Gluten-free guide to eating at London airports

Gluten-free guide to eating at London airports

From Full English breakfast to sushi and sashimi, coffee and cake to satay and salads, there is a surprisingly wide range of food options at London airports for those on a gluten-free diet.

While not all restaurants, cafes and take-aways guarantee a gluten-free food preparation environment, many do publish their own allergen guides and have staff to help you make the right choices.

Gluten is found in some grains, specifically wheat, barley and rye, and needs to be avoided by those who have coeliac disease. Others choose to follow a gluten-free diet for other health and nutritional benefits.

Here you’ll find an easy overview of the gluten-free eating and drinking options at the six London airports, Gatwick, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Southend and Stansted.

Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is the hub for a number of popular short-haul airlines and is also the gateway to many long-haul destinations and connections, such as the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and North America. It is the UK’s second busiest airport. You’ll find a wide range of food and beverage outlets in both North and South terminals, many offering gluten-free options.  

Heathrow Airport

Whichever terminal you are flying from at Heathrow, you won’t be short of refreshment choices, from takeaways to restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Check out our terminal-by-terminal guide below for the most gluten-free-friendly options.

London City Airport

Although primarily an airport for business destinations, such as Luxembourg and Frankfurt, London City also serves several leisure destinations. In 2019, London City handled over five million passengers. While the range of eating and drinking outlets is not extensive, you can still find refreshments that are gluten-free.

Luton Airport

The UK’s fifth busiest airport, Luton airport is the base for major low-cost carriers and charter airlines, sending over 18 million passengers on their travels in 2019. Within the terminal there are several bars, restaurants, cafes and take-away outlets and you’ll find the ones that cater for gluten-free diets listed below.

Southend Airport

The smallest of London’s six airports, Southend airport welcomed just over two million passengers through its terminal in 2019. Facilities include a pub, which provides allergen information on its menu items.

Stansted Airport

With over 27 million passengers passing through Stansted airport each year, inside the terminal you’ll find a choice of places to eat and drink, including several that provide gluten-free options and allergen advice. 

The following table is a brief overview of food and beverage outlets in London’s six airports that cater for gluten-free diets. Some highlight gluten-free options on their menus, others list ingredients for each product and others provide an allergen guide upon request. Don’t forget most UK airports also have retail stores, such as Boots and WH Smiths, that stock gluten-free sandwiches and wraps, subject to availability. 

Where to find gluten-free food and drink at London Airports

Gluten-free options at Gatwick North Terminal

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Costa Coffee	05.00 – 18.00	Before Security
Pret a Manger	04.00 – 19.00	After Security
Pret a Manger Satellite Pier	06.00 – 13.00	After Security
Sonoma	04.30 – 19.30	After Security
Starbucks	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security
The Red Lion	03.30 – 20.30	After Security
Wagamama	06.30 -19.00	After Security

Gluten-free options at Gatwick South Terminal

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Cafe Nero	05.00 – 19.00	Before Security
Caviar House & Prunier	07.00 – 17.00	After Security
Costa Coffee	05.00 – 23.00	Before Security
Costa Coffee	06.00 – 18.00	After Security
Giraffe	06.00 – 21.00	Before Security
Nando’s	04.30 – 21.30	After Security
Pret a Manger	05.00 – 19.00	After Security
Starbucks	05.00 – 20.30	After Security
The Flying Horse	04.00 – 20.30	After Security
Wagamamas	12.00 – 21.00	After Security
Wondertree	05.00 – 20.30	After Security

Gluten-free options at Heathrow Terminal 2

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Cafe Nero	06.30 – 22.00	After Security
Cafe Nero	05.30 – 21.00	Arrivals
Caviar House & Prunier	06.00 – 21.30	After Security
Costa Coffee	24 Hours	Before Security
Leon	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security
Pret a Manger	04.45 – 21.30	After Security
Shan Shui	07.30 – 20.00	After Security
Wondertree	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security
Yo! Sushi	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security

Gluten-free options at Heathrow Terminal 3

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Cafe Nero	24 Hours	After Security
Cafe Nero	24 Hours	Arrivals
Caviar House & Prunier	06.00 – 21.30	After Security
Caviar House & Oyster Bar	07.00 – 19.00	After Security
Costa Coffee	06.00 – 18.00	Before Security
Pret a Manger	06.00 – 20.00	Before Security
Pret a Manger	06.00 – 18.00	After Security
Spuntino	06.00 – 13.00	After Security
Wagamamas	04.45 – 21.45	After Security
Yo! Sushi	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security

Gluten-free options at Heathrow Terminal 5

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Cafe Nero	06.30 – 22.00	Before Security
Cafe Nero	06.00 – 20.30	Arrivals
Caviar House & Prunier	05.30 – 20.30	After Security
Costa Coffee	24 Hours	Arrivals
Fortnum & Mason	05.30 – 21.00	After Security
Giraffe	05.30 – 16.00	After Security
Itsu	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security
Kanishka Kitchen	06.00 – 20.00	Before Security
Pilot’s Bar & Kitchen	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security
Pret a Manger Gate A9	05.00 – 22.00	After Security
Pret a Manger Gate A3	06.00 – 20.00	After Security
Starbucks Gate A10	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security
Starbucks Gate B35	05.30 – 17.00	After Security
Starbucks Gate C55	05.00 – 15.00	After Security
The Crown Rivers	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security
Wagamamas	06.30 – 20.00	After Security

Gluten-free options at London City Airport

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Cafe Nero	05.30 – 21.00	After Security
Pret a Manger	06.00 – 18.30	After Security
The City Bar	05.30 – Last Flight	After Security

Gluten-free options at Luton Airport

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Costa Coffee	24 Hours	Before Security
Crepeaffaire	24 Hours	After Security
Fattorie Garofalo	03.00 – 22.00	After Security
Frankie & Bennie’s	05.00 – Last Flight	After Security
Friska	04.00 – Last Flight	After Security
Pret a Manger	03.00 – Last Flight	After Security
Pret a Manger	03.00 – 23.00	Before Security
Starbucks	24 Hours	After Security
Starbucks	24 Hours	Before Security
Wasabi	24 Hours	After Security

Gluten-free options at Southend Airport

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
The Navigator	First Flight – Last Flight	After Security

Gluten-free options at Stansted Airport

Restaurant	Opening Hours	Before/After Security
Costa Coffee	05.00 – 22.00	After Security
Costa Coffee	24 Hours	Before Security
Itsu	07.00 – 18.00	After Security
Leon	05.00 – 19.30	After Security
Pret a Manger	04.00 – 23.00	After Security
The Windmill	04.00 – 20.00	After Security