The 26 best gluten-free restaurants in Bristol
Independents only
Unless you’re someone that can’t eat gluten, you probably don’t care about which restaurants in Bristol are suitable for coeliacs, in which case fine — this isn’t for you. I accidentally pissed off the coeliacs — a militant and vocal group — earlier this year when I published a piece called ‘11 places to avoid in Bristol’s little London’ in which I suggested people visit local independent burger joint Squeezed instead of national chain Honest Burger. It turns out that Honest Burger is the holy grail of coeliacs nationwide, and I had insulted their glorious leader. So this is for them. An apology, if you like, though I stand by what I wrote — which was, in broad strokes, that you should eat in independents rather than chains. I hope this is of use to my gluten-free friends and that we are, indeed, friends again. I should note — these restaurants are all able to cater to those avoiding gluten, with details written into each one, but they’re also restaurants that The Bristol Sauce would happily recommend with enthusiasm regardless of dietary requirements. So go forth and EAT.
1. Laura’s Pizzas, Totterdown and Bishopston
Though it’s delivery only, Laura’s Pizzas has become such a beloved beacon in Bristol’s slice scene that last year Laura opened a second site to serve more of the city. These pizzas are Neapolitan; so expect slowly fermented dough, thick blistered crusts and toppings — all of which are gluten-free — imported from Italy. Laura’s gluten-free bases are prepared completely separately from the regular dough, and are cooked in the same oven but always on a tray. They use dedicated cooking utensils for gluten-free pizzas too. The arancini are also gluten-free, and there’s no risk of cross-contamination as they use a dedicated fryer.
2. Creamberry Artisan, West Street
After a successful six years touring markets with their coeliac-friendly goods such as pasteis de nata and empanadas, Bristol’s first completely gluten-free bakery opened a permanent bricks-and-mortar site just last month on West Street in Old Market. Every single item is gluten-free and many are dairy-free too. Shoppers can visit the store to see the full range or order a haul online. The basque cheesecake has won a Great Taste two star award, which is no mean feat.
3. Cord Kitchen, various
Cord Kitchen can now be found serving an array of delicious pub grub at a host of drinking dens across the city; including The Pump House, Junction and The Barley Mow. On the menu are burgers, loaded fries, fried chicken and cauliflower wings — all of which are gluten-free and cooked in a coeliac friendly manner. The seitan burger is the only thing that the gluten intolerant should avoid, though menu items vary from site to site and it’s always best to check with the staff. Cord Kitchen’s roasts can also all be made gluten-free, with Yorkshire puddings being swapped out for a salt and pepper parsnip crisp. All of Bristol Beer Factory’s beer is gluten-free too — so you can indulge to your heart’s content without a care.
4. Zena’s Bistro, West Street
Zena’s Bistro is run by a one-man-band, Medhi, who makes Neapolitan pizzas, arancini, fresh ravioli, burgers and avocado toast in this Sicilian bolthole in Bedminster. Only the chunky cigars of cannoli are imported directly from Sicily. He asks that if you’d like one of his famously good gluten-free bases for a pizza, ring ahead to let him know so he can prepare the dough to order. It may not be coeliac friendly as it’s a small kitchen, but for the gluten intolerant this will be a sure treat. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Zena’s Bistro.
5. Frankie’s, Bruhaha
Frankie’s, run by 2023 MasterChef semi-finalist Adam Ball, serves two things: chicken and waffles. Actually that’s a lie, there’s battered halloumi bites too, mac and cheese and frickles. Yes, fried pickles. Adam’s wife is coeliac and so when setting up Frankie’s he decided that every single item on the menu would be coeliac safe — so you can enjoy your Nashville chicken sandwich without worry.
6. Pukka Peacock, Brislington
The Pukka Peacock is no ordinary curry house. These Indian-inspired dishes are elevated and infused with nods to other cultures, and the result is a curry quite unlike one you’ll find anywhere else. The menu at Pukka Peacock clearly states which items are suitable to those with gluten allergies, which is almost all of them. Coeliacs are very welcome and will be well-catered for. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Pukka Peacock.
7. Seven Lucky Gods, Wapping Wharf
It’s not terribly easy to find gluten-free Japanese and Korean cuisine due to the prevalence of gluten in soy sauce, but at Seven Lucky Gods those avoiding the gluten can enjoy about 60 per cent of the menu; including all the sushi and grilled items. The gluten-free items are also suitable for coeliacs as the station is cleaned down ahead of any gluten-free prep and separate utensils, boards and fryers are used — though as with many entries on this list, as it’s a small kitchen they can’t guarantee no cross contamination.
