UPDATE (JAN 2014): See the Nutmums.com directory of nut allergy friendly restaurants for recommended UK restaurants, pubs and cafés for people with nut allergies.
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I thought I would compile a list of the restaurants, pubs and cafés we have visited (mainly in Cheshire), to record whether:
- They were able to provide a peanut and nut free meal for my son.
- If not, whether they were happy for him to eat his own food that we had brought from home.
We don’t get out as much as we used to (mostly due to having a toddler and a baby … rather than on account of my son’s allergy), so, if any readers have an allergy-friendly restaurant/pub/café recommendation, please post a comment below.
Obviously, do make your own enquiries if you are visiting any of these eateries. For tips on eating out safely with food allergies, please see:
- The advice we were given from the hospital.
- The Food Standards Agency’s advice.
- The Anaphylaxis Campaign’s advice.
(For a list of the eateries we have visited in Cornwall, see Eating out in Cornwall with a peanut and nut allergy.)
Restaurants and cafés
1. The Egerton Arms, Chelford
- Knutsford Road, Chelford, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9BB
- 01625 861366
- chelfordegertonarms.co.uk/
Date last visited: September 2013.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? Yes.
When we arrived, we spoke to a waitress and explained about D’s nut allergy and asked whether they could provide him with a nut free meal. She assured us this should be no problem whatsoever. We were momentarily taken aback. The response in other eateries to the question “my son has a severe nut allergy, can you make him a nut free meal” is so often raised eyebrows and puffed out cheeks, that a positive “of course we can” response came as somewhat of a surprise.
I went on to ask about cross-contamination and the waitress brought the manager to talk to us. He confirmed that (although there were nuts such as almonds in the kitchen) if we ordered, for example, pasta and tomato sauce off the children’s menu, they were confident this was safe. Something off the grill, however, could be higher risk as it might have also been used for foods with nut traces. We ordered D the pasta and tomato sauce and, at the time of ordering, the waitress again noted that D’s meal must not come anywhere near nuts. Service which inspired confidence and great pub food. We will definitely be going back.
2. The Frozen Mop, Mobberley
- Faulkners Lane, Mobberley, Cheshire WA16 7AL
- 01565 873234
- http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thefrozenmopmobberley/
Date last visited: December 2012.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? No.
If not, were they happy for the allergy sufferer to bring their own food? Yes.
3. Fun4All café, Macclesfield
- Queens Avenue, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2DG
- 01625 440044
- http://www.fun4all.co.uk/Macclesfield/edk.aspx
Date last visited: February 2013.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? Yes – but only chicken breast with potato wedges.
For our previous experience of eating at Fun4All, see Psyching up to a soft play centre.
4. The Honey Bee, Wilmslow
- Altrincham Road, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4LT
- 01625 526511
- http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thehoneybeewilmslow/
Date last visited: September 2013.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? Yes. My son ate tomato pasta then orange jelly from the children’s menu. Whilst the manageress advised that they couldn’t 100% guarantee any food was “nut free”, she confirmed that the only item on the children’s menu that may contain nuts was the bread that came with the prawn cocktail. Nuts were kept in a sealed container in the kitchen. The kitchen staff would prepare my son’s meal in a separate area, using clean cookware and utensils and take care to avoid cross-contamination.
5. Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre café
- Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9DL
- 01477 571 766
- http://www.jodrellbank.net
Date last visited: February 2013.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? No.
If not, were they happy for the allergy sufferer to bring their own food? Yes.
6. Panama Hatty’s
- 43a Brown Street (Off King Street), Manchester M2 2JJ
- 0161 832 8688
- http://www.panamahatties.co.uk
Date last visited: December 2012 (review submitted by reader).
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? Yes.
7. Pizza Express, Knutsford
- 117A King St, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6EH
- 01565 651898
- http://www.pizzaexpress.com/visit-a-restaurant/restaurant/knutsford
Date last visited: September 2013.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? Yes.
For details of our visits to the Wilmslow and Falmouth branches, see Let’s hear it for Pizza Express!
8. Pizza Express, Wilmslow
- 26 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1PL
- 01625 540055
- http://www.pizzaexpress.com/visit-a-restaurant/restaurant/wilmslow
Date last visited: January 2013.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? Yes.
For more details, see Let’s hear it for Pizza Express!
9. The Windmill, near Macclesfield
- Holehouse Lane, Whiteley Green, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 5SJ
- 01625 574 222
- http://www.thewindmill.info
Date last visited: May 2013.
Were they able to provide a peanut and nut free meal? Yes. Fantastic country pub (think wooden beams, leather chairs, an open fire), serving excellent food (from sandwiches to fish and chips to savoury lamb crumble). If you call 2-3 days beforehand to discuss your allergy and tell them what types of food you like to eat, they will prepare an allergy safe meal for you.
