Gluten Free Restaurants Birmingham - The Best Gluten Free Venues and Menus in Town
Gluten-free foodies, here is your cut-out-and-keep guide to the very best gluten free restaurants Birmingham has to offer.
Dining out with dietary requirements can be difficult at the best of times. Whether it’s nuts or soya, meat or molluscs that you’re avoiding, you’d be surprised at the number of ingredients that go into making your favourite dishes.
If you’re sticking to a gluten-free diet, it’s bye bye breadcrumbs and hello to soup without the roll and a precautionary call when booking to ensure you can be catered for.
But this is a list with a difference. This isn’t a list of restaurants that will tolerate gluten-free diners. This is a list of eateries than go one step further and don’t just take away the offending items, but will actually try to offer an alternative where possible.
Bistro 1847
Known as a vegetarian restaurant tucked away in the Great Western Arcade, it’s a little known fact that Bistro 1847 are able to adapt dishes too.
For instance, the beer-battered halloumi, mushy pea emulsion, lemon curd and sea herbs dish can be made with a gluten free batter.
Just look for the letters ‘gfo’ (gluten free option) on the menu.
Warehouse Café
Another vegetarian/vegan restaurant, Warehouse Café has been around for 30 years and shares a space with Friends of the Earth in Digbeth.
Committed to sustainability, they recycle, buy organic and fairtrade where possible, and create menus based on seasonal British fruit and vegetables.
We recommend the fritters, falafel and halloumi fish and chips, although the menu does change.
The menu is clearly marked with ‘gf’ so there’s no need to request a separate menu.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
It’s rare for a restaurant to provide a gluten free menu online, but GBK is one of the few places to do just this.
At GBK, not only do you have a wide range of patties, from beef and chicken to lamb and veggie options, you can also choose to go naked (bunless) or try the gluten free bun.
Both options are tasty, with a choice between homeslaw and either a green salad or chargrilled corn or a delicious, soft, gluten free white bun.
You’ll be spoilt for choice here and don’t forget to download the app too for fantastic offers.
More about Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Purnell’s Bistro
The sister restaurant to Michelin-starred Purnell’s, this city centre restaurant has a smart formal atmosphere
It also serves up some mean cocktails courtesy of Gingers Bar (we love the Bakewell Tart and Bramble cocktails).
Although the menu doesn’t state what is and isn’t gluten-free, the friendly and helpful staff are well-trained and able to tailor your meal as needed.
They can also provide gluten-free bread on request.
Carters of Moseley
Tipped for Michelin stardom, Carters is a fine dining restaurant in the ‘burbs.
Creating dishes that are light and modern with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, the food is fresh and it’s clear from every bite that the chefs here understand flavours.
Again, Carters staff are well-versed in catering for the gluten free diner and communicate this well to the kitchen and to one another.
Be sure to call ahead and book so you don’t miss out on the soft and spongy gluten free brown bread.
More about Carter's of Moseley
Natural Healthy Foods
For those of you looking for healthy gluten-free food then look no further than Natural Healthy Foods.
Already an established organic and vegan store in Digbeth, Natural Healthy Foods have brought their healthy and vegan-friendly food to Birmingham City Centre, with a range of dishes to suit all dietry requirements.
Expect a wide range of gluten free dishes and a tempting choice of hot, cold and raw dishes in the restaurant.
And if you're inspired to do some healthy cooking at home you can pick up gluten free pasta and noodles as well as some tasty gluten free snacks.
More about Natural Healthy Foods
Wagamama
With two city centre outlets at Bullring and Brindleyplace, Wagamama is famous for number 71, the Chicken Katsu Curry.
Although this is off-limits for us gluten-free diners, there is a host of other options available, as well as a very thorough allergens menu that covers everything from crustaceans to soya.
Ask for the menu to see what is already gluten free and what can be adapted, for example, by using rice noodles instead of wheat.
They've also got gluten free soya sauce - result!
Hyatt Regency
The Hyatt Regency has undergone something of a revamp lately but still retains its classical charm.
Whether you choose to dine at the Gentleman and Scholar, Aria Bistro or tuck into a light bite at the Atrium Lobby, you’ll find menus clearly marked with ‘g’ to indicate gluten containing dishes.