8. Root, Wapping Wharf
Much-lauded (and rightfully so) Root was making vegetables the centre of attention before it was cool, and around three quarters of their seasonal, locally-sourced small plates are gluten-free too. Again, it’s a small kitchen so there’s risk of cross contamination, but the team are well versed in catering for coeliacs and those with all manner of allergies, so you’re in good hands.
9. Box-E, Wapping Wharf
At Box-E they do things proper — and so naturally they bake their own gluten-free bread and crackers to serve on both their modern-British tasting menus and the a la carte menu too. They’re delighted to cater to coeliacs, who will find warm hospitality, considered plates and excellent value in this small shipping container.
10. Nutmeg Street Kitchen, St Augustine’s Parade
Part of the group that incorporates Nutmeg and Nadu, around three quarters of Nutmeg Street Kitchen’s Indian small plates menu is suitable for those that don’t eat gluten. The only things to avoid are — you guessed it — the breads. Everything else is coeliac friendly and kept separate, so tuck into your paneer makhani and lamb bhabhra without concern.
11. Caper and Cure, Stokes Croft
Caper and Cure is a truly exemplary neighbourhood restaurant; one that deserves far more credit and attention. The modern-European small plates are consistent and among the best in class — the crab butter especially. On the gluten-free menu you’ll find almost all their menu items, including gluten-free bread. Though the pasta is not free of gluten, many desserts such as crème brûlée, chocolate cake and ice cream are. There’s only one fryer so some things are unsuitable for coeliacs; but the team will always be thrilled to offer an alternative such as new potatoes instead of chips.
12. Pasta Ripiena, St Stephen’s Street
I have always found the Bianchis Group to be a great option when it comes to catering for those with allergies or dietary requirements — with enough notice the team seem to be able to cater to absolutely anyone. Pasta Ripiena is the place to go for excellent stuffed pastas and silky sheets laden with ragùs, seafood and sauce. All the Bianchis Group sites can cater to those with gluten allergies and they serve gluten-free pasta to boot — though it’s always advisable to let them know when booking so they can prepare accordingly.
13. Nadu, Stokes Croft
Similar to Nadu’s sister restaurant, Nutmeg Street Kitchen, the majority of the menu at Nadu is gluten-free. But unlike at the other sites, the focus here is on Sri Lankan and Tamil Nadu specialities, so expect lots more coconut, fermented flavours and bold spices. Again, if you avoid the breads, the menu is almost entirely gluten-free and coeliac safe, with the restaurant using chickpea flour for most fried and battered goods.
14. COR, North Street
COR is sunshine on a plate; a restaurant dedicated to showing off seasonal Mediterranean ingredients in their prime and pairing them with great hospitality and show-stopping drinks. COR has a separate menu which is completely gluten-free and can cater to coeliacs. The same can be said of their sister site, RAGÙ in Wapping Wharf, if you want something a little more Italian-leaning.
15. Condesa, Whiteladies Road
Though they don’t shout about it, Condesa is accidentally an entirely gluten-free restaurant. As the menu is Mexican, all the tortillas and flour are made with corn, and so this is a super coeliac friendly spot. They do have gluten on site for staff food — so they can’t guarantee zero cross contamination — but nothing on the public-facing menu contains gluten. What it does contain is some excellent Mexican flavours and a great mezcal selection. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Condesa.
16. Loki Poke, Wapping Wharf
A bowl of Loki Poke goodness feels genuinely nourishing for the soul. These Hawaiian creations are usually sushi-rice laden with fish, meat, vegan proteins and a whole load of brightly coloured veg, all tied together with a piquant sauce. I hunted down Loki Poke halfway through Glastonbury last year and it was the injection of vitamins I needed to keep me dancing ‘til the early hours. Almost everything served here is gluten-free, with only the vegan chicken and Satan’s gravy containing traces of gluten.
17. The Pancake Man, Wapping Wharf
A relative newcomer to Wapping Wharf, The Pancake Man is probably best known for his pancakes. No surprises there. He’s also known for being entirely, utterly, completely and totally gluten-free. Well maybe he isn’t, but his shipping container shack certainly is. Head here for a gluten-free sweet treat such as pancakes, loaded waffle bites, waffle churros and even chicken-topped waffles.
