PizzaExpress | Gluten-free in Poole

K W
25/01/2026

4

We found ourselves looking for a place to eat yesterday, and after some quick Googling, we discovered Pizza Express at Tower Park as a "Coeliac-friendly" option. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the manager, who confirmed they catered to Coeliacs. She helpfully explained the menu to us, and we felt reassured as we sat down. Starters: We started with the gluten-free Dough Balls ‘in Blankets,’ which were fantastic! The kids enjoyed their gluten-free dough balls from the children’s menu, too. Unfortunately, I completely forgot to take photos—oops! Mains: I opted for the gluten-free Christmas Feast pizza, which was perfectly fine. My husband chose the American, which he said was also fine. My eldest had the gluten-free Margherita pizza, which, unfortunately, fell short in taste and presentation. My youngest (the Coeliac) had the gluten-free Bolognese, which was okay but slightly watery. Desserts: My husband and I skipped dessert, but the girls enjoyed theirs, included with the kids’ menu deal. My eldest loved the Snowball Dough Balls—essentially the starter version but dusted with sugar and served with a chocolate dip. My youngest desperately wanted ice cream, but the waitress insisted it wasn’t gluten-free. This led to some frustration, as she was very adamant (and even a little “shouty” 😅). To double-check, I asked the manager, who clarified that the ice cream was gluten-free as long as the wafer was removed. Crisis averted, and my little one happily enjoyed her sundae. While the manager was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable (especially during the ice cream saga, despite being visibly busy), the waitress’s attitude soured the experience somewhat. Her mood became less friendly after the dessert misunderstanding, which dampened the atmosphere for the rest of the meal. Overall: A mixed experience. The food was ok but not outstanding, and while the manager’s attentiveness was aghlight, the service from the waitress left room for improvement. We appreciated the GF options and would likely visit again, but there was room for improvement.