Being gluten-free in London used to mean sad rice cakes and a suspicious look from whoever’s behind the counter.
Not anymore!
The city’s free-from scene has exploded to the point where celiac and gluten-sensitive Londoners genuinely have better bakery options than some people without dietary restrictions (yes, really).
We’re talking proper sourdough, croissants that don’t crumble into sand, and cakes good enough that nobody at the party will clock they’re gluten-free until you tell them.
Some of these bakeries go all-in on wellness, some keep things classic, and a fair few tick the vegan and dairy-free boxes too, so if you’re juggling more than one dietary need, you’re covered.
We went shop to shop, market stall to market stall, and landed on the fourteen actually worth crossing town for.
1. The Polkadot Bakery
A Spitalfields Market fixture since 2016, when founder Celia decided gluten-free and dairy-free didn’t have to mean settling.
The bread, pastries and cookies here read as fully American in style, and the whole menu skips gluten and dairy without you noticing either is missing.
Address: Old Spitalfields Market, London, E1 6EW (every Saturday & Sunday 10.00am – 5.00pm)
EVERYONE’S CLICKING ON:
The Painted Hall, Greenwich: Britain’s Answer to the Sistine Chapel (And Why You’re Sleeping On It)
God’s Own Junkyard: The Neon Wonderland in Walthamstow You Need to Visit
Cable Car-aoke: London’s Most Unexpected (and Genius) Night Out Right Now
Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern — Everything You Need to Know
The Fan Museum Greenwich: The World’s Only Fan Museum (And One of London’s Best Hidden Gems)
The Tulip Stairs at Greenwich: London’s Most Beautiful (and Allegedly Haunted) Staircase
2. Klear Labs
Not your standard bakery. Klear Labs works in organic, adaptogen-laced, sugar-free, and low-carb territory, built by founders who’ve clearly done their own health homework first.
If you want something sweet that won’t spike or crash you, this is the place.
Address: 93 Golborne Road, London, W10 5NL
3. Dendara
100% gluten-free, 100% dairy-free, and somehow still full of French flair. Think savoury pies and delicate tarts that also happen to be eggless and vegan-friendly.
Custom cakes and selection boxes are available for pickup, which makes this a solid go-to for celebrations.
Address: 43 Kensington Church St, London, W8 4BA
4. Rawlala
Less bakery, more wellness destination. Everything’s organic, vegan, and gluten-free, sweetened with dates instead of refined sugar, and served in reusable glass bottles if you’re grabbing a juice too.
The raw cheesecakes photograph beautifully, and the cinnamon roll (also raw) is the one to try first. Can’t pick? The six-piece party box handles that for you.
Address: 11 Hackney Rd, London E2 7NX
5. Lola’s Bakery
Walk in and you’ll get caramelising sugar, fresh coffee and butter all competing for your attention at once.
The classics are here (Red Velvet, obviously), but it’s the Courgette with Lime & Basil Cake that actually earns a special trip.
Address: 168 West End Lane, London, NW6 1SD
6. CreamDream
Started by Ukrainian refugees, CreamDream pairs vegan, gluten-free pastries with specialty coffee and wine from Ukrainian farmers.
Reduced sugar across the board, and yes, get one of the “beachy” cocktails while you’re there.
Address: 46 Bedford St, London WC2E 9HA
7. Ma Ma Boutique Bakery
A family-run spot in Chiswick doing gluten-free the traditional way, no shortcuts.
Bread, pastries, cakes, cookies, all handled by bakers who clearly care about the craft rather than just the “free-from” label.
Address: 30 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London W4 1TE
8. Rebel Coffee
Tucked into E17, Rebel Coffee runs on a coffee blend perfected by the Profumo family (Italian for “perfume,” which tracks) and passed down from great-uncle Ezio to his son Eros.
The gluten-free cakes, think chocolate brownies and Sicilian lemon mascarpone cheesecake, come from small local producers. It doubles as an Italian deli too, so you can leave with more than just dessert.
Address: 225 Wood Street, London, E17 3NT
9. Libby’s Always Gluten-Free
Does exactly what the name says.
Multiple locations across London, savoury options like sandwiches and salads alongside the usual cakes and cookies, all built for people who want gluten-free as the default, not the exception.
Address: Multiple locations in London, see all here.
10. Vida Bakery
“Eat the Rainbow” isn’t marketing fluff here, the cakes genuinely come in every colour you can think of.
100% vegan and gluten-free across pastries, cakes, cookies and bread, with an easy-to-navigate site for custom orders if you’re planning ahead.
Address: 139 Brick Ln, London, E1 6SB
11. Chateau Chiswick
Covers the full day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, with a gluten-free menu that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.
Quality ingredients across the board, and enough variety that you could genuinely make this your local.
Address: 213 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London, W4 2DW
12. The Free From Bakehouse
Gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, nut-free, soya-free, cane sugar-free, and vegan: this one covers nearly every restriction at once, and it’s won awards for doing it well.
Find them at Borough Market, Tuesday through Sunday, selling whole cakes, individual bakes, traybakes and crackers.
Address: Borough Market, Green Market area, 8 Southwark St, London, SE1 1TL
13. Borough 22
Founder Ryan Panchoo started this after his own celiac diagnosis left him unimpressed by the gluten-free doughnuts on offer, so he made his own.
Now certified gluten-free, halal and kosher-friendly, with flavours ranging from classic vanilla to salted caramel and matcha.
Address: Multiple locations in London, see all here.
14. Manna Dew Bakery
The pastry chefs here clearly enjoy pushing past the standard croissant and pain au chocolat into matcha and pistachio territory, without losing the visual polish.
Small menu, high hit rate.
Address: 169 Battersea High Street SW11 3JS
These fourteen bakeries prove free-from was never the ceiling on flavour, just a different set of rules to bake within.
Some lean into tradition, some go full wellness, some just want to sell you a really good doughnut, and London’s better off having all three.
Check opening hours before you go. A few of these run on specific baking days or market schedules, and the good ones sell out. Know one we missed? Tell us in the comments.
ALSO WORTH A LOOK:
- 9 Best Dog Cafes In London
- Best Immersive Dining Experiences In London
- The Ultimate Guide To Bottomless Brunch Spots In Canary Wharf
PIN FOR LATER 📌