Choose from classics such as pork belly and chicken roulade at the Aria Bistro and honey roasted chicken wings and rib eye steak at the Gentleman and Scholar.
In addition, they’ve also created an inventive and thoughtful gluten free afternoon tea under the direction of Head Chef Heiko Reichel, which even includes gluten free scones.
Don’t forget they can cater for events too; just don’t forget to inform the kitchens in advance for both afternoon tea and event catering.
Boston Tea Party
Described as a modern independent British cafe, Boston Tea Party serves up breakfast, brunch, sandwiches, salads and mains such as burgers and enchiladas too.
With a menu that helpfully signposts what's already gluten free (gf), they have gluten free bread to complete that weekend lazy breakfast of anything on toast, eggs benedict or even eggs royale.
The burgers can also be made gluten-free and more importantly, there is even a choice of gluten free cakes.
Having tried both the chocolate brownie and the orange and almond cake, I have even gone so far as to make a detour from work to pick up a slice of my favourite, the orange and almond cake topped with sticky marmalade.
With cafes already in the city centre and Harborne, Moseley residents will soon be able to enjoy BTP breakfasts with a third outlet opening soon.
More about the Boston Tea Party
Bodega
With a new menu that is thankfully clearly marked gf, there are namely two dishes that helped South American restaurant Bodega make the cut.
One of these is the sweet potato fries which are gluten free (wahoo!). The other is the super sweet and boozy banana flambé dessert, which is also, blissfully, gluten free.
In between there’s also a tasty chilli and a host of light bites including grilled halloumi, red wine glazed chorizo and papas chorreadas to choose from.
Round off the meal with one of their famous cocktails or mocktails and everyone’s happy.
Don't forget to mention that you're gf as some dishes will need to be amended to make them gluten free.
Hotel Du Vin Afternoon Tea
Whether you’re eating in the Bistro, enjoying the Sunday Brunch or having breakfast, Hotel Du Vin caters well for the gluten-free guest.
However, I think the Afternoon Tea is your best bet for gluten free sandwiches and cakes.
On a recent visit, I enjoyed a blueberry loaf, macaron, coconut cake, chocolate tiffin and a chocolate mousse shot.
If you are eating in the Bistro, many of the salads and grills are already gluten free, and don’t forget to stop by the bar on your way out.
Cosy Club
How refreshing for a restaurant to show a full gluten free menu online!
It may sound so simple, but it's still unusual to find such a thing. Cosy Club has just opened on Bennett's Hill and the menu can be divided up into breakfast, tapas and burgers which simplifies things somewhat.
The burgers are served in a gluten free bun and the tapas comes served with the best gluten free, seeded brown bread I have ever tasted.
I am yet to try the rest of the menu but I can say that the tapas are fantastic. The sweet potato and basil falafel deserves a starring role on the menu.
Also full on flavour are the houmous topped with chickpeas and sultanas, crispy potatoes with pesto mayo and pan-fried halloumi with carrot and chickpeas.
Henry Wong Harborne
Anyone on a gluten free diet will know that eating at a Chinese restaurant can be something of a nightmare.
There is usually flour lurking in every sauce and batter, but Henry Wong Harborne wins the prize for best gluten-free friendly Cantonese restaurant in the Midlands.
There is a separate gluten free menu available on request with a host of dishes to choose from. Everything from yuk sung to sweet and sour chicken can be made gluten free, and head chef Ricky Wu has created an incredible gluten free batter that tastes as good or even better than anything with flour.
A gluten free honey lemon chicken is a rarity but I recommend the incredible honey pepper chicken and chilli and pepper king prawn. Trust us: they are delicious!
Grand Central Kitchen
Opposite New Street Station, at first glance this café may not seem gluten-free friendly.
Offering up a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers, hot wraps, baguettes and paninis, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that GCK can make up gluten free sandwiches and even pizzas!
Pepperoni, BBQ chicken and margherita pizzas are available along with a create your own option.
All this choice is available alongside the usually safe salad and jacket potato options.
More about Grand Central Kitchen
Author: alev
