London with Allergies: A Surprisingly Safe and Delicious Adventure

A cloudy day frames the iconic Tower Bridge in London as visitors gather in the nearby park, embracing the city's signature rainy weather.

In my previous blog post, I wrote about all the preparation I did before traveling to London as someone with food allergies. I had reviewed restaurant menus online, contacted a few places in advance, and checked local grocery store assortments to make sure I’d be able to eat safely. And I have to say—it all paid off. What I found in London truly surprised me in the best way.

Grocery Stores: Clear Labels and Fewer Warnings

Right from the start, grocery shopping in London was easier than I expected. Most products had clear and accurate allergen labeling. Compared to Belgium, where I live, I found fewer vague “may contain nuts” warnings, especially on cookies and pastries. It seemed like there are simply fewer nut-based items in everyday bakery products. For me, that was excellent news! I even found Purbeck Ice Cream, a brand with no nuts and no eggs—an incredible treat I didn’t expect.

Enjoying a sunny day with a scoop of nut and egg-free ice cream, perfectly creamy and safe for all to savor.

Home-Cooked Comfort

We stayed in an apartment, so we prepared breakfast and dinner ourselves, which made it easy to control what I ate. Everything was safe and, honestly, really tasty. But we also had some great experiences dining out for lunch.

Safe and Friendly Restaurants

On our first day, we visited The Garden Café, where I enjoyed a delicious bread with butter and cured meat, along with a big cappuccino. The bread was very good quality, and the whole atmosphere was relaxed and allergy-aware.

The next day, we grabbed sweet treats at the Tower cafeteria, and to my amazement, the scones were nut- and egg-free. I double-checked with the staff, and they confirmed that they don’t use nuts in their kitchen—which honestly felt unbelievable. Not only were they informed, but their attitude was kind and reassuring, which made the experience even better.

Later that day, we had lunch at Coppa Club by Tower Bridge. I had mentioned my allergies when booking, and the staff was fully prepared. They served me a safe and tasty Pizza Margarita, and I felt completely supported throughout.

A Few Bumps, But Still Manageable

One place that wasn’t ideal was the Natural History Museum café. There were no allergen labels, but oddly enough, signs about environmental footprint were everywhere—funny in a way. I did manage to find some safe crisps and coffee, but the coffee wasn’t great.

Speaking of coffee—cappuccinos are usually tricky for me, since steamers often get contaminated with nut milks. But in London, I rarely saw nut milk options. Most places offered soy and oat milk, which are fine for me, so I felt safer than usual ordering my favorite drink.

The Mudlark: Going the Extra Mile

One of the standout experiences was at The Mudlark pub. The staff was exceptional. They gave me a detailed allergen list, and my steak ciabatta with fries came with flagged plating and separate utensils—a first for me! I felt seen and protected, which is unfortunately still rare when dining out.

Final Thoughts: It Doesn’t Take Much, But It Matters

This trip to London reminded me that with proper systems, trained staff, and a bit of awareness, dining out with allergies can be not just safe—but joyful. It made me a bit sad that this level of care is still not the norm everywhere. It truly doesn’t cost much to implement clear labeling and basic allergen protocols in restaurants. In the UK, it seems like there’s a cultural attitude that supports this—and it made a real difference in my experience.

Now, I’m preparing for my summer holidays, and I’ll be discovering new places again. I look forward to sharing more allergy-safe travel tips with you soon!