Gluten-Free Italy: A gluten-free traveler’s dream come true
There has never been a better time to dine gluten free in Italy. Things have improved SOOOOO much over the past 10-15 years I can still hardly believe it! Gone are the days where you had to shop for gluten free products at the pharmacy and they came exclusively in packages and tasted of sawdust (like when I lived in Italy 13 years ago).
Italy is now one of the savviest countries in the world when it comes to providing gluten free options in restaurants, particularly when it comes to pizza and pasta. It is a country, after all, where 80% of the diet is based on flour and which has the highest per capita % of celiacs!
This is a big reason why you will find some of the best gluten free pizzas, breads and products in Italy. They live on bread-and unlike the U.S where we have a huge variety of different styles of cuisine from around the world (therefore it might be harder to find great gluten free pizza, but much easier to find a variety of cuisines that are naturally gluten free) Italians really eat a relatively simple diet. And that diet MUST include breads, pasta and pizza.
I’m happy to say that 10+ years later, traveling to Italy as a gluten free traveler is an absolute pleasure. At least when in cities in popular regions (it’s still tough in small towns or off-the-beaten-path regions).
Below you will find a list of gluten free bakeries, pizzerias and restaurants in Italy that either I or someone I know has experienced personally had has recommended. I will continue to add to this list over time as well as try to keep it updated (things change fast when it comes to gluten free restaurants, pizzerias and bakeries-it’s not an easy business!).
Do you have a favorite spot you think should be on this list? Please get in touch with me if you’d be willing to share your experience.
Gluten Free Italy: Gluten Free Bologna Recommendations
Fiordaliso
A completely gluten free restaurant in Bologna. The chef has been awarded for his gluten free pizza crusts and the topping options are fantastic, but people also rave about the excellent gluten free pastries (traditional Italian pastries like cannoli as well as a wide assortments of many others!). They also offer house-made pasta and a selection of gluten free cakes. Fiordaliso is a paradise for gluten intolerant customers in Bologna.
Peoples favorites here are: the pizza, arancini, Italian pastries.
The next two options below are recommendations from Ali Garland of Travel Made Simple and Betsy Ball from Euro Travel Coach:
Ristorante La Capriata
Ristorante La Capriata has a full gluten free menu with alternative options for most (but not all) of their regular menu items. You just have to ask for the gluten free menu since it’s separate. Both the gluten free tortellini ragu and the tortelloni with caramelized pears and cheese sauce are fantastic! Ristorante La Capriata also provides gluten free bread with every meal and every gluten free meal comes out of the kitchen with a drop of balsamic vinegar on the edge of the plate to indicate that it is gluten free.
La Sorbetteria Castiglione
This sorbetteria is a little farther from the center but still walking distance and well worth the extra few minutes. Next to their list of normal flavors was a list of gluten free and lactose free options. Some were sorbet, but others were ice cream flavors like chocolate and espresso. Everything we had was so delicious, we went in almost every day.
La Spiga Amica
This delightful 100% gluten free bakery is a must for any food lovers with wheat sensitivity or celiac. Though it’s a little out of the way (tucked into the residential neighborhood south of the city center), it’s worth the trek for the buttery croissants, chewy focaccia, and crunchy biscotti. You’ll also find piles of house made fresh pasta – from tagliatelle to tortellini – that’s begging to be taken back to your Airbnb and adorned with tomato sauce or pesto.
The staff are friendly and very helpful and will take their time to explain each of the (many) baked goods their shelves are laden with.
Gluten Free Italy: Gluten Free Florence Recommendations
Mr. Pizza
Mr. Pizza has an unbeatable location right next to the Duomo in Florence, and they also serve delicious gluten free as well as dairy free and vegan pizzas. The central location makes this place convenient for a quick lunch stop in the middle of a long day of sightseeing, but they do stay open until the wee hours of the morning, so you could also come here if you’re struck by a late-night pizza craving while in Florence.
The gluten free crust is made on site and gets nothing but rave reviews. The dairy-free cheese melts just like cow’s cheese and is also highly rated by lactose intolerant and vegan customers. Prices are very reasonable, starting at just 5.50 euros for a pizza marinara.
The main location near the Duomo doesn’t accept reservations, but if it’s full you can always visit their other location on Via Pietrapiana, which is only about a 10-minute walk away.
Ciro and Sons Pizzeria
Yet another pizza spot that makes their own gluten free crust versus using the frozen stuff! People rave about Ciro and Sons for good reason. Not only do they make their own fresh pizza crust but also offer an entire menu of options which you can get the gluten free version of (pastas, gnoccchi, etc) AND offer dairy free cheese (for those who are vegans or lactose intolerant).
These guys have two separate kitchens-one where they cook the gluten free items and are located in Florence’s historic center a few blocks from the Duomo.
Gluten Free Lucca Recommendations
Starbene Gluten Free Bakery
Starbene has many locations all over Italy-including Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Modena and many more. It is a franchise that has grown quickly over the past 5-10 years. In Lucca, this is the only place (besides the very costly Mamey Senza Glutine who’s fresh products very depending on which day you stop-in) where you will find freshly baked gluten free breads, foccaccia, etc. You can also find baguettes, sandwich rolls and sweet treats!
