London airports – Heathrow and Gatwick gluten free
As a coeliac, we all know airports can be very difficult to find gluten free food. This is a gluten free guide to the two large airports serving London – Heathrow and Gatwick (last updated October 2018).
I’ve travelled regularly from Terminal 5 at Heathrow and it has several options for gluten free. My favourite is Giraffe for something to eat before a flight in case the GF meal isn’t on board! I haven’t been to the other airports as often, but have done some research that might be helpful for gluten free travellers. My top tip for T3 & T2 is Leon.
If you are not from the UK, the visiting the UK page will give you further guidance for your trip, including restaurant lists for central London. My guide to emergency travel food may also help you for ideas for your trip home.
Need to save some money on your trip? For many UK airports you may be able to get discounts on food through Eat Drink & Fly
London Heathrow
Click here for airport information for all five Heathrow terminals. Websites for restaurants are listed at the bottom of the post. They have recently added a special dietary options page to their website, which includes gluten free, vegan and vegetarian, but does not say what is available at those restaurants.
If you get the Heathrow Express to Paddington, please see my post on London train stations for further options at Paddington.
LHR Terminal 5 before security
Carluccio’s – GF pasta and other dishes – ask for GF menu. Coeliac UK accredited.
Caffe Nero – worth checking for a GF chicken roll or cake (see blog post on wraps here)
The Five Tuns (Geronimo pub) – GF marked on menu.
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 5 after security
Giraffe – variety of meals. Ask for the allergy menu to see what you can have, but to see the general menu click here.
Starbucks – worth checking for a GF sandwich or cake (see blog post on wraps here)
Wagamama’s – asian – ask for GF menu
Pret A Manager – many salads are GF (downstairs)
Itsu – sushi (no soya sauce) (downstairs)
Boots – often good for a salad and may have gluten free wraps/rolls.
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
Gordon Ramsay Plane Food – never visited, but the menu looks like GF might be possible and Trip Advisor reviews say GF bread is available. (Bookings possible.)
The Crown Rivers (Wetherspoon’s pub) – ask for allergy information (eg baked potato, salmon salad).
The George (Casual Dining Group) – GF marked on menu but disclaimer re flour in kitchen
Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – smoked salmon, prawns
YO! Sushi – ask for allergy information – sushi and GF soy sauce available (you can pre-order bento packs to take on board)
LHR Terminal 5 arrivals
M&S Simply Food – often good for a salad & worth checking if they are stocking any of the ‘made without wheat’ range, including sandwiches.
Costa coffee – worth checking for a GF chicken and basil wrap, or GF cake (brownie or bakewell tart) (see blog post on wraps here)
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 4 before security
The Windsor Castle (Wetherspoon’s pub) – ask for allergy information (eg baked potato, salmon salad).
Cafe Rouge – you can download allergen information from their website – go to location, then menus and you will find the allergen details (Caution – french fries fried in same fryers as wheat products; side salad and tomato & onion salad contain gluten).
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 4 after security
Giraffe – variety of meals (eg nachos, steak). Ask for the allergy menu to see what you can have, but to see the general menu click here.
Carluccio’s – GF pasta and other dishes – ask for GF menu. Coeliac UK accredited.
Pret A Manager – many salads are GF
Comptoir Libanais – Lebanese Canteen – there are a few options (eg halloumi, salad, falafal) – GF marked on menu
Costa coffee – worth checking for a GF chicken and basil wrap, or GF cake (brownie or bakewell tart) (see blog post on wraps here)
Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – smoked salmon, prawns
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 4 arrivals
Costa coffee – I have seen the GF brownie and bakewell tart there – also worth checking for a GF chicken and basil wrap (not there when I have visited at the end of the day) (see blog post on wraps here)
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 3 before security
Pret A Manager – many salads are GF
Leon – great healthy food with lots of GF options marked on the menu board (see blog post here)
The Darwin (Casual Dining Group) – GF marked on menu but disclaimer re flour in kitchen. Located directly above Virgin check-in desks.
