I get a lot of questions about whether the main London airports offer gluten free options and I am happy to say that they all do…once you know where to look. The guide below outlines the main food outlets you can get gluten free menu choices from (that are coeliac friendly), but I would recommend that you double check on the airport website before you travel in case of closures. I have added a link on each airport name so this guide should make it super easy for you to check :). Note all options listed here are in departures/after security part of the airports.
Gluten Free Options at London Airports
GATWICK
Gatwick airport is divided into two terminal buildings – North and South. Check online to see which you are flying out of then use this guide to find the best Gatwick gluten free restaurants for you.
North Terminal
Dine in options:
- Comptoir Libanais – this Lebanese chain restaurant is a good option is you have time for a sit down meal. They have various gluten free options marked on the menu plus staff at this chain are generally knowledgeable and able to advise coeliac customers on the safest choices. I had a lovely gluten free lamb tagine with quinoa. You can view the full menu here.
- Sonoma – I have not tried this South Californian food cafe before. They show the non-gluten containing dishes on their elaborately named “food conscious” menu, but not that dishes are not prepared in a separate area so coeliacs might not want to risk it. The Gatwick food conscious menu can be viewed here.
- Wagamama – the gluten free options here are limited BUT they are really yummy and this restaurant has solid processes to minimise the risk of cross contamination. The manager will always take your order and they have non-gluten menu you can refer to. Options include pad thai, ramen and curry – you can view the full non-gluten menu here.
- Yo Sushi – this sushi bar has a few gluten free options and most branches have tamari sauce available. You can see the range of gluten free dishes here.
Grab n go options:
- Boots – this store is actually brilliant for gluten free as they have prepackaged, very nice gluten free sandwiches in their fridge section. They usually offer a meal deal where you can get a snack and drink for a special price, look out for the gluten free cake options :). They also offer a gluten free pasta salad. Here’s a link to Boots so you know what store front to look out for.
- Pret a Manger – a grab n go coffee shop with some gluten free choices but please do not have their gluten free open sandwiches if you are coeliac. Other gluten free options on offer include porridge, granola pots, pre-packaged cakes, salads and soups. Have a quick word with the manager to check about allergens and they will be glad to advise you. Note they now use gluten-containing oat milk for some hot drinks so you may wish to avoid buying steamed milk drinks from here. You can view their menu here.
- Starbucks – this coffee shop offers a gluten free pannini, which they can heat in the package to reduce cross contamination and sometimes have gluten free prepackaged treats available too. Beware any steamed milk hot drinks from here though as they use gluteny oat milk and there is a cross contamination issue that will affect sensitive coeliacs. More details about their food offering here.
- WHSmith – it’s worth checking their fridge section as they sometimes have gluten free sandwiches and wraps available.
South Terminal
Dine in options:
- Boots – this store is actually brilliant for gluten free as they have prepackaged, very nice gluten free sandwiches in their fridge section. They usually offer a meal deal where you can get a snack and drink for a special price, look out for the gluten free cake options :). They also offer a gluten free pasta salad. Here’s a link to Boots so you know what store front to look out for.
- Grain Store – a new addition to the food options at Gatwick, this restaurant specifically states that most of their dishes can be prepared gluten free upon request. They also stress that they are able to cater for other allergies and are keen to look after their guests. Here is a link to their full menus.
- Nandos – brilliant for gluten free, this Portuguese style chicken and chips joint is worth stopping at. They have a helpful allergens menu and if you let them know you are coeliac when you are order a manager will supervise the production of your meal to limit risk. Options include coeliac friendly chips! View the full menu here.
- Wagamama – the gluten free options here are limited BUT they are really yummy and this restaurant has solid processes to minimise the risk of cross contamination. The manager will always take your order and they have non-gluten menu you can refer to. Options include pad thai, ramen and curry – you can view the full non-gluten menu here.
- Wondertree – I’ve not tried this restaurant before but they have a gluten free menu featured on their website. Options include a full English breakfast – see the full menu here.
Grab n go options:
- Itsu – lovely freshly made sushi with some good gluten free options. You will need to speak with a manager to find out which choices are gluten free as they no longer mark it on the shelf edges. They generally have gluten free tamari sauce available too. View their menu here.
- Joe & the Juice – this smoothie bar offers gluten free bread but NOT suitable for coeliacs due to cross contamination. Good for less sensitive folk though. You can view their menu here.
