Where to eat in Melbourne with a food allergy

Yeah Boy

If nuts are your nemesis, dining out can be a minefield. For some, the slightest contamination of food can lead to severe consequences, which means venues can be hesitant to cater for this particular allergy. Yeah Boy in Windsor aims to make dining as accessible as possible with its all-inclusive menu that caters to most food sensitivities without substituting flavour. The menu is overflowing with nut-free options, including twice-cooked potatoes with herb butter or housemade gnocchi with pumpkin, kale, spinach, olives and feta. This venue is one of the best if you have overlapping allergies due to its transparent and easy-to-navigate menu. The staff are accommodating, and no allergy is too challenging to oblige. Can this spot even assist a nut-free, no-dairy low-fodmap carnivore? Yeah boy. And that's no small feat. 

Serotonin Eatery

Serotonin is an earnestly upbeat café that specialises in serotonin-boosting health foods. The radiating cheerfulness might deter the more cynical or hungover, but we'd implore even the cynics to reconsider. The broad menu has a good selection of savouries and sweets that transition seamlessly from breakfast to lunch. In addition, this restaurant works closely with Foodini (an app that reviews menus and suggests locations according to your dietary profile – if you're reading this article, we strongly recommend you check it out). Staff are across all the ingredients in each dish, so you'll be well-fed, serotonin-boosted and nut-free. 

Tofulicious

Tofulicious serves much better food than its name suggests. We would even argue it serves some of the best vegan food in Melbourne. Previously known as the Tofu Shop, this casual Bridge Road eatery has bain-marie offerings that change daily but remain consistent in deliciousness. Pick a bowl from two sizes, then move down the line selecting items to add, and toppings such as tofu cream, pickled ginger and chilli flakes. It's not the cheapest, but the large size is substantial and can comfortably be split into two small meals. The best part is it's all vegan, which makes navigating the menu if you're allergic to eggs and dairy as easy as saying, "everything, please". The venue also details other possible allergens on each item, so it's worth a visit if you have other dietary considerations (especially garlic and onion). 

Radio Mexico

Many people with egg and dairy sensitivities are often assumed to be vegan by default. Radio Mexico makes no such assumptions. Here, you can indulge your carnivorous gluttony with a plethora of Mexican-inspired delights, including tortilla soup, ceviche, ribs and chilaquiles, without the risk of inflammation. If you prefer to dine free from all animal derivatives, there are also a few limited options available. Thanks to its in-depth allergy matrix, Radio Mexico can modify certain dishes. 

Red Sparrow Pizza

Even the most fervent cheese lovers cannot deny that Red Sparrow Pizza slings some damn good pies. In our humble dairy-loving opinion, cheese is one of the most challenging things to vegan-ify. Red Sparrow meets this challenge head-on with its coconut oil and tapioca mozzarella. It's creamy, gooey and even has a bit of stretch. Pizza bases receive woodfire treatment resulting in a lightly charred, perfectly chewy base. All pizzas are suitable for dairy/egg-free folk, and if you're looking for low FODMAP, Red Sparrow can serve gluten-free bases and a sauce without onions and garlic. 

Theo's Fish 

For too long, gluten-free folk have missed out on summer's greatest pleasure: fried battered fish. Theo's Fish Bar in Ivanhoe is amending this by dishing out all your fish shop faves – sans gluten. While gluten-free food could have better PR, with complaints of lacklustre texture being the most common amongst gluten rejectionists, there are no such complaints at Theo's. The batter is just as light, crispy and golden as its gluten-y counterparts. The venue also has a wide range of gluten-free salads that complement the monstrous potato cakes (commonly referred to as the best in Melbourne). 

Stalactites

Stalactites is a Melbourne CBD institution that serves unfussy, traditional Greek food with a gluten-free twist. Well known for its constant crowds, Stalactites has been serving the masses as a family-run business since 1978. Almost every item on the menu is made without gluten. The venue even has accreditation from Coeliac Australia, which means you can tuck into dips, pita and fresh spit meats without fear of gluten retribution. The best part? It's open late so you can enjoy a messy souva after a big night out, regardless of your gluten tolerance. 

Lona Misa

Lona Misa is a collab by hospo legends Shannon Martinez (Smith and Daughters) and Ian Curley (Kirks Wine Bar). Martinez is well-versed in creating unpretentious egg and dairy-free fare, while Curley knows his way around Euro-centric wine bar culture. So put them together, and what do you get? A primarily vegan, Latin-inspired restaurant, with a backroom bar that's open late. Martinez draws upon her Spanish heritage to create a drinks-friendly, small and large plates menu that will
delight even the most fervent of meat-eaters. So why is it on this list? Up until recently, vegans sat on the periphery of mainstream dining culture. Scrutinising menus before visiting, in-depth conversations with staff and desultory reactions make up the Venn diagram between vegans and those with food allergies. Because of this, vegan establishments are often adept at navigating food allergies with the kindness and patience it warrants. Eggs and dairy are easy to avoid on this menu;
however, gluten-free folk can also rejoice, as most items on the menu can be made sans gluten.

Supernormal

Commonly thought of as a modern Japanese venue, Supernormal also weaves Chinese and Korean influence throughout, with classic and re-imagined flavours intertwining to make it a familiar yet invigorating dining experience. It's no secret that dining at Supernormal will cost you a pretty penny,
but along with great food, you can also expect to receive excellent service. This service transcends dependable glass refills to include an encyclopedic knowledge of the dishes and ingredients, along with a willingness and patience to ensure that everyone at your table will receive food suitable to their dietary requirements. This means you can leave your food anxieties at home and dine in confidence on some of the finest fare in the biz.

Gingerboy

Anyone who has attempted a low FODMAP diet knows that avoiding those pesky sugars can be a tricky business. Considering FODMAP was created in Melbourne by Monash University, you'd think that FODMAP dining in this city would be a breeze, yet due to the broad spectrum of ingredients that contain fructose and the individualistic nature of trigger foods, dining can go from breezy to blustery before you've even had your starters. Luckily, venues such as Gingerboy aim to go above and beyond when assisting customers with food allergies. It specialises in South Asian cuisine served in a rectangular, light-filled space with hawker-style conviviality. FODMAP-friendly dishes include entrees such as kingfish sashimi, beef tartare and son-in-law eggs, and mains in the form of roasted hapuka or Wagyu with green mango salad. Almost all sides and desserts are low in fructose too, with the coconut and chilli lime mango sorbet being a particular gut-friendly favourite. The food is flavoursome, and the service is even better – the only stomach pain you'll experience after dining here will be from overeating. 

Ciao Mamma!

Everyones favourite, Italian food, previously felt like a FODMAP no-go zone. High in lactose, gluten, garlic and onion, we had to bid arrivederci to pasta lest we spend the next few days doubled-over in pain. However, with typical Italian mama tenacity, Ciao Mamma in Brunswick wouldn't let a whole group of people go unfed. A haven for gluten-free girlies, the gnocchi, fettuccine and casarecce are wheat protein-free, and with prior notice, the restaurant can create low FODMAP sauces for you to slurp to your heart's content. This stylish, modern-Italian eatery creates its products fresh daily, just like nonna used to make.