The best gluten-free restaurants in Brighton

On Hove's Western Road, The Coconut Island brings a slice of Sri Lanka to Brighton with traditional dishes, reggae tunes and fruity cocktails. The menu pays homage to Sri Lankan street food, including hoppers, curries and kothu. A big chunk of the dishes are gluten-free thanks to the country's naturally rice- and coconut-based cooking, so it's a great shout if you're avoiding gluten without wanting to miss out on flavour. 

Just off St George's Road in Kemptown, Nanima Asian Kitchen serves pan-Asian dishes that change daily. The menu spans across regions, featuring dishes such as Thai red chicken curry, Malaysian chilli lamb, and Sri Lankan spinach with coconut milk. Everything is cooked fresh on-site, including a nice range of gluten-free options alongside vegan and vegetarian dishes. The space has a relaxed, community feel, more like a Brighton café than a formal restaurant, and the focus on sustainable packaging and local ingredients only makes it that little more appealing.

Etch sits on Church Road, towards Hove, and is Steven Edwards' Michelin-recommended tasting menu restaurant. The sleek, low-lit room, set inside a former bank, has just 12 tables and an open kitchen that keeps things exciting. The monthly-changing menu leans heavily on Sussex produce and modern British flavours, and the team can offer a full wheat-free version of the tasting menu on request. It's polished, relaxed, and one for a proper occasion.

Mowgli on Brighton's Dukes Lane serves Indian street food with an entirely separate gluten-free menu, featuring dishes like Goan fish curry, treacle tamarind fries and butter chicken. The inside is adorned with hanging lights, wooden tables and an open kitchen where you can see the chefs working their magic.

Bringing a touch of the Aegean to Brighton's Lanes, Vios is a lovely little spot inspired by the Greek heritage of its founders. The menu celebrates simple, seasonal ingredients through daily-baked pastries, fresh salads, yoghurt bowls, and colourful meze plates, all paired with carefully sourced coffee or a glass of Greek wine. The space feels calm, and many of the dishes are naturally gluten-free, making it an easy choice for GF dining all day long.

Right in Brighton's city centre, Moshimo is a modern Japanese restaurant with a loyal following for its sushi, sashimi, and small plates. The focus is on sustainable sourcing and plant-based options, and there's plenty for gluten-free diners too, with gluten-free soy sauce used throughout the menu. From conveyor-belt sushi to omakase-style platters and a few Japanese-inspired burgers, there's loads to choose from.

In the middle of Brighton's Lanes, Embers is all about wood fire and theatre. The space revolves around a medieval-style fire cage, where the kitchen turns out smoky sharing plates, like charred vegetables, grilled meat, and punchy sauces, alongside cocktails that go a bit beyond the usual classics. The vibe is warm, lively, and great for groups or dates. Most dishes are naturally gluten-free or have GF alternatives, though the team avoid making guarantees due to cross-contamination risks. However, they're still very accommodating and used to working with GF diners.

Kindling keeps things simple: great beef, cooked over natural charcoal, in a relaxed North Laine dining room. The menu sticks to steaks, burgers, and grilled sides, all made with quality British produce. Most steaks and many sides are gluten-free by nature, and the team are used to guiding diners through safe options. Since its 2024 reopening, Kindling has settled into an easygoing vibe, making it a cracking choice for date nights, roasts, or a quick midweek lunch with smoky dishes front and centre.

This chic Hove spot brings a little Spanish sunshine to Church Road, serving small plates like gambas pil pil, sardines, and porchetta alongside an excellent wine list heavy on Spanish bodegas and natural bottles. The room is intimate and buzzy, with counter seating and tiny tables made for date nights or longer dinners. While much of the menu naturally avoids gluten, the team no longer labels dishes as GF due to cross-contamination rules. They're still happy to guide gluten-free diners and offer alternatives where possible.

Tutto sits right in the heart of Brighton and serves Italian food, including a dedicated gluten-free menu that features plenty of variety, from risotto milanese with venison to scallops with 'nduja butter and salsa verde. Inside, it's all high ceilings, warm light and wooden tables that make it feel relaxed but a little bit special. It's a popular spot for those looking for Italian food that caters well to gluten-free diets without compromising on flavour or presentation.

Right in the heart of Brighton's North Laine, Tinto Taperia serves up classic Spanish dishes in a relaxed, buzzy setting just steps from the Theatre Royal. The menu covers all the tapas essentials – think patatas bravas, gambas pil pil, tortilla and made-to-order paella – alongside a strong list of Spanish wines, gins and sherries. There are plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options too, and if the sun's out, the front terrace is the perfect spot to sit back and watch the North Laine go by.

Fatto a Mano has become a Brighton institution since opening its first pizzeria in 2015, now with outposts across the city and in London. The focus is proper Neapolitan-style pizza, with dough proved for at least 24 hours before being fired at 450 degrees for that soft, chewy crust. Gluten-free dough is available, made in-house by hand, although it's worth noting that it's not suitable for coeliacs, as pizzas are cooked in the same oven as the regular ones.