- Pret a Manger – a grab n go coffee shop with some gluten free choices but please do not have their gluten free open sandwiches if you are coeliac. Other gluten free options on offer include porridge, granola pots, pre-packaged cakes, salads and soups. Have a quick word with the manager to check about allergens and they will be glad to advise you. Note they now use gluten-containing oat milk for some hot drinks so you may wish to avoid buying steamed milk drinks from here. You can view their menu here.
- Starbucks – this coffee shop offers a gluten free pannini, which they can heat in the package to reduce cross contamination and sometimes have gluten free prepackaged treats available too. Beware any steamed milk hot drinks from here though as they use gluteny oat milk and there is a cross contamination issue that will affect sensitive coeliacs. More details about their food offering here.
- WHSmith – it’s worth checking their fridge section as they sometimes have gluten free sandwiches and wraps available.
HEATHROW
London Heathrow is a huge airport, spread across four terminal buildings. Each building has a good range of coeliac friendly options – have a read of the below to discover the best Heathrow airport gluten free restaurants for you.
Terminal 2
Dine in options:
- Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – a rather fancy sounding option, treat yourself to some champagne, caviar and seafood! Their menu states that most dishes can be adapted to be gluten free – see here for details.
- La Salle – this French restaurant has some good gluten free choices all rounded up in a neat gluten free menu. Options include gluten free burger, sandwiches, meats and fish and a gf lemon tart. Full menu here.
- The Gorgeous Kitchen – I can’t find details about this one online aside from a note saying speak to staff if you have allergies. They have a gluten free brownie dessert option, which gives me hope that they may be able to offer gluten free main courses too. Please enquire and see full menu here.
- Wondertree – this restaurant has a few gluten free options and a dedicated gluten free menu for ease of reference. Details here.
- Yo Sushi – this sushi bar has a few gluten free options and most branches have tamari sauce available. You can see the range of gluten free dishes here.
Grab n go options:
- Boots – this store is actually brilliant for gluten free as they have prepackaged, very nice gluten free sandwiches in their fridge section. They usually offer a meal deal where you can get a snack and drink for a special price, look out for the gluten free cake options :). They also offer a gluten free pasta salad. Here’s a link to Boots so you know what store front to look out for.
- Caffe Nero – this coffee shop chain offers a couple of gluten free food options, including hot soups. They also sell a pre-packed gluten free raspberry and coconut snack bar, which is perfect inflight food. You can see their full range of options here.
- Costa Coffee – this coffee shop chain has some safe gluten free choices, including porridge, light lunch items (salads and soup) and some cake bars. See full menu details here.
- EAT – limited for gluten free but worth a look if you want a proper lunch rather than a snack on the go. They often have a hot pot, noodle pot or soup that is gluten free. See full menu here.
- LEON – a brilliant place with loads of gluten free options. Lots of yummy lunchbox options, plus baked fries and sweet treat. Gluten free options are marked on the menu and they have a dedicated gf prep zone in the kitchen. Take a look at their menu.
- WHSmith – it’s worth checking their fridge section as they sometimes have gluten free sandwiches and wraps available.
Terminal 3
Dine in options:
- Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – a rather fancy sounding option, treat yourself to some champagne, caviar and seafood! Their menu states that most dishes can be adapted to be gluten free – see here for details.
- Oriel Grande Brasserie – marked on the Heathrow website as offering gluten free options and their menu does state that gluten free bread and an allergens menu are available, although I cannot see specifics. Might be worth checking out.
- The Darwin – this pub style restaurant has a dedicated gluten free menu featuring gluten free burgers, pizzas, puddings and more (plus breakfast options). You can access the menu here.
- Yo Sushi – this sushi bar has a few gluten free options and most branches have tamari sauce available. You can see the range of gluten free dishes here.
Grab n go options:
- Boots – this store is actually brilliant for gluten free as they have prepackaged, very nice gluten free sandwiches in their fridge section. They usually offer a meal deal where you can get a snack and drink for a special price, look out for the gluten free cake options :). They also offer a gluten free pasta salad. Here’s a link to Boots so you know what store front to look out for.
- Caffe Nero – this coffee shop chain offers a couple of gluten free food options, including hot soups. They also sell a pre-packed gluten free raspberry and coconut snack bar, which is perfect inflight food. You can see their full range of options here.
- Costa Coffee – this coffee shop chain has some safe gluten free choices, including porridge, light lunch items (salads and soup) and some cake bars. See full menu details here.
