Huldafossen hike was fairly flat which was a well-received treat after some of the uphill climbs on previous hikes. We saw the gorgeous waterfalls and glacier.

Day eight: Fly Bergen > UK

Before we travelled back home we had some time to explore Bergen. This was the most touristy area of all three stops, with lots of tourists coming from cruise ships. It is a lovely city and very walkable. We enjoyed a lunch and a wander around the shops before heading to the airport to travel home.

Eating gluten-free in Norway

The nature of our trip in the Fjords meant that we were self-catering most of the time, taking food to eat whilst out hiking and then cooking in our accommodation afterwards.

Hotels

Scandic

Scandic offered a separate section on the breakfast buffet for gluten-free and dairy free, offering gluten-free cookies, gluten-free bread and vegan raspberry energy balls which were delicious! This was in addition to a great selection of fruit.

Supermarkets

Extra

I took a few gluten-free basics with me not knowing how easy it would be to find gluten-free food in the local supermarkets. I needn’t have done so as there were Extra supermarkets in both Odda and Vik, both of which offered lots of gluten-free foods including breads, pastas, biscuits, cakes and beers. They also had lots of lactose-free products too, with lots of lactose-free yoghurts and cheeses.

Gluten-free Bergen

Whilst I was mainly self-catering for this trip I did eat out in Bergen and Voss. I would recommend taking a look on the Norwegian Coeliac Society’s handy map of accredited restaurants to help guide your restaurant choices.

Olivia’s

Bergen being a city meant that I had more gluten-free options than other towns and villages I visited. We opted for lunch at Olivia’s – an Italian restaurant which was well-reviewed by fellow coeliacs. Most dishes can be done gluten-free, and I went for a gluten-free margarita pizza with vegan cheese and a chilli dip.

Baker Brun

In the hunt for something sweet after lunch, I found Baker Brun which had gluten-free and dairy-free options. I went for a gluten-free cinnamon bun.

gluten-free cinnamon roll from Baker Brun in Bergen, Norway

Amigos Bar and Restaurant

I didn’t get chance to eat here, but this Mexican restaurant was an option on my list offering plenty of gluten-free corn tacos and fajitas.

Holy Cow

Another find from FindMeGlutenFree with lots of positive reviews from coeliacs.

Hot Wok City

A Chinese with positive reviews from gluten-free eaters. Their menu is clearly labelled with allergens and offers vegan options too.

Gluten-free Voss

Vangen Cafe

I had a lovely vegetable curry with gluten-free bread at this popular cafe. They have a varied menu offering gluten-free sandwiches and cakes.

Peppe’s Pizza

Accredited by the Norweigan Coeliac Society, Peppe’s is a pizza chain offering eat-in and takeaway options. You’ll find various Pepe’s dotted across Norway.

Pizzabakeren

Pizza Baken is another pizza chain accredited by the Norweigan Coeliac Society. Apparently frozen pizza is the most eaten meal in Norway, so you’d technically be living like a local by jumping on the pizza wagon.

Frankfurt: A Gluten-Free Guide

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I found Frankfurt a really tricky city to navigate on a gluten-free diet. After doing lots of research before my visit I found very few restaurants with good reviews from gluten-free diners and the coeliac community (those I sourced mainly came from Find Me Gluten Free). I emailed plenty of restaurants to see if they offered gluten-free options and to enquire if they were able to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. Unfortunately the answer I came up against on numerous occasions was a ‘no’ on both accounts.

If you’re travelling to Frankfurt and need to avoid gluten, I’d recommend doing some research beforehand, contacting restaurants ahead of time, and as always, travelling prepared with gluten-free snacks if possible. Whilst eating gluten-free was a challenge in Frankfurt, it certainly isn’t impossible. In this posts I’ve included some of the best gluten-free eateries I found.

Lua Cuisine

Update October 2024

Lua Cuisine is a gorgeous Vietnamese restaurant where the food just so happens to be gluten-free….win-win! The menu had plenty of options for starter, main and dessert and had lots of vegetarian and vegan options too. I went for crispy duck with passion fruit dressing, accompanied with pak choi and shiitake mushrooms.

