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Eating out safely with coeliac disease in the UK

What UK law says restaurants and takeaways must tell you about gluten, the questions to ask, how Coeliac UK accreditation works, and chains' allergen info.

Published Last reviewed 4 min read

Eating out with coeliac disease takes more planning than it used to, but UK law gives you real rights to information. Combine that with a few good questions and you can eat out with much more confidence.

What the law says businesses must tell you

Gov.uk sets out what restaurants and takeaways must tell you about allergens. In summary:

  • Restaurants must give you accurate allergen information, including whether food contains any of the 14 allergens. Cereals containing gluten are one of them. You may be able to see this on an online menu before you go.
  • Takeaways must tell you about the 14 allergens before you buy (on a website, menu or by phone) and on delivery (in writing, such as stickers or a menu, or in person).
  • Food made and packed on the premises before you order (PPDS, such as boxed sandwiches) must be labelled with a full ingredients list, with allergens emphasised.

For loose food, gov.uk says businesses can give allergen information verbally or in writing. If they tell you verbally, they must let you know where to find written confirmation.

The FSA’s technical guidance says the rules on the terms “gluten-free” (no more than 20 mg/kg gluten) and “very low gluten” apply to all foods, including non-prepacked foods such as those served in restaurants. It also says no other statements describing the absence or reduced presence of gluten are permitted.

So a menu saying “gluten-free” is making a legal claim. Phrases like “low gluten” or “gluten-friendly” are not legally defined terms, and they don’t tell you a dish meets the gluten-free standard. Ask what they mean.

What the law doesn’t require

Gov.uk is clear that you can ask a restaurant to cook something different for you, but they do not have to. Allergen information tells you what’s in a dish. It doesn’t oblige a kitchen to make a special version.

Before you go

  • Check the menu and allergen information online. Many chains publish allergen guides.
  • Phone ahead, ideally outside busy service times. Coeliac UK suggests asking to speak to a manager or chef to make sure they understand your requirements and the risks of cross-contamination.
  • Look for accredited venues. Coeliac UK runs a Gluten Free Accreditation scheme and says it has over 3,000 accredited venues. Its app and venue guide help you find them. At accredited venues, Coeliac UK says staff have been trained to follow the correct procedures.

Questions to ask

Based on Coeliac UK’s tips and the cross-contamination risks we cover in our home kitchen guide, useful questions include:

  1. “Is this dish gluten-free, or just made without gluten ingredients?” Gluten-free is the legal standard.
  2. “Are chips and other fried foods cooked in a separate fryer with clean oil?” Shared fryers with battered or breaded food are a common risk.
  3. “Are separate utensils, boards and surfaces used?”
  4. “Is the pasta or pizza cooked separately?” Ask about shared pasta water and pizza ovens and peels.
  5. “Are any sauces, gravies, stocks or marinades thickened with flour or made with soy sauce?”
  6. “Has anything changed recently?” Gov.uk suggests asking whether the ingredients in a meal have been changed.

When you arrive, Coeliac UK recommends explaining your needs so they’re understood as a health necessity, not a dietary choice, double-checking cooking methods, and confirming your order before eating. If you’re still in any doubt that a meal is safe, Coeliac UK’s advice is simple: don’t eat it.

Chains’ official allergen information

Many national chains publish allergen information online. Here are some examples, linked to their official pages only. We haven’t assessed these businesses and don’t endorse them. Allergen guides change, so always check the current version and speak to staff on the day.

Links checked 4 October 2026. If a link no longer works, search the chain’s own website for “allergens”.

Takeaways and delivery apps

Ordering through an app adds another layer. Look for allergen information before you order. If it isn’t shown, contact the restaurant directly. Gov.uk says that if you’re ordering for several people, you can ask the business to label the containers so you know which one is yours. For Chinese, Japanese and Thai food, ask specifically about soy sauce; see is soy sauce gluten-free?

The bottom line

You have a legal right to allergen information. “Gluten-free” on a menu is a legal claim, and good kitchens will welcome your questions. Plan ahead, ask clearly, and walk away if the answers don’t reassure you.

Off to the pub? Our guide to gluten-free beer labels explains what’s safe to drink. Heading further afield? Read travelling abroad with coeliac disease. Eating at a friend’s or family’s house over the festive season? See our gluten-free Christmas planning guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do restaurants have to tell me if a dish contains gluten?

Yes. Gov.uk says restaurants must give you accurate information about allergens, including whether food contains any of the 14 allergens businesses must tell you about. Cereals containing gluten are one of the 14.

Can a restaurant describe a dish as 'gluten-free'?

Only if it meets the legal limit of no more than 20 mg/kg gluten. FSA guidance says the gluten-free rules apply to non-prepacked food, including restaurant food.

Do restaurants have to cook something different for me?

No. Gov.uk says you can ask a restaurant to cook something different, but they do not have to.

Sources

  1. What restaurants and takeaways must tell you about allergens, GOV.UK. Accessed 4 October 2026.
  2. Hints and tips for eating out, Coeliac UK. Accessed 4 October 2026.
  3. Food allergen labelling and information requirements: technical guidance, Food Standards Agency. Accessed 4 October 2026.
  4. Understanding food labelling: allergen labelling, GOV.UK. Accessed 4 October 2026.