Bert’s
Location: Clonakilty, Ireland
“Brilliant service! Love Eve and Olive they are terrific and the place has beautiful charm and modern vibe! They have an American and Irish style, and they are so understanding with allergies.”
Wazzy Woo
Location: Clonakilty, Ireland
“I love to go here for coffee. They are so kind with my allergies letting me add my own milk from the carton. They are a gluten-free and vegan cafe (a lot of nuts), but they completely understand allergies. Love the vibe, the coziness, and the prices.”
Sophie’s Rooftop Cork
Location: Cork, Ireland
“I have been to this in Galway. It’s the restaurant at the top of the hotel called the Dean. It is a chain. It was lovely visit, however things went wrong. Things they got right—they were kind, and the menu has the allergens listed as numbers. However, one I asked for something specific—steak with boiled potatoes, no veg. They gave me steak, boiled potatoes that were grilled, a portobello mushroom, and broccoli. Then my mum ordered the salmon, and as she was eating she tasted nuts—we realized that the nuts were only listed in the allergen number key rather than in the list of ingredients. She was very upset, and I basically ate with a lot of anxiety. Other than that it was great. However, we had about 4 servers, and no one came to check on me or any manager about the nuts on the menu. Disappointing, but I was safe. I will go back there, but I will be more alert this time.”
Tory Top Chocolate
Location: Cork, Ireland
“When I was told that this chocolate shop was nut-free, I had that immediate sense like, what’s the catch? What other allergens are they putting in there. Even when I realized it was only 2 ingredients I still had to go there to be sure and talk to the owner. When I got there it was incredible. So it is a chocolate factory in the back and cafe in the front. The chocolate is only made with cane sugar and cocoa beans. Unfortunately, the cafe is exactly like any other in the sense that they use almond milk and have baked goods (not made in house) that have allergens. I opted for a black coffee with milk on the side and I had some chocolate I bought. My mum had the hot chocolate with cinnamon and chili and said it was wonderful with a kick. He said he cleans the milk nozzle all the time, but I didn’t feel comfortable. I went into the back and saw how they made the chocolate and the process. It was amazing. The cafe is gorgeous, cozy and lit up like Christmas. This will be a regular for me in Cork and the chocolate is SOOO delicious.
You can do a chocolate making workshop with your job or friends and you can bring your own booze—wine! How amazing. I will be doing this.”
Hawksmoor Dublin
Location: Dublin, Ireland
“I have gone to Hawksmoor loads in London, but I was on a solo night trip and as much as I would have wanted to come away with a new restaurant I also wanted to be safe. So Hawksmoor it is. I didn’t have a reservation, but they were so lovely. I had to servers, Tessa and Michelle. They took care of me all night, they explained everything, gave me the allergen book, and I scanned the barcode. They are using a new company call Served, which have reached out to me and want to be involved in the allergy community. Overall, the food was incredible as always, the service is the GOAT, and the wine was delicious. I had an amazing time. Yes, it’s expensive, but you pay for the quality of it all.
My order is the potted beef & Yorkshire puddings and sirloin steak and mash potatoes—I’m still dreaming of this meal.”
The Chancery Hotel
Location: Dublin, Ireland
“I spent a night here just before Christmas, solo. It was a lovely hotel, comfy beds, lovely amenities. I did eat here, but there was a lovely cafe/bar and a restaurant. It’s the perfect place if you are coming with a partner or solo! It’s in the hub, but off the road so you don’t get loud screaming all night but you can explore Dublin in an instant. I really liked the hotel and the people were lovely. Will definitely go back.”
Elephant & Castle Galway
Location: Galway, Ireland
“Firstly shout out to Rylan! I came to this restaurant because of another Spokin review when I had a few places deny me. I went alone not sure what I would find. I told the host that I had allergies, and they immediately gave me a menu that had an allergy key next to the dishes- this was not an allergy book (which can be so big), it was a regular menu with just a key. I then told the bar tender I had questions, and he brought over Rylan.
Rylan understood the assignment and gave me my first burger with the bun and fries. (I haven’t had fries from a restaurant in years!). Even with my questions, he was so sure because he had checked and the chef had checked all the ingredients with my Equal Eats card. Not only was he fantastic at his job he was funny, put me at ease, and made my burger so simple without me asking. He said he hoped to see me again, so I went back the next day with friends. He did it again, he gave me double the portion of fries. The minute I sat down he asked for my card and he knew what I wanted. He also rinsed the shot glass out and prepared my whiskey himself so it would be safe for me.
