* A list of all my gluten free Notting Hill finds *
Raise your hand if you’re a Londoner who never sets foot in West London. ✋ The truth is if you live in other corners of London, like me, chances are you rarely go much further than the West End, am I right? And for good reasons, it can often feel like a pain to travel to… but it’s a real shame because the West also has plenty to offer! From beautiful parks and picturesque sceneries to some of the best museums, it’s worth making the trip there from time to time. And as it turns out, it has fabulous gluten free options for us! ?
Many many years ago, when I first moved to London, I actually used to live near Hammersmith and this part of London was ‘my turf’ in a way. I’d spend a lot of time in High Street Kensington and its surroundings. But that was long before my gluten free days… and since moving to North London, this area has just become a ghost of my past that only reappears in my life once in a blue moon.
So I thought it was time to give the West a bit more attention, starting with Notting Hill’s Portobello Market. It had been on my ‘to do’ list forever since hearing about the 100% gluten free bakery Pearl & Groove and its insanely delicious looking cakes on Instagram. But upon doing more research, I was surprised to find that this area is in fact a little gluten free gold mine! So I decided to compile all my gluten free Notting Hill finds and share them here with you. I for one will certainly be heading that way more often than I used to!
You can make a day out of it.
From a stroll around the beautiful Holland Park and its Japanese Gardens, a trip to Hyde Park, a walk around the charming colourful streets of Notting Hill or a little browse in Portobello Market, it’s not without its fair share of things to do.
PS: I will keep on updating this post as I try/discover new places.
UPDATE 2022
As I wrote this guide a few years ago, please bear in mind that some of these places may have closed or changed location since then. Always make sure to research online to double check that a place is still opened before making any plans. 😉
My Gluten Free Notting Hill Finds:
1. PEARL & GROOVE – UPDATE: CLOSED
Nearest Tube Station: Ladbroke Grove
Gluten free status: 100% gluten free
Extra: dairy free, vegan and refined sugar free options
Food: cafe / bakery – cakes, macarons, scones, breakfast menu, toasties, salads, etc.
Address: 341 Portobello Rd, London W10 5SA
Website: pearlandgroove.com
Bonus point: doggos allowed
UPDATE: sadly this fantastic gluten free gem closed during the pandemic. But you can now find them in Exmouth Market (in Clerkenwell) and you can order from them online as well. 🙂
Pearl & Groove is the gluten free star of Notting Hill, the absolute non-negotiable compulsory stop for any Coeliac or otherwise (hey I don’t judge, there are plenty of reasons to ditch gluten). It’s technically in Ladbroke Grove so if your only purpose in the area is to brunch or grab a cake from this scrumptious little cafe and bakery, then you should make this tube station your point of arrival. Otherwise, it’s a short enough walk (10 minutes) from Portobello Market so no biggie.
Everything we had was fantastic, I can’t find any fault. The mini cakes – what Pearl & Groove is mainly about – were perfectly soft, but the icing really stole the spotlight. So buttery and delicious; with a million different choices of flavours and toppings. It was hard to pick, but I went for the rose cake with edible flowers and pistachios on top and it was pure cake perfection.
I knew little about this bakery besides the cakes so it was a nice surprise to discover that they also have savoury options and a breakfast/brunch menu. I had a goat cheese and harrissa toastie which came with a seeded rocket side salad and it was delicious! The gluten free bread was great and bonus points for not skimping out on the filling.
(SO MUCH CHEESE ?)
Of course, I then had to grab a few macarons for the road because they were there staring at me in all their gluten free delicious glory. ?
I also just read on their website that they’re entirely flourless? WHAT? Not that you’d be able to tell, I certainly didn’t!
It even got a 10/10 score from my non-gluten free boyfriend and it was nice to hear the reactions of ‘normal’ (I presume) passers-by. We sat outside with the dogs – because yes there’s a lovely outdoor seating area, perfect for a summery brunch – and we heard people say “omg those cakes look amazing” as they walked by. Yes, yes they are. And they’re well worth a try for anyone, gluten free or not.
P.S.: gotta love that sassy “have a f**cking cake” slogan at the front. ?
For more info, check out their website.
2. HOBSON’S FISH & CHIPS
Nearest Tube Station: Bayswater
Gluten free status: Gluten free options / suitable for Coeliacs
Food: gluten free fish & chips, onion rings, gluten free beer, etc.
Bonus: available EVERY DAY of the week
Address: 9 Porchester Rd, London W2 5DP
Website: hobsonsfishandchips.com
Hobson’s Fish & Chips is another gluten free gem you can find in the area, just a short walk away from Portobello market. Unlike a lot of gluten free friendly chip shops who only do gluten free options on a specific day of the week (basically whenever they clean the fryers and add new clean oil), Hobson’s offers gluten free fish and chips every single day of the week!
