Dining out with an allergy or dietary requirement: how to ensure you can enjoy it without worries

Dining out with an allergy or dietary requirement can be nerve-wracking. Not because restaurants can't handle it, but because the information often only comes to the table at the last minute. With a little preparation, it becomes a normal night out.

Note: these are general tips, not medical advice. If you have a severe allergy, consult your doctor about what is necessary for you.

1. Search in advance, not on the spot

Check the menu before you go. Are there dishes that suit you? Does the establishment mention allergens? A restaurant with a clear menu and a few vegetarian or gluten-free options is often used to questions.

2. Mention it when booking

Put your allergy or dietary requirement in your reservation or give them a call. Then the kitchen can take it into account and you don't have to explain it at the table while everyone is already ordering.

• Be specific: "no nuts, no traces either" is clearer than "nut allergy".

• State how serious it is. A preference is different from an allergy.

3. Ask again at the table

Even if you have already passed it on: mention it again when ordering. Shifts change and the staff doesn't always know what was noted with the reservation. In the EU, restaurants must be able to tell you which of the fourteen main allergens are in a dish. Ask about it.

4. Watch out for hidden places

Sauces, dressings, frying oil and desserts are the places where allergens are most often hidden. If in doubt, ask how something is prepared. A good kitchen won't find that a difficult question.

5. With a group? Choose a place that works for everyone together

The most annoying situation: the group has already chosen and you are at a restaurant where you can only have the salad. Therefore, communicate your wishes in advance when choosing, not just at the table.

Choosing a place where everyone can eat well is not a hassle for the group. It's just a better evening.

In HelloWhere

At restaurants in HelloWhere you can see the menu and, if the establishment has filled it in, information about allergens and vegetarian or vegan options. If you choose with a group via Choose together, everyone privately indicates what they feel like, including vegetarian, so that the suggestions fit the whole group.