The Star Inn The City

Situated in a beautiful historic building close to Lendal Bridge, one of The Star Inn The City’s most enviable features is its outdoor terrace, which offers scenic views over the River Ouse. A high proportion of The Star’s menu is already gluten-free but the staff here are always happy to modify dishes to meet a customer’s dietary requirements. On their day menu you’ll find two gluten-free starters and five mains to choose from. Tuck into a salad of white asparagus, ewe’s curd and pickled pear, followed by a pan-roast breast of Nidderdale chicken with charred gem lettuce, peas à la Française and York ham. For dessert you can enjoy dark chocolate, blood orange and York gin ’syllabub’ with candied peel and cinnamon – all without gluten.

Double Dutch Pancake House

A pancake house might not seem like the most obvious haunt for those suffering from a gluten intolerance, however Double Dutch in York’s Church Street serves pancakes to suit all, with sweet, savoury, vegan and gluten-free options available. Every pancake on their menu can be made gluten-free for just 75p extra, meaning coeliacs need not miss out on any of their fantastic creations. Try ‘Rocket to the Moon’ with pear, goat’s cheese, walnuts, rocket and a drizzle of garlic or walnut oil, or ‘The Greek,’ featuring pan fried halloumi, sautéed mixed peppers, rocket, black olives and mint dressing. You’ll also find a tempting selection of desserts with sweet and creamy toppings here, as well as a range of breakfast pancakes, making for a great treat to start the day with.

Drift-In

Located on a bustling street in York’s city centre, Drift-In is a laid-back cafe that provides a warm welcome for all of the family – it’s even dog friendly. The cafe’s menu echoes its relaxed nature with lots of tasty dishes served from breakfast to 4pm. Here you’ll find an excellent gluten-free traditional breakfast made with smoked streaky bacon from M & K butchers, along with sausages, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, homemade beans and a poached or fried egg. Drift-In also boasts a varied drinks list, with freshly made super juices and surprising specials such as the blue butterfly pea latte. They even have a separate gluten-free menu just for children.

Forest

With its rustic heated courtyard lit with twinkling fairy lights, Forest at Galtres Lodge is one of the most magical places in York to enjoy al-fresco dining on a warm evening. The restaurant serves food throughout the day with their hearty mains available at both lunch and dinner. Indulge in a gluten-free three course meal with starters such as seared king scallops and crispy chicken skin followed by such delights as a rump of Yorkshire lamb or a pan fried fillet of sea bass with lobster bisque and samphire. The meals here are all prepared using locally-sourced ingredients, many of which come from the Shambles market just around the corner.

Khao San Road

Offering ‘a little piece of Thailand in the heart of York,’ Khao San Road on Walmgate is the place to go to discover authentic Thai food served in a vibrant environment with flowering trees overhead. All of the dishes here are designed to be shared and the staff recommend ordering three per person to offer around the table for all to enjoy. Try ancient delicacies such as Kanom Jeen Nham Ya Pu (rice noodles with crab meat in spicy coconut sauce) or Gang Rawang Nua (beef curry with fresh turmeric, lemongrass and coconut milk). The friendly staff here are always happy to offer advice and further information about their menu to help customers with allergies or dietary preferences.

KREP

Situated in the Shambles Food Court, KREP is a street food seller specialising in savoury pancakes, or galettes. These deep brown pancakes have a distinctive nutty flavour as they’re made from buckwheat flour, which is naturally gluten-free. Enjoy the ‘Truffe,’ featuring mushroom and truffle duxelles with cheddar, free range egg and dijon mayo, or have a meaty feast with ‘La Bete,’ which is stuffed full of slow cooked pork with marinated red onions, pickled carrot and melted cheddar. Yum.

Lucia

Serving Italian food and bespoke cocktails in an elegant setting, Lucia is located close to York Minster and the city’s main shopping streets. Here you’ll find a separate gluten-free menu featuring Italian staples such as pasta, risotto and salads, alongside Lucia classics such as honey glazed duck breast with spiced butternut squash, gratin and pomegranate seeds. Lucia also makes great gluten-free burgers and you can enjoy a bottomless brunch here between 12-4pm every day.

Tricolor

Try something new with a visit to this Colombian street food stall at Spark. Tricolor’s menu keeps it simple but their dishes are full of flavour. To start, choose from gluten-free fried plantain or cassava, served with sofrito sauce. Many of Tricolor’s mains are also suitable for coeliacs, including Arepas – grilled corn dough pockets stuffed with your choice of chicken, cheese and bacon or Colombian chorizo. You’ll also find imported Colombian fruit juices and fizzy drinks to sample here.

Blue Barbakan

Based on Fossgate, the Blue Barbakan is an Eastern European restaurant that specialises in Polish cuisine. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has made it easy for those who cannot eat gluten with a special three course menu featuring only gluten-free dishes. To start, choose from soups or specialties such as Oscypek, a grilled, smoked cheese made from salted sheep’s milk and produced exclusively in the Tatra mountains. The Blue Barbakan’s mains include lamb shank, beef cheek or Golabki – oven baked cabbage leaves stuffed with spiced minced pork and rice. There are also two appetising cakes to try for dessert – blueberry and hazelnut or chocolate orange.

Images: Blue Barbakan, Krep, Lucia, Tricolour, Krep