Food Allergy Awareness Week 2010

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Shining like a beacon of healthy dining for the allergy-stricken and organic food-lovers, Peasants Feast boasts a robust menu covering dishes without gluten, dairy, egg, nut, soy, salicylates, amines, monosodium glutamate, artificial chemicals and synthetically modified fats. It's even owned by a renowned clinical immunologist and allergist, so you know you're in safe hands. Menu highlights include the duck, chive and ginger crepe, the prawn saganaki, and crispy pork belly.

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This popular chain of Sydney cafes is a good place to go for its wide coverage of non-allergenic casseroles, soups, burgers, wraps, salads and curries. Everything is specially marked so that you don't run into a soy, gluten or nut dilemma.

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A 100 percent gluten-free restaurant, Black Ruby is quite the rare gem indeed. This Carlton North bistro charmer specialises in modern Australian cuisine that departs from the usual rehashed fare you often see on menus.

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Allergies at Allegro are no big deal, given the clearly marked range of dairy-free and gluten-free options on the main menu, while other dietary requirements are easily met by request. Popular with the pre-theatre crowds, Allegro offers such mod-Oz treats as mushroom and roasted courgette risotto, pepper-crusted kangaroo loin, and mango, lime and ginger sorbet (all gluten-free!).

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Without even trying, this place manages to offer a menu that is normally about 85 percent gluten-free. Every coeliac-friendly dish on the menu is clearly marked, as are the vegetarian and vegan options, and the wait-staff are well-informed about different dietary requirements.

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Margaret River wine connoisseurs need not have any hang-ups about getting gluten-free and other allergy-free goodies at the Balingup Bronze Gallery and Cafe. Also dubbed a "gluten-free oasis", this cafe has a globe-trotting menu that includes everything from homemade vegie balls to gluten-free Vegemite (they still put the rose in every cheek).

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As the name suggests, this sugar-coated cafe deals in sweets and treats specially made for those who normally miss out. Vegan, gluten-, dairy- and lactose-free: it's all in a day's work for the caked crusaders at this place. Not only are the sweets here designed for dietary requirements, they re also a whole lot more exciting than the usual stuff you d find in a run of the mill patisserie.

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Think of a good cause in the food industry and these guys are probably involved. These guys live and breathe their food philosophy. When they can do organic, local, GM-free and fair trade without breaking a sweat, it's not hard to see why they can also offer gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan food and still make it seriously tasty.

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This trendy little urban boho cafe has a good range of salads, frittatas and cakes that are not only fresh and delicious, but are also blessedly free from gluten. Now the chic decor and espresso coffee aren't the only reasons to frequent this little hidden gem.