At the table
The restaurant conversation, in yes and no
25 October 2026
Coeliac societies on several continents give the same advice: say you have coeliac disease, then ask how your dish is made. One clear opening sentence is enough: "I have coeliac disease. My meal must have no gluten, including from shared equipment."
If you do not speak the local language, a written card with the same two sentences works. Then follow the questions below. They are based on guidance from the Celiac Disease Foundation, the National Celiac Association, Coeliac UK and Coeliac New Zealand. Soy sauce gets its own mention because regular soy sauce is made with wheat. Coeliac New Zealand advises avoiding soy sauce other than tamari.
Can you tell staff you have coeliac disease, in words or with a written card?
Yes ↓
Do they confirm the dish must have no gluten at all, including from crumbs, shared oil and sauces such as regular soy sauce?
Yes ↓
Can they name a dish with no wheat, barley, rye, malt or regular soy sauce in it?
Yes ↓
Is that dish cooked with a shared fryer, grill, toaster, pasta water or a floured surface?
Yes ↓
Can they cook it separately, in clean oil or a clean pan, with clean utensils?
Yes ↓
Will they plate it with clean utensils or fresh gloves, away from bread?
Yes ↓
Yes. Order it.
No ↓
No. Choose something else.
No ↓
No. Choose something else.
No ↓
Will they plate it with clean utensils or fresh gloves, away from bread?
Yes ↓
Yes. Order it.
No ↓
No. Choose something else.
No ↓
No. Choose something else.
No ↓
No. Choose something else.
No ↓
No. Choose something else.
Yes means the kitchen has described a specific plan for this dish. Coeliac UK advises checking the order when it arrives, and not eating it if in doubt. No means choosing another venue, or something sealed and labelled gluten-free.
On the site:
- Bangkok: at Baan Pad Thai, ask before you assume the noodles are safe. See Bangkok restaurants.
- La Fortuna, Costa Rica: The Open Kitchen lists gluten-free options. The house bread is the one to ask about. See La Fortuna restaurants.
- Vancouver: coeliac diners report a separate fryer at Juke Fried Chicken. See Vancouver restaurants.
- Bath: Nook has a board that says 100% gluten-free. See Bath restaurants.
Sources: Celiac Disease Foundation · National Celiac Association · Coeliac UK · Coeliac New Zealand