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The Best Gluten Free & Dog Friendly Eateries In Essex

Discover Essex’s top gluten-free and dog-friendly eateries with GlutenFreeVIPs. From coastal cafés to countryside pubs, enjoy allergy-safe dining and pet-welcoming hospitality. Explore gluten-free menus, indoor seating, and venues across Southend, Maldon, Ongar, and Brentwood—perfect for food lovers and four-legged companions seeking inclusive, delicious experiences.

The Best Gluten Free & Dog Friendly Eateries In Essex.

Collage of top gluten-free eateries in Essex featured by glutenfreevips.com—showcasing cosy allergy-friendly restaurants offering delicious coeliac-safe meals across the county.

Intro

Essex, England. A nice green county attached to London to the west and the coast on the east. It is known for a lot of things (beyond TOWIE) from Colchester Zoo to its Secret Nuclear Banker.

Essex is also part of the breadbasket of England, East Anglia. It is a leading grower of England’s wheat and barley. As you can guess, Essex isn’t always the easiest place to find gluten-free food.

The good news is that Essex tends to be better on the dog-friendly side. You will notice that a lot of the restaurants in the list are pubs, which tend to be the most accommodating towards four-legged friends. Almost all of the pubs that I have encountered in Essex allow dogs outside. However, England (Essex included) is generally a very cold and soggy place. (I am also very picky!) So, for these reasons, an eatery has to allow dogs both inside and outside to be considered crème de la crème by moi!

In this article, I will be discussing and rating the best eateries in Essex that are both gluten-free and dog-friendly. I have compilated my experiences and finding into two lists. List 1 ranks eateries based on the quality and standard of their gluten-free food. List 2 ranks eateries based on how dog friendly they are.

Disclaimer

Just as a disclaimer, I have not been paid, gifted or given anything to write about these establishments. These are my own opinions, I have paid for everything that I have tried at these places and this is not an advertisement.

All of the establishments listed here advertise gluten-free options to the best of my knowledge. This may be subject to changes. Most of these places on this list have mixed kitchens that also handle gluten.

Just to note, this is a subjective list based on my experiences and preferences. Feel free to comment below if you know any other top gluten-free and dog friendly places to dine in Essex that I haven’t included.

Even if something is listed as gluten free on a menu, I always let my server know that I am coeliac and require my meal to be gluten-free, which I would always recommend as it has definitely saved me from being glutened in the past.

Onto the lists:

List 1: The Best Gluten-Free Eateries In Essex

  1. The Dog and Pickle, Ongar
  2. The Bull, Brentwood
  3. The Angel Inn, Southend
  4. The White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye, Ingatestone
  5. The Angel and Harp, Dunmow
  6. The Rose and Crown, Brentwood
  7. The Cricketers, Clavering (near Saffron Walden)
  8. The Queen’s Head Inn Maldon, Maldon
  9. The Estuary Restaurant, Southend
  10. The Fox and Raven, Chelmsford

👑 Winner: The Dog and Pickle, Ongar

The Dog and Pickle pub gluten-free roast beef dinner with roasted carrots and cabbage. A hearty, allergen-friendly meal served on a rustic plate, perfect for cosy Sundays and wholesome comfort food.

On food quality alone, The Dog and Pickle is the clear winner. I visited on a Sunday, so I was able to enjoy one of their phenomenal roasts. Wow, wow, wow. The meat was so tender. The roast potatoes were light in the centre and deliciously crispy on the outside. The carrots were amazing and unlike any carrots that I had ever tried before. Even the cabbage, which lets face it, usually is the boring part of the meal was delicious! I was impressed that I sampled a bit of the daily menu, their chicken salted fries are so paprika-y and wonderful.

The portion size is quite generous too, so I left nice and full!

I went to The Dog and Pickle with a friend, and she also loved her roast too! So we can both attest that the gluten-free food is great. She also enjoyed a GF sticky toffee pudding. So, The Dog and Pickle showed us that they can make really spectacular classic British food with a twist while catering to gluten-free diners.

There were a couple of snags.

  1. The meal was the most expensive on this list, and it is must to book if you want to eat inside, let alone with dogs.
  2. They served the roast potatoes and vegetables in sharing bowls, so my friend and I had to divvy out our portions of these for ourselves. This was of course a bit inconvenient.

Runner-up: The Bull, Brentwood

Gluten-free roast beef dinner at The Bull Pub, served with golden roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a rare gluten-free Yorkshire pudding—an indulgent, coeliac-safe take on the traditional Sunday roast.

I can sum up the appeal of The Bull Brentwood quite succinctly: gluten-free yorkies!!! Out of all the eateries on this list, this was the ONLY place that served gluten-free Yorkshire puddings. Us Gluten Free VIPs know that gluten-free yorkies are hard to find!!!

I visited the pub with friends on a Sunday, so I naturally went for a nice Sunday roast. However, the normal Gluten Free Menu was also available, where I could see plenty of GF options.

