Gluten free in Cheshire

It’s fabulous that so many places are now able to cater safely for coeliacs. Here are a couple of my current favourite places in Cheshire that just hit the ‘gluten free spot’!!

Heaths Café: Stockton Heath Warrington.

Great for a morning cuppa, breakfast, brunch and lunch.

I have eaten here on several occasions and love it!! They are on it for gluten free. The lady (I think it’s the owner) is lovely, and nothing is too much trouble…there’s something very cosy about this place. The last time I went in I just had gluten free toast and Jam with a flat white- perfectly simple! Although this is a regular haunt for me, when I place the order (it must drive the lovely lady bonkers) I do always check about a separate gluten free toaster, etc – better to be safe!

*Although no separate gluten free menu, lots of gluten free options and gluten free bread available.

Egos: Stockton Heath Warrington.

Now, if I’m after a nice steak and chips I head in the direction of Egos Stockton Heath!

It’s a regular little jaunt for me and my friend, as they quite often have special offers which allows us to have a little cheeky midweek treat! They have an extensive gluten free menu, so if steaks not your thing there are plenty of other options. The steak appeals to me at Egos, as the chips served with it are gluten free and that’s not always the case when steak is on the menu. And another great factor here is the peppercorn sauce is also gluten free….happy days!

*Just let them know when you book you are coeliac. Generally, they will hand a gluten free menu to you on arrival but if not just ask and they will pop one over to you.

Quench Café:  Culcheth, Warrington.

Great for, a full-on hot lunch, snack or cosy cuppa.

I often meet my Dad for a ‘lunch break’ at Quench. There is plenty of gluten free things to pick off the menu. My current favourite here is their homemade chicken curry and chips – chips fried separately of course! Although I normally like my curry hot, this one is subtler and slightly fruity. They have it completely covered for a gluten free diet, as Bruce who works here is also coeliac. They are only open until 3 and closed Sunday and Monday if you are thinking of paying a visit.

*Again, no separate gluten free menu but they have plenty of gluten free options and offer gluten free bread.

Marmalade: Chester.

Great for, the perfect gluten free sandwich, cake and much more!

This delightful café was a tip-off from a friend, and I have now eaten here on several occasions and love it!  Years ago, the simplicity of having a delicious gluten free sandwich when you were out and about, was near impossible…how things have changed!! The other week when I called in for lunch with Neil, a really kind lady served me with a delicious flat white whilst we waited for our sandwiches. Spoilt for choice, I finally went for a coronation chicken sandwich with spinach and mango chutney – everything about my sandwich was good – soft bread, generous filling, and fresh salad garnish with gf dressing. The perfect ticket for lunch!  And to round things off I picked up a takeaway gluten free sticky toffee pudding to have at home.

Marmalade the ideal place to get a ‘gluten free refuel’ when you are out and about in Chester

*No separate gluten free menu…but they quote “Almost everything we do can be gluten free”

La Boheme: Lymm, Warrington

For special occasion meals….my favourite!

I’ve been going to La Boehme now for over 10 years. It has a fabulous feel to the place, and the food is always spot on and far better than I could ever cook at home. I save this restaurant for special occasions so as not to lose the magic! Although there isn’t a separate gluten free menu, the skilled chefs can adapt many of the dishes to make them gluten free. They do a fabulous sirloin steak, with peppered sauce on a bed of roasted seasonal vegetables and fancy potatoes…it’s so good!  And If I have any room left I generally have a crème Brulee or pannacotta for pudding. Terrific!!

Check out the food pictures on their website…maybe not if you are hungry!

*You would need to pre-book at La Boheme and of course, advise them that you are coeliac too.

Bents Garden and Home: Warrington

I’m so lucky to have Bents Garden and Home on my doorstep, and very often take myself of there for a coffee. It’s a perfect place to have a browse and they are brilliant for all things gluten free. There are plenty of gluten free choices in the main restaurant. And even if you just feel like a piece of gluten free toast with butter and jam, you’ve got it, as they have a seperate toaster on hand (the simple things in life!). My favourite little corner in Bents right now has to be the Tapas bar –  they have the gluten free options marked up on the menu, and when I last ate here the chef brought our food over and explained that he had to miss some of the garnish off due to it not being gluten free….good work!

