Birmingham Christmas Market Gluten Free Guide: Coeliac Friendly Food Across the City

On the 27th November, mum and I decided to take a trip to Birmingham Christmas Markets, I didn't go specifically to see what was gluten free but of course I still had to have a nosy! So what gluten free delights did I find? Well, not a whole lot but there are a few things...be prepared to visit one of the chain restaurants if you want something decent close to the market for a savoury meal though!

Oh and make sure to visit Selfridges...more on that further down.

Christmas Market

Over by the cathedral (Pigeon Park) there are a few things you can have a nosy at. I found gluten free pork scratchings off the pork bap stall, nothing else we could have on there but the pork scratchings were all bagged up and ok, we ate a bag while walking round!

I also found the delightful Wicked Cookies on there too, they do a whole range of gluten free cookies so that was a pleasant surprise. Their gluten free snickerdoodles are amazing!

It wasn't there when I went, I believe they aren't back until the 14th December, but Poets gluten free bakery can also be found by the cathedral, when they are there, for more gluten free goodies. They are 100% gluten free and have a variety of cakes, flapjacks and brownies.

On here I also found Cherry Tree jams and chutneys they were pretty much all gluten free and had some delightful flavours, I tried a few different curds and came away with a delicious lemon and lime curd.

On Victoria Square I got Baileys hot choc (or cold choc as the case was) off one for the drinks stands as this was gluten free and the chocolate fruit/marshmallow stand was fine too. We both had fruit skewers but they also had choc covered marshmallows, apples and toffee apples which all looked to be gluten free too.

I didn't personally ask but seem a few people mention on social media that the bratwursts are apparently also gluten free, if you have without the bun, on all the bratwurst stands. So maybe take your own bun if you don't want to walk around with just a sausage. I'd also be wary of cross contamination though I have heard that some staff have been changing gloves so a good sign they are taking contamination seriously.

That was literally everything I managed to find on the markets, so not a whole lot of gluten free choice on there. Let me know if you have spotted anything else if you have visited!

Not technically part of the market, but only there until Christmas, in the Bullring you can also find Chocolate Workshop, all their chocolates are usually gluten free and incredibly lifelike so worth checking out for xmas pressies.

There are more options all over the city though so you are still sure to be able to get some grub from somewhere.

Selfridges
There are a few options for gluten free in Selfridges, some temporary and some more permanent.

At the moment you will find Borough22 doughnuts but only until end of December. They are entirely gluten free and are the best gluten free doughnuts. Beware the ones they are doing contain gluten free oats, if you need them free of gluten free oats you need to order online.

Lolas cupcakes have a range of gluten free boxed cupcakes in their display stand. These are always available there and in other Lola's cupcakes stores which are mostly in London.

Eds Diner is usually a decent option for a gluten free burger or ribs, not been in years but they still do gluten free options.

Bullring
Elsewhere in the Bullring you can find some chains which are great for gluten free options including:

• Nandos who have gluten free options such as all their standard chicken, chips, mash and other sides.
• Costa who have their gluten free toastie at the moment
• Bills who have a fabulous gluten free menu
• Pizza Express who do gluten free pizza bases
• Wagamama who do some gluten free options but beware as they now only have a few choices

Grand Central
In New Street Station/Grand Central you will also find Pho and Leon - both great options for Coeliacs.

Pho is almost entirely gluten free and fantastic for Coeliacs, Leon does amazing gluten free rice boxes and chicken nuggets. Both are great options to choose.

There is also a Mowgli who were great for gluten free but they have been issues with suppliers of the spices and there is very little suitable for Coeliacs at the moment due to contamination at factory level so I would be careful if you decide to choose there to eat.

There is also a Caffe Nero on the station which have a gluten free toastie which is where we decided to eat, like M&S and Costa, their gluten free toastie is toasted in the bag so it isn't subjected to cross contamination. It was the first time I have had one and I actually quite enjoyed it considering tomato, mozzarella and pesto wouldn't be a flavour I'd usually choose.

Other places around the city
Of course there are other places around the city too, Grand Central Kitchen is just across from the station and is apparently great for gluten free, it was queued up when we went though so didn't get to try.

There are also other chains such as Fat Hippo, Pieminster and Cosy Club which all have gluten free menus, so there are plenty of options to get food in and around the city.

You can find other eateries within Birmingham in my where to eat guide. in this guide there are over 3k places all over the UK who cater to coeliacs and gluten free diets, over 50 of these places sit with the West Midlands area. If you know of anywhere not on the guide please put it though as a recommendation.