The GF yorkies were delicious and a rare-find. The portion sizes were some of the biggest on this list too! They also gave me plenty of vegetables too, from broccoli to carrots to swedes. There was no sharing out!

The roast potatoes were great too, though they weren’t as crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside as The Dog and Pickle’s. The meat was nice, but not nearly as tender and flavourful as The Dog and Pickle’s.

The food was generally more affordable than The Dog and Pickle too.

The Angel Inn, Southend

Gluten-free dressed crab at The Angel Inn Pub, served in shell with new potatoes and a crisp house salad—an elegant, coeliac-safe seafood dish with rustic charm.

The Angel Inn had a classic British pub atmosphere: it was unpretentious and the staff were friendly and accommodating for Gluten Free VIPs diners. There were considerable GF options on the menu, and the staff were willing to adjust dishes as well.

When I visited with a coeliac friend, we both had lovely meals. The crab was incredible – there is something so fitting about having seafood by the coast. The portion sizes were good.

The desserts were nice, but I felt that the mains were significantly better in quality and taste.

Price-wise, the food was some of the most affordable in this list!

The White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye, Ingatestone

Grilled rump steak with golden chips at The White Hart Inn, served with grilled tomato, and salad —classic British pub fare food made gluten-free.

There a loads of gluten-free options at The White Hart Inn. There are so many that it has its own Gluten Free Menu. I had a delicious steak and the fries were good as well. The portion size was decent, though I would have liked more salad.

My chief complaint would be that the Sunday menu did not offer gluten free roasts. To the credit of the staff, when my GF friend asked for a gluten-free chicken roast, they were able to modify the roast from the ordinary Sunday menu. However, I also feel more included (and safer) when gluten-free options are clearly stated on the menu.

Price wise, the food was on the more affordable side of this list.

The Angel and Harp, Dunmow

Gluten-free cod and chunky chips at The Angel & Harp Pub, served with garden peas and a wedge of lemon—classic British comfort food made coeliac-safe.

What I loved about my visit to The Angel and Harp was the extensive Gluten Free Menu. Like The White Hart Inn, The Angel and Harp offered GF pizzas, burgers and more! 🍕🍔

I ordered Fish & Chips. It was nice, but it was not the most filling. I felt the portion of the fish in particular was quite small and a little bland. The peas were nice, but I would have liked a bit of salad or veg.

For the size of the portion and quality of the food, it felt a bit overpriced.

The Rose and Crown, Brentwood

Gluten-free grilled steak with chunky chips at The Rose and Crown Pub, served with sautéed mushrooms and grilled vine tomatoes—classic British pub fare with rustic charm.

I enjoyed the gluten-free food at The Rose and Crown. It didn’t have the greatest number of gluten-free options, but the food there was good quality. The portion size was okay, but there wasn’t lot of salad and veg included with the mains, which was a shame.

The food was a little overpriced for what it was.

The Cricketers, Clavering (near Saffron Walden)

Gluten-free grilled sirloin steak with hand-cut chips at The Cricketers Pub, served with grilled tomato, and sautéed mushrooms —a hearty, gluten-free-friendly pub classic with rustic presentation.

I visited The Cricketers on a week day with friends, and really enjoyed the food. I treated myself to a ribeye steak and chips, and the food was delicious. There were lots of options for GF food on the menu.

The food was quite expensive though and felt definitely overpriced for what it was.

The Queen’s Head Inn Maldon, Maldon

Pan-seared sea bass with buttered new potatoes at The Queen’s Head Inn, served with seasonal greens—an elegant, gluten-free pub classic highlighting fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

The Queen’s Head Inn had a lovely gluten free menu. One of the most affordable on this list, it was nice to see that there were plenty of gluten-free options. The seabass was fine, though very oily. There was a generous amount of new potatoes with my meal, which helped to soak it up. According to my friend, the GF haddock was okay but a bit plain.

The Estuary Restaurant, Southend

Seafood paella at The Estuary Restaurant, made gluten-free with saffron rice, king prawns, mussels, and fresh herbs—an aromatic, coeliac-safe dish served with rustic flair and seaside charm.

There were a considerable number of GF options, though my impression was that the fryer is not separate for gluten-free food. This affected what I ordered. I had a GF paella, which was nice but piping hot and very buttery. The mussels and the prawns were great, but the chorizo was a bit plain. I was given such a big portion that I couldn’t finish it. A GF intolerant friend had the swordfish and enjoyed it. I felt it was quite expensive for what it was. I was definitely paying for the sea views, as the restaurant is opposite the Thames Estuary, hence the name.

The Fox and Raven, Chelmsford

Gluten-free grilled steak with chunky chips at The Fox and Raven, served with tomato, and salad—classic British pub fare.

The GF food that I had was good, but ordering was hard work. The menu had no GF signs, so I had to ask the waiter if what I wanted was gluten-free and she in turn had to search the allergies list for that particular item on her tablet. This meant that I wasn’t sure how much of the menu could accommodate us Gluten Free VIPs. The lack of transparency is the reason that this eatery is 10th on my list. In terms of price, I felt my food was slightly overpriced.

