Gluten-free restaurants in Manchester

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Finding gluten-free restaurants in Manchester can be a chore. Gluten can be an issue for a lot of people, many of whom might not realise it, and awareness of it is particularly important for those with celiac disease and wheat allergy or intolerance. But what exactly is a gluten-free diet? There’s a lot of confusion around this, and indeed, you’ll find quite a few guides out there that miss the mark. In this guide, we’ll explain what a gluten-free diet entails and steer you towards the best places for a gluten-less meal out in Manchester.

It has been suggested that a gluten-free diet can lead to improved health, weight loss and increased energy

In brief, gluten is a mixture of proteins found in wheat, along with oats, barley and rye. These substances are common in many meals, so removing them from your diet requires quite a bit of research, though it can be beneficial even for those without a sensitivity to gluten – it has been suggested that a gluten-free diet can lead to improved health, weight loss and increased energy.

It might sound overwhelming but there are plenty of safe foods to focus on, such as fruit and vegetables, beans, eggs, lean meat and fish and most dairy products. It’s also worth being aware of cross-contamination, which can easily happen in busy restaurant kitchens. With this in mind, when looking for a meal out it’s best to focus on venues that specifically mention gluten-free dishes on the menu, as an indicator that they’re aware of this and set up to avoid any issues in the kitchen.

When looking for a meal out it’s best to focus on venues that specifically mention gluten-free dishes on the menu

Some restaurants are happy to accommodate this diet, so it’s always worth ringing ahead to make sure. All the restaurants below have been visited by the CT team and can be verified as gluten-free friendly. So book a meal at one of the many gluten-free restaurants in Manchester listed below, and relax in the confidence that you’re eating great food, without the risk of any health issues cropping up afterward.

Our top picks

The Allotment Vegan Restaurant

The Allotment Vegan Restaurant, Lloyd’s house, 18-22 Lloyd St, Manchester, M2 5WA - Visit now

Vegan food is ideal for those sensitive to gluten, and The Allotment on Lloyd Street is one of the best. The menu is entirely plant-based and perfect for those looking to avoid gluten.

Dough Pizza Kitchen

Dough Pizza Kitchen, 75 - 77 High St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1FS - Visit now

Gluten-free doesn’t mean avoiding delicious food like pizza and pasta. Dough not only serves up some of the best pizza in the city centre, they also have a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, which means superb gluten-free pizza and pasta options.

Image of Manchester's Dough Pizza Kitchen
Dough Pizza Kitchen

Evelyn’s Cafe Bar

Evelyn’s Cafe Bar, G18 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1NB - Visit now

One of the highlights of the Northern Quarter, Evelyn’s is a lovely intimate space with an exciting and varied menu, with numerous gluten-free choices. The staff are some of the friendliest around, so be sure to ask them for their recommendations.

Pho Manchester

Pho Manchester, Unit 15, The Corn Exchange, 37 Hanging Ditch, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3TR - Visit now

Ideal for a quick eat-and-dash meal, Pho in the Corn Exchange offer an entirely gluten-free menu so you can browse the menu freely, without having to skip out on anything.

First Floor Restaurant at HOME

First Floor Restaurant at HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 4FN - Visit now

You’ll find a wealth of quality gluten-free options on the menu here, plus plenty of vegan and veggie-friendly choices to boot.

HOME Manchester

Where to go in Manchester

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

CUPRA City Garage DJ Decks
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

Interior Decorations - Viet Deli
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Viet Deli

Viet Deli is a small venue, not the kind of place for a sit down meal. Serving only bánh mì, traditionally street food in Vietnam.

Salford
Restaurant
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar

Kallos is a Greek restaurant and wine bar in Salford, serving up exquisite dishes throughout the day and evening.

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Hinterland bar and cafe
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Hinterland

Alcohol-free bar and cafe in the heart of Northern Quarter. Serving mocktails, 0% beer and all your alcohol free favourites.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

Manchester Factory international Festival - People enjoying Festival Square in the city centre
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Factory Square

Factory Square is a huge beer garden, on the banks of the River Irwell, with top-quality drinks and street food selections.

Manchester Visitor Guides

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.

UNITOM bookshop
Bookshops in Manchester

Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so of course there are a few go-tos for books. Read our guide to discover the best places to pick them up.

Spas in the North West

If you find yourself in the North West of England looking for a spa day, look no further, check out our guide featuring our favourite spots.

Bars in Manchester

The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.

SB_BreweryTour- Distillery Two
Brewery Tours in Manchester

A growing number of breweries and independent tour operators now offer behind-the-scenes access to the city’s thriving beer scene.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

This season’s theatre is gloriously eclectic: from radical cabaret and reinvented classics to new musicals and boundary-pushing performance.

Detail of an abstract sculpture, with burned materials and rusty chicken wire at the centre, with rusted metal bars bent around it.
Exhibitions in the North

Chocolate fountains, beautiful batiks and medieval marginalia - this month's supersized Exhibitions Guide has it all.

Literature Events in the North

The autumn leaves might be falling already, but the harvest is plentiful as the live literature scene gets back into the swing of things after a summer break...

Cinema in the North

This month we recommend a season of Film noir, cult Australian movies and a huge celebration of DIY community cinema.