Gluten free traditional British dishes in London

Can't help you with London but I can tell you that there were tons of gluten free pasties in Cornwall so I can't imagine they haven't made their way to London.

I suspect most takeaway pasty shops will have at least one gluten-free version. They certainly do down here in the West Country.

Toad in the hole tends to be more a “cook at home if you can’t afford enough sausages to go round” dish. I was brought up on it (big family) but I can’t remember seeing it at a restaurant.

There's an amusing oldtime restaurant here in Los Angeles called the Tam O'Shanter and they have ... toad in the hole!

No I’ve never seen toad in the hole on a restaurant menu. I’ve also never seen gluten free Yorkshire pudding but that doesn’t mean it’s not available somewhere.

You’ll definitely be able to get gluten free scones. Most places that do afternoon tea offer a gluten free version that will include these.

No idea about the sausage roll.

a key to a sausage roll or a vegan (mushroom sausage) roll is the puff pastry. Very hard to get a GF puff pastry.

I thought if anybody would have a GF sausage roll it might be Greggs. Nope.

You may have to find some GF only place and see if they can create something similar-ish.

I've seen Toad in the Hole in a restaurant once - about 55 or 60 years ago in the Boots cafe in the Promenade on Cheltenham. Never since. Easy to whip up at home. All you need is a loaf of GF bread and GF sausages.

I'm sure I may not be sharing new information, especially for those avoiding gluten, but just incase someone is not aware --

Rusk or butchers rusk (that is breadcrumbs) is a common ingredient in British sausages and they're not normally listed as being gluten free.

Most supermarkets seem to sell gluten-free sausage rolls. They are very much a takeaway type food, so maybe this would fit the bill. M&S “normal” sausage rolls are great (I think the hog roast ones are the GOAT) so they’re probably a good place to try gluten-free.

If in a supermarket, there’s often an area labelled Free From (or similar) where you’ll find a range of gluten-free baked goods.

I’m struggling to find a place that does hot gluten-free sausage rolls, though. Like Nigel, I assumed Greggs would - but no. For those who aren’t gluten-free, the Greggs sausage roll, served warm, is a kind of filthy delicious guilty pleasure for many of us.

Thanks for all of the feedback so far. We're renting a place with a full kitchen so we can do some home cooking. Maybe we'll have to make toad in the hole at home one night?

And I saw that about British sausage, that they aren't typically gluten free. The opposite of what I'm used to seeing in the US.

Good to know that gluten free pasties are common in some places in England. I'll have to look a little closer around London to see what I can find.

More and more supermarket sausages are gluten free. 20 years ago they were hard to find but not now. Look at the more expensive ones that come in a plastic tray rather than the ones just wrapped in plastic as these tend to be the GF zones.

We're staying near a full Tesco, a Tesco Express, and a Lidl so maybe between those I'll find one gluten free sausage roll. :)

If you go to the Tesco website you’ll find loads of gluten-free choices - including Yorkshire puddings.

You may be able to organise a “click & collect” as it’s not always guaranteed that all these goods will be in all supermarkets, but certainly the bigger one should have a good selection.

Tesco, a Tesco Express, and a Lidl so maybe between those I'll find one gluten free sausage roll

not at Tesco I'm afraid - I just looked on line. You can see everything they sell. GF Sausage rolls don't come to the party. I'd be astonished if Lidl had something so niche.

I had a look at a number of the veggie/vegan ones made with fake sausage, all had wheat as one of the highest ingredients. It is that pastry question

not at Tesco I'm afraid - I just looked on line. You can see everything they sell. GF Sausage rolls don't come to the party.

Nigel, I found a gluten-free brand called Genius Sausage Rolls on the Tesco site.

Genius Sausage Rolls 2 Pack - Tesco Groceries https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/291846585?shem=iosie

cool. you have better eyes than me

I will add, when you do go out, menus are very good at listing allergens, and you will be asked by waitstaff, every time, if anyone has food allergies. I doubt with gluten that they can do much in preparation (save leaving out some bread or noodle ingredient, or sub rice for noodles) but they are supposed to be able to point the way to safe options.

This may be of help.

https://www.happyceliac.com/gluten-free-london/

Thanks! I'll have to bookmark that link and use it as a guide while planning.

I agree with Paul, whether by law or custom British menus give an incredible amount of info about ingredients. Starting on the plane.