- EAT – limited for gluten free but worth a look if you want a proper lunch rather than a snack on the go. They often have a hot pot, noodle pot or soup that is gluten free. See full menu here.
- Pret a Manger – a grab n go coffee shop with some gluten free choices but please do not have their gluten free open sandwiches if you are coeliac. Other gluten free options on offer include porridge, granola pots, pre-packaged cakes, salads and soups. Have a quick word with the manager to check about allergens and they will be glad to advise you. Note they now use gluten-containing oat milk for some hot drinks so you may wish to avoid buying steamed milk drinks from here. You can view their menu here.
- WHSmith – it’s worth checking their fridge section as they sometimes have gluten free sandwiches and wraps available.
Terminal 4
Dine in options:
- Carluccio’s – this Italian restaurant chain is great for gluten free diners and they have a gluten free menu available. Ask staff and they will be able to share it with you. They offer gluten free bread, pasta and even desserts – see the full gluten free menu here.
- Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – a rather fancy sounding option, treat yourself to some champagne, caviar and seafood! Their menu states that most dishes can be adapted to be gluten free – see here for details.
- Comptoir Libanais – this Lebanese chain restaurant is a good option is you have time for a sit down meal. They have various gluten free options marked on the menu plus staff at this chain are generally knowledgeable and able to advise coeliac customers on the safest choices. I had a lovely gluten free lamb tagine with quinoa. You can view the full menu here.
- Oriel Grande Brasserie – marked on the Heathrow website as offering gluten free options and their menu does state that gluten free bread and an allergens menu are available, although I cannot see specifics. Might be worth checking out.
- The Commission – this restaurant focuses on British food and seasonal products and is part of the Drake and Morgan group who have a few branches across London. I have always eaten at those safely, with them offering gluten free bread and having processes in place to limit cross contamination. Speak to staff when you visit – full menu here.
Grab n go options:
- Boots – this store is actually brilliant for gluten free as they have prepackaged, very nice gluten free sandwiches in their fridge section. They usually offer a meal deal where you can get a snack and drink for a special price, look out for the gluten free cake options :). They also offer a gluten free pasta salad. Here’s a link to Boots so you know what store front to look out for.
- Caffe Nero – this coffee shop chain offers a couple of gluten free food options, including hot soups. They also sell a pre-packed gluten free raspberry and coconut snack bar, which is perfect inflight food. You can see their full range of options here.
- Costa Coffee – this coffee shop chain has some safe gluten free choices, including porridge, light lunch items (salads and soup) and some cake bars. See full menu details here.
- Pret a Manger – a grab n go coffee shop with some gluten free choices but please do not have their gluten free open sandwiches if you are coeliac. Other gluten free options on offer include porridge, granola pots, pre-packaged cakes, salads and soups. Have a quick word with the manager to check about allergens and they will be glad to advise you. Note they now use gluten-containing oat milk for some hot drinks so you may wish to avoid buying steamed milk drinks from here. You can view their menu here.
- WHSmith – it’s worth checking their fridge section as they sometimes have gluten free sandwiches and wraps available.
Terminal 5
Dine in options:
- Carluccio’s – this Italian restaurant chain is great for gluten free diners and they have a gluten free menu available. Ask staff and they will be able to share it with you. They offer gluten free bread, pasta and even desserts – see the full gluten free menu here.
- Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – a rather fancy sounding option, treat yourself to some champagne, caviar and seafood! Their menu states that most dishes can be adapted to be gluten free – see here for details.
- Fortnum & Mason Bar – this quintessentially British brand has a bar in T5 with a menu to soak up those drinks. They have a few naturally gluten free options and these are marked on the menu as non-gluten containing dishes. Coeliac please check whether suitable when you visit. Menu here.
- Gordon Ramsey Plane Food – I had read that this restaurant was good for gluten free, but when I visited staff were very confused about whether I could eat anything and we decided to go elsewhere. Maybe you’ll have a better experience than me – here’s a link to the menu.
- Huxley’s – I have not tried this family-friendly restaurant but it has a gluten free menu, hurrah! Options include burgers with gluten free buns, gf bread for breakfast and even sticky toffee pudding as dessert! Full menu here.
- The George – this pub style restaurant has a dedicated gluten free menu featuring gluten free burgers, pizzas, puddings and more (plus breakfast options). You can access the menu here.
- Wagamama – I have eaten at this specific branch. The gluten free options here are limited BUT they are really yummy and this restaurant has solid processes to minimise the risk of cross contamination. The manager will always take your order and they have non-gluten menu you can refer to. Options include pad thai, ramen and curry – you can view the full non-gluten menu here.
