It’s not easy being gluten-free in Ireland, but we’ve come a long way in the last decade to offer more variety in restaurants across Ireland. Here’s our top picks, but the list is not exhaustive …
Glas, Co Dublin
An award-winning vegetarian and vegan fine dining restaurant, in May of this year Glas also became Ireland’s first fully gluten-free restaurant. With no wheat, barley or rye handled in the kitchen, every dish on the menu is completely free of gluten, making it a great choice for coeliac diners. If fried Jerusalem artichoke with goat’s cheese frittata, braised turnip and mustard cream sounds good, you know where to go. https://glasrestaurant.ie
Marcel, Belfast
For gluten-free dining with some French flair, Marcel is one for the list. With separate fryers for gluten-free options and an easy-to-navigate menu, it’s a great option for those craving hearty boeuf bourguignon or moules frites. A second branch of Marcel has just opened in South Belfast, so get booking. @marcelbelfast
Market Lane, Co Cork
Part of a group of restaurants that includes Orso, Elbow Lane and The Castle Café, Market Lane has a dedicated coeliac menu available on request. If that in itself wasn’t a good enough reason to visit, then the S’mores winter warmer with Frangelico, Crème de Cacao hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows is the perfect festive treat. www.marketlane.ie
Mak, Co Dublin
For those craving a taste of gluten-free Chinese food, Mak in Ranelagh, Dublin, is the place to go. With a dedicated coeliac menu, Mak takes its allergen obligations seriously. Gluten dodgers can indulge in a selection of crunchy, deep-fried delights. For starters, options include salt and pepper calamari and prawns, while mains consist of a range of stir-fried dishes, plus an entire noodle section dedicated to gluten-free diners. Just add a spicy watermelon margarita. https://mak.ie
Fish Shop, Co Dublin
The one dish that makes me shed a tear for the gluten-intolerant among us has to be proper, non-greasy fish and chips. Fish Shop, a purveyor of probably the best fish and chips in Ireland, has come to the rescue. All the battered fish options including the fish goujons, beer battered hake or haddock have gluten-free options, and the baked sole is naturally gluten-free too. Luckily, the gluten-free discussion does not need to extend to chips, but if it did I don’t doubt Fish Shop would nail that as well. https://fish-shop.ie
Hooked, Co Galway
Another great fish restaurant with much sought-after gluten-free fish and chips, Hooked in Galway has a lot to offer gluten avoiders. From chowder to fish pie, fish and chips to salt and pepper squid, this is a great all-rounder that is sure to please everyone. https://hookedgalway.ie
Grano, Co Dublin
The most difficult part of attempting to dine (gluten-free or otherwise) in Grano is snagging a table. If you do manage to persevere with your Opentable stalking, you will be rewarded with some of the most memorable pasta dishes around. The next time you get a hankering for tortelli stuffed with artichoke, butter, thyme, Silano caciocavallo cheese and deep-fried artichoke, you can book a table safe in the knowledge that gluten-free pasta options are offered too. https://grano.ie
Brother Hubbard, Co Dublin
An asterisk on a menu is not always a good thing, but at Brother Hubbard we welcome it as the number of dishes with an asterisk is sizeable indeed. With a variety of locations across Dublin, Brother Hubbard has always been the place to go for excellent Middle Eastern food and it also offers tasty gluten-free options too. https://brotherhubbard.ie
Finally, the biggest challenge has to be decent gluten-free pizza … Vice Pizza and Wings have a great gluten-free base, as do Sano Pizza and The Dough Bros, all of which can be found in various locations.
Disclaimer: this selection cannot guarantee your meal to be completely gluten-free (with the exception of Glas). If in doubt, always ask.
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