Last Update in August 2021! Due to current global issues, we’ve been limited in our discovery process for dairy-free restaurant options in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, we will continue to update this UK guide as we become aware of any new options, changes, or closures. We appreciate your ongoing recommendations to help it grow!
We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores in 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 restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.
Photo from The Spread Eagle in London, UK
Dairy-Free United Kingdom (UK): Recommended Restaurants & Shops
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.
⭐️ = 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.)
Brighton
- The Vurger Co. ⭐️ – Their all-vegan menu is a feast of burgers, bowls, cheesy and fried sides, and decadent shakes with whip topping and drizzles. Everything is dairy-free, egg-free, meat-free, and fish-free, and they clearly label all other top allergens.
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.
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 – Camden
- The Fields Beneath ⭐️ – It was started as a typical cafe, but the owners of this Kentish Town spot 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.
- Tish Restaurant & Bar ⭐️ – This kosher glatt restaurant serves meat, fish, vegetarian, and vegan dishes, and is completely dairy free. They serve lunch, dinner, brunch, and a full dessert menu.
London – Hackney
- 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.
- The Vurger Co. ⭐️ – Their all-vegan menu is a feast of burgers, bowls, cheesy and fried sides, and decadent shakes with whip topping and drizzles. Everything is dairy-free, egg-free, meat-free, and fish-free, and they clearly label all other top allergens.
London – Islington
- 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 – Tower Hamlets
- The Vurger Co. ⭐️ – Their all-vegan menu is a feast of burgers, bowls, cheesy and fried sides, and decadent shakes with whip topping and drizzles. Everything is dairy-free, egg-free, meat-free, and fish-free, and they clearly label all other top allergens.
London – Westminster
- 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.
Photo from the UK chain Zizzi Restaurants
Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout the United Kingdom
Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.
- Bryon Burger – This “proper hamburger” chain offers two different vegan “cheeseburgers” with fries or salad, and vegan salted caramel milkshakes. They also offer several types of beef burgers that can be ordered dairy free, dairy-free slaw, and gluten-free buns.
- Krispy Kreme – Yes, they now offer vegan doughnuts, in the U.K. only!
- 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.
- Tesco – This is a popular grocery store chain that offers a great range of dairy-free and other special diet foods. They offer a big vegan range, including dairy-free milks, butters, yogurts, snacks, and desserts, and even have their own “free from” line.
- 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.
Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in the United Kingdom
These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in United Kingdom. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!
We haven’t learned of any yet, but will add them as we find them!
Photo from the UK chain Bryon Burger
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!
