My Gluten-Free Kitchen

Gibraltar is full of restaurants, cafes, and bars, but this little rock can sometimes lag behind when it comes to accommodating allergies or intolerances. That’s why I have a few go-to places on my list where I can eat without stress.

My favorite spot for a weekend lunch is Queensway Quay. The tranquil setting feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Ocean Village or the Saturday chaos in town.

Since I’m more likely to read a book while waiting for my lunch than to strike up a conversation with everyone who passes by, the peace and quiet of Queensway Quay suits me perfectly.

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Rendezvous Chargrill: A Perfect Wedding Venue and Gluten-Free Delight

At the top of my list is our beautiful wedding venue—Rendezvous Chargrill. Nestled in the picturesque and serene Queensway Quay, Rendezvous has been a favorite of mine for years, even before my dietary requirements became complicated.

As you might expect from a restaurant with “Chargrill” in the name, the menu leans heavily towards carnivorous options, but there are plenty of choices for those who follow a vegetarian or pescatarian diet.

While there’s no dedicated gluten-free menu, all dishes are prepared on-site, and the staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and more than happy to double-check with the kitchen or offer helpful suggestions. I’ve never been steered wrong here, and with such high-quality food on offer, it was a no-brainer when we were planning our wedding.

The only downside is that the allergen information isn’t always super clear on the menu. However, the waiting staff, managers, and kitchen team are so accommodating and eager to adapt to dietary needs that I’ve always felt safe dining here.

For an evening meal, my go-to dishes are Bertha’s BBQ Ribs (yes, the sauce is gluten-free, and yes, I double-check every time) and the Secreto Iberico. If cross-contamination is a concern, you can easily substitute boiled potatoes for the fries on the side.

For something lighter, the Buddha bowl with chicken or the avocado and prawn salad are both delicious options. Rendezvous also offers a varied breakfast menu, with the option to switch out bread for a gluten-free alternative.

The menu is extensive, and the staff are brilliant and understanding, so if there’s something you’re unsure about, it’s always worth asking!

From A La Carte to a Wedding Feast

I can’t talk about Rendezvous without mentioning our gorgeous wedding menu. When we started planning our wedding last autumn, choosing the restaurant was probably the easiest decision we made.

There are a few event menus to choose from, but we opted for a more relaxed ‘celebration buffet,’ and wow, did it impress! We kicked things off with a summery cocktail and canapés on arrival—I even had my own little plate, separate from everyone else’s, to ensure no cross-contamination.

Once everyone was seated, we enjoyed a variation of the restaurant’s delicious ‘sharing boards,’ featuring all the typical Mediterranean antipasti you’d expect, like meats, cheeses, and olives. Again, I was served a separate board with gluten-free bread, and our vegetarian guests were well taken care of with a dedicated, meat-free selection.

For the main course, we had a buffet-style selection placed in the middle of each table for everyone to share. This included grilled meats, salmon and prawn skewers, salads, coleslaw, pasta salad, and bread.

The food just kept coming, and our guests were thrilled—months later, we’re still hearing how much they enjoyed their meal.

For our wedding cake, the Rendezvous team truly went above and beyond. Not only did they provide a beautiful main cake for everyone to share, but they also created a separate, smaller, gluten-free and lactose-free “Rebecca-friendly” cake.

It was absolutely perfect—probably one of the best “free-from” cakes I’ve had in years, and it couldn’t have been more fitting for our special day.

Photos below all by Jenna Brown Photography. Not everything shown is gluten-free but Rendezvous were able to accommodate my dietary needs at every step, as explained above.

Recommended for:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Special Occasions

Monique’s Bistro & Café: Trusted for Every Meal and Diet

Just next door to Rendezvous, along the marina, is Monique’s Bistro & Café. It’s a testament to how well-run this restaurant is that they opened during the pandemic and, three years later, they are a well-established institution in Queensway Quay.

The staff are attentive and knowledgeable—I always feel safe eating here, which is a big deal, and it keeps me coming back time and time again.

The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a weekend brunch, lunch, cocktails, or dinner. They also host weddings and baby showers, and from experience, I can say that they handle dietary requirements well, even with large groups.

Monique’s has a clearly labeled menu with common dietary requirements denoted by their own colors. For example, burgers can be made gluten-free with a simple switch of the bun, and the duck salad, typically served with wheat noodles, can be made gluten-free by swapping the noodles for salad leaves.

The gluten-free pizza is easily one of the best in Gibraltar, and if it matters to your dining companions, I’ve heard the regular pizza is excellent too.

Recommended for:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Special Occasions

Casa Pepe: A Hidden Gem for Seafood Lovers

Casa Pepe, situated at the end of the strip of restaurants that make up Queensway Quay, might almost slip under the radar. But if you’re craving a Mediterranean seafood feast, this is the place for you.

Casa Pepe has a more traditional feel compared to some of the other establishments along the marina, but it’s far from stuffy—the waiting staff are friendly, helpful, and eager to answer questions or address any concerns.

Last time I visited Casa Pepe with friends, I had a few questions about the menu because I was nervous about what I could or couldn’t eat.

(As a side note, I consider myself very lucky to have such patient and understanding friends. It would stress me out if there was any watch-checking or eye-rolling while I deliberated over a menu to choose my ‘safest option’.)

The waiter assured me that I could eat pretty much anything on the menu; I simply needed to pick what I wanted. We all stared at him in disbelief. My friend started explaining (in Spanish, to avoid any misunderstanding) that I could get very sick if I ate something containing gluten.

We were reassured that they take gluten intolerance very seriously. It turns out they are well-equipped to cater to coeliacs and were confident in meeting the needs of a gluten-free diet.

That evening, I enjoyed calamari for the first time in two years, savoring every delicious bite. We had fresh grilled fish, fresh vegetables, and I relished every moment, trusting that I was in safe hands with a restaurant that takes allergies seriously.

The food is 10/10, but since it’s a bit pricey, it’s probably not an ‘every day’ venue. This is a place for the last night of your holiday, a long-overdue catch-up with friends, or a special occasion you’ve been waiting for.

Recommended for:

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Special Occasions