Isabella Glutenfreie Patisserie

Wow! Isabella Glutenfreie Patisserie had it all. A dedicated gluten-free bakery offering gluten-free macaroons, cakes, breads, brownies, biscuits, chocolate and so much more. They also offered plenty of vegan options too. I tried the gluten-free brownie, white chocolate cheesecake and blackberry mousse tart – all were incredible.

Vevay

Update October 2024 – Unfortunately Vevay has closed since writing this post in 2023.

Vevay is a vegetarian restaurant offering plenty of clearly marked gluten-free and vegan options. I had the sweet potato fries with guacamole plus the mango rice noodle bowl with lots of colourful veggies. Super tasty and healthy food options. Their gluten-free desserts including the creme brûlée looked delicious but unfortunately I didn’t have room after my feast. I’d recommend booking a table here as it gets busy.

mango rice noodle bowl from Vevay vegetarian restaurant in Frankfurt, Germany

EatDoori Deli

This one was well-recommended on Find My Gluten Free so I thought I’d give it a go. They are a small shopping centre food outlet offering various curry bowls. I was assured that all of the options (apart from the breads of course) were gluten-free. I went for the chicken tikka curry bowl pictured below.

chicken tikka curry bowl from EatDoori Deli in Frankfurt, Germany

Glutenfreie Kaffeebar by Alex

So disappointed I didn’t make it here as it looks awesome. Glutenfreie Kaffeebar by Alex is a dedicated gluten-free cafe in Frankfurt and well recommended by coeliacs.

Supermarkets

Rewe

I shopped at a few Rewe stores across the city and each had a small gluten-free offering gluten-free breads, pastas, crackers, cookies, chocolate and waffles.

DM

DM is a healthstore with a small health foods section where I found gluten-free wraps, pretzels, breads, biscuits and pastas. There were plenty of DMs dotted around the city so you’ll never be too far from one of these stores.

Gluten-free German Vocabulary

Whilst plenty of people spoke excellent English, I found it helpful to learn a few words and phrases, particularly when looking at the lists of ingredients on supermarket food items.

English

I am coeliac

I can’t eat gluten

Cross-contamination

Gluten-free

Wheat

Barley

Rye

German

Ich bin Zöliakie

Ich kann kein gluten essen

Kreuzkontamination

Glutenfrei

Weizen

Gerste

Roggen

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 2 out of 5.

I’m giving Frankfurt two stars simply because during my time there I found few eateries which offered gluten-free options and where I felt confident that cross-contamination was avoided. Overall it didn’t seem commonplace to mark items as gluten-free on menus, and staff didn’t seem too aware of the importance of gluten-free foods.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Coeliac disease didn’t seem widely understood and few restaurants I encountered were aware of or able to offer gluten-free options. When asking about cross-contamination, many said they did not take measures such as using separate fryers or chopping boards etc to avoid cross-contamination.

Safety

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The places where I did eat I felt were safe in offering gluten-free options and avoiding cross contamination. As always, I have only included places where I have had positive experiences.

Picos de Europa: A Gluten-Free Guide

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The final stop on our trip exploring the north of Spain was Picos de Europa National Park. During our time here we stayed in the small village of Las Arenas which was close to the Ruta del Cares trail. This was the most rural part of our trip so I expected this to be the most challenging when it came to finding gluten-free options, but I was delighted by the amount of choice available.

Sidreria Calluenga

You’ll find plenty of sidrerias (cider houses) in the area, with natural cider being a popular local drink – and naturally gluten-free too! We dined at Sidreria Calluenga in Las Arenas on a few occasions since the food was so good and it was within walking distance from our accommodation. The menu has plenty of clearly marked gluten-free options and the staff assured me that food was prepared and cooked separately to avoid cross-contamination.

