Cafe Free Mosman

If you're looking for a place to eat on the North Shore where you can get food that is gluten free and lactose free but still delicious, then look no further than [Linkhttp://www.cafefree.com.au/ Café Free] in Mosman. Having opened earlier this year, Café Free caters especially for those with gluten or dairy intolerances (or coeliac disease), while offering a menu using the best local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.


It was with much excitement that I first saw this café opening down a side street off Military Road. As a coeliac I feel lucky enough when I find somewhere that offers a few gluten free options, but an entire café specialising in them seemed a thing of dreams. However, at Café Free, this thing of dreams has become a reality with everything on the menu already being, or having the ability to be made gluten free, and many of them lactose free too. From sandwiches to fries to milkshakes to take-home dinners, the only trouble will be deciding what to choose first.



Having now been multiple times for breakfast, lunch, and when craving something a little sweet, I have many items on the menu I'd gladly recommend.

A few personal favourites have been the breakfast burger, comprising bacon, egg, sausage and a hash brown on a gluten free bun, doused in the cafe's special home made spicy barbecue sauce, and the three cheese toasted sandwich, which was so good I had to double check if it really was gluten free (it was). The café also offers a very delicious steak sandwich that comes with hand-cut fries cooked in a dedicated gluten free fryer.


On the sweet side, a personal favourite has been the choc mint milkshake that was on their weekly specials board. It's rare to find milkshakes that contain no gluten, so this was a real treat. I'd also gladly go back for their mini carrot cakes with cream cheese topping, and the bite-sized lemon meringue tart. Both were creamy and sweet without being too cloying.


One thing that is always a question for coeliacs when eating out is concerns over cross-contamination. Luckily, the owner of Café Free is very well versed in this issue. No gluten-containing flour is brought on premises, the deep fryer is dedicated only to gluten free items, all sauces and toppings are made from scratch, and the chef has been taught to treat gluten cross-contamination as she would treat raw chicken - a clever way of explaining it to someone who might not otherwise understand the seriousness of it.


The owner, who is always greeting customers with an enthusiastic smile, believes in using sustainable and seasonal produce. As much produce as possible is bought direct from farmers, with many items coming from locals at Sydney farmers' markets. So, to keep the menu fresh and seasonal, it changes almost monthly, and while you might think it could be a disappointment to go in and find your favourite item gone from the menu, each menu actually seems more creative and exciting than the last, so I've never yet been disappointed.

If food intolerances hamper your eating out, I'd strongly recommend giving Café Free a try. I'm sure you won't be disappointed either.



Rating: 10/10

Where: 1-5 Mandolong Road, Mosman, 2088.
Cost: Prices start from as little as $3 for muffins, slices and cakes.
When: Open every day until 4pm.
Good for kids: Yes, they have babycinos and a special kids menu featuring items like gluten free chicken nuggets.
Take away: Yes, they even have takeaway dinners.

Categories:
#north_shore
#mosman
#gluten_free
#cafes
#lactose_free

%sydneyfoodlovers