Niche Restaurant FAQs | Gluten-Free Dining, Allergies & Visiting

Question 1

Do I need to book?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend it. Niche is small, but we're busy, and at popular times we often have a waiting list. If you've walked past us on a busy evening, you may even have seen people waiting outside hoping for a table. We hate turning people away, so booking ahead is always the safest option.

Question 2

Do you accept walk-ins?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, whenever we have space. If you're nearby, come and ask. We'll always try to accommodate you, but guests with reservations will take priority.

Question 3

How long do we have our table?

Accepted Answer

Our standard table allocation is 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you think you'll need longer, particularly for a celebration or larger group, please speak to us when booking and we'll see what we can do.

Question 4

What happens if I'm running late?

Accepted Answer

Don't panic — just let us know. We normally hold tables for 15 minutes. After that, particularly when we're busy and have people waiting, we may need to release the table.

Question 5

Can you accommodate larger groups?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Online reservations are available for groups of up to six. For larger groups, celebrations and private events, please contact us directly so that we can help arrange everything properly.

Question 6

Do you cater for birthdays and celebrations?

Accepted Answer

We do — and we love them. Birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions are a huge part of life at Niche. Please let us know when booking if you're celebrating something.

Question 7

Can I bring a birthday cake?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately not.
Because of the strict controls we maintain over what enters our restaurant, we cannot allow outside food, including birthday and celebration cakes.We know this can be disappointing, but protecting the integrity of our allergen controls has to come first.

Question 8

Do you have children's options?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Families are very welcome at Niche and there are dishes suitable for younger guests. If your child has particular dietary requirements, please tell us when booking so we can help.

Question 9

Can I bring baby food?

Accepted Answer

Because of our allergen controls, outside food cannot normally be brought into the restaurant, including baby food. If your baby or child has a particular dietary or medical requirement, please contact us before visiting and we'll always try to find a sensible solution.

Question 10

Do you allow dogs?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we don't allow pet dogs inside Niche. We're an intimate restaurant and many of our guests visit us because of allergies and sensitivities. Assistance dogs are, of course, welcome.

Question 11

Do you have outside tables?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a small number of tables outside the restaurant. Availability is weather-dependent and limited, so please speak to us if you would particularly like to sit outside.

Question 12

Do you offer takeaway and delivery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can enjoy Niche at home through our delivery partners. We currently deliver from Niche Angel and our Hackney kitchen, with availability depending on your postcode. You'll find all the details and links on our Niche on the Apps page.

Question 13

Do you cater for events?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our dedicated Events Kitchen in Hackney allows us to bring Niche to private parties, corporate events and hospitality across London.Visit our Events page or contact us to tell us what you're planning.

Question 14

Is there a service charge?

Accepted Answer

We add an optional 12.5% service charge to restaurant bills. This is distributed to our team in accordance with UK tipping legislation.

Question 15

Where is Niche?

Accepted Answer

You'll find us at 197–199 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TJ, close to Sadler's Wells and a short walk from Angel Underground station.

Question 16

Is everything at Niche gluten-free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Everything. Niche is a 100% gluten-free restaurant. We don't have a separate gluten-free menu or a special preparation area — gluten simply isn't part of our kitchen.

Question 17

Do you cater for people with coeliac disease?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Looking after people with coeliac disease has been at the heart of Niche for many years. We were the first 100% gluten-free restaurant in the UK to receive Coeliac UK accreditation, something of which we're enormously proud.

Question 18

Why don't you use gluten-free oats?

Accepted Answer

Certified gluten-free oats can legally form part of a gluten-free diet, but oats contain a protein called avenin, which some people with coeliac disease do not tolerate. We've also learned from many years of listening to our guests that oats remain problematic for some people with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance. So we made things simple: we don't use them. Niche is completely oat-free.

Question 19

Do you use deglutenised wheat?

Accepted Answer

No. Not anywhere in our business.
We don't use deglutenised wheat or deglutenised wheat starch in our cooking, baking or flour blends, and none of our beers use deglutenised wheat either.Some specially processed wheat products can legally meet the definition of gluten-free, but we made the decision many years ago not to use them.It keeps our approach straightforward and transparent.

Question 20

Are you nut-free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Niche is free from peanuts and tree nuts. We removed them completely from our kitchens in 2019, allowing even more people to enjoy the same food together.

Question 21

Do you use sesame?

Accepted Answer

No. Niche is completely sesame-free, including ingredients such as tahini and sesame oil.

Question 22

So what is Niche completely free from?

Accepted Answer

Our kitchens are 100% free from gluten, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame. We also don't use oats or deglutenised wheat products anywhere in the business. Other allergens are present in our kitchens and individual dishes, which is why we provide clear allergen information and ask guests to tell us about their requirements.

Question 23

I'm not gluten-free. Is Niche still for me?

Accepted Answer

Of course. Many of our guests have no dietary requirements whatsoever — and some don't even realise they've eaten in a completely gluten-free restaurant until somebody tells them. Our aim has never been to make food that's good for gluten-free. We want to make great food. For years our tagline was “Gluten-free, but you wouldn't know it.” We still think that's one of the nicest compliments we can receive.

Question 24

Do you offer dairy-free and vegan food?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have a range of dairy-free and vegan dishes, clearly identified on our menus. If you have an allergy rather than a dietary preference, please tell us so that our team can advise you properly.

Question 25

I have several allergies. Can you accommodate me?

Accepted Answer

Very possibly — please talk to us. Because we've already removed several major allergens from our kitchens, we're often able to accommodate combinations of dietary requirements that can be difficult elsewhere. Every allergy is different, however, and we'll never promise something we cannot safely provide. Tell us about your requirements when booking and speak to the team again when you arrive. We'd much rather you ask us ten questions than feel uncomfortable asking one.

Question 26

Do I still need to tell you about my allergy if Niche doesn't use that allergen?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please. We want to know about allergies and dietary requirements so that our team can look after you properly. Please include them with your reservation and remind us when you arrive.

Question 27

How seriously do you take cross-contamination?

Accepted Answer

Very seriously. Being free-from isn't simply about recipes. It involves our ingredients, suppliers, deliveries, storage, preparation, cooking, cleaning, staff training and the controls we operate throughout the business. It's also why we don't allow outside food into the restaurant.

Question 28

Why do you take allergies so seriously?

Accepted Answer

Because for some of our guests, getting it wrong can have serious consequences. We've spent many years listening to people living with coeliac disease and food allergies, and we understand something of the anxiety eating away from home can create. Our job is to take the serious part seriously so that, hopefully, you can forget about it for a while and simply enjoy being in a restaurant.

Question 29

Do you have disabled and wheelchair access?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Niche is accessible to disabled guests and wheelchair users. There is a small step at the entrance to the restaurant, for which we have a wheelchair ramp available.

Our accessible toilet is on the ground floor and has wheelchair access. If you have any particular access requirements, please let us know when booking and we’ll be very happy to help.

Question 30

Do you have highchairs and baby-changing facilities?

Accepted Answer

We have highchairs available for younger guests and families are very welcome at Niche.Unfortunately, because of the size and layout of our restaurant, we don’t have dedicated baby-changing facilities.

We know this isn’t ideal, but there simply isn’t sufficient space in our toilets to install them safely.

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