I need to just say that when a server is good at their jobs and reassures you, we come back. Thank you, if I lived in Galway I would be there daily.”
Kasbah Wine Bar
Location: Galway, Ireland
“I came here after dinner with a lot of people. It was incredible quaint and vibey! I had no plans to eat, and the menu was more French charcuterie. It looked beautiful for the people who ate. There were nuts on the menu and lots of bread.
The server was Max and he was amazing at customer service. Even though I didn’t eat, he was so attentive to me and my needs. They gave me my own personal wine bottle (in a buck next to me) everyone was ordering bottles and serving themselves. They also brought me my own water vase. I bet if I did ask for food, they would have done everything they could! I also met an Irish actor here (one I have loved since I was 16 ) so it was a terrific evening!”
Chippen – Formerly Prátaí
Location: Galway, Ireland
“This is a takeaway chip shop. They only make chips (fries) here.
They are deep fried in rapeseed oil, they put the chips in a big vat and sprinkle salt over them, then put into a cone and you can add your flavoring.
There are nuts in the sauces and also other allergens, and I suggest you ask them to change/put on gloves so there’s not issue, and maybe go from the fryer to the cone! They have an allergen menu when you order and they were very kind and accommodating answering all of my questions. I don’t think they get a lot of people asking about allergies, but they were unfazed!”
Sophie’s Rooftop Galway
Location: Galway, Ireland
“This is the rooftop restaurant of the Dean Hotel (Elephant & Castle is downstairs and I loved that place too).
When I made my reservation they put my allergy, and my allergy card on the booking so when I got there I was immediately handed an allergy menu with an allergy key!
Our waiter was new and did not reassure me the way expect. I don’t think she quite knew what she was doing, but I then basically asked her to check everything. I told her that the pesto pizza didn’t have any allergens listed but I’m allergic to pine nuts, the chef proceeded to check everything on my pizza with my Equal Eats card (apparently there are no pine nuts or nuts in their pesto—I still don’t quite believe her). They have a pizza chef and a wood fire oven, so only one person was looking after my meal! Yay. Overall, we had an amazing time on the balcony with lovely views and sun, the food was yummy but there was a little bit “off” about the whole thing (my mums meal was strange like they didn’t chop anything and her sourdough toast was just bread toasted and butter…), but I would go again.”
The Galmont Hotel & Spa
Location: Galway, Ireland
“I had a hot & cold experience at this hotel. Firstly, the rooms were lovely. We had a small fridge in the room which we stocked some nibbles in there. We had breakfast included—it is a buffet style of hot and cold foods. They had dairy-free milks, gluten-free breads and muffins (not amazing products but had options). I asked the manager if they could prepare hard boiled eggs and smoke salmon for me. Which they did (and used my Equal Eats card). It was a simple breakfast, but I ate it for 3 days and it set me off for the day. However, when I enquired about nightly room service I was met with frustration and ignorance. I would say, don’t have room service. The spa is lovely, quite basic but having a jacuzzi outside in the sun was wonderful. I would say, know what you want, and request it. I had a lovely time here, and the breakfast staff were amazing.”
Valentia Ice Cream Parlour and Farmhouse Dairy
Location: Valentia island, Ireland
“Contains dairy & egg. I travelled 2.5 hours to get this ice cream! My aunt was traveling around Ireland a few weeks ago and stumbled upon this ice cream parlor. She has very similar allergies to me. They informed her that the only one with nuts was the pistachio flavor. They make it all by hand every day, and they make the vanilla first thing after they wash the equipment overnight. She was very confident.
So I decided to travel 2.5 hours to get the ice cream too. When I got there I asked about the flavors, etc. I didn’t get as much of knowledge as my aunt got (there is no ingredients list or anything), but I was confident because she had been safe.
The tubs were quite empty, and she was handling the pistachio when we came in. I wasn’t really feeling safe with getting her to wash the spoon or use the same tub, so I politely asked her if there would be another tub (a full one) and she found one! I had to wait a while for it to properly defrost but after it did, she took a new scooper from the cupboard, washed her hands, and washed the scoop. I ended up buying 6 scoops for myself, and it was great. I wished they had more information for the ice cream, but I felt safe. Emily was very accommodating and lovely and made me feel secure. My mum had a milkshake, and we both had coffee. I am very grateful that there is now another place in the world that I had ice cream.”
