Our round-up of bakeries and cafes in London offering coeliac-friendly options for a morning treat or afternoon pick-me-up.
Whether due to coeliac disease or simple preference, being gluten-free is a key part of many people’s lifestyle. Finding gluten-free alternatives in London was near impossible once upon a time, but now there’s no need to give up a sweet treat alongside your coffee or matcha. The city is full of options.
One thing to bear in mind when looking for a gluten-free bakery is to make sure you distinguish between ‘made without gluten’ and ‘gluten-free’.
While many of London’s bakeries are hopping on the ‘gluten free’ bandwagon , the baked goods are often made in the same environment as items containing gluten and so should not really be labelled ‘gluten free’. The bakeries on our list, however, are genuinely gluten-free and coeliac-friendly. Here’s our top pick for an autumn catch up-or a rainy-day sweet treat.
Manna Dew, Battersea Park
Manna Dew is an award-winning gluten-free bakery.. Everything at Manna Dew is gluten-free, from a classic croissant to a truffle mushroom vol au vent and celebration cakes. It also offers a range of ‘made without’ baked goods for other allergens.
Its flour blend of rice, corn, tapioca, potato and chickpea is used to create pastries that you can’t quite believe aren’t gluten. If you’re based outside of London, you can order the goodies online, and the bakery guarantees these are gluten-free and coeliac safe and that they’ll stay fresh for up to three days at room temperature, five days in the fridge and 30 days in the freezer.
Read more: Our top healthy restaurants in London
Libby’s, Notting Hill
Libby’s is a family-owned gluten-free bakery in Notting Hill, with other stockists in London and an online store. The bakery – named after the owner’s daughter — was started by the family during the pandemic. They teamed up with Keri Moss, the joint 2012 MasterChef the Professionals winner, who has expertise as a pastry chef and runs the team.
The bakery aims to create gluten-free pastries so tasty they rival the gluten alternatives both in quality and taste.
They regularly launch new products to keep things exciting, like the latest white chocolate and matcha gluten-free pastry bun. It’s unbelievable — trust us.
Dendara, Kensington
Dendara is a gluten-free bakery — created by Salma — a holistic healthcare consultant. Focused on wholefoods, the products at Dendara are created with ingredients that are ethically sourced, nutrient dense and free of gluten, dairy and refined sugars.
The range of products includes quiches, savoury hand pies, cakes, loaves and biscuits, as well as vegan options. The name ‘Dendara’ was inspired by a trip to Egypt — and this inspiration can be seen in the flavours of the offerings here, too.
Some standouts include the date-sweetened chicken pastilla hand pies, the karak chai tart, and the salted Tahini brownies.
Read more: Why your favourite drinks could be harming your gut health
Polka Dot Bakery, Old Spitalfields Market
The spread of vegan and gluten free baked goods at Old Spitalfields Market are made at the owner Celia’s home in London and brought to the market every weekend. Prior to this, Celia was selling at markets in London, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridge before being offered a regular spot at in Old Spitalfields.
Those looking for a gluten-free sweet treat can expect to find decadent brownies, stuffed biscuits and more. Polka Dot Bakery is occasionally closed so do check out its Instagram (@thepolkadotbakery) for updates.
Vida Bakery, Brick Lane
This bakery in east London has a wide range of gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free cakes available for delivery across London as well as nationwide. In addition to customisable celebration cakes, the Vida Bakery menu offers cake tubs, biscuits, brownies and cookie dough.
The bakery is the ideal place to enjoy a coffee and cake without the potential for cross-contamination. It’s only open for walk-in and takeaways on Saturdays, so do plan ahead — or order online for a sugar fix anytime!
Read more: Where to get your pistachio fix across London
Borough 22, Oxford Street
Borough22 offers gluten-free plant-based doughnuts, with delivery across the UK, as well as a physical location in Selfridges, London. Founder Ryan Panchoo began the brand in his kitchen after cooking for his children, who have multiple allergies. Now they have a production facility offering plant-based, gluten-free, kosher, halal-certified and dairy-free sweet treats. Customers can also choose between fried and baked doughnuts, although both are allergen-free.
Feature image: Pexels