They offered a great selection of local dishes such as fabada (a hearty butter bean stew with bacon, chorizo and black pudding), alongside an array of meat, fish and vegetarian options as well. During our visits we sampled the fabada, filled onions, chorizo in cider, stuffed mushrooms, scrambled eggs with asparagus, and cheese flan. All the food was fresh, hearty and homemade – just what you need after a day’s hiking in the national park. I’d recommend booking in advance here since the restaurant was full every night.

Restaurante El Repelao

After a walk at Covodonga Lakes we went for a spot of lunch at Restaurante El Repelao . The restaurant was positively reviewed by coeliacs and as soon as I told the staff that I was coeliac they assured me that separate preparation areas and fryers etc were used for gluten-free foods. On a mission to indulge in the local cuisine as much as possible, I opted for another fabada – super filling comfort food, and well-earned after a hike around the Covodonga Lakes.

Other restaurants

Whilst we didn’t eat here, Sidreria Ribeles and La Plazuela both offered menus were clearly marked with gluten-free options and have positive reviews from other coeliacs. Both are in Las Arenas. Another well-reviewed restaurant which offers a completely gluten-free menu is Casa Niembro in the nearby village of Asiego. I would have loved to have eaten here as it has fantastic reviews, but time simply didn’t allow.

Gluten-free beers

Gluten-free beer seemed to be fairly commonplace in the area. In Las Arenas we found gluten-free beers – Mahou and Estrella Galicia at Cideres bakery and Chigre El Orbayu a cozy little bar with plenty of outdoor seating. If you aren’t in the mood for beer, the local natural cider is certainly worth a try.

Gluten-free supermarket options

Staying in Las Arenas we had a local supermarket called BM Shop. At the back of the store they had a range of gluten-free breads, pastas, cereal and biscuits. This was perfect to make a packed lunch when hiking in the area!

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I was spoilt for choice in Las Arenas and was able to indulge in lots of hearty gluten-free dishes. Having plenty of gluten-free options in the supermarket was really important for me on this part of our trip, since I was preparing packed lunches for days out hiking in the national park. For somewhere fairly rural, Las Arenas certainly exceeded expectations.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Plenty of options at most restaurants, coeliac disease was well understood and I didn’t feel like I was missing out at any point.

Safety

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Everywhere I went, staff assured me that they were using separate fryers, boards, utensils etc. I didn’t have any issues whilst eating out here.

Santillana del Mar: A Gluten-Free Guide

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On our road trip from Bilbao to Picos de Europa National Park, we made a pitstop at Santillana del Mar, a beautiful medieval town in Cantabria, Spain. Since the town is so small I wasn’t expecting too much by the way of gluten-free options, but Santillana del Mar had some fantastic hidden gems.

La Villa

La Villa has been receiving training and guidance from ACECAN, the Cantabrian coeliac association since 2018, and in 2019 they were nominated for best gluten-free restauarant in the ACECAN group. So it goes without saying that the staff are clued up when it comes to coeliac disease, and the whole menu is gluten-free.

We enjoyed a generous portion of homemade gluten-free croquettes, hake with potato écrasé and seaweed salad and the sirloin steak with foie and mushroom sauce.

Pasaje de los Nobles

sign

Whilst we didn’t eat here (it was a tough choice between here and La Villa restaurant), I read lots of positive reviews from coeliacs and Pasaje de los Nobles, like La Villa, receives advice from local coeliac association, ACECAN. The restaurant offers a mix of gluten-free tapas and dessert options.

Confiteria Las Quintas

Whilst meandering around the cobbled streets of Santillana del Mar we came across Confiteria Las Quintas, a small local bakery which offers a mix of gluten and gluten-free items. Whilst unfortunately their bread and pastries contain gluten, they offered a mix of gluten-free biscuits and gluten-free artisan chocolate bars.

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.

It was great to visit such a small town with so many gluten-free options. With extensive gluten-free menus, plus the seal of approval from the local coeliac association ACECAN, Santillana del Mar felt like a safe haven for any coeliac visitor.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 5 out of 5.

With multiple restaurants with donning ACECAN and FACE Restauración (the federation of coeliac associations in Spain) badges of approval, it felt like the small town was very aware of coeliac disease and ready to accommodate.

