Celebrating Coeliac Awareness Month: The Real Food Café’s Gold Standard for Gluten-Free Fish & Chips

Each May, Coeliac Awareness Month brings vital attention to the 1 in 100 people in the UK living with coeliac disease—a serious autoimmune condition where even a trace of gluten can trigger harmful reactions. For many, eating out can feel like navigating a minefield. But for coeliac diners heading through Scotland, there’s one place they can rely on without hesitation: The Real Food Café in Tyndrum.

This award-winning roadside café has become a national destination for gluten-free fish and chips, praised not only for the food itself but for the exceptional care and safety behind it. Their gluten-free menu isn’t an afterthought—it’s a cornerstone of their operation.

“We started in 2006, long before coeliac disease was widely recognised,” says the team. “My cousin was coeliac, and I felt sorry for him not being able to eat fish & chips.”

Safety You Can Taste—and Trust

The Real Food Café holds an A grade as a Coeliac UK Accredited Caterer, a status it has maintained for eight years. That commitment to safety is woven through every part of the kitchen and service process.

They’ve implemented:

A dedicated fryer

Separate storage, equipment, aprons, and even a fridge

A fully trained team that completes annual Coeliac UK training

Clear labelling and customer communication

It’s not uncommon for customers to travel hundreds of miles to eat here. Many describe their visits as emotional and joyful—some even tearful.

“The happiest day of my husband’s life was when we stopped at the café and he could have gluten-free fish and chips.” wrote Sandie.

Another reviewer shared:

“We have visited this lovely place many times as we can eat out as a family with my coeliac daughter without worrying. Each time we come up to Scotland we plan our route so we can come and eat here.”

“Best (gluten-free) fried haddock and chips I ever had. Had to be sure so went twice,” added another customer on Google.

Each year, the café hosts a Gluten Free Fortnight, using the opportunity to celebrate their menu and educate diners about coeliac safety. It’s both a showcase and a commitment—highlighting the effort behind every gluten-free meal served.

To others in the industry considering gluten-free options, The Real Food Café has this advice:

“It’s a great way to build a loyal following if you do it properly. You can’t do it in a half-hearted manner. Coeliacs need to trust you—and that takes time and consistency.”

“Yes, the costs are higher, and it takes financial and time investment. But if you get it right, it becomes a reliable and passionate customer base that markets your business for you.”

As we mark Coeliac Awareness Month, this is a shining example of how the fish and chip industry can do better—and thrive while doing so.