Top 9 Gluten-Free Brunch Spots to Delight in Riverside, Cardiff

Lucy Boardman (Kitty)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic Service & Welcoming Atmosphere at Hodo Lounge! I visited Hodo Lounge last night with my partner, four friends, and two dogs, and we had an absolutely wonderful time! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, but what really made the experience stand out was the incredible service from Ryan behind the bar. I have a severe banana allergy, and one of my friends has celiac disease, so we’re always cautious when dining out. Ryan was exceptionally attentive to our dietary restrictions, ensuring we felt comfortable and safe while also being genuinely friendly and easy to chat with. I ordered the standard Lounge Brunch without tomatoes, and Ryan went the extra mile by offering to swap them for something else. I chose mushrooms for my partner, which was a thoughtful touch. I also ordered the large Lounge Brunch for myself with the same adjustment and got an extra hash brown instead—small details like this make a big difference! For drinks, my partner had a Diet Coke while I ordered a Daceri Nolarder (alcohol-free). Two of my friends also got the same drink and really enjoyed it, but I found it wasn’t quite to my taste. When Ryan checked in with us after a few minutes, I mentioned this, and without hesitation, he asked if there was something else I’d prefer. I requested a peppermint tea, and to my surprise, he brought it out free of charge—a really kind and thoughtful gesture. Beyond the excellent service, the food was great, the atmosphere was relaxed, and we all felt incredibly welcome—including the dogs! It’s rare to find staff who not only accommodate dietary needs so attentively but also go out of their way to make sure every guest has a fantastic experience. We’re already looking forward to coming back, and we’ll definitely be recommending Hodo Lounge—especially thanks to Ryan’s outstanding hospitality.

Julia W

Great gluten-free brunch and lovely coffee.

Sally Jones

Lovely vibe here, with plenty of staff: busy but not overcrowded. Sunday lunch is superb. Anna, our waitress, was so engaging and genuinely interested in her job. Gluten free options were clearly explained and every effort had been made to adapt items by changing coatings rather than just 'leaving things out'. Fishcakes were tasty with mild curry sauce. The lamb roast was perfect size and cooked to perfection (rare lamb, just as it should be). Divine roast potatoes... Lemon posset dessert was tangy with British strawberries. This is a top notch restaurant in a trendy location, fabulous friendly service and very moderate prices. Will def. be back.

Marzena Zygadlo

We moved to Cowbridge Road East a few weeks ego and I need to tell you it's our favourite pizza so far. We tried 2 other places first, but Calabrisella is way better if it comes to pizza choice. I have gluten intolerance, but I felt ok after (which I always do in Italy after pizza) so from time to time I will treat myself to their pizza for sure. Highly recommend.

E Ghiani

Super busy when we went, but the staff were *EXCEPTIONAL* regardless of how stressful it must have been. As a table for 6 we were kindly warned about the wait time but were given our drinks speedily and our food came out within the time frame they gave us. It was also a dream as a coeliac! I adored the chicken club sandwich (a beast of a sandwich. good luck trying to take a bite without having to dismantle all the layers.) I highly recommend this gem. 5/5 and thank you to the girls and their amazing service. :)

Laura

Good food, reasonable prices, options for gluten free and friendly staff.

Jess

I'm actually vegan & GF. They don't serve a GF base (this is a pic of their non-GF pizza), but I took my own GF base, and they dressed it with vegan cheeze- like any regular margherita! Charged me a bit under a usual price because I'd brought my own base, too. ● If you're Coeliac, it still wouldn't be good to eat here as they warn of cross contaminatin. But if you're just intolerant (like me) it's all good 👍

Oliver Hawksworth

Amazing food. Bartender was very accommodating towards us with gluten free options and made the drinks very quickly for us.

Lelly Talks

Decent coffee and tasty food. Nicely tucked away to provide some tranquility from city life. Some good gluten free choices 😊