What London Gluten Free Restaurants Are Opening Or Closing: QUARTER 1 2024 Edition

2 May

Keeping up with gluten free restaurant openings and closings is tough, especially in a big city like London. There are a lot of gluten free London restaurant guides out there - like mine! - but it can be tough to keep it current. I’m here to (hopefully) help with that. In this blog post, you’ll find a list of the restaurants that I know have opened, changed hours or location, or closed from roughly the end of last year to roughly today (2 May 2024). So far in 2024, there have been a good number of restaurant openings and closings that I know of. I’m hoping to run this quarterly going forward to keep a more current list of the current state of the London gluten free food scene.

Know of somewhere that’s opening or closing? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message using this form (and, if possible, please mention the topic in the subject line!).

OPENING

LOS MOCHIS - london city

You already know that I run a Los Mochis fan account. Their Notting Hill restaurant has been high on my favorite places in London for a few years now, and they’ve just opened a second Los Mochis near Liverpool Street Station. This location is predictably polished and posh - I can’t think of many 100% gluten free restaurants that feel as cool as Mochis.

The restaurant has a large number of the same dishes you can expect in Notting Hill, though is heavier on the Japanese side of Mexican/Japanese fusion. The dining spaces are gorgeous with views across the city to St. Paul’s, and you heard it here first that the roof terrace is going to be the place to be this summer.

What to get? Anything on crispy rice, the sea bass ceviche, and literally any of the tacos. Save room for the churros and/or ube panna cotta as well.

Address of the new location: 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool St, London EC2M 2AT (City of London)

JUNO OMAKASE

On the topic of Los Mochis, inside their Notting Hill location is what’s billed as the world’s first 100% gluten free omakase. With only six seats, this bills itself to be a truly intimate experience with a menu changing seasonally to the chef’s taste. I have not been to Juno (yet!) but am looking forward to investigating this for myself.

Address: 2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN (Notting Hill)

UTTER WAFFLE - BALHAM

Utter Waffle has expanded to their second brick and mortar location in Balham, just a stone’s throw away from the Balham Northern Line stop. Their offerings mirror their original Herne Hill location, including bottomless brunch. They don’t take bookings at this location unless you’re in a group of 8+ or are looking for a boozy brunch. Their waffles are absolutely top tier and, of course, are 100% gluten free.

What to get? The James, Jules, and the Giant Peach is my go-to order, though the chicken and waffles are fantastic as well. I keep telling myself I’ll try more of the menu someday.

Address of the new location: 2 Hildreth St, London SW12 9RQ (Balham)

SLICE SUMMIT

Libby’s has a new evening alter ego, and they’re serving up gluten free pizza. In their Herne Hill location, on some weekends, you can now find a gluten free pizza restaurant that aims to “take gluten free pizza to new heights”. Knowing this is coming from Libby’s, I’m confident this pizza is going to be good.

What to get? I haven’t been myself to try this pizza, though the cheesy garlic bread paired with an adult slushie sounds divine.

Address of the new location: 288 Milkwood Rd, London SE24 0HE (Herne Hill)

that wing place

While not 100% gluten free, That Wing Place claims to serve up several varieties of gluten free wings and picky bits. I haven’t been yet, but am looking forward to trying it.

Address of the new location: 209-211 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DL (Islington)

changing

GOOD FING PIZZA - BOUNDARY SHOREDITCH

If you’ve interacted with me in the last few years, you know that I can’t go seven minutes without talking about Good Fing Pizza. The owner, Dijon, has brought gluten free pizza of unreal quality to London and, aside from the Kerb market in Farringdon, this is one of the few regularly scheduled events to get his pizza. Boundary is a great venue as well - you can expect great cocktails (and a gluten free beer on tap with a dedicated line!), a live DJ, and great vibes all around. Of course, all featuring delicious gluten free pizza.

While initially a temporary popup, sometimes featuring Borough 22’s doughnuts, new dates have been added for May and June. They’re all on Fridays, so check the schedule here to see when the next events are.

*Never not craving one of these bad boys*

What to get? You can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas here. He’s recently started serving a bbq chicken pizza that I’m a big fan of, so I’d recommend that.

Address: 2-4 Boundary St, London E2 7DD (Shoreditch)

UTTER WAFFLE - COVENT GARDEN FOOD TRUCK

Utter Waffle has a famous food truck that has appeared at food festivals and seasonal events - most recently, the food truck has been in Covent Garden. As of March 2024, the food truck is no longer regularly going to be appearing here. Keep an eye on their Instagram to see where it’ll pop up next!

