Best Gluten-Free Restaurants and Cafes in Aberdeen
Words by
Charlotte Davies
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants and Aberdeen: A Local Guide by Charlotte Davies
Aberdeen has undergone a quiet revolution when it comes to eating out without gluten. Ten years ago, mentioning coeliac disease to a waiter here would often earn you a blank stare or a reluctant plate of plain salad. Today, the city hosts some of the most dedicated gluten free restaurants in Aberdeen, places built not as afterthoughts but as fully committed kitchens where wheat never crosses the threshold. I have spent the past three years eating my way through every single one of these spots, sometimes multiple visits in a week, because once you find a kitchen that truly understands cross contamination, the relief of never having to ask "is this really safe?" changes everything about eating out in a port city that runs on hospitality.
Walk down Union Street on a Saturday morning and you will see coffee queues stretching past doorways. Yet it is away from that main drag, down quieter residential streets and converted Victorian buildings, where the best dining in this category quietly thrives. This guide covers the places I return to, the ones I recommend to friends who have just moved here, and the spots that understand gluten intolerance is not a trend, but a medical reality.
The Gluten-Free Kitchen on Frederick Street
A Frederick Street institution that rebuilt everything for coeliac safety
The Gluten-Free Kitchen sits on Frederick Street, tucked between a barber shop and a secondhand book dealer. This is the only 100% gluten free kitchen in the city centre, and I have been eating here since it first opened under its original ownership. The menu here is extensive enough that you would never guess every single item is built from a fully dedicated wheat free environment. Their fish and chips, battered with a rice flour and cornstarch blend, arrive golden and satisfying in a way that makes you forget what you are missing in the first place.
On my last visit, a Tuesday afternoon in early March, I ordered the breakfast stack, which comes loaded with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, avocado, and hollandaise, and the woman at the next table was visibly emotional because she had not been able to eat a proper breakfast out in years without getting sick. That is what this place does. The team trains every staff member on cross contamination protocols, and the owner's own daughter is coeliac, so the entire operation runs on personal understanding rather than policy alone.
Weekday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm are ideal because the lunch rush clears out and you can actually hear yourself think. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to fill up fast, especially on weeks when there is a show at His Majesty's Theatre just around the corner.
Local Insider Tip: If you go on a Wednesday morning, ask for the "Kitchen Sink Stack." It is not listed on any printed menu. The chef throws in whatever looks best from the morning market run. Locals know to ask for it by name, and you will never get the same plate twice.
Irritatingly, the outdoor bench seating along Frederick Street catches the worst of the wind coming off Union Street, so I always choose the back corner table near the kitchen. That is my chair. It feels like eating in someone's actual kitchen, which is exactly the point.
Cafe MOI on Union Street
Gluten free living rooms and wheat free dining Aberdeen's city centre needs
Cafe MOI operates just off Union Street, inside the Bon Accord Centre area, and has been refining its approach to gluten free options for several years now. This is not a dedicated gluten free kitchen, so if you are highly reactive, you need to communicate that clearly when ordering. However, the staff here are well trained on allergen protocols, and the owner personally checks every substitution request. Everything from their club sandwiches to their soup of the day can be prepared gluten free upon request.
Their Caesar salad, made with a house dressing that contains no wheat-based thickeners, has become a regular order for me. On my most recent trip, a rainy Thursday in late February, I sat near the window overlooking the food court and watched the lunch crowd filter through. The art on the walls rotates monthly and features local Aberdonian artists, which gives the space a sense of community that goes well beyond food.
I recommend visiting mid-morning on weekdays when the centre is quieter. Saturdays post-11am bring a noticeable spike in families, and the allergen order process can slow down during peak periods, so patience is needed.
Local Insider Tip: Ask your server for the "coeliac menu." It is not listed separately, but the manager keeps a laminated allergen card at the counter that flags every dish that can be prepared safely. Most walk-in customers never see it unless they specifically request it, which is why those in the know always ask before they sit down.
The desserts are where Cafe MOI struggles a bit. Fewer options are reliably gluten free, so if you are coming specifically for cake, you may want to look elsewhere. That said, the warm drink selection is excellent, and the baristas are skilled at producing a flat white that holds its temperature even in the centre's slightly aggressive air conditioning.