Safety

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Whilst I only ate the one meal in the town, I didn’t have any complaints with the safety of the food.

Bilbao: A Gluten-Free Guide

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After spending a few days in San Sebastián I headed over to the city of Bilbao. Bilbao is much bigger than San Sebastián so my expectations of finding gluten-free eateries was high. In this post I’ll share the details of where I ate and what to expect in the Basque city.

Gluten-free tapas

We kicked off eating our way through Bilbao at Los Fueros, a Michelin Guide restaurant in the Casco Viejo (the old town) area of the city. We went at lunchtime and had a few tapas bites to eat, although bigger mains were available. I had the Russian salad and the tomato salad accompanied with toasted gluten-free bread (admittedly not the best gluten-free bread I’ve had in Spain) – both salads were delicious and there were plenty of other gluten-free options available.

Gluten-free bakery

Whilst I didn’t eat here, I stumbled across a gluten-free bakery called Magora Bakery in the famous La Ribera market. They mainly offered biscuits and cakes but they also offered bread too. They are both gluten-free and milk-free.

Dedicated gluten-free restaurants

Naked and Sated

Next up we went to Naked and Sated. They have a few restaurants across the country and are a dedicated gluten-free and health food restaurant. We ordered the poke bowl, the cheeseburger and a cheesecake for dessert. All of the food was good here, but not particular highlights of the trip for us. That said, it was relaxing to eat in a completely gluten-free restaurant and this place was perfectly en-route for us walking from the old town (Casco Viejo) to the Guggenheim.

Urregin

Our final meal in Bilbao was at Urregin and boy was it worth the wait. The entire menu is gluten-free and was happily devoured by myself and my gluten-eating husband, who also thoroughly enjoyed the gluten-free experience. Our only regret is only finding this on our last night in Bilbao.

We enjoyed the cow tail smoked with foie gras, hake in ali-oli, Idizabal cheesecake and chocolate brownie. I thoroughly recommend this place and would advise booking ahead. The restaurant is only very small and is also very popular, so booking in advance is a must.

Gluten-free Spanish vocabulary

Speaking Spanish was definitely useful on this trip as not everyone spoke English. Below are a few key phrases which you may find helpful:

English:

I am coeliac

I cannot eat gluten

Is there cross-contamination in the kitchen?

Does it contain gluten?

Without gluten

Wheat

Barley

Rye

Spanish:

Soy celiaco/a

No puedo comer gluten

¿Hay contaminación cruzada en la cocina?


¿Contiene gluten?

Sin gluten

Trigo

Cebada

Centeno

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Since I arrived in Bilbao after spending two days in San Sebastián, where eating gluten-free was super easy, I found Bilbao much more difficult to navigate on a gluten-free diet, and the options available were much more limited. That said, this can certainly be worked around with some planning ahead of your visit.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Coeliac disease and the importance of avoiding cross-contamination did seem to be well-understood, however I also found to be restaurant options and gluten-free options on the menu to be somewhat limited.

Safety

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I didn’t have any issues with any of the food I ate whilst in Bilbao and staff did seem to take cross-contamination seriously.

San Sebastián: A Gluten-Free Guide

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San Sebastián was my first stop on a road trip around the north of Spain. This was my first time visiting Spain since my coeliac diagnosis so I wasn’t sure how coeliac-friendly Spain would be. Thankfully, Spain was an absolute delight to visit as a coeliac, with most restaurants and cafes having a good understanding of the disease.

Here’s what I found…

Gluten-free Pintxos

Pintxos are a traditional Basque bar snack, a bit like tapas.

