Nuts, bread, cheese, pizza– the lot- and it actually pains me to imagine life without them.
I can’t imagine what it feels like to be restricted with what you can eat due to dietary needs, but what I can imagine is how buzzing you’re going to be when you find out how many places you can actually eat at it Manchester.
Turning down dinner dates or feeling like a nuisance is a thing of the past- Manchester is leading the way for a nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free future and you’re the lucky bunch that get to experience it!
3Squared
This little café was the talk of the town when it opened. Understanding that food is key to your energy, physique, cognition, memory, sleep and mood is at the very core of what 3Squared aims to do with its food. It boasts that it doesn’t contain traces of the 9 of the inflammatory ingredients that are renowned to make us ill and cause stress.
This means that refined sugar, gluten, dairy, wheat, hydrogenated fats, artificial sweeteners, peanuts, genetically modified soy products and alcohol are all big no-no’s at 3Squared, but that’s not to say the food isn’t delicious. Expect beautiful breakfasts, salads and small plates with plenty of meat and fish as well as freshly baked goods like Brownies and Banana Bread.
Foodwell
One of Manchester’s newest and coolest food joints, LA-inspired Foodwell in Salford is not only a haven for fresh, healthy food but it’s also the perfect place to dine for people with dietary needs.
The chefs at Foodwell have created several menus that make choices for people with nut allergies and gluten/dairy intolerance clear and easy. There’s no need to ask the waiter if the Seabass and Prawn curry is gluten free because it’s clearly indicated on the menu; the same goes for their Golden Spiced Milk Porridge on the breakfast menu which is vegan, gluten-free but does contain nuts.
Unlike many eateries in Manchester, Foodwell also boasts a fresh, healthy deli that allows every single customer to design their own meal down to the simplest of details. Whether you’re following a low-carb diet or just want to cut down on dairy, choosing the perfect meal for you and your needs has never been simpler- you’ll never have to feel stuck for choice ever again.
Vertigo Plant Based Eatery
There’s nothing purer or more natural than plants, which is why the creators of Vertigo have brought the people of Manchester an entirely plant-based eatery that caters for all people and their needs.
Based on Cross Street near St. Anne’s Square, Vertigo has everything you’d expect on the menu: plenty of avocados, tofu, toasted Sourdough chilli, curry and stew ‘bowls’, fresh crunchy salads and lots of other delicious, healthy meals and snacks.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this little gem is not only heaven for vegans and veggies, but it’s also an absolute go-to if you struggle to eat in most places. I don’t even have any dietary needs and I still want to go!
Sanskruti
With a name like Sanskruti which translates to mean ‘tradition’ and ‘culture’, you can trust you’re going to get a proper Indian curry, that’s for sure. However, if you suffer from any kind of allergy or have specific dietary requirements, tracking down a decent curry that fits the bill isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Fallowfield’s Sanskruti on the other hand, have your back because they specially accommodate for dietary needs. Got a nut allergy? No problem, every dish containing those salty little rascals is labelled on the menu. Like the sound of a vegetarian dish but want it without the dairy? Don’t stress because the amazing chefs at Sanskruti can also adapt loads of their dishes to be vegan-friendly as well. To be honest, anywhere that serves Gluten-free naan bread gets a massive thumbs up from me.
Pieminster
Pies are one of those foods that gluten-intolerant people avoid like the plague because after all, they’re just pure gluten-ridden pastry. Pieminster however- the best pie place on earth- have a special ‘gluten-free’ menu that includes their delicious pies (obviously) and loads of delicious sides including halloumi chips and pigs and blankets.
I’m not even gluten-intolerant but their ‘Catch 22’ pie filled with king scallops, salmon, smoked hake and prawns, served with cheddar mash and peas makes me want to cry tears of joy. For this alone, they deserve a Nobel Prize for deliciousness.
Mowgli’s
Mowgli’s in the Corn Exchange, and more recently at University Green, has a pretty amazing reputation as it stands. But what a lot of people don’t know is they cater for almost every dietary need, especially gluten intolerance, nut allergies and coeliac disease.
As well as their normal menu, they also have a massive gluten-free menu which serves some seriously good dishes including curries, rice dishes, meats and desserts. If diary doesn’t agree with you, they also have an extensive vegan menu that allows people to enjoy a traditional taste of India without the nasty side effects.
If it wasn’t good enough already, Mowgli’s have created an incredibly detailed allergen chart that details every single ingredient in every dish including nuts, sesame, eggs, sulphur, lupin and many more potentially threatening ingredients. If you’re eager to grab a bite but worry you might ingest something that doesn’t agree with you, don’t worry, Mowgli’s has your back.
The Creameries
Chorlton-based restaurant/café, The Creameries, is a leading force when it comes to fresh baking but they also get massive brownie points for paying attention to their customers who may have dietary needs. If you’re one of the unlucky bunch who suffers from Gluten intolerance, eating bread is the stuff of nightmares, am I right?
Well, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t need to be because The Creameries serve plenty of gluten-free breads and meals that won’t make your insides do somersaults. If dairy isn’t your thing either, there are also plenty of Vegan-friendly options on the menu that’ll tickle your taste buds which also includes an irresistible Pear and almond cake and a Flourless chocolate number for you gluten-phobes. There’s literally nothing they don’t do.
