Tree Nut and Gluten-Free Scotland and Ireland

Hi! I’m Lindsay! I recently traveled to Scotland and Ireland for a family vacation celebrating my dad’s retirement! I visited Edinburgh, St Andrews, and Dublin, and was excited to find so many safe places to eat while managing a severe tree nut allergy and gluten intolerance due to lupus. A few of my favorite food stops included Makars Gourmet Mash Bar in Edinburgh, where I enjoyed a traditional gluten-free Scottish egg, beef shoulder, and even toffee pudding for dessert! I also loved Gallaghers Boxty House in Dublin, where I tried a traditional corned beef boxty. If you’re traveling to Edinburgh, a day trip to the Scottish Highlands is a must! It’s a great way to escape the city for the day, take in some incredible scenery, and maybe even try to spot Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster! Follow me on the Spokin app @lfrost5 to see my 372 reviews, and follow along on Instagram @linds_frost!

Edinburgh | St Andrews | Dublin

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Edinburgh

Mowgli Street Food Edinburgh

Mowgli Street Food Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

“Wow! This food was delicious, and everyone loved it! The atmosphere was intimate, and they were able to accommodate a large party (7 people) late at night without a reservation. I had the butter chicken and a side of fries. They confirmed the fries were made in a separate fryer. They were also able to provide dairy-free options for my brother (however, I want to note that he is okay with a shared fryer for dairy cross-contact — he has a severe intolerance). Our server was super knowledgeable, and they had an allergy menu where everything was labeled, which was so helpful!”

Mamma's American Pizza

Mamma’s American Pizza

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

“Gluten-free pizza! The crust tasted amazing. I split a pie with my husband, and he agreed that the crust was one of the best gluten-free crusts we’ve ever had. We also had a side Caesar salad (without croutons), and the portions were huge! Great meal. The menu was also labeled, which helped with ordering!”

Landy's Fish and Chips

Landy’s Fish and Chips

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

“Separate fryer for gluten-free fish and chips! The traditional fish and chips were light and crispy. They had separate sauces and vinegar for gluten-free as well. The fish was not oily or soggy at all and was cooked perfectly! We also had a starter of calamari, and it was delicious. Highly recommend if you’re looking for some fish and chips! The staff were very attentive and confirmed all allergies. Our food even came out with allergy markers on them, which made me feel extra safe.”

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh)

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh)

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

“This place was phenomenal. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time. They were very attentive to allergies. My brother is also dairy-free/nut-free, and they were able to accommodate his allergies as well. I had the Scottish egg to start, the beef shoulder with horseradish gravy and classic mash, and even the toffee pudding for dessert! The staff was over and beyond accommodating, and the food was amazing. I highly recommend adding this to your list if you’re in Edinburgh.”

Waterstones

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

“When we got to the front of the line to order, the first thing the staff asked was if anyone had any allergies! I don’t think I’ve ever had a coffee shop that was so proactive! Got a vanilla iced latte. Came here because they have a great view of the castle! And we got lucky with a front-row seat!”

The Milkman

The Milkman

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

“This place is very famous and can get busy. However, the line was controlled, and the crowd didn’t make me feel overwhelmed when ordering with my allergies. I didn’t have any of the pastries (never do!) but stuck to a really simple iced latte with honey. They don’t have any flavored syrups, and I know sometimes those “fancier” drinks make people nervous. Coffee was good!”

Eden Locke George Street

Eden Locke George Street

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

“Great location and the rooms were very clean. We made sure to book the rooms that had a washer/dryer and a small kitchen space in case I needed to cook any meals! The closest hospital is less than 2 miles away.”

St Andrews

The Bothy St Andrews

The Bothy St Andrews

Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

“The menu wasn’t labeled, but the staff were able to help me order and were very knowledgeable. I ordered tomato soup, which came with gluten-free bread, and the burger, which they also had a gluten-free bun for. The burger was also topped with black pudding! The burger came with a side of fries, and I forgot to ask when ordering if it was made in a separate fryer. The waitress said they usually bake them for people who cannot have gluten. Unfortunately, they put mine in the shared fryer, so I’m glad I asked before I ate them. But I also should have clarified before ordering.”