*Just to add, and a reminder that us coeliacs cannot get complacent about our food choices as things change:  I had been enjoying an occasional hot chocolate at Bents, but when I last checked they had changed the brand they use. Unfortunately, the new brand has a ‘may contain cereals’ warning on the pack so had to give it a miss. Hot chocolate and chocolate sprinkles on your coffee need checking to make sure they are safe.

Fishpool Inn: Delamere 

This pub, in the heart of Cheshire really is the perfect place to meet, eat, drink and kick back and relax after a long leisurely walk with friends and family!

Fishpool Inn at Delamere has been on my ‘places to visit wish list’ for quite some time. So, you can imagine how happy I was when my friend suggested we met up at Delamere Forest to do the Old Pale Hill walk, with her chocolate lab (Aero!) and eat here afterwards. The walk was great, striking gold with the weather – clear blue skies, gave us amazing panoramic views of various counties at the top of the hill!

I had pre-booked a table for us at the Fishpool in the dog friendly section. Of course, at the time, I also let them know I was coeliac and checked that they would be Ok to cater for my gluten free diet. With a dedicated gluten free menu and so much choice there was no problem. After checking they used a separate fryer, I went for haddock goujons lightly fried in a gf tempura batter and chunky chips. The haddock was actually a starter, but there were three, really good size pieces of fish – the ideal amount for me – perfectly cooked, super tasty, and along with gorgeous fresh chunky chips and tartare sauce, my lunch was spot on!

I’ve got a thing for Cheshire Farm ice-cream right now, so, was delighted it was on the menu for pudding. I picked out vanilla and chocolate,  after the waitress had confirmed these flavours were gluten free.

I rounded my lunch off with the most perfect flat white coffee – which sealed the deal for me – If you haven’t guessed it, I like it here!!!!

1539: Chester Racecourse 

It’s with sheer delight that I can share with you this fabulous place to dine gluten free in the beautiful City of Chester! I love everything about 1539 from walking through the door, after the hustle and bustle outside to the comforting smell of a real wood fire on a chilly day, to the welcoming staff who know their stuff and take pride in all they do. I have actually eaten here on 4 occasions over the last few years. But what prompted me to ‘shout out’ about this gem of a place now, was I ate there twice last week – I know twice – how lucky am I!!!! On both occasions, we were served by the same lovely girl who helped me pick out safe gluten free options from the menu. The food here is beautifully presented and could well be the best I have eaten. And whether it be a place to enjoy amazing food after a spot of shopping or a full-on special meal out I could not recommend 1539 enough.

Over time I have tucked into – risotto, sea bass and delightfully tender lamb served with creamy mash and kale – portion sizes are perfect too and they offer a lunch menu that gives you a free starter with a main meal.

When you eat out gluten free, it’s not just about the questions you ask and answers you get, that reassure you – it’s when a member staff offers even more info, that proves they really have the knowledge of the coeliac condition and you know everything will Ok. This is exactly what happened here. As when the waitress overheard my friend talking about sharing her starter, she quickly pointed out that I mustn’t eat any, as it was not gluten free – how good is that!!

I hope 1539 does not change a single thing, as it’s an absolute treat to eat here – and if you haven’t guessed already – I love it!!

*No separate gluten free menu, but you will be spoilt for choice – just let the extremely helpful staff know you are coeliac and they will help you pick out safe gluten free options. Although I have been able to walk in and get a table, due to race days and other events, I would recommend you reserve a table to ensure you are not disappointed.

Watch this space for new additions, as I eat my way around the Cheshire Countryside! Any great tip off’s please do give me a shout.

Liz x

*All the places I have mentioned run a ‘shared’ kitchen, and although I have never had a problem with cross contamination, checks must always be made at your time of visit to ensure your meal is gluten free and safe for you  – as unfortunately staff, ingredients etc can change over time.