I recently spent a football-filled weekend in Manchester with my dad. We managed to pack in an Old Trafford stadium tour, two trips around the museum, two visits to the megastore, a pre-match fan ‘warm up’ event, a match (United drew with Arsenal—a decent result), and a visit to the National Football Museum in the city centre. Phew!
Of course, all of this required fuel, and two standout places from our trip deserve a mention—along with their very own blog post! I had a whole list of places in mind to keep our options open, so I’ll be saving the rest for next time.
Mowgli Street Food – Corn Exchange
This wasn’t my first visit to Mowgli, but after dining there with my now-husband a few months ago and being blown away by their unique take on Indian food, I knew my dad would love it—and we were not disappointed.
We pored over the menu and quickly realised we were both drawn to the same dishes. After cross-checking them with the useful allergens list and ensuring everything we fancied was gluten-free, we decided to order a few dishes to share, maximizing the variety we could try.
We went for the Fenugreek Kissed Fries, Mowgli Sticky Chicken, Gunpowder Chicken, Mother Butter Chicken, and Basmati Rice. We were informed that dishes would arrive as they were ready rather than all at once—but in the end, they arrived together. Special care was taken to ensure plates and cutlery were gluten-free. (Shared washing or handling can sometimes cause cross-contamination, so I appreciated their effort to avoid it.)
My favorite dishes were the crunchy, garlicky Gunpowder Chicken and the sweet-and-spicy Butter Chicken—but honestly, everything was delicious. My dad kept marveling at how great the food was and that it was all gluten-free! He even joked that he could eat gluten-free all the time if it was always this good—if only!
Pieminister – Church Street
I remember visiting a branch of Pieminister on London’s South Bank years ago—back when I could eat gluten. Eating pie, mash, and gravy from a cardboard carton with a wooden fork had a certain charm, but what I remembered most was how delicious the pies were. Knowing they now had gluten-free options, I was keen to try one at their Manchester branch.
I was impressed to find they had a dedicated gluten-free menu, making it quick and easy to assess my options. I went for the ‘Gluten-Free Ranger’—a chicken, ham, leek, and thyme pie—with mash and minty mushy peas. It came with a small jug of gravy, and it was absolutely delicious. The pastry was crisp and baked to perfection—no soggy bottoms here! The filling was packed with flavor, featuring chunks of tender chicken breast and shredded ham in a creamy, well-seasoned sauce.
I devoured the whole plate with relish. It’s rare for those of us avoiding gluten to find a proper pie, and this one was everything I hoped for. For me, it’s a great sign when something doesn’t taste gluten-free, and at Pieminister, I didn’t feel like I was missing out for a moment.
Also worth mentioning:
Old Trafford International Suite
We attended a ‘warm up’ event for international fans on Saturday evening ahead of Sunday’s game. The ticket was a steal at £12, especially as it included a burger and chips. Before traveling to Manchester, I contacted the event team to check if a gluten-free option would be available and was advised to speak to a team member on the night.
It couldn’t have been simpler. I asked if there was a gluten-free option and was immediately offered a bunless burger and chips. It was prepared freshly, separate from gluten-containing foods, and I felt safe eating it, knowing my request was taken seriously.
I was particularly impressed given the volume of people they were serving—easily a couple of hundred plates of burgers and chips—yet they still accommodated dietary requirements with care.
Clayton Hotel – Portland Street
On Sunday morning, we decided to fuel up with a hearty breakfast, and where better than our hotel? The buffet was huge, varied, and—importantly—clearly labeled.
While it’s impossible to completely remove the risk of cross-contamination in a shared-food setup, utensils were kept separate for each dish, and staff made an effort to remind guests not to mix them.
A separate ‘free-from’ area included dairy-free and lactose-free milk and yogurt, along with gluten-free bread and cereals. There was even a dedicated toaster to avoid cross-contamination.
I felt safe eating here because it was easy to see what was ‘safe’ and what to avoid. Bread and pastries were kept on a separate table, minimising any risk of gluten transfer to the cooked food.
Final Thoughts
Manchester turned out to be an incredibly gluten-free-friendly city! From fantastic restaurants to stadium dining and even a well-organized hotel breakfast, I never felt like I was missing out. Have you visited any great gluten-free spots in Manchester? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
My Gluten-Free Kitchen 
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