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 3 after security
Pret A Manager – many salads are GF
Strada – risotto and salad (ask for allergen information – not all risotto’s are GF)
YO! Sushi – ask for allergy information – sushi and GF soy sauce available (you can pre-order bento packs to take on board)
Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – smoked salmon, prawns
EAT – worth checking for a salad or fruit (allergens listed on shelf label)
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 3 arrivals
M&S Simply Food – often good for a salad & worth checking if they are stocking any of the ‘made without wheat’ range, including sandwiches
Caffe Nero – worth checking for a GF chicken roll or cake (see blog post on wraps here)
LHR Terminal 2 before security
Costa coffee – worth checking for a GF chicken and basil wrap, or GF cake (brownie or bakewell tart) (see blog post on wraps here)
LHR Terminal 2 after security
Leon – great healthy food with lots of GF options marked on the menu board (see blog post here)
WonderTree – healthy food. GF menu available
YO! Sushi – ask for allergy information – sushi and GF soy sauce available (you can pre-order bento packs to take on board)
EAT – worth checking for a salad or fruit (allergens listed on shelf label)
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar – smoked salmon, prawns
LHR Terminal 2 arrivals
M&S Simply Food – often good for a salad & worth checking if they are stocking any of the ‘made without wheat’ range, including sandwiches
Caffe Nero – worth checking for a GF chicken roll or cake (see blog post on wraps here)
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LHR Terminal 1
Terminal 1 closed at the end of June 2015.
London Gatwick
For more information for both Gatwick terminals click here. Websites for restaurants are listed at the bottom of the post.
LGW South terminal before security
West Cornwall Pasty Co. – look for their gluten free pastie option (served in packaging) at the South Terminal train station.
Giraffe – variety of meals (eg nachos, steak). Ask for the allergy menu to see what you can have, but to see the general menu click here.
Caffe Nero – worth checking for a GF sandwich or cake
The Beehive (Wetherspoons pub) – ask for allergy information (eg baked potato, salmon salad).
M&S Simply Food – stocking ‘made without wheat’ sandwiches & wraps, also often good for a salad
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
LGW South terminal after security
WonderTree – healthy food. GF menu available
Frankie & Benny’s – have GF menu (eg potato skins, lamb shank, banana split sundae). Coeliac UK accredited.
Nando’s – Portuguese chicken – most marinades and chips are GF – ask for allergy booklet
Pret A Manager – many salads are GF
Wagamama’s – asian – ask for GF menu
Boots – often good for a salad or free from sandwich
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
McDonalds – fries or burger without bun (check with staff)
The Flying Horse (Wetherspoons pub) – ask for allergy information (eg baked potato, salmon salad).
Caviar House – smoked salmon and other seafood, scrambled eggs
Cafe Rouge – you can download allergen information from their website – go to location, then menus and you will find the allergen details (Caution – french fries fried in same fryers as wheat products; side salad and tomato & onion salad contain gluten).
LGW South terminal arrivals
Boots – often good for a salad or free from sandwich
LGW North terminal before security
Departures ground level:
Jamie’s Italian – reduced airport menu – some GF items (ask staff & see disclaimer on website). Selling bags of ‘Proper Corn’ popcorn.
M&S Simply Food – often good for a salad & worth checking if they are stocking any of the ‘made without wheat’ range, including sandwiches.
LGW North terminal after security
Yo sushi – sushi and GF soy sauce available
Pret A Manager – many salads are GF
Starbucks – stocking GF wrap “Veggie Good Houmous” (see blog post on wraps here)
Boots – often good for a salad or free from sandwich
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
Comptoir Libanais – Lebanese Canteen – there are a few options (eg halloumi, salad, falafal) – GF marked on menu
Wagamama’s – asian – ask for GF menu
Caviar House – smoked salmon and other seafood, scrambled eggs
Jamie’s Italian – reduced airport menu – some GF items, including pasta (ask staff & see disclaimer on website)
Cafe Rouge – you can download allergen information from their website – go to location, then menus and you will find the allergen details (Caution – french fries fried in same fryers as wheat products; side salad and tomato & onion salad contain gluten).
LGW North terminal arrivals
Boots – often good for a salad or free from sandwich
WH Smith – may have Urban Eats gluten free rolls/sandwich
Website links and blog post links:
www.caffenero.com (see blog post on wraps here)
www.costa.co.uk (see blog post on wraps here)
www.giraffe.net (see blog post here)
www.gordonramsay.com/planefood/
www.leonrestaurants.co.uk/ (see blog post here)
www.marksandspencer.com (see blog post here)
www.starbucks.co.uk/ (see blog post on wraps here)
For more London dining and gluten free travel options, please check the following links:
- London restaurant reviews
- Visiting the UK
- 100% gluten free London
- Chain restaurants offering gluten free options
- Paris gluten free
- London train stations with gluten free options
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This is amazing!! Currently taking up your advice in T4 🙂 do you mind if I share this on my blog?
Hi Sarah, of course, share away – the more people that know the better 🙂 Where are you off to?
What a great list! Thank you for putting this together for all of us gluten-free globetrotters!
Thanks Erin, I hope it helps the gluten free community!
thank you for compiling such a comprehensive list. it is great
Thanks Jayne – glad it has been of help!