Mackies of Aberdeen on Beechgrove
Generational ice cream craft meets coeliac friendly Aberdeen
Mackies is a name that resonates across Aberdeenshire. Operating since 1926, this family business produces ice cream, chocolate, and confections from their base near the Beechgrove area. Their retail outlet carries a remarkable range of gluten free ice cream flavours, and because the factory maintains strict allergen labelling, everything is clearly marked. The raspberry ripple and honeycomb options are safe, and the staff are forthcoming about which products may carry traces for those with extreme sensitivities.
I visited on a bitterly cold Wednesday in January, the kind of day where you wonder why anyone would voluntarily order ice cream in the North Sea air. I went anyway, because that is what you do when a local institution has been doing this for nearly a century. The ice cream has a dense, rich quality that factory mass production cannot replicate. A single scoop in a cup with a flake costs around £3, and the portions are generous.
Local Insider Tip: Drive out to the main farm and production site near Rothienorman if you have access to a car. The farm shop there stocks exclusive flavours that never make it into the city centre retail spots, and the staff are happy to walk you through their full allergen matrix at the counter. It is 20 minutes' drive northwest but worth every mile.
This experience connects directly to Aberdeen's agricultural identity. Unlike city-only chains, Mackies sources milk from local herds, and the supply chain is transparent enough that you can trace your ice cream back to the field. For anyone navigating gluten restrictions in a region known for hearty, dairy-rich Scottish fare, Mackies proves that indulgence and safety can coexist.
One Pot Events Cafe in the West End
Wheat free dining Aberdeen, served alongside community art
One Pot Events operates a small cafe space in the West End, and what makes this place stand out is its dual identity as a community arts venue and food space. The kitchen operates with full allergen awareness, and gluten free items are clearly marked on their menu boards. Their soup and bread combinations are the main draw, and they bake a daily gluten free loaf that is dense, slightly nutty, and comes with house-made butter.
On my last visit, a grey Saturday afternoon in early April, the room was hosting a small acoustic set from a local musician while a rotating display of community-made pottery lined the shelves. My table wobbled slightly on the uneven Victorian floorboards, which somehow added to the atmosphere. I ordered a bowl of the roasted tomato and red pepper soup with a thick slice of their gluten free bread. It was deeply satisfying, the kind of meal that settles into you on a cold Scottish afternoon.
The best time to visit is between noon and 2pm on weekdays when the cafe runs its daytime service without an evening event competing for attention. Evenings tend to shift toward private functions, so check their social media schedule before turning up after 6pm.
Local Insider Tip: The seasonal fruit crumble, available on weekends, is prepared in a separate gluten free section of the kitchen and is the reason many West End regulars return weekly. It comes served with Mackies ice cream, creating one of the best coeliac friendly Aberdeen dessert combinations I know of.
The one downside is the single toilet, which has a queuing problem when the space fills up. If you visit during a Saturday event, expect a wait for the bathroom that rivals the wait for food.
Foodstory on Belmont Street
Plant-based brilliance with gluten free cafes Aberdeen pride themselves on
Foodstory is a plant-forward eatery on Belmont Street that has earned a loyal following for its whole-food approach. While not exclusively gluten free, the menu is designed around naturally gluten free ingredients, with rice bowls, salads, and soups forming the backbone of every dish. The team is approachable and knowledgeable, and the owner, who has a background in nutrition science, personally trains the kitchen staff.
I first discovered Foodstory during a walk along Belmont Street when the smell of their house-made bone broth wafted out onto the pavement. Since then, I have returned at least twice a month. On my most recent visit, a Wednesday evening in March, I ordered the miso-roasted sweet potato bowl with pickled cabbage, edamame, and a tahini dressing. The plate was massive, piping hot, and completely wheat free. The lighting is warm, the music is low, and the pace is relaxed, making it a good choice for solo dining.
Lunchtime between 11:30am and 1pm brings a noticeable surge of office workers from nearby Union Street businesses. For a calmer experience, I prefer arriving at 2pm when you can take your time without feeling the pressure of a queue forming behind you.