Before visiting San Sebastián I was keen to get involved in the local pintxos scene, but figured that with many pintxos being largely bread-based, I may have to give it a miss. How wrong I was! Pintxos bar and restaurant Gandarias offers tonnes of gluten-free pintxos options, including gluten-free croquettes. The staff are very knowledgeable about coeliac disease and assured me that the gluten-free pintxos are prepared separately and in separate fryers etc. The food was so good here (the gluten options too, my husband assured me), that we visited a few times during our time in San Sebastián.

croquettes at

Gluten-free ice cream

Who doesn’t love an ice cream in the sunshine!? Since being diagnosed as coeliac I’ve grown wary of eating ice cream due to cross-contamination, but I had a fantastic experience at Carlos Arribas. Not only can you get gluten-free ice cream here, but you can also get a gluten-free cone – and most importantly, both taste incredible! As soon as I mentioned I was coeliac when making my order the staff member serving me washed his hands, and served my ice cream with a clean ice cream scoop.

Chocolate and white chocolate ice cream in a gluten-free cone from Carlos Arribas

Gluten-free restaurants

During our stay we ate at Bodegón Alejandro which offers gorgeous local cuisine. The food was beautiful and staff were very helpful. Due to multiple staff serving our table I did have to keep reminding them that I was coeliac, but the food was delicious and I ate there without any problems. We ordered the twice acorn fed Iberian pork loin with mashed potatoes and the cod fillet confited with pil pil sauce and spider crab in Donostia style – both gluten-free.

cod fillet confited with pil pil sauce and spider crab in Donostia style at Bodegon Alejandro
Cod fillet confited with pil pil sauce and spider crab

Gluten-free supermarket

During our stay we visited the supermarket Supercor which offered plenty of Schar gluten-free products in a dedicated gluten-free section of the store, including cornflakes, bread, biscuits and chocolate. They also sold gluten-free Mahou beer.

Gluten-free Spanish vocabulary

Speaking Spanish was definitely useful on this trip as not everyone spoke English. Below are a few key phrases which you may find helpful:

English:

I am coeliac

I cannot eat gluten

Is there cross-contamination in the kitchen?

Does it contain gluten?

Without gluten

Wheat

Barley

Rye

Spanish:

Soy celiaco/a

No puedo comer gluten

¿Hay contaminación cruzada en la cocina?


¿Contiene gluten?

Sin gluten

Trigo

Cebada

Centeno

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I felt really safe and at ease when dining out in San Sebastián. Staff at all the restaurants I visited were really knowledgeable and demonstrated that they took coeliac disease seriously in the lengths they went to to avoid cross contamination – even at the ice cream shop. There were also plenty of delicious gluten-free options available at every turn, so I never felt like I was missing out.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 5 out of 5.

It was clear that coeliac disease was well-known and understood in San Sebastián – it certainly wasn’t their first rodeo!

Safety

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I wasn’t unwell from any of the food I ate during my time here and staff were really good at avoiding cross-contaminations, using separate gloves, fryers, and utensils as needed.

Porto: A Gluten-Free Guide

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Porto was my first overseas destination since being diagnosed with coeliac disease in July 2023. A lot of the traditional local cuisine such as pasteis de nata, francesinhas, and bifanas are very gluten-heavy, but during the month I spent there, I had plenty of time to hunt out the best gluten free versions!

Gluten-free pastel de nata

The Portuguese custard tart known locally as pastel de nata is a must-have when in Portugal and you needn’t miss out on the action on your gluten-free diet. Gluten-free versions of these delightful little pastries can be found in the heart of Porto in Com Cuore. You can expect flaky pastry and gooey custard – just like the gluten version!

Gluten-free francesinha

The best gluten free francesinha I found was actually in Braga, a nearby city, 1 hour away from Porto in the gluten-free bakery Bonna Pasteleria. The francesinha is a sandwich filled with Portuguese ham, sausage, cheese, and steak, covered in more cheese, and soaked in a tomato-beer sauce, sometimes with a fried egg on top, because why not!? It’s a hearty meal to say the least, and a very satisfying one too. The gluten-free version I tried in Bonna Pasteleria did not disappoint, the gluten free bread didn’t disintegrate despite being immersed in sauce and if the francesinha itself wasn’t enough, the dish was accompanied with chips, which made for excellent dipping!

You can also find gluten-free versions on the francesinha back in Porto in Com Cuore, and a gluten-free and vegetarian francesinha in ClubLife. I didn’t try the francesinha at either of these places, however I have eaten at both and would recommend.

