My husband recently wrote an article for Exeter Living magazine about places to eat in and around Exeter if you can’t eat gluten.
It was published this month, but since the magazine is not online we thought it would be useful to post it here…
The number of people with food intolerances and allergies is on the rise, with Coeliac Disease, an autoimmune disease caused by a reaction to gluten, thought to affect 1 in 100 people.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye which gives bread it’s elasticity.
My young daughter was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease two years ago and the convenience and pleasure of eating out is something I have missed.
Thanks to a number of Exeter eateries, gluten-free dining in the city is becoming easier.
The chain restaurants are particularly good at catering for intolerances and hence Princesshay is a rich source of gluten-free gastronomy.
The widest choice is offered by Carluccio’s who have a separate menu of gluten-free Italian dishes to cover all courses, with most of the mains containing gluten-free pasta.
Zizzi also do gluten-free pasta and risotto.
Wagamama seem particularly considerate, with a list of Asian dishes suitable for a range of dietary requirements, as well as offering to adapt many others where possible.
For those avoiding gluten, noodles are a no-no, unless they are rice noodles.
For those in need of coffee both Coffee #1 and Costa supply a little something to go with it in the form of gluten-free chocolate brownie and some other new treats.
Both are deliciously moist but Costa’s has the advantage of being packaged.
Whilst this might not create an alluring ‘freshly baked’ image, it ensures no cross contamination.
This is an issue for Coeliacs to consider when eating out.
For example, many Coeliacs would be made poorly if they were to eat a piece of gluten-free bread that had been buttered with a knife just used on ordinary bread.
Coeliac UK offer specific guidance and training to restaurateurs on managing cross contamination.
Although impossible for restaurants with gluten in their kitchens to guarantee dishes are 100% free of traces of gluten, some small steps can ensure that Coeliacs are catered for, opening up opportunities to access the estimated £100 million ‘gluten-free pound’.
It is best when ordering food to emphasise any allergy or intolerance so extra care can be taken in the kitchen to avoid cross contamination.
It is down to individuals to decide how much faith they put in restaurants based on the severity of any ill-effects they may experience should cross contamination accidentally take place.
Away from the chains of Princesshay and to Cathedral Green and Exeter’s best independent restaurant offering gluten-free fodder.
Eat On The Green stands out because it has two of the holy grails of gluten-free goodies: cream teas and fish and chips.
The pasty is delicious though unfortunately the chips they are served with are not cooked separately from gluten-containing foods rendering them unsuitable for Coeliacs.
They also do brownies and paninis.
The grill used to cook the paninis is cleaned beforehand to minimise cross contamination.
Down on The Quay there is a gluten-free hub led by On The Waterfront.
It is the only place I am aware of in the city offering gluten-free pizzas.
Lutzy’s Coffee Shop offers some gluten-free food with toasted muffins, however they are not prepared in a separate toaster.
The other tea time treat missed by many having to avoid gluten is fish and chips.
Greendale Farm shop just outside Exeter do gluten free fish and chips on the first Wednesday every month.
Better still, but a bit further afield, The Proper Fish and Chips Co in Exmouth do gluten free fish and chips every day.
For a slightly healthier option the Fish Shed at Dart’s Farm always fries its chips in a separate fryer and they will grill any of their fresh fish, avoiding batter.
For those with real concerns about cross contamination when eating out my recommendation would be to head to Dawlish and visit The Home Kitchen.
emily says
hi! i’m recently gluten intolerant and a student so I’m looking for pubs that sell gluten free beers – do you know of any?
thanks! this is all really helpful
Vicki Montague says
Hi Emily, I’m so sorry not to be much help…I don’t go out very often in Exeter so I wouldn’t know. Having said that, whenever we do go out we seem to find more and more places that do gf beers, you just need to ask. And of course, the more you ask the more likely they are to get them. If you have a particular place you like to go ask them to get some! Good luck!
Taylor Faith says
Hi,
I’ve recently started a business producing and selling gluten free food.
We do local markets and food events and have a permanent pitch on the Exeter Farmers’ Market every Thursday.
We are called Bake Free and our kitchen is 100% gluten free so there’s no risk of contamination. Some of our food is also vegan and we have several products which are dairy free recipes for people unlucky enough to have more than one food intolerance.
Thank you!
Vicki Montague says
Ooo how exciting Taylor! Do you have a website and social media pages? I’m very happy to mention you. I will also come and visit as soon as I can!
Taylor Faith says
Hi Vicki,
I see that you found us on Facebook! Thank you for the support, we are also on twitter. Hopefully see you at the stall one day ?.
Thanks,
Taylor
Kirstie says
Hi my name is Kirstie and I am the manager of Oggy Oggy pasty company in Exeter and want to get the word out that we offer a range of gluten free pastys chips crisps and a cake of the month. All of my staff have been trained in the dangers of cross contamination I am fully aware of the dangers of this as I myself suffer with food allergies.
Vicki Montague says
Wow that is exciting news! I will add you to my list of places to eat.
Christine Hodgson says
Just come across your excellent website – well done! As you know it’s always hard to find somewhere for a quick snack in Exeter whilst shopping so thought I’d let you know about this place. It’s the café on the upper floor of the Guildhall, in the open just outside Ferns. The lady who runs it really knows her stuff and is very helpful. Their homemade soup is usually gluten free and whilst they don’t supply gf bread, they are happy to make up a sandwich or roll with any of their own fillings. They also have a pre-packaged cake available and are very careful about cross contamination.
Admin says
Thank you for your lovely comment. I have never come across the cafe you mention so thank you so much for sharing that tip with me and my readers. I presume you take your own bread for her to make you a sandwich with? Thank you so much for letting us all know! Brilliant.
judith jones says
Thank you for very interesting site. Having just moved to Exeter and needing to avoid wheat especially, it’s very useful to know where one can eat out safely. I would like to add to your list Pizza Express on Cathedral Green, The Magdalen Chapter, The Cosy Cafe and the Dinosaur Cafe. All these supply gluten free menus on request and I’ll endorse your comments on Wagamma’s extensive shoice and care taken.
Admin says
Thank you so much for your comment. The article is a little out of date now so it is helpful to have your comment to raise awareness of the other places in Exeter. I am guessing that when you say Cosy Cafe you mean the Cosy Club or is there somewhere that I am not aware of?!! The pizza at Pizza Express is fabulous and since they have the Coeliac UK accreditation we feel really safe eating there.