La Mela Mediterranean Cuisine in Hackney

La Mela offers a gluten-free beer and menu items including a GF English breakfast and oat GF cappuccino, though the kitchen is not a dedicated gluten-free facility. Community reviews on FindMeGlutenFree report knowledgeable staff and marked GF items, and the listing carries a warning that the establishment is not a dedicated GF facility. One coeliac reviewer praised staff awareness. Cross-contamination risk exists in the shared kitchen, so coeliac diners should speak directly with the chef and confirm protocols.

La Mela provides a broad selection of vegetarian dishes. These include the Herbivor breakfast, several salads such as Caprese, Goat Cheese, and Falafel, as well as arancini, boureka, stuffed aubergine, vegetable lasagna, mushroom risotto, and many other options. Staff are able to identify suitable items, and the menu contains substantial plant-based sections. Vegetarians have plenty of choice, though cross-contact with meat in shared kitchen preparation is possible.

The menu has explicit vegan items: a Vegan Burger (£13), La Mela Plant Pitta (£13), vegan desserts (Lemon & Blueberry, Orange & Chocolate), and several salads that can be ordered without cheese. The venue's own site states it offers vegan options, and a blog post recommends La Mela for vegan Mediterranean food. The kitchen is shared, so confirm with staff that dishes are prepared without dairy or honey.

The menu features several fish and seafood options, including seabass, salmon salad, king prawns, calamari, and seafood linguini, alongside many vegetarian and vegan dishes, making it easy for pescatarians to find meals. No specific pescatarian designation appears on the menu, but staff can guide choices.

Several menu items appear dairy-free (e.g., vegan burger, falafel, salads without cheese), and the FindMeGlutenFree listing reports a GF & dairy-free English breakfast. Staff are described as caring about allergies. The menu is not systematically marked for dairy, however, and the shared kitchen means cross-contamination is possible. Dairy-free diners should confirm modifications with staff.

The venue uses eggs extensively in breakfast dishes, including fried, poached, and scrambled preparations, as well as in pasta carbonara. Some menu items, such as the vegan burger, falafel, and many salads, are egg-free. The venue notes it can adjust dishes for dietary needs. However, the kitchen does not have a dedicated egg-free prep area, so cross-contamination is likely. Egg-allergic diners should request allergen information for specific dishes.

The menu contains several dishes that include nuts or seeds. Walnuts appear in the Goat Cheese Salad, almonds are used on the Padron Peppers, pistachio ice cream is available, and the Muhammara contains walnut pomegranate molasses. The kitchen does not appear to be nut-free, and no nut-aware protocols are mentioned. Nut-allergic diners should exercise caution and discuss risks with staff before ordering.

Shellfish appears on the menu in two dishes: King Prawns as a starter and Seafood Linguini Pasta. The restaurant does not mention separate preparation areas or fryers for shellfish. Because the kitchen is shared, there is a risk of cross-contamination for anyone with a shellfish allergy. Guests should ask the chef whether dedicated pans are available or if shellfish can be omitted from a dish.

No sources mention soy-specific protocols or soy-free options. Soy is likely present in some marinades, sauces, or breads typical of Mediterranean cuisine (soy sauce in stir-fries is not common here, but hidden soy in commercial breads or dressings is possible). The venue is not equipped to guarantee soy-free meals. Soy-allergic diners should call ahead and confirm ingredient details.

No source mentions low-FODMAP options. The Mediterranean menu includes many potential high-FODMAP ingredients, such as onion, garlic, wheat bread, beans, and certain fruits. No evidence indicates the kitchen is set up to accommodate low-FODMAP requests reliably. Low-FODMAP diners should contact the restaurant in advance.

No source addresses sugar-free dining. Desserts include cakes, cheesecake, tiramisu, and ice cream, all of which contain sugar. Some savoury dishes may be sugar-free, but no menu marking or staff protocol is evidenced. Sugar-free diners should call ahead.