18. Wilsons, Chandos Road
God I could wax lyrical about Wilsons. I could write books, poems, speeches. But we are limited on time and space and so I won’t, I’ll just tell you this: Wilsons is my favourite restaurant in Bristol. If you want your gluten-free feast in the form of a Michelin-starred tasting menu this is where to get it, but don’t be put off thinking it’s super fancy and silly and pretentious. I’ve never met a more down-to-earth couple than owners Jan and Mary, who grow almost everything on the menu on their nearby farm. It’s a very small kitchen (you won’t believe they can produce that in there) so they can’t guarantee there’s no cross contamination, but they can do a whole menu gluten-free and frequently cater for coeliacs.
19. Soukitchen, North Street
Soukitchen is a rainbow of a restaurant — the menu is chock full of colour, flavour and Middle-Eastern inspiration. It’s a dinner out that manages to feel both indulgent and healthy at the same time. Approximately 75 per cent of the small plates are free from gluten and the fryer is gluten-free, so it’s coeliac-friendly too. The only dishes that aren’t gluten-free on the current menu are the flatbread (which will be swapped for crudités), the taramasalata, the prawns and the trifle. Other than that, dig in. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Soukitchen.
20. Pizza on the Park, Park Street
Pizza on the Park have gone to town on making their restaurant a gluten-free haven. There’s a separate menu which is entirely gluten-free and safe for coeliacs, featuring pizzas, obviously, plus salads, sides and small plates. They’ve got a local gluten-free beer in the form of Arbor Mosaic to wash it down with and the gluten-free pizzas are cooked in an entirely separate oven. Fair play POTP, fair play.
21. Noah’s, Bathurst Basin
I don’t think there’s a fish and chip shop award in existence that Noah’s hasn’t won. It’s a fish and seafood restaurant that serves superb fish and chips as well as more adventurous items such as whole Cornish sole in brown butter. Unlike Fisk and Frite it’s not entirely gluten-free, but they can cater to those with gluten allergies and coeliacs.
22. Gambas, Wapping Wharf
Gambas and Bravas are two of my favourite spots for tapas — they’re consistent, the hospitality is great and the aubergine with molasses is a dish that could stand up and represent Bristol. At Gambas, a couple of menu items are no-go for those avoiding gluten, but most are completely coeliac-friendly with the team using separate equipment. Make sure the team know about your requirements and you’ll be very well looked after.
23. Marmo, Baldwin Street
Few conversations about Bristol’s best restaurants happen without a mention of Marmo; a restaurant dedicated to the art of combining local and seasonal ingredients with Italian flavours and inspiration. Marmo has a Michelin Bib Gourmand in recognition of its excellence and value, and a generous chunk of the menu is gluten-free. Sadly the pasta is not, but they can offer substitutions, and though all the items are cooked in the same kitchen they do use separate equipment when catering to those with gluten allergies.
24. Fisk and Frite, St Werburgh’s
There’s two things that don’t even cross the threshold at Mina Road’s premier fish and chip shop Fisk and Frite: meat and gluten. The entire menu and therefore the entire kitchen is gluten-free and suitable for coeliacs. The fish and chips have quickly become established as some of the best in the city, but the menu extends far beyond just things-in-batter, so take friends and order widely. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Fisk and Frite.
25. Prime by Pasture, Redcliffe
As mentioned in the introduction, it was burgers that got this gluten-free dough ball rolling. I’m pleased to report that Prime by Pasture — the burger offshoot of the eponymous steak joint — is very gluten-free friendly. The restaurant has gluten-free buns, gluten-free breading for fried chicken and everything is cooked in a separate fryer. Though they can’t guarantee zero cross-contamination as it’s a small kitchen and the fryers are next to each other, great effort has been made to make these burgers safe for everyone to enjoy — and enjoy them you certainly will.
26. Mangosteen, Cotham Hill, North Street and Gloucester Road
Mangosteen is all neon lights and bright colours and good times. The food is purported to be Thai tapas but they are quite happy to take inspiration from most of South East Asia. It’s not the most authentic, but it is delicious and very good fun. 90 per cent of the menu is gluten-free and all of it’s available with gluten-free soy sauce. Sadly the spring rolls are off the table, but everything else is cooked in separate woks so is suitable for coeliacs. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Mangosteen.
All words and photos by Meg Houghton-Gilmour