Gluten-free bifanas

The bifana is a pork sandwich. Now, whilst it sounds simple, it is the marinade which makes it special. For the gluten-free bifana it is back to gluten-free cafe, Com Cuore. The bifana here is served in a crusty gluten-free bread roll, filled with a ragu-like pork filling. Very tasty, albeit a little messy, so napkins at the ready for this one.

Non-traditional gluten-free food and drink

Gluten-free pizza

I was on the hunt for a good gluten free pizza during my stay and after a few disappointments I finally found the place – Mille Pinsa Trattoria Porto. This restaurant is located in central Porto and offers gluten-free pinsa romana. Pinsa romana is a slightly different base to a normal pizza, still with the doughy yet crispy texture, but also very light. The pizza here was so good I went 3 times during my month-long stay.

Gluten-free beer

Superbock is the local lager in Porto and you’ll see it everywhere. What you won’t see everywhere is the gluten-free version. I tried in numerous restaurants, cafes and supermarkets but I could only find it in Com Cuore and tapas restaurant Tapabento. When in Com Cuore I also bought a bottle to take home unopened as I wasn’t able to find gluten-free beer in any of the city-centre supermarkets.

Gluten-free tapas

I tried two tapas restaurants during my stay– Tapabento which is situated in São Bento train station, and Pisca, a small tapas restaurant with views of the sea in Foz do Douro – just a 10 minute drive from Porto centre. Both offer numerous gluten-free options. In Tapabentos I’d recommend the gluten-free bruchetta and tortilla de patata (potato omelette), and in Pisca I’d recommend the salmon cerviche, bacalhau a bras and padron peppers (the sangria is also amazing!).

Gluten-free fine dining

My favourite restaurant in Porto has to be Almeja. Almeja offers laid-back fine dining. The staff there are really knowledgeable about coeliac disease, and gluten-free is not a problem for them. I ate their twice, once from their ’10 momentos’ tasting menu and once from their main menu – both options offered a fantastic mix of gluten-free foods with lots of different twists and flavours.

Gluten-free supermarkets

I was surprised to see a decent amount of gluten-free options in supermarkets, with lots of products clearly marked as gluten free (‘Sem gluten’ in Portuguese). Supermarkets which offered decicated gluten-free options include Pingo Doce, Minipreço Express and Celerio. I found Pingo Doce to have the best range of options with gluten-free bread, gluten-free pasta and gluten-free pancake and tapioaca mix. Gluten-free foods tend to be spread out across the store so don’t expect to find everything all in one aisle.

Portuguese vocabulary

Lots of Portuguese people speak impeccable English, but I always try to learn some of the local language everywhere I go, so I’ve included some useful phrases below:

English

Do you have any gluten-free dishes?

I can’t eat gluten.

I am coeliac.

Does it contain gluten?

Gluten free

Wheat

Barley

Rye

Portuguese

Tens pratos sem glúten?

Não posso comer glúten.

Sou celíaco.

Contém glúten?

Sem glúten

Trigo

Cevada

Centeio

Overall verdict

Overall rating

Rating: 3 out of 5.

In general, it felt like coeliac disease wasn’t particularly well-known in Porto, however some fully gluten-free cafes and restaurants are starting to change that. Porto is a fairly small city, so you’ll never be too far from gluten-free options. As always I’d recommend doing your research and contacting venues ahead of your visit where possible.

Coeliac friendly

Rating: 3 out of 5.

A lot of Portuguese food is naturally gluten-free, so there were often plenty of gluten free options available, plus lots of restaurants which understood coeliac disease and the risks of cross-contamination. However, there were also plenty that didn’t. In some restaurants I had to explain what gluten was as the staff had never heard of it before (unsurprisingly, I chose not to eat here).

Safety

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Unfortunately I found Porto a little tricky in some cafes and restaurants, with staff confirming that food is gluten-free but not fully appreciating the risk of cross-contamination. I have only included eateries where I had a safe experience.