It’s well worth it and completely Coeliac safe. They have a dedicated fryer which they only use for the chips and anything in gluten free batter and they understand cross contamination. They assured us that they use different utensils, preparation areas, etc. We watched them cook our order and noticed they keep the gluten free battered fish in a separate fridge at the bottom, away from from everything, which are pre-prepared in a different area.
And as a bonus, they also serve gluten free beer. ?
After wandering around Notting Hill all afternoon, we grabbed one of these to share and made our way to Hyde Park just down the road. We both really enjoyed it. The chips were perfect and on the soft side just like chip shop chips should be and the battered fish was delicious. I had read some reviews criticising the batter for being bland, but I thought it was great and clean, not too heavy or oily. Perfect with a side of tartar sauce. Oh and the portions are massive! ?
3. ANDINA – UPDATE: CLOSED
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate
Gluten free status: gluten free options / suitable for Coeliacs
Food: Peruvian / Pisco bar
Address: 157 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RS
Website: cevichefamily.com/andina
One of my biggest surprises was discovering one of my favourite restaurants has a branch in Notting Hill. Andina is a mini chain of Peruvian restaurants with a few locations around London. I’ve only ever been to their Shoreditch restaurant, but I believe they have more or less the same menu in all three, which include a good selection of gluten free options.
And let me tell you, it’s absolutely delicious! If you’re not familiar with Peruvian food, Andina is the perfect place to start. Even if you have absolutely no idea what’s on your plate, if you love trying new things I promise you will enjoy it. The food is unique, of excellent quality and so full of flavour.
The menu consists of small and larger plates that are ideal for sharing so we ordered a bunch of different things to sample as much of the menu as we could.
Perfect for an evening meal, especially for those times when you’re dragging non-gluten free people along with you and hope to impress them. You know what I mean… sometimes being gluten free means choosing restaurants based on safety and not necessarily because they’re the best of the best gastronomically speaking. But Andina is one of those that suits both. A fantastic restaurant anyone will enjoy, gluten free or not. ?
4. COTE BRASSERIE – UPDATE: CLOSED
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate + Bayswater
Gluten free status: gluten free options / suitable for Coeliacs / Coeliac UK accredited
Food: French
Address: 98 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU
Website: cote.co.uk
Another safe option around Notting Hill is the French inspired chain Cote Brasserie. Not only do they have a huge gluten free menu, but the food is great and they have a good understanding of cross-contamination so it’s completely safe for Coeliacs.
So much so that upon ordering, the waiter apologised and asked us to wait while he got the manager as only managers can handle gluten free orders. I don’t know if this is the standard in all Cote Brasserie restaurants (this was actually at their Hampstead Heath branch), but I certainly felt in good hands from the start.
Whether you’re after breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, Cote Brasserie has it all and is brilliant!
Oh and don’t forget to take a dessert. PS: no, not brownies or ice cream. ? They have a nice selection of actually enjoyable gluten free desserts like this creme caramel pictured below which is absolutely delicious!
UPDATE: sadly this restaurant closed, but you can find them at various other locations throughout London.
5. HONEST BURGERS
Nearest Tube Station: Ladbroke Grove + Notting Hill Gate
Gluten free status: nearly everything is gluten free / suitable for Coeliacs
Food: Free range gourmet burgers and rosemary fries + more
Address: 189 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED
Website: honestburgers.co.uk
Of course this list wouldn’t be complete without the one and only Honest Burgers. If you’re not familiar with this burger chain, then you’ll be happy to know that nearly everything on their menu is gluten free! The only gluten that makes its way in their kitchens is in the ‘normal’ buns, but they also have gluten free buns available.
Their burgers are epic, of great quality and the best ones around in my opinion! Well worth a try. And as a bonus all their meat is free range. ♥︎
PS: the portions are HUGE. You definitely get what you pay for at Honest Burgers.
6. REDEMPTION
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate
Gluten free status: 100% gluten free restaurant
Extra: completely vegan and low in refined sugars
Address: 6 Chepstow Rd, London W2 5BH
Website: redemptionbar.co.uk
NOTE: while everything is technically gluten free, a few dishes are made with a buckwheat flour that comes with a ‘may contain gluten’ warning on the label so these aren’t recommended for Coeliacs.
This restaurant was recommended to me by a fellow Coeliac on Instagram and what a find. These guys are really on the ball with Coeliac Disease. So much so that as soon as I asked about their menu – which only mentions “wheat free”, not gluten free – they assured me that everything is indeed gluten free, but a few dishes are made with a buckwheat flour that comes with a “may contain gluten” warning so they don’t recommend these for Coeliacs. But everything else is absolutely fine. Even the oats they use are certified gluten free.
