A Gluten-Free Guide to the London Olympics
For those like me, who must remain gluten-free, the Olympics in London shouldn’t be too difficult, although I do worry about the Olympic Park and some of the venues. The reason for this, is that I’ve been to Wembley a couple of times and the food is your usual burger and chips rubbish. The organisers say they will make it better at the venues, but I have my doubts. It’s sad really, as East London, where the Games are being staged, has a large variety of ethnic cooking, like Bangladeshi, that is very much gluten-free. Incidentally, if you like curries, all good curry houses, such as in the famous Brick Lane, use gram or chick-pea flour and are never offended if you ask. A lot of these restaurants, though don’t serve alcohol, but don’t mind if you bring it in and they will then give you glasses and a cork-screw, if one is needed. The best ones always have proper linen tablecloths and napkins.
The big Olympic Park at Stratford is at present very much an unknown as to gluten-free food, as it hasn’t opened yet. But the Westfield Shopping Centre (Eastfield to many) next door is bad, if you want a gluten-free restaurant. However, it does have two big food stores, that are always a good stand-by, if you want to buy a picnic; Waitrose and Marks and Spencer. Both have a wide selection of picnic food and gluten-free bread and rolls.
In fact, for some picnics will always be a safe way out, when on the move. The main Olympic Park, is next to one of London’s largest parks; Victoria Park and they are going to put a lot of fast-food stalls here with big screens. But even if nothing is gluten-free, there will be plenty of space to sit on the grass. In fact, there are large green spaces near to most of the venues.
If you want to eat out, there are quite a few mid-range chains with gluten-free offerings. I eat regularly in Carluccio’s and Cote, but others also have a gluten-free menu.
A lot of pubs, like my local, the Northgate Arms in de Beauvoir Town can do reliable gluten-free food. With the Northgate, the chef is coeliac from Sierra Leone, so you can be absolutely sure.
I shall add more to this as I travel round the Games.
The Anonymous Widower 
Not really sure what the point is.
The question must be asked: I am a registered coeliac and want to know if I can bring my gluten free food into the Olympic Park or not. If not, does that mean that once I’m inside the complex I must go all day without food, as it would seem to be implied that there is no gluten free food available within the OP.
Regards
Comment by T F Dominguez | July 26, 2012 |
It would appear that you will be able to bring your gluten-free food into the Park, as the rules state you can take in one small soft-sided bag, that can fit under the seat. For water, everyone is suggesting take an empty bottle and fill it from the water fountains inside.
I’m going to Excel on Saturday and will let you know, what it’s like there.
I would hope though that they do some nice curries. After all, East London is the curry capital of Europe.
I do think though that one of the best things to do, is pack a picnic in a plastic bag and go to Victoria Park by the Olympic Park and then dump the rubbish there. From the south, if you walk from Bromley-by-Bow, you can eat it along the river lee.
I shall of course be using the old Army regime of starting with a hearty breakfast before I leave home.
Remember that MacDonald’s fries are gluten-free, but their capuccinos aren’t!
Comment by AnonW | July 26, 2012 |
Anything you find out during your travels will be very helpful, I’m at the Olympic Park on the 07/8 and can’t seem to find out if I can take food in or if there’ll be any GF options though I’d like to think so, like you say, especially indian food.
Comment by MissW | July 26, 2012 |
I’m going on the 6th in the evening and the 9th during the day. I suspect by then, we’ll know what is happening, but I’ll probably take a selection of gluten free sarnis in. In the evening, I’ll probably eat at Carluccio’s or one of the other places I know in Islington and then walk to Highbury and Islington station and get an Overground train to the Games. But there are loads of Indian restaurants within ten minutes of the Olympic Park. The food will probably be better anyway. Judging by your nick, are you coming down from Tyneside into Kings Cross? If I’m passing through, I use the Carluccio’s in St. Pancras.
Best of luck.
Comment by AnonW | July 26, 2012 |