Where to dine when you’re gluten-free in Manchester

With a menu based around cocktails and carbs, The Laundrette might not be your first port of call for a gluten-free meal but the quirky bar and restaurant ensures that everyone can enjoy their infamous pizzas. Nestled in the heart of Chorlton, the eatery promises a relaxed atmosphere and a menu that follows the steps of a laundry cycle to a tee. The ‘Easy Care’ section dedicated to fresh salads has various options without gluten, while the ‘Full Load’ main selection offers the likes of pan-fried seabass, served with braised basmati rice and an aubergine ragu. However, all of the ‘Spin Cycle’ pizzas can be enjoyed on a special gluten-free base – choose from decadent toppings such as slow-cooked lamb and Korean BBQ chicken.

As the home of pies in Manchester, Pieminister has been serving up the perfect pastry from its central spot on Deansgate since 2020. Carefully crafted in-house, these pies are made with ethically sourced, fresh ingredients including 100% free range meat, and bulked out with gravy and a range of sides. For those of us who don’t eat gluten, yet still crave a good pie, the talented team have spent years creating a gluten-free pie crust – and they promise you can’t tell the difference. Choose from the Moo, a classic steak and craft ale, the Free Ranger, chicken and ham with leek and thyme, or the Moo-less Moo – which can be made suitable for both vegans and coeliacs.

Serving Indian street food and local craft beer, Bunodbust has a packed menu full of bhajis, dahl and other vegetarian staples, making it a firm favourite with the people of Manchester. Diners sit on communal benches to enjoy the dishes, which are served in little white tubs made of bagasse – compostable sugarcane. With sustainability in mind, and tailored to both vegans and vegetarians, it’s no surprise that the eatery also offers a large selection of gluten-free dishes. While the vada pav and other flatbreads are sadly still off limits, the various curries, okra fries and trademark bhajis all come without gluten as standard, and they can even be paired with a gluten-free beer, brewed at Bundobust’s very own brewery.

With a focus on both sustainable and inclusive grub, Purezza is the only eatery in the city offering a purely plant-based menu of Neapolitan pizza. From groundbreaking vegan cheese to whole grain sourdough bases, the venue is known for its innovation when it comes to ingredients. The team has developed its own gluten-free dough, fondly known as Freedom Dough, which uses a variety of flours to create a soft and fluffy sourdough – minus the gluten. With a couple of easy tweaks, all of the dishes on the menu can easily be made gluten-free, from the black truffle pizza to the oozy garlic bread. Even the mac and cheese is made with Zenb’s gluten-free macaroni by default, alongside vegan pancetta and parmesan.

Located on the popular Bridge Street, Dishoom is a cult favourite serving a lovingly crafted menu of Bombay dishes. Recreating the buzz of an Mumbai cafe, the eatery is set in a grand period building, complete with dark wood panelling, stained glass and plenty of incense. From their breakfast naans to house black dahl, the authentic sharing plates at Dishoom are the stuff of legends. There’s also a dedicated gluten-free menu which includes modifications to existing dishes, so everyone can enjoy the likes of chicken ruby curry and masala prawns. Don’t forget a glass of the warm and comforting house chai.