Wales has always been known as somewhere you can get quality ingredients. Welsh lamb is famous worldwide, but there’s also incredible seafood, dairy, and vegetables. Cardiff is a foodie’s delight. Yes, there are your favorite chains, but locals are supporting the independents. Even if you’re gluten-free, have a gluten intolerance, or are coeliac, you’re sure to find plenty of places to eat in our gluten-free Cardiff guide.
Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a compact city. There are so many places to visit. It is easy to get around on foot, by bike or public transport. The countryside is a short drive, and there are over 25 beaches less than 30-minutes away. So, whether you’re a local or visiting to soak up the culture, here are some of my tried and tested gluten-free restaurants in Cardiff.
Gluten Free Breakfast in Cardiff
Coffi Co
Coffi Co has 6 venues across Cardiff. Before you even look at the gluten-free menu, make sure you order an orange hot chocolate – it’s incredible! The hearty breakfast will help you start the day right with bacon, mushrooms, eggs, tomato and homemade baked beans that you can mop up with gluten-free bread made on site.
Wild Thing
The menu changes every couple of weeks, as they use local and seasonal ingredients. Wild Thing prides itself on making everything itself, as well as it being vegan. They even make their own nut-free and gluten-free granola. Plus, oat pancakes with a variety of toppings, including fresh fruit and homemade peanut butter. Breakfast is served until 11am.
Big Moose
If you want genuine customer service, head to Big Moose Coffee Co. Their whole ethos is about being part of the community. The menu is packed with gluten-free options, and they are happy to make any swaps you are unsure of. Plus, if you don’t see something you fancy, they will try to whip you up something else. I love that they are big supporters of those with mental health, suicide prevention, and homelessness.
Gluten Free Bottomless Brunch
Thomas Restaurant
In Cardiff Bay is the Welsh-themed Thomas Restaurant. The team uses Welsh ingredients, produce, and suppliers throughout the menu. They have created a Taste of Wales Afternoon Tea. The gluten-free offering includes finger sandwiches, homemade scones, cakes, and sweet treats. All washed down with unlimited Welsh Brew Loose Leaf Tea or filter coffee if you prefer. This is £14 per person, but if you upgrade to include 2 hours bottomless Prosecco, it is £29 per person.
Stable
Gluten-free pizza, pudding, and pints are on offer at Stable Cardiff, in the city centre. Every Saturday and Sunday, between 11am-4pm, you can indulge in their bottomless brunch. The free-flowing Prosecco, craft beer or cider is for 90 minutes. The pizza has a gluten-free nudie base and a choice of toppings. My favourite is the Blazing Saddle with slow-roasted pulled beef, mozzarella, roast piquillo peppers, red onion marmalade, jalapenos, and smothered in homemade garlic sauce. Did I mention it’s only £25 too?
Coal Exchange
The Coal Exchange is a grand and historic building. It’s said that the first million-pound deal in the world was done here. Culley’s Kitchen and Bar serves bottomless brunch on the weekend. As the menu changes regularly, your server will be able to advise you about the allergens. Two courses and 90 minutes of bottomless Prosecco is £30 per person.
Gluten free Lunch in Cardiff
Fino Lounge
With a whole gluten-free menu, you know that they take it seriously. In fact, Fino Lounge in Whitchurch has been doing this since 2003. Alongside exciting salads and sandwiches, there are tapas plates, burgers, and superbowls filled with curry, pulled brisket chilli, or Mexican. You’ll usually find me here on a Friday night, after a pub crawl through the village. There’s also a sister site, Juno Lounge, in Cathays Cardiff.
Mugs & Momos
The Mugs & Momos tearoom is a dedicated vegan and gluten-free cafe. It is found on the ground floor of the Samye Buddhist Centre, and everyone is welcome. The dreamy homemade dishes are healthy and incredibly tasty. There are comfort classics like lasagne and chips, curry and rice, sausage mash and gravy, burgers and sandwiches. The prices are so affordable, you’ll expect the bill to be much higher.
