Hello. I have an allergy to gluten (not a fad!) and have been researching restaurants in Edinburgh. Anyone have any helpful tips about eating gluten free in Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, and up around Loch Tay? Thank you so much.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33818 posts
Ask what their GF dishes are. GF is everywhere at the moment. You're not a fad - I've known several sufferers so I am speaking from experience - but millions are so most places are making concessions. If unusually there are no GF items on the menu you can ask.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
Most will be able to tell you. Coeliac disease is not uncommon in Scotland, like Ireland roughly 1% have it, and most menus show the gluten free choices.
If in doubt ask. You are the customer after all.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Of your locations, I've only been to Glasgow, but I found awareness of gluten and allergens to be even higher there than in New York. All menus were labeled with details of these, including places that said they could not guarantee freedom from cross-contamination (I haven't seen that spelled out so clearly elsewhere). Just note that it's spelled "coeliac" there, not "celiac," as on the bag of spelt flour in the Waitrose supermarket labeled "Not Suitable For Coeliacs."
Speaking of supermarkets, many have a "Free From" section (free from nuts, from gluten, etc).
Two places in Byres Road, in the West End of Glasgow, which I remember being very attentive to these concerns:
Old Salty's. They have much more than fish and chips (I had a burger); scroll down, and you'll see that gluten-free batter is available at no extra charge. http://www.oldsaltys.co.uk/#menu
Taco Mazama. Mexican food, and I see from their website that it is a mini-chain with a branch in Edinburgh. Here's their allergy information - you see what I mean about attention to these details: http://www.tacomazama.co.uk/allergy-information/
Posted by
Denver, CO
64 posts
Hi Cris,
I'm afraid I'm only just researching my own trip to Edinburgh at the moment, so can't speak from experience. However, this restaurant has made my "must try" list, and has several GF options:
Posted by
Edinburgh
2681 posts
By law all food providers must be able to list allergens in their food. restaurants are well geared up to this and will list allergens on the menus or mark foods with gluten free markers.if concerned at all just ask the wait staff and they will help you.
all the supermarkets have Free from sections including snack food like wraps and mixed salads even some of the fish and chip shops will do gluten free batter on the fish.
you should not have any major problems
Posted by
1 posts
My favorite in Edinburgh is Vittoria on the Walk: http://www.vittoriagroup.co.uk/vittorialeith/ They have multiple locations in Edinburgh, but this one has best GF options.
In St. Andrews, my favorite is Tailend: http://www.thetailend.co.uk/st-andrews.html