Let's start with probably the biggest one out of the three, Costa, they are everywhere! Getting something savoury has always been a chore at Costa, I have lost count of how many times they have discontinued their gluten free sandwiches! So let's have a look at the offering as of right now (June 2025)
Food
When it comes to food, at the moment they have a mozzarella, pesto and red pepper gluten free toastie in, this is cooked in the packet it is sold in to prevent cross contamination, the packet is never opened until the consumer opens it to eat. So at least that's one lunch option!
For snacks their crisps are gluten free, as are the fruit pots some stores have at the moment. By the tills you will also find wrapped gluten free brownies, millionaires shortbread and flapjack. These options do vary, some branches carry them all, others only one of them. At Christmas you usually get a gluten free mince pie in there too and on occasion they have been known to have gluten free Bakewell tarts as well.
Drinks
On the drinks side with Costa (and the other chains) it is best to act with caution. They use oat milk which is not gluten free as one of their dairy free milk alternatives. Costa will advise that not all drinks can be deemed safe due to the steam wand potentially being contaminated by the oat milk.
However, dependant on branch you can ask them to clean it down in which they will wipe and blast the steam down it. It is your choice if you want to risk drinks that use the steam wand though.
The following drinks DON'T require the steam wand and are safe as of June 2025
Americano
Espresso
Teas
Most of the frappes (double check any of the specials as toppings may not be safe, but the standard strawberry, chocolate and salted caramel are all fine. They can also do these using dairy free milks which are done in a separate blender jug)
Refresher drinks (currently in Dragon Fruit or Strawberry and Watermelon flavours)
Pink or still lemonade
Ice Tea
Flavoured or standard tea
Fruit coolers
If you choose to risk the steam wand and ask them to clean it, hot chocolate and other coffees such as cappuccino and latte will also be ok.
Menu's do change seasonally so do remember to check the Costas menu and allergen guide where you can filter out any that contain gluten.
For me Caffe Nero is one of the least frequented coffee shops, mainly because I don't have one near and just usually end up at Costa. However, while in Manchester a couple weeks ago I ended up in one, whilst still rubbish for gluten free there was at least some choice.
Food
Food options are similar to Costa, to the point I wonder if they have the same suppliers. Caffe Nero do a gluten free toastie which is cooked the same was as Costas, making it safe for Coeliacs, it is also the same flavour too, mozzarella and pesto. Caffe Nero have had it in over a year now though, which I never knew so they can't have shouted about it all that much!
Again like Costa, they also do fruit pots and prepacked brownie and flapjack, very imaginative, but at least it's an option. They also usually stock Eat Natural bars, Kettle Chip crisps and popcorn bags which are gluten free too.
Their soup without the roll is usually gluten free too.
Drinks
Like Costa again, there is the same potential issue with the steam wand and contamination, if you ask they can clean it. I have heard some branches use a separate steam wand for oat milk but you'd have to check each branch. They have a choice of cows milk, coconut, soya and almond that are gluten free similar to Costa.
If avoiding the steam wand you still have plenty of drink choices.
Any coffee which don't use the steam wand such as americano's
Teas
Frappes
Iced Americanos
Iced Matcha Teas
Milkshake
Fruit Boosters
Spritz
If you are happy to risk the steam wand then you can also add coffees with frothed milk such as lattes, hot chocolate, mochas, caramelettes
If I'm honest, looking at the allergen guide for now (June 2025) there are no gluten containing drinks EXCEPT those using oat milk, none of the bases or toppings of any current drink contain gluten at all.
Again, remember options change all the time and to check the allergen list on Caffe Neros website
In my opinion, the worst of the three when it comes to gluten free. Not sure what else I can say! Let's delve in and have a look.
Food
Well....fresh air? There isn't a whole lot! Few years back they did a panini gluten free, cooked like the toastie in Costa and Caffe Nero, but that's disappeared, Many moons back they did a gluten free brownie which they'd happily get wrapped from the back but that went a long long time ago too.
So what's left? Egg bites are gluten free, if you are lucky enough to find a branch that has them, not all of them do.
Their gluten free fruit and nut flapjack is made with gluten free oats but IS NOT coeliac safe as the allergen guide states (and is quite obvious in branches) they use same utensils for handling of cakes, so cross contamination is an issue with it - I don't know why they can't get a wrapped one like the other two so Coeliacs at least have some kind of cakey option.
Looks like we're living on Kettle crisps as that is the only option they have that is definitely gluten free.
Drinks
With drinks you have the same steam wand issue because of oat milk contamination. Again you can ask them to clean it.
Coffees without frothed milk
Teas
Iced Teas
Iced Coffee
Refresha Drinks
Frappuchinos except cookie and cream
Plus if you are risking steam wand then again frothed coffees and hot chocolates are ok there too. Remember to double check and toppings especially on specials.
The menu changes all the time so these were the options as of June 2025, but you can check the allergens online on whatever drinks and food options are available.
Personally, out of the three I think Costa and Caffe Nero have the better choice, even though it's still not a huge range, Starbucks have just fallen well behind. Where do you frequent most and what would you love to see these big high street chains introduce for gluten free people?