18

18

Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

“Great rooftop overlooking the Old Course. This was a fancier dinner, and I had the artichoke salad to start, steak, a side of creamed spinach and green beans. Food was okay, and the staff was very mindful of all allergies. My brother is also allergic to nuts and very lactose intolerant. We kept ordering plates and sides to share, and they were great at helping accommodate dishes or letting us know who couldn’t have what (with a large party sharing plates with multiple allergies makes me nervous!). They were great with allergies, but I think the price was very high and I’ve had better meals!”

Fisher & Donaldson

Fisher & Donaldson

Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

“Bakeries make me nervous, but I read they had gluten-free fudge donuts (apparently you “have to get” when in Scotland, and they looked separately packaged!) and I wanted to give it a try. Unfortunately, they had been sold out for three weeks, but they let us read the allergy book, and the only nuts they had on site were almonds for one pastry; I even overheard the worker telling customers that he was allergic to pistachios and they didn’t have them at all! There was only one item that was gluten-free, and it was the cream meringue. They did warn me that with gluten, there is always a chance of cross-contact. I asked them to get me a specific cream meringue that looked to be a little more separate from the others. This was also very separate from the almond dessert. It was delicious! Of course, use your discretion, and see how you feel after asking some questions!”

Jigger Inn

Jigger Inn

Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

“Had salmon and even a dessert! They were also able to accommodate my brother, who is dairy-free, and we split a dessert (gluten-free/nut-free/dairy-free). Food was good; service was a little slow, most likely because we had a large party.”

Old Course Hotel

Old Course Hotel

Location: St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

“This hotel was great with allergies! We ate at the 4th-floor restaurant, ordered room service, and had breakfast each morning. They were very attentive to allergies. For dinner, the waitress helped me order, and the food was fantastic. We ordered room service one night and had the club sandwich with fries. The fries were made in a gluten-free fryer, and the bread was gluten-free! For breakfast, you could order à la carte or the buffet. I get nervous with buffets, so I stuck with an omelet. Again, when I told the staff about my allergies, they told me what to stay away from in the buffet. Food was great at every place we tried!”

Dublin

The Winding Stair

The Winding Stair

Location: Dublin, Ireland

“This place was so cute. We enjoyed asparagus and olives as a starter, and I had cod as my main meal (the main fish was sold out, but they were able to substitute with cod). Food was delicious! They have a separate labeled allergy menu, so be sure to ask for that since the main menu they give you when you sit down isn’t labeled.”

Boeuf Steak & Burger

Boeuf Steak & Burger

Location: Dublin, Ireland

“To start, they have unlimited wings and garlic bread. The gluten-free garlic bread was sooo fluffy and good. And my wings came out separately from everyone else’s since the regular wings also came with boneless, breaded buffalo wings (which contained gluten). I had the Philly cheesesteak as my main, which came with fries. They had a separate gluten-free fryer. It was helpful that they had a separate gluten-free menu for me also.”

Gallaghers Boxty House

Gallaghers Boxty House

Location: Dublin, Ireland

“Great place for a traditional meal! Had the corned beef boxty. The dumplings reminded me of gnocchi and were delicious. I think we got a little unlucky with our server here. I overheard another server asking each table if anyone had allergies, and he was helping them order. A lot of items contained dairy (my brother is severely lactose intolerant), and our waitress was a little flustered while we were trying to order. The menu was labeled, which made it easier for me to order since there were plenty of gluten-free/nut-free options, but most items contained milk. Kind of wish we spoke up and maybe asked for help from the other server, but we both enjoyed safe meals. I even had a couple of bites of the ice cream sandwich, which was safe for me!”

Zanzibar Locke, Ha’penny Bridge

Location: Dublin, Ireland

“Close to a hospital and a great centrally located hotel! We booked the rooms that had a kitchen in case we needed to cook. Rooms were clean!”

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