Stag Coffee
The coffee shop and cafe is near Roath Park and has become a gluten-free hotspot. The owner, David, dreamed of creating somewhere that thought more about the customers than the bottom line. Stag Coffee serves quality coffee, exotic teas and handmade comfort food. The interior is cool and fashionable, but everyone will feel comfortable and welcome here.
Gluten Free Afternoon Tea in Cardiff
Waterloo Tea
In one of the oldest Edwardian arcades is Waterloo Tea. With an in-store gluten-free bakery, it also has an upstairs lounge for dining. They are locally famed for their afternoon teas. The GF food includes fresh cakes, scones with clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches and chocolate truffles. And possibly the widest choice of tea varieties in Wales. All for £15 per person.
Love Peace and Cupcake
Previously known as The Deck, Love Peace and Cupcake looks tiny from the outside. The small grab-and-go coffee shop doesn’t even have any tables. However, downstairs is a vintage wonderland. The atmosphere is charming, using mismatched china and 1940 music playing in the background. I used to work next door, and having these tempting cakes at my fingertips was lethal.
Laguna Kitchen and Bar
The restaurant is found within the Park Plaza hotel. The gluten-free afternoon tea has all of the traditional elements, including an assortment of cakes, scones and pastries. Plus sandwiches, and tea or coffee. Monday to Friday it’s £18.95 per person, but on weekends it’s £20.95
Gluten-free Takeaway in Cardiff
Gluten-Free Fish And Chips
What’s better than a chippy tea? There are a few fish shops that do a gluten-free takeaway in Cardiff. Youngers Traditional Fish and Chips in the suburb of Birchgrove offer GF fish and chips on the first and third Monday of the month. Whereas The Posh Fish and Chip Company in Llandaff have gluten free available every Friday and Saturday. Fintans have a few outlets in Cardiff; in Pentwyn, it is available every day of the week and on Sundays in Whitchurch and Llanishen.
Honest Burgers
In the shadow of St John Church is Honest Burgers. Nearly everything on the menu is gluten-free, including the chips, chicken wings and sauces. The burger bun is replaced with a GF one. The meat is top quality and is free-range. Everything else on the menu is homegrown in Britain. Each burger is freshly cooked and made to order. Eat-in or takeaway
Pho
Opposite Honest Burgers is Pho, a Vietnamese restaurant. They specialise in wok-fried noodles, curries and plates made for sharing. Over a third of the menu is vegan, and nearly all of it is gluten-free. They are even accredited by Coeliac UK. In my experience, the team will go out of their way to ensure that your allergies will be catered for. Again, you can eat in or takeaway.
Gluten Free Budget-friendly Dinner in Cardiff
Hubbox
Fancy a juicy burger with lots of toppings? At Hubbox in Cardiff Bay, the burger bun is swapped for a gluten-free one. I’m a massive fan of the Kali burger, which is grilled chicken, chorizo jam, charred pepper, guacamole, chipotle mayo and rocket. Chips are off the menu, as there is cross-contamination, but you could have halloumi fries instead. Yum yum!
The Coconut Tree
The street food menu at The Coconut Tree is inspired by Sri Lanka. The gluten-free options are clearly marked with what is gluten-free. Some of the most popular dishes are Devil Pork and Pineapple, Jaffna Goat Curry and Hoppers. These are a must for first-timers; a bowl-shaped coconut milk pancake with caramelised onions with a hint of cinnamon and salsa. Not for sharing!
Maria’s Greek Taverna
If you’ve missed Greek holidays, then you’ll enjoy the holiday vibes at Maria’s Greek Taverna. Not only is the food out of this world, but there are also plenty of choices. They are either naturally free of gluten or have a GF option. You may feel like you’re missing out by skipping the pitta bread, but you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted their honey glazed halloumi fries.