I actually had this meal at their other branch in Shoreditch, but I believe both restaurants have the same menu. I went for the ‘bolognese’ with brown rice penne pasta which is a tomato, purple sweet potato and shiitake mushroom sauce with roasted pecan ‘parmesan’ and fresh rocket on top. Honestly, and I say this as a non vegan, I really enjoyed it. The flavours were nice, the portion was huge and the crushed pecans added a little texture to the sauce that compensated for the lack of minced beef and was (surprisingly) similarly satisfying. I will definitely go back. ?
7. NANDO’S
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate
Gluten free status: gluten free options / suitable for Coeliacs
Food: Afro-Portuguese peri peri chicken
Address: 58-60 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3HT
Website: nandos.co.uk
This restaurant chain has been my safe place for years for quick meals on the go. Not only do they have an allergy book and offer loads of gluten free options, but in my experience the staff are helpful and are obviously well trained regarding allergens and cross contamination. And with them being absolutely everywhere around the country, it’s nice to know there’s always a safe option nearby no matter where you go. ?
And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like a cheeky Nando’s from time to time? ?
8. YORICA – UPDATE: CLOSED
Nearest Tube Station: Ladbroke Grove
Gluten free status: 100% gluten free
Food: ice cream parlour | ice cream, frozen yoghurt, shakes, crepes, waffles + toppings and sprinkle
Bonus: also vegan, dairy free, egg free, nut free, peanut free
Address: 196 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2ES
Website: yorica.com
NOTE: currently closed (the last update on their social media was that this location is hibernating for the winter and it supposed to come back in the summer).
Yorica is an entirely gluten free and vegan ice cream parlour! You may be familiar with their main store on Soho’s Wardour Street, but as it turns out they’ve also recently set up shop just on the edge of Portobello Market in Notting Hill. Unmissable on a hot summer day!
As a person who can and does eat dairy, I have to say I always find their ice cream a bit disappointing compared to the ‘real thing’… but the froyo though! ? Now that is well worth it! It’s so yummy and I love all their choices of toppings and sprinkles which even include gluten free Oreo cookies! ?
9. ROOSTERS PIRI PIRI
Nearest Tube Station: Ladbroke Grove
Gluten free status: gluten free options available / suitable for Coeliacs
Food: grilled chicken, chips, falafels, halloumi, salads, etc.
Bonus: not expensive + they stay open until late (midnight)
Address: 169 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 6HJ
Website: roosterspiripiri.com
Besides the obvious burgers and wraps, nearly everything on Roosters Piri Piri menu is gluten free! Yes even the deep fried foods are completely safe for Coeliacs as no gluten goes into the fryers. And the food is actually really yummy too; perfect for quick food on the go or as a late night take away. ?
10. ITSU
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate
Gluten free status: gluten free options / suitable for Coeliacs
Food: Japanese fast food
Address:100 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3QA
Website: itsu.com
This Japanese fast food chain has quite a few gluten free options on their menu as well bites to grab on the go.
11. PORTOBELLO WHOLEFOODS
Nearest Tube Station: Ladbroke Grove
Address: 266 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TY
We stumbled on this health food shop on our way to Ladbroke Grove tube station and not only do they have a tonne of gluten free products they, but the selection is a bit different to the usual. They have so many products I’ve never personally seen anywhere else like Amazin taco shells, artisan pasta, wraps, etc. It’s well worth a little browse if you find yourself around the area.
12. GARCIA’S FOODS & WINES OF SPAIN
Nearest Tube Station: Ladbroke Grove
Food: delicious Spanish and South American food, including tonnes of gluten free products
Address: 248-250 Portobello Rd, London W11 1LL
This shop has so many amazing gluten free products from soft gluten free taco shells (two different brands), arepas, masa harina (both yellow and blue!), tostadas, PAN pre crooked cornmeal (the flour you need to make proper arepas), dulce de menbrilla, dulce de batata, etc.
13. PLANET ORGANIC
Nearest Tube Station: Bayswater
Address:42 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH
This is another great healthy food store that always stocks a good amount of gluten free products.
OTHER:
Here’s a list of other restaurants and cafes I found in the area that offer gluten free options. I have not personally tried or researched these so I don’t feel comfortable recommending them, but I thought I’d include them in here so you know what’s out there.
PATISSERIE VALERIE
THE FOOD STALLS
BANANA TREE
CARLUCCIO’s
ZIZZI
FRANCO MANCA
PIZZA HUT
PING PONG
YO SUSHI
CAFE ROUGE
THE COCK & BOTTLE
ARANCINA
BODYISM
The Hummingbird Bakery
GAIL’S
FARM GIRL
Masala Zone
Bella Italia
My Old Dutch
Farmacy
Leafwild
/ MY GLUTEN FREE NOTTING HILL GUIDE
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Really appreciate. Thanks for sharing