It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but the day has finally come.

Introducing, our new, beautiful eBook: The Gluten-Free Guide to London!

Why We Wrote It

When I was diagnosed almost a year ago with celiac disease, I was disheartened.

I started enjoying restaurants less. I was confounded by menus that had few options for me, and I felt sheepish admitting my gluten allergy to the server. I missed the simplicity of grabbing a sandwich while out wandering around London and ordering whatever I felt like from a menu without a second thought.

Over time, though, I found my outlook improving. I started calling ahead to notify the kitchen of my allergy, which usually results in extra help ordering from our server. Sometimes, freshly baked gluten-free bread awaits me. I also noticed that if I looked carefully, some restaurant menus do, in fact, label their gluten-free offerings which saves me the trouble of asking.

I also started noticing a big disparity between how restaurants deal with a gluten allergy. Some handle it with grace, substituting ingredients, and exhibiting a clear understanding of the allergy. Others show a shocking lack of knowledge (if I had a nickel for every time I heard, “what’s gluten?”) or simply just subtract items off the one dish they can make gluten free. Gee, thanks.

The disparity I saw was sort of an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me. I started looking around for resources that would help me to discover all the great gluten-free dining options in London, but aside from a few targeted blogs, I couldn’t find a comprehensive guide.

So I decided to write one.

It has been a long road, involving almost 6 months of eating.

I have been to dozens of weekend markets and food stalls, tried more than my fair share of dry, and frankly depressing gluten-free pastries, and ventured all over the city to find the best bites.

My aim has been to find establishments that not only cater to gluten-free diners but also serve tasty food. I found that many of the restaurants that are hailed as “gluten-free destinations” are regaled simply because they offer several gluten-free options and list them clearly on the menu. Labeling well is a low bar for greatness and that worries a food lover like me. Personally, I don’t want to be forced to eat a sad, iceberg-lettuce wrapped burger, while my friends tuck into proper burgers, soft bun and all, right across the table from me.

Eating a lettuce wrapped burger because you have to is no way to live your life.

What’s Inside?

• The most comprehensive restaurant round-up for gluten-free dining in London

• Listings spanning a multitude of cuisines and price points. From kebabs, to street food, to high-end dining, the book covers it all

• Recommended dishes at each and every restaurant

• The essentials: address, cost, website and a designation for Gluten-Free Friendly and Gluten-Free Only

• An exhaustive list of chains or restaurants with multiple locations including a brief description, website and how easy it is to navigate their gluten-free offerings

• Avoidable mistakes and pitfalls that complicate the life of a gluten-free diner and how to avoid them

• Stores and markets around the city that offer a wide range of gluten-free products and ingredients for cooking meals at home.

• All the basics about alternative flours, and the best use for each

You can now head over to our new ‘Shop’ page, where you can find even more information about The Gluten-Free Guide to London and buy it directly from our site.

Our first eBook has been a true labor of love, and we hope that it helps others find the best places to dine and eat in London. Enjoy!