Modern restaurants, cafés and afternoon tea places strive to cater to the various dietary requirements of their patrons. Whether it’s a lifestyle choice such as being vegan or an allergy to gluten or dairy, menus often have options that appeal to all. But what if you’re creating your own tea party for guests with various dietary requirements? Here are six allergen free food suggestions to ensure you have everyone covered.

1. Gluten free sandwiches

Sandwiches are a key part of afternoon tea, and gluten free bread is widely available in shops and supermarkets, making allergen free options easy to whip up. While smoked salmon and cream cheese, roast beef with horseradish, and ham hock are all traditional fillings, you can opt for egg and cress or cheese for vegetarians, or cucumber sandwiches for vegans or those with a dairy intolerance. 
 

2. Vegetarian sausage rolls

Sausage rolls often appear on afternoon tea menus, but for vegetarians or those who are dairy free, it’s easy to create a tasty alternative. Instead of sausage meat, fill your puff pastry with finely chopped mushrooms, chestnuts, garlic and leeks. Store-bought puff pastry is often dairy free, but always check the ingredients. 

3. Veggie sticks and hummus

Veggie sticks and hummus are a delicious snack and cater to a wide range of dietary requirements. Simply slice up cucumber, carrots and peppers, and make the hummus by blitzing chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini and olive oil in a blender. 

4. Dairy free scones

No afternoon tea is complete without scones, but if you have a guest who’s dairy free at your party, you’ll need to use slightly different ingredients. Replace the butter with a vegan vegetable spread - available in supermarkets - and use soy or oat milk rather than cow’s milk. Serve with pots of jam and vegan cream.
 

5. Shortbread biscuits

If you have a guest with an egg allergy it’s important to provide some sweet treats that they can enjoy. Shortbread biscuits are easy to make, and only have three ingredients: flour, butter and sugar. To make them a little more fancy for your tea party, why not top with a dollop of whipped cream and a raspberry?
 

6. Gluten free chocolate cake

A gluten intolerance shouldn’t mean having to miss out on cake. A rich chocolate cake can be made with no flour, instead combining eggs, butter, sugar, chocolate and cocoa powder to create a yummy treat. If you want to make it dairy free as well, use chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa solids and a vegan vegetable spread instead of butter. 

All the above recipes are also nut free.

Join The Tiger Who Came to Tea

If you love a tea party and are looking for a great day out with family, why not join the ultimate tea party at a theatre near you? The stage adaptation of Judith Kerr’s bestselling picture book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, is touring the UK and Ireland in 2026, bringing the popular story to life with singing, dancing and clumsy chaos. To secure your spot, search ‘children’s theatre near me’ and book your theatre tickets for this children's show via your local venue.