Mamey Senza Glutine
This is the mothership of gluten-free products in Lucca. They have a massive selection of both packaged items (larger than I’d ever seen anywhere at the time with far more specialty brands than you’ll see in even the largest supermarket) as well as freshly made items such as handmade pastas, pizza crusts, pastries and breads (made by local bakers and gluten free producers such as Sabrina, Granozero and Laboratorio Graziosi). They even carry whole grain pastas and crackers (super rare!).
Gluten Free Italy: Gluten Free Milan Recommendations
GluFree Bakery
This bakery in Milan is a dedicated gluten free facility and it is amazing. Nothing tastes or feels “gluten free” the cream puffs are puffy on the inside and crisp on the outside, the croissants are as flaky as glutinous versions and there are all sorts of savory num nums like rosemary foccaccia, arancini and more. Your mouth will be in heaven!
Pan Per Me
Another 100% gluten free bakery! Pan Per Me offers an assortment of freshly baked gluten free goods that are really too good to be true-from breakfast croissants, tarts and cakes to traditional Italian pastries and pizzas, breads (made with a variety of multi-grain flours-not just white!) and cookies this place is a MUST for any gluten free traveler in Milan.
*as a reference point Pan Per Me is only a few minutes walk from Prada (you know..like if you’re having one of those breakfast at Tiffany’s type moments where you want to grab a croissant and then go window shop at a store that’s way too expensive for you?)
Risotteria Melotti
This 100% gluten free risotteria is a favorite among gluten free expats and locals alike. Risotteria Melotti offers a wide selection of different risottos (12-14!) as well as an excellent assortment of antipasti dishes such as arancini, polenta based dishes and carpaccio. These guys do everything right. Their risotto is cooked perfectly (tough to get even in Italy), their arancini are to die for (especially for those of us who almost never get to eat fried foods!) and everything else works perfectly as well. They even offer a gluten free Tiramasu and rice crepe with nutella (along with other items) for dessert!
This is a family owned establishment. The Melotti family also sell their own ‘Riso Melotti’ for making risotto at home (riso vialone nano). Their first Rostteria Melotti was opened in Verona in 2002 and they now have restaurants in Milan, Rome and New York.
Gluten Free Italy: Gluten Free Rome Recommendations
La Pasticceria
A gluten-free bakery offering a wide assortment of delectable cakes, pastries, tarts, bread, foccacia, brioche, croissants and more. Amazing! The consistency of some of the fluffy breads the La Pasticceria pastry chefs bake up are really something celiacs can typically only dream about. Stop by and stock up for the weekend, order a specialty cake for a birthday or grab specialty seasonal items like cake for Pasqua, Christmas…..
La Soffitta Renovatio
People love La Soffitta for how well they cater to gluten-free diners. While not a 100% gluten free restaurant they have a special and separate area to prepare gluten free dishes and offer to adapt or replicate anything from the regular menu for you gluten free! While the pizza and pasta are favorites (these are the toughest things to find with truly amazing consistency when you are a celiac) La Soffitta’s desserts also wow.
Mama Eat Rome
Potentially the best pizza place in Rome, and, as per many celiac and celiac partners’ (who are condemned to sharing gluten free pizza on many occasions) proclamations the best in Italy, Mama Eat Rome offers a completely gluten free menu.
From hand-made pasta (try the carbonara!) to tiramasu you won’t leave Mama Eat hungry.
Pizzeria Teresina Senza Glutine
This pizzeria started out as a normal pizzeria but when the owner’s wife developed a sensitivity to gluten and they realized what a huge demand there was for safe spaces to find truly gluten free pizza they bought a space nearby and turned it into a dedicated gluten free pizzeria!
Gluten Free Italy: Gluten Free Sorrento Recommendation
NoGlu
Pizzeria, forneria, rosticceria, pasticceria. Founded by local Luigi and his cousins Simone and Emiliano. NoGlu bakery creates amazing gluten free bread, pizza, Italian pastries, brownies, cheesecake, croissants, biscuits and cakes!
Gluten Free Italy: Gluten Free Turin Recommendation
Dolcelia Pizzeria and Cafe/Bakery
This gluten free pizzeria and cafe/bakery offers amazing freshly baked gluten free pizza, calzones, foccaccia and more savory items (with dozens of topping and filling options) as well as a nice selection of cakes, pastries, tortes and other sweet items. Their cakes and tortes rotate, but they’ll always have a couple on hand in addition to mainstays such as croissants, cream and chocolate filled pastries and cannolis, etc.
During the holiday season Dolcelia also takes orders for special seasonal items such as panettone (Christmas cake) or colomba pasquale (Easter cake)
Gluten Free Italy: Gluten Free Verona Recommendation
Risotteria Melotti
This 100% gluten free risotteria is a favorite among gluten free expats and locals alike. Risotteria Melotti offers a wide selection of different risottos (12-14!) as well as an excellent assortment of antipasti dishes such as arancini, polenta based dishes and carpaccio. These guys do everything right. Their risotto is cooked perfectly (tough to get even in Italy), their arancini are to die for (especially for those of us who almost never get to eat fried foods!) and everything else works perfectly as well. They even offer a gluten free Tiramasu and rice crepe with nutella (along with other items) for dessert!
This is a family owned establishment. The Melotti family also sell their own ‘Riso Melotti’ for making risotto at home (riso vialone nano).
