The Wheelhouse

A guide to our gluten-free lunch options beyond just salads

A salad can be part of lunch, but it does not have to carry the whole meal. At The Wheelhouse, our all-day menu gives you more ways to eat gluten-free, from warm plates and generous sides to sharing boards and a roast beside the Falkirk Wheel. This guide focuses on the choices that make a satisfying midday visit, whether you are a regular local or planning a Scottish break.

Gluten-free dining involves more than leaving a few croutons off a bowl of leaves. It also means checking how sauces, stocks, bread and shared fryers are handled, especially if you have coeliac disease or a sensitivity rather than simply a preference. Tell the team about your requirements when booking and again when ordering, because current ingredients and preparation can change from one menu to the next.

The good news is that lunch here can be built around naturally gluten-free ingredients such as meat, fish, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and herbs. With sensible choices and a little planning, you can order a proper meal instead of treating salad as a compromise. You can also make the visit a full day out, with a walk around the Wheel, a drink afterwards or Champagne afternoon tea later in the afternoon.

Start with a warm and satisfying plate

Start with the main event rather than the leaves. A warm plate built around a roasted or grilled meat, with potatoes and seasonal vegetables, can feel much more like lunch in the traditional Scottish sense. Our menu changes with the supply of ingredients, so ask the team which mains and accompaniments are available and how they have been prepared on the day.

Steak is an obvious example. Friday steak nights are a fixture here, and anyone visiting at lunchtime can ask whether a steak special will also be available earlier in the day. Check the seasoning and sauce, then add potatoes, greens or a salad as the side. That turns a familiar plate into a substantial meal without making bread or a wheat-based bun the centre of the dish.

Fish works in the same way, but the details matter. A battered fillet, a coating made with wheat or a sauce containing flour will change the answer, whereas an unbattered fish dish may fit your requirements. A jacket potato with a filling, or simply butter, can also make a satisfying plate when the toppings and preparation have been confirmed.

Look closer at sides and sauces

Sides and sauces often decide whether a meal works for you. Butter and many vegetable preparations are straightforward choices, while gravy, salad dressing, stock and soy-based sauces need their ingredients checked. Ask the team to confirm details rather than judging by appearance: barley, wheat, malt and gluten-containing stock can all be easy to overlook on a generous plate.

Chips are another case worth asking about. If they are cooked in a shared fryer, that may not suit your needs, even when no wheat is deliberately added. You can also ask about separate preparation and utensils for sharing boards. These are sensible questions to raise for coeliac disease, and they help the team give you an accurate answer for the menu being served that day.

Seasonal vegetables can carry more weight than a pile of leaves, particularly when they are roasted, grilled or served warm. For an example of how a seasonal ingredient can inspire a menu, these olive harvest tasting notes are well worth reading. They show how olives and careful pairing can add character to lunch without turning the entire plate into a dressed salad.

Bring everyone to the same table

The Wheelhouse is set up for mixed tables as well as straightforward lunches for two. Families can order from the children’s menus, while adults can choose a more substantial plate or add a drink from our wine and cocktail list. Guests do not need to eat separately just because one person is avoiding gluten; a carefully chosen shared meal can suit everyone.

At home, many Australians say “arvo” for the afternoon and arrange a catch-up over lunch rather than a formal dinner. That habit translates well to a relaxed meal beside the Wheel, followed by coffee or a walk through Falkirk, especially if you are used to Perth’s long-lunch culture. It also feels familiar to anyone who enjoys Australian pub-style service, where a table, a drink and a meal often sit comfortably within the same social plan.

A large family group or a work outing needs a little more organisation than an unplanned walk-in. Before travelling across town, check our large group bookings guidance for the information the team needs and the best way to reserve space. That advice is particularly useful if you are used to booking a Sydney Harbour restaurant at short notice, but need to plan a Scottish lunch around fixed meal times.

Plan groups and special requests

For a set meal, menu pre-orders and other large-group arrangements, our group pre-orders explainer gives you a clear picture of how the process works. It is a useful starting point for birthdays, reunions and team meals because it lets you discuss dishes, dietary requirements and timing before anyone arrives hungry and hoping for a surprise.

Australians are usually comfortable booking a suburban café for brunch, but group dining elsewhere can involve more notice and a deposit, so it pays to check ahead. Ask about the deadline for pre-orders and whether a set menu includes bread, starters or desserts that need to be adapted. A gluten-free requirement should be noted for each guest, not simply added to the table name.

Sunday roasts deserve particular attention. Ask about the gravy, Yorkshire pudding and any crumb or wheat-based coating, and tell the team whether you can have the meal without them. The same careful check applies when choosing a main for a special occasion: a shared platter may be ideal for the table, provided every component has been checked for your needs.

Match the menu to your party

Choose the dish you actually want, then check its components. A grilled main with potatoes, a roast with vegetables and sides, or a warm fish dish can all work. The most useful approach is to make your selection early, leave enough time for the team to confirm the ingredients and plan any suitable changes.

For a larger group, write down each diner’s requirement in a short message before the booking. That avoids relying on a verbal note at the door and gives the team time to check the menu. If someone has a severe allergy, make that clear when you reserve, since general preferences and medical requirements deserve different levels of care.

Quick picks for different kinds of lunch

For a solo diner

For a mixed table

Make your next stop The Wheelhouse

Book a lunch beside the Falkirk Wheel and let the team know about any gluten-free requirements when you reserve. Whether you are coming for a quick plate after the Wheel, an arvo catch-up with friends or a longer Sunday lunch, the conversation starts with a clear dietary brief.

Our gift cards and experience vouchers also give you a ready-made reason to arrange a meal with someone who has different tastes or dietary needs. Choose a date, gather your table and come to The Wheelhouse, where the view is free, the service is friendly and there is a proper gluten-free lunch waiting to be ordered.