MANNA DEW

Manna Dew has been infamous for having a physical storefront in Battersea, though only allowing pre-orders to be collected from that storefront. That has since changed - they’re now open on Fridays for walk-in customers from 1pm until 4pm or until they sell out. This is a great opportunity to pick up some of their outstanding pastries fresh out the kitchen.

What to get? I’m not sure what they have in stock for walk-ins, I imagine it won’t be their entire range, though just about all of their pastries are legendary among gluten free circles in London. If they have the cheese twists, pick those up. They’re difficult to find in gluten free, let alone in London, and Manna Dew makes them extremely well.

Address: 169 Battersea High St, Battersea Park, London SW11 3JS (Battersea)

Emilia’s pasta

An existing restaurant in Canary Wharf - Emilia’s - has started to create fresh, not packaged, gluten free pasta. They’ve invited me by to try their pasta where I’ll investigate more such as celiac safety standards, product offerings, etc. This is an exciting development!

Address: 12 George St, Wood Wharf, London E14 9QG (Canary Wharf)

GORDON RAMSAY STREET BURGER

While not my favorite burger in London, Gordon Ramsay Street Burger has expanded to a few restaurants across London including Kensington, St. Paul’s, and Covent Garden. Check their full listing of restaurants here!

Notably, their location in Islington has closed permanently.

BOROUGH 22 SATURDAY POPUP

It’s not often we get to enjoy Borough 22’s fried doughnuts fresh out of the oven. Trust me, the fresher they are, the harder to believe they’re gluten free, plant based, and some of their offerings are top 14 allergen free. Ryan recently started having Saturday popups at a bakery in South East London, from 10am-1pm or while supplies last. There are no pre-orders, it’s collection only and first come first serve. This is an excellent opportunity to get your hands on these doughnuts when they’re fresh.

What to get? Literally one of everything

Address: Unit 4 Allard House Karma Kitchen, 14-16 Verney Road, London SE16 3DH

MATTARELLO BOLOGNESE/CHIODO BOLOGNESE

The restaurant formerly known as Mattarello Bolognese has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Chiodo Bolognese. Expect the same menu of handmade gluten free pasta and other Italian and Bolognese specialties, with same Coeliac UK accreditation.

*The ricotta, carmelised pear, and gorgonzola tortellini that live rent free in my head*

What to get? Any of their pastas - especially the tortellini - and the bread basket of course.

Address: 3 Middlesex St, London E1 7AA

FRANKIE’S BROWNIES - POPUP

This new (to me) brownie trader just had their first popup in Mercato Metropolitano (near Elephant & Castle) this past 27 April. The popup had a wide range of brownies, all gluten free. Let’s hope more popups are in their future.

closing/CLOSED

PLANT CLUB

The restaurant was off the beaten path for most, but for those of us in North/North East London it was an incredible outpost for gluten free and vegan pizza. The owners have implied on social media that this isn’t a goodbye, but rather a see you later - they’re in search of a new home for Plant Club. Let’s hope they find a new spot soon!

ANDINA

I’m ranking this as one of my biggest missed opportunities - I never got to visit Andina, a 100% gluten free Peruvian restaurant and pisco bar, and it’s now permanently closed its doors. Good to learn a lesson from me and check out your local gluten free restaurants early and often.

COOKIES AND SCREAM

Cookies and Scream was a bakery in Islington that offered a surprisingly large range of gluten free baked treats and plant-based milkshakes. As of April 2024, they’re closed for good. I personally already miss their stuffed cookie sandwiches!

NATURALLY CHINESE

Previously famous for having the largest selection of gluten free Chinese food anywhere near central London, Naturally Chinese appears to have permanently closed. It’s worth noting there is conflicting information, though. On social media, the owners claim the closure is temporary, though the restaurant physically has “to let” signs on it. We’ll see if the restaurant pops up elsewhere in the future.

STATION 26

This is a big loss for everyone in the South West - Station 26 appears to have permanently closed with very little fanfare. Their Instagram has been deleted and their website doesn’t mention any changes.

RASA STREET

This one is a niche one I know, but one of my favorite spots in Stoke Newington appears to have closed permanently. Rasa Street offered dishes from Kerala in India, was absolutely fantastic, and while not 100% gluten free, was very accommodating. Their fish curry was one of my top dishes in London and I couldn’t get enough of their metre-long dosas.

Rasa’s sister restaurant across the road (Rasa South) appears to still be open, still has a decent amount of gluten free offerings, and there appears to be a sign on Rasa Street’s restaurant implying they are relocating. Here’s hoping they make a comeback.

Matt Bzdel