Grab n go options:
- Boots – this store is actually brilliant for gluten free as they have prepackaged, very nice gluten free sandwiches in their fridge section. They usually offer a meal deal where you can get a snack and drink for a special price, look out for the gluten free cake options :). They also offer a gluten free pasta salad. Here’s a link to Boots so you know what store front to look out for.
- Caffe Nero – this coffee shop chain offers a couple of gluten free food options, including hot soups. They also sell a pre-packed gluten free raspberry and coconut snack bar, which is perfect inflight food. You can see their full range of options here.
- Costa Coffee – this coffee shop chain has some safe gluten free choices, including porridge, light lunch items (salads and soup) and some cake bars. See full menu details here.
- Itsu – lovely freshly made sushi with some good gluten free options. You will need to speak with a manager to find out which choices are gluten free as they no longer mark it on the shelf edges. They generally have gluten free tamari sauce available too. View their menu here.
- Pret a Manger – a grab n go coffee shop with some gluten free choices but please do not have their gluten free open sandwiches if you are coeliac. Other gluten free options on offer include porridge, granola pots, pre-packaged cakes, salads and soups. Have a quick word with the manager to check about allergens and they will be glad to advise you. Note they now use gluten-containing oat milk for some hot drinks so you may wish to avoid buying steamed milk drinks from here. You can view their menu here.
- Starbucks – this coffee shop offers a gluten free pannini, which they can heat in the package to reduce cross contamination and sometimes have gluten free prepackaged treats available too. Beware any steamed milk hot drinks from here though as they use gluteny oat milk and there is a cross contamination issue that will affect sensitive coeliacs. More details about their food offering here.
- WHSmith – it’s worth checking their fridge section as they sometimes have gluten free sandwiches and wraps available.
LONDON CITY
(coming soon)
LUTON
(coming soon)
STANSTED
We fly to/from Stansted fairly regularly and I am happy to report there are lots of gluten free options to be found at Stansted Airport. The below can all be found in the departures lounge after security, but note that pre-depatures you can get gluten free sandwiches and snacks from Marks & Spencer Foodhall and Joe’s Coffee House sell Honeybuns gluten free cakes:
- Boots – the Boots at Stansted sells the prepackaged, very nice gluten free sandwiches in their fridge section. They usually offer a meal deal where you can get a snack and drink for a special price, look out for the gluten free cake options :). They also offer a gluten free pasta salad. Here’s a link to Boots so you know what store front to look out for.
- Costa Coffee – this coffee shop chain has some safe gluten free choices, including porridge, light lunch items (salads and soup) and some cake bars. See full menu details here.
- Itsu – lovely freshly made sushi with some good gluten free options. You will need to speak with a manager to find out which choices are gluten free as they no longer mark it on the shelf edges. They generally have gluten free tamari sauce available too. View their menu here.
- Joe & the Juice – this smoothie bar offers gluten free bread but NOT suitable for coeliacs due to cross contamination. Good for less sensitive folk though. You can view their menu here.
- LEON – a brilliant place with loads of gluten free options. Lots of yummy lunchbox options, plus baked fries and sweet treat. Gluten free options are marked on the menu and they have a dedicated gf prep zone in the kitchen. Plenty of hot breakfast choices too. Take a look at their menu.
- Pret a Manger – a grab n go coffee shop with some gluten free choices but please do not have their gluten free open sandwiches if you are coeliac. Other gluten free options on offer include porridge, granola pots, pre-packaged cakes, salads and soups. Have a quick word with the manager to check about allergens and they will be glad to advise you. Note they now use gluten-containing oat milk for some hot drinks so you may wish to avoid buying steamed milk drinks from here. You can view their menu here.
- WHSmith – it’s worth checking their fridge section as the branch here often has sometimes have gluten free wraps available.
Hopefully this gluten free airports guide will alleviate any worries you had about travelling. If you are jetting off somewhere nice be sure to check out my gluten free travel guides, I have guides to over 60 destinations now, all coeliac friendly:
If you are visiting London, you are also in luck as I have tonnes of gluten free London tips to share – I am coeliac and have lived here for a decade now. Here are a few guides to get you started, but do head over to my Instagram too as I have lots more saved in my highlights:
- Fully Gluten Free London Restaurants, Bakeries and Cafes
- Gluten Free London Food Markets
- Fully Gluten Free London Street Food Guide
Safe travels! x