Traveling with Food Allergies: Preparing for My Trip to London

As someone living with food allergies, planning a trip is more than just booking flights and hotels—it's about survival, safety, and peace of mind. With my upcoming journey to London, I want to share how I prepare in hopes that it can help others who deal with similar challenges.

Why Planning Matters When You Have Food Allergies

Traveling is exciting, but it comes with risks for people with allergies. Cross-contamination, vague menus, and language barriers can turn a simple meal into a source of anxiety. That’s why I take time before every trip to:

• Research restaurant menus in advance

• Contact venues about allergens

• Plan my meals around “safe foods”

• Pack backup food just in case

Now, let me walk you through my London itinerary and how I’ve prepared for each day.

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Day 1: Arrival & Dinner at Franco Manca

 Franco Manca This place stood out for its advanced allergen filter on their website. I entered my allergens and was relieved to see I had multiple safe pizza options—pizza is one of my reliable, go-to meals. Feeling confident and reassured, this will be my dinner spot on day one.

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Day 2: Garden Museum Café

 Garden Museum Café This charming café doesn’t list allergens on their website, but I emailed them on May 8th and got a friendly, helpful reply:

“We never have sesame in the kitchen, and though some dishes may contain nuts or eggs, there will be plenty of adaptable options. Just flag your allergies when booking.”—Chris from the Garden Café

I'll book a table and talk with staff on arrival. This proactive communication gave me peace of mind.

Pricing:

• Mains around £25

• Snacks (focaccia, bread & butter) under £5

Dinner at Coppa Club, Tower Bridge

 Coppa Club Their menu isn’t fully detailed with allergens, but I spotted several of my usual safe choices:

• Margarita pizza

• Steak

• Salmon & beetroot salad

Since it's not completely allergy-transparent, I’ll ask about cross-contamination onsite—especially regarding couscous dishes.

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Day 3: Tower of London Visit

New Armouries Café Details here Unfortunately, no detailed allergen info is available. Photos suggest a buffet setup—high risk for contamination.

Plan:I’ll bring my own food (homemade muffins or scones), grab a coffee, and focus on enjoying the Tower without stressing over the café options.

Dinner Near Leadenhall Market

Boom Bap Burger Website No allergen info online, so I sent them an email to ask. Burgers can be tricky with hidden allergens in buns, sauces, and spices. If I don’t get a reassuring reply, I’ll skip it.

Backup Plan:

• Home Slice Pizza – Classic Margarita slice for £5

• Cook dinner back at the apartment

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Day 4: Hyde Park & Serpentine Café

Website: Serpentine Bar & Kitchen Menu shows nutrition scores, but no allergen info. From browsing, I may try the Greek salad—will double-check at the counter.

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Day 5: Chinatown & The Keeper’s House

• Chinatown Bakery: No clear allergy info; will likely avoid baked goods unless I can get clarity on ingredients.

• The Keeper’s House (Royal Academy): Affordable menu, but again no allergy transparency—I'll decide based on gut feeling and questions I ask onsite.

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Groceries & Cooking at the Apartment

To cut risks and costs, I’m planning most breakfasts and some dinners in our rental apartment. Near us are:

• Iceland – My main base for simple, packaged ingredients

• M&S and Lidl – I’ll check both and choose based on quality and labeling

I’m also packing a few dehydrated allergy-safe meals, just in case.

Final Thoughts

Planning trips with food allergies is an art and a commitment—but it's 100% worth it. By contacting restaurants ahead of time, researching menus, and having safe backups, I can spend more time enjoying the trip and less time worrying about food.

If you’re traveling with allergies too, remember: you are your best advocate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, send emails, and bring your own food when needed.

Safe travels to all my fellow allergy warriors 💛