Local Insider Tip: Join the Foodstory loyalty app before your first visit. It is free, and on your third visit, you receive a complimentary upgrade to their large-size bowl option, which is normally a £2 supplement. Regulars on the app also get early notice of seasonal specials, several of which are entirely gluten free.
Belmont Street itself is worth exploring on either side. The independent shops and proximity to the Aberdeen Arts Centre make this a natural endpoint for an afternoon spent walking the city's cultural strips. Foodstory fits perfectly into that rhythm.
Moonfish Cafe on Merchant Street
Fine dining that takes coeliac dining seriously
Moonfish Cafe sits on Merchant Street, in the heart of Aberdeen's historic merchant quarter, and is arguably the most technically accomplished restaurant on this list. Chef Michael Robertson runs a kitchen that earns a dedicated address on any serious food map of Aberdeen north of Edinburgh. The tasting menu changes monthly, and they offer a fully coeliac-safe tasting experience with advance notice.
I booked my first Moonfish experience in autumn last year, after a friend who works in the local food scene insisted I call ahead and declare my dietary requirements. The restaurant takes this seriously enough that they ask you to confirm allergen needs at the time of booking, and the kitchen prepares a separate set of ingredients from the moment your reservation is logged. On the night of my visit, the fish course, a delicate piece of hand-dived scallop with fermented apple and celeriac puree, was a dish I still think about. Every component was gluten free without compromise, without substitution that felt like concession.
The service is polished but warm, and the sommelier paired a Burgundy white with my seafood course that elevated the entire meal. This is not a cheap night out. Expect to pay upward of £85 per person for the tasting menu with wine pairings, but the experience is worth it for a special occasion.
Local Insider Tip: Ask to be seated at the five-seat counter along the back wall of the dining room. It overlooks the open kitchen and the chef occasionally explains what he is doing with each course. If you mention your coeliac status when booking, the team will prepare a gluten free bread roll to accompany the amuse-bouche, a small but telling gesture of care that most restaurants at this price point overlook.
The Merchant Street location places Moonfish in one of Aberdeen's oldest trading streets, lined with buildings that once housed merchants dealing in wool, fish, and grain, ironically. The building retains original stonework and arched doorways that connect the present dining experience to the city's mercantile bones.
Triplekirks on Schoolhill
A converted church turned into gluten free cafes Aberdeen can gather in
The Triplekirks development on Schoolhill sits on a site with deep religious and architectural history, and the commercial spaces within it have become home to several food and drink businesses. Among them, the cafe operating within the converted church space has quietly built a reputation for catering to dietary restrictions. Their morning rolls can be prepared on gluten free bread, and the soup rotation features at least one naturally gluten free option every day.
I visited on a damp Monday morning in November, and the interior, with its high ceilings and repurposed stained glass, feels far removed from a standard high street cafe. The acoustics are interesting, voices carry in a way that makes you aware of the building's original purpose. I sat near the window with a cappuccino and a gluten free smoked salmon bagel, watching the rain streak down the old glass. The coffee is roasted locally, and the barista clearly knows what they are doing.
The best time to visit is mid-morning on weekdays, before the lunch rush and after the early commuter wave. The space is large enough that it rarely feels cramped, but the acoustics amplify noise when it fills up, so quieter times are preferable for conversation.
Local Insider Tip: The building's original crypt level, accessible via a side staircase near the entrance, occasionally hosts pop-up food events. These are announced on the Triplekirks social media pages and often feature local gluten free bakers and producers. I discovered a gluten free brownie maker at one of these events who now supplies several cafes across the city.
The Schoolhill location connects to Aberdeen's broader story of adaptive reuse. The city has repurposed many of its older buildings rather than demolishing them, and the Triplekirks is one of the most striking examples. Eating here feels like participating in that ongoing conversation between past and present.
The Bothie on Holburn Street
Wheat free dining Aberdeen, served in a neighbourhood pub setting
The Bothie is a neighbourhood bar and kitchen on Holburn Street that has been steadily improving its gluten free offerings over the past two years. This is not a dedicated gluten free space, so communication with staff is essential, but the kitchen manager has coeliac disease personally, which means the protocols are driven by lived experience rather than corporate policy. The menu features a dedicated gluten free section that includes burgers on gluten free buns, loaded fries, and a Thai green curry that is naturally wheat free.
