Last Updated March 4, 20210 – but we’re just getting started! We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and ice cream shops in the United Kingdom that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!), that’s divided into UK local restaurants (first) and chains (second).
Note: You can ignore the date on this post going forward. We’ll update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new restaurant recommendation, change, or closure.
Local UK Restaurants Recommended for Dairy-Free Eats
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city, and then by the restaurant or shop name.
⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)
Cardiff
- Ty Rosa B&B – The owner of this local lodging reached out to us directly. “We are a B&B in Cardiff that offers our whole menu dairy-free and gluten-free. Feel free to see the food section on our website.” Labeled as Cardiff’s only exclusive boutique bed & breakfast (gay friendly), they offer vegan and gluten-free breakfast menus as well as a clearly labeled evening menu.
Colchester
- Shakers Dairy Free ⭐️ – This all-vegan restaurant serves classic American diner fare without dairy, eggs, or meat! Their menu features burgers, fries, and shakes (topped with dairy-free whipped cream!), and they have “no fish Fridays” with “Bish & Chips.”
Kingston upon Thames
- Riverside Vegetaria – Denise emailed to share this vegetarian restaurant, which is mostly dairy-free too. “The food is carefully marked up as vegan/gluten free/wheat free and the vegan chocolate cake with dairy-free ice cream is to die for!”
Liverpool
- Leaf – What started as a tea shop has turned into three popular dining spaces (two in Liverpool one in West Kirby), each with a diverse menu of drinks, from teas to cocktails. Leaf was recommended to us by Kayleigh for their healthy and filling meals, organic meat, and labeled vegan options throughout their menu.
London – Highbury East
- Cookies and Scream ⭐️ – This fully vegan and gluten free bakery specializes in cookies, brownies, donuts, cupcakes, and pies, and also blends “scream” shakes with dairy-free ice cream. Everything is made fresh daily in their kitchen.
London – Homerton
- The Spread Eagle ⭐️ – They opened a few years back as London’s first all-vegan pub. They serve a menu of big and little bites, desserts, and Sunday roast.
London – Kentish Town
- The Fields Beneath ⭐️ – It was started as a typical cafe, but the owners slowly gave up using animal products and it’s now a completely dairy-free and vegan establishment! Their new menu includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, and an array of baked treats made fresh daily. They do their best to use ingredients sourced as locally as possible. All to be enjoyed with their coffee, lattes, or teas.
London – West End
- Rainforest Cafe – It’s a jungle in there, but several readers have told us their staff helps you navigate allergen needs.
West Kirby
- Leaf – What started as a tea shop has turned into three popular dining spaces (two in Liverpool one in West Kirby), each with a diverse menu of drinks, from teas to cocktails. Leaf was recommended to us by Kayleigh for their healthy and filling meals, organic meat, and labeled vegan options throughout their menu.
Most Popular Chains in the UK for Dairy-Free Diners
There are many more chains in the U.K., but these are the ones that have been recommended most for dairy-free options thus far.
- Papa Johns – In the U.K., this pizza chain has been a leader in vegan fast food. See our Papa Johns listing for more details.
- Pizza Hut – This pizza chain offers a full range of vegan options in the U.K. See our Pizza Hut listing for specifics.
- JD Wetherspoons – They operate approximately 900 pubs and offer extensive allergen menus and a separate dairy-free menu at many locations. The food here isn’t fancy, but ordering is easy and the atmosphere is often casual and lively.
- Zizzi Restaurants – This Italian chain has vegan pizzas and pastas right on their main menu, but they also have full vegan, non-dairy, and non-gluten menus, in addition to a detailed allergen chart. Dairy-free guests do need to order their non-gluten crust, but can enjoy all types of toppings, including vegan MozzaRisella cheese. They also have breads and calamari for starters, dairy-free desserts, and more.
This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations
We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.
Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!
This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!