Fine Dining-Gluten Free in Cardiff
Pasture
The steak restaurant looks onto Cardiff Castle. Staff at Pasture Cardiff are so attentive. The Manager even went through the menu with a pen, noting where there was cross-contamination and underlining anything that could be adapted to gluten-free. Excellent food and friendly service, what’s not to love?
Mint and Mustard
The Indian fine dining restaurant is one of the most critically acclaimed in the whole of the UK. They are even found in the Michelin Guide. The food is fresh, light and healthy, using local ingredients wherever possible, but the flavours and textures are incredible. The Mint and Mustard team are very knowledgeable about allergens. They are happy to guide you through adaptions on the menu if it isn’t already marked as GF.
The Potted Pig
Located in a former bank vault, The Potted Pig is a restaurant and gin lounge. The modern British food is varied. The chef’s come up with concepts by making the food they love to eat. You can expect big flavours and generous portions. For me, this is a must-try if you’re in the area. You will need to book in advance; some people book weeks or months in advance. Tell them you’re gluten-free, and you’ll have a customised menu waiting for you when you take your seat.
Gluten Free Sunday Lunch in Cardiff
Chapel 1887
Chapel 1877 is a fine dining restaurant in a renovated three-storey church. That’s right, you eat in alcoves, some of the nooks and pull pits. The surroundings are as impressive as the food. There are plenty of gluten-free options and swaps that can be done on the Sunday lunch menu.
Gwaelod y Garth Inn
Everything about this pub is exceptional. It just happens to be my local. The Gwaelod is found in the heart of the village, on the edge of Cardiff. The log fire and the décor scream comfort. The homemade pub grub is packed full of flavour, and the Sunday lunch sells out every week. So, reservations are highly recommended. The menu changes regularly, so make sure you mention you’re gluten-free when you book, and they will look after you.
Porro
The menu is modern British food with Italian influences. The food is so fresh here; you can taste the quality and love in the cooking. Porro’s menu is constantly changing, especially the Sunday Lunch, but plenty of gluten-free options are available.
Dessert
Heavenly Desserts
A fine dining restaurant where you can only eat dessert. Doesn’t that sound like heaven? There are loaded waffles, cakes, cookies and ice cream, plus shakes and smoothies. Heavenly Desserts even use a separate prep area and waffle maker for the gluten-free goods.
noglü
The baker has a stall in Cardiff Indoor Market. All of the food at noglü is 100% free from any gluten, and they are proud that there’s no chance of cross-contamination. Alongside bread, you can buy Welsh cakes, pancakes, indulgent cakes and brownies. I buy a chocolate chip cookie whenever I pass – it’s so good.
Little Dessert Shop
From small plates to sharing platters, there are so many sweet treats at the Little Dessert Shop. There are always gluten-free cakes available, as well as ice creams and smoothies. The hardest decision you’ll have to make is deciding what to try first.
You can eat in Cardiff when on a gluten-free diet
I hope you have found this gluten free Cardiff guide helpful. Now you know there are a ton of restaurants you can visit if you are coming to stay. If you’re a local, hopefully, you’ve discovered some new places to try.
Katrina Rohman is a Marketing Manager in the tourism industry and has over 15 years of expertise in the field. She runs Real Girls Wobble, a multi-award-winning lifestyle blog that looks to inspire readers with travel, food and drink, especially in Cardiff and the surrounding areas. She is a passionate cider drinker, a cook from scratch advocate, a Cardiff City FC season ticket holder and a Welsh rugby fan.
Thank you for a well-compiled list for Cardiff people. I recently tried preparing different recipes at home that were gluten-free and vegan. However, I think it is best for someone like me who doesn’t know how to cook to visit the restaurants and cafes, HAHA. Unfortunately, we don’t have any in our country yet. But, I am surely going to visit one of them on my visit to Gloucester. I just mapped, it is not that far to miss 🙂 Cheers!
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