I visited on a Friday evening in February, and the atmosphere was exactly what you want from a local pub, warm, slightly loud, with a mix of after-work drinkers and families. I ordered the gluten free burger, which arrived on a brioche-style bun that held together properly, a detail that sounds minor until you have experienced the structural failures that plague many gluten free burger buns. The chips were cooked in a dedicated fryer, confirmed by the server without hesitation.
The best time to visit is early evening, between 5pm and 7pm, before the Friday and Saturday night rush transforms the space into a louder, more crowded affair. Sunday afternoons are also pleasant, with a more relaxed pace and the option of sitting in the small beer garden at the back.
Local Insider Tip: The kitchen prepares a gluten free version of their Sunday roast on request, but you need to call at least 24 hours in advance. It is not advertised, and most walk-in customers are unaware it exists. The roast potatoes are cooked separately in oil that has not touched any wheat-based batter, and the Yorkshire puddings are replaced with a gluten free alternative that is surprisingly good.
Holburn Street itself is a residential artery that most tourists never see, running west from the city centre through a stretch of Victorian terraces and independent shops. The Bothie anchors a small cluster of local businesses that give this stretch its character, and eating here feels like being let into a part of Aberdeen that does not appear in guidebooks.
When to Go and What to Know
Aberdeen's food scene operates on Scottish timing, which means lunch is typically served from noon to 2:30pm and dinner from 5:30pm onward. Many smaller kitchens close between lunch and dinner service, so if you are planning an afternoon meal, check opening hours in advance. The city centre is walkable, but the West End and Holburn Street areas are best reached by bus or a short taxi ride from Union Street.
Coeliac awareness in Aberdeen has improved dramatically, but it is still worth carrying a chef card that explains your dietary needs in clear terms. Most kitchens will respond well to direct communication, and the places on this list have all demonstrated genuine understanding of cross contamination risks. If you are visiting during the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in summer or the festive season in December, book ahead. These are peak periods, and gluten free preparation requires advance notice at non-dedicated kitchens.
The weather will affect your experience. Aberdeen is one of the windiest cities in the UK, and outdoor seating at any of these venues is only viable between May and September, if then. Plan for indoor seating and bring a warm layer even in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in Aberdeen safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
Tap water in Aberdeen is safe to drink and is supplied by Scottish Water, which meets UK regulatory standards. The water comes primarily from the River Dee and is treated at the Invercannie water treatment works. No additional filtration is necessary for visitors.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen has a growing number of plant-based and vegan-friendly eateries, with at least 10 dedicated or heavily plant-focused venues operating in the city centre and surrounding neighborhoods as of 2024. Most mainstream restaurants now include clearly marked vegan options on their menus, and the Belmont Street and West End areas have the highest concentration of plant-based choices.
Is Aberdeen expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler should budget approximately £80 to £120 per day, covering a mid-range hotel room (£60 to £90), two meals at casual restaurants (£25 to £40), local transport (£5 to £10), and a modest activity or entry fee. Fine dining experiences like a tasting menu can push the daily total above £150, while self-catering and pub meals can bring it closer to £60.
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Aberdeen is famous for?
Aberdeen is best known for the Aberdeen Angus beef, a breed originating from the surrounding region and now recognized worldwide. Locally sourced steaks and burgers made from Aberdeen Angus cattle appear on menus across the city, and several butchers in the Castlegate and Market Street areas sell it directly. The rowie, a traditional Aberdeen butteries, a salty, flaky bread roll, is another local staple, though it is not gluten free.
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen has no strict dress codes for casual dining, and smart casual attire is acceptable at most restaurants. Fine dining venues like Moonfish may expect slightly more polished clothing, but formal wear is unnecessary. Tipping at 10% is customary but not obligated, and Scots generally appreciate direct, polite communication when ordering, particularly when discussing dietary requirements.
Enjoyed this guide? Support the work