List 2: The Best Dog-Friendly Eateries In Essex

  1. The Angel Inn, Southend
  2. The Bull, Brentwood
  3. The White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye, Ingatestone
  4. The Fox and Raven, Chelmsford
  5. The Cricketers, Clavering (near Saffron Walden)
  6. The Angel and Harp, Dunmow
  7. The Queen’s Head Inn Maldon, Maldon
  8. The Rose and Crown, Brentwood
  9. The Dog and Pickle, Ongar
  10. The Estuary Restaurant, Southend

👑 Winner: The Angel Inn, Southend

The Angel Inn pub exterior with a traditional thatched roof—an inviting, countryside inn showcasing classic British architecture.

Out of all of the eateries in the list, The Angel Inn was by far the most welcoming to my dog. The staff asked if my dogs wanted water. The table in the bar area was big, and my dog was allowed to sit on the booth seat. There was lots of floor space too. The pub had its own parking, so it was accessible to bring my dog. There was some small green spaces outside around the pub, where my dog could you-know-what.

Runner-up: The Bull, Brentwood

The Bull Pub in Brentwood, Essex—classic roadside inn with whitewashed walls and dark wood trim, offering cosy charm and hearty gastropub fare.

The bar area was large and dog-friendly. Somebody attached a dog car seat to one of the chairs for their dog to sleep in, which was so cute! There was lots of parking in the car park. Some of the tables are a bit small though, and the bar area in my experience got quite busy.

The White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye, Ingatestone

The White Hart Inn in Margaretting Tye, Essex—traditional countryside pub with whitewashed walls and tiled roof, set along Swan Lane in a peaceful village setting.

The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed. They petted her at the end of the meal. I had a nice size table in the bar area and my dog was allowed to sit on my lap as well as rest on the floor. There was a nice amount of garden space in the front and the back for my dog to use.

The Fox and Raven, Chelmsford

The Fox and Raven pub in Chelmsford, Essex—traditional country inn with whitewashed walls, and a pitched tiled roof, walking distance to the River Chelmer in a peaceful rural setting.

I was given a large table with loads of space. My dog was allowed on my lap and the floor. We were situated in a nice little corner. There was some green space at the front of the pub. There was also some parking.

The Cricketers, Clavering (near Saffron Walden)

The Cricketers Pub in Clavering, near Saffron Walden—charming country inn with whitewashed walls, tiled roof, and traditional signage, nestled in the Essex countryside with historic village appeal.

They allowed my dog to sit on my lap. There wasn’t a lot of floor space though. There was a bit of green space in the front. The pub had not only its own parking, but an overflow car park.

The Angel and Harp, Dunmow

The Angel and Harp pub in Great Dunmow, Essex—Grade II listed building with whitewashed walls, pitched tiled roof, and classic signage, offering traditional British charm, modern gastropub dining, and gluten-free options in a historic market town setting.

The bar area was big, so there was lots of tables that were dog-friendly. My dog was allowed to sit on my lap. The carpet wasn’t the cleanest though, so my dog did step in food when she went on the floor. There wasn’t any green space outside, but luckily there was a park close-by. The pub had its own car park.

The Queen’s Head Inn Maldon, Maldon

The Queen’s Head pub in Maldon, Essex—quayside inn with whitewashed walls, traditional signage, and riverside views along the Blackwater Estuary. A historic British pub offering classic charm, outdoor seating, and freshly prepared gluten-free meals.

The seating on the booth was a little uncomfortable. My dog was allowed to sit on my lap and on the floor, though my group didn’t have a lot of room. There was limited parking, so I had to pay to park in a car park nearby. There was a dog-friendly menu, but my dog did not like the dog treats that I bought her. They were grain-free though!

The Rose and Crown, Brentwood

The Rose & Crown pub in Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood—charming 15th-century building with whitewashed façade, hanging lanterns, and traditional pub signage.

The bar area, the only part of the pub which is dog-friendly, was a bit dark and crowded. There were lots of TVs, a sports-event was going on to be fair, which made it a bit noisy. My dog was able to sit in the booth

The Dog and Pickle, Ongar

The Dog & Pickle pub and restaurant in Moreton, Ongar—stylish countryside venue with white-painted exterior, rustic timber accents, and manicured garden seating. A modern British gastropub offering fine dining, relaxed ambiance, and seasonal outdoor charm in the heart of Essex.

There was limited dog friendly seating. The seating in the dog friendly bar area wasn’t the most comfortable and the tables were quite high-up. My dog was allowed to sit on my lap, though it was not practical. I used the pub’s car park.

The Estuary Restaurant, Southend

The Estuary Restaurant on Southend seafront—stylish venue with glass frontage, and coastal charm. Overlooking the Thames Estuary, this modern eatery features outdoor seating, beachside views, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for brunch, seafood, and sunset dining.

There was some space for my dog under the table, but it was covered in food. My dog was able to sit on my lap. The restaurant had no car park – I paid to park close by.

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