Italy GF (Venice, Florence, and Rome)
Celiac-Safe Cacio y Pepe from La Soffitta in Vatican City!
As someone with Celiac, when I thought of Italy, I always imagined never-ending pasta, pizza, and other gluten-filled (although delicious) cuisine. It’s understandable to worry about how Celiac Disease might limit your culinary experiences in such a carb-centric country. However, Italy is actually one of the safest and best places for gluten-free travelers, especially for young people like me! Thanks to the high tourist population and an impressive awareness of celiac disease, every restaurant I visited understood my dietary needs, ensuring no cross-contamination. When visiting Italy (or when searching for restaurants beforehand!), keep an eye out for the red AIC (Associazione Italiana Celiachia) certification, which indicates that the restaurant is trained and approved to cater to people with Celiac. Without further ado, let’s get into all the amazing things I ate, restaurants and grocery stores/accomodations I visited in Venice, Florence, and Rome!
Venice
Venice was like absolutely beautiful and charming, just as you’d expect! However, it was the least gluten-friendly of the cities I visited in Italy, based on the availability of entirely gluten-free restaurants. But, in retrospect, there were still plenty of safe options! Just a quicker trip/shorter list in comparison to the other two places.
Pizzeria Ae Oche Santa Lucia
For dinner, make sure to visit Pizzeria Ae Oche Santa Lucia. The gluten-free pizza here was decent, definitely not the best I had in Italy, though. But don’t worry, plenty more delicious gluten-free pizzas awaited me in Florence and Rome!
Grocery Stores
Throughout Venice (and Italy), you’ll find many grocery stores with entirely gluten-free sections. Brands like Schär (which are international and super common to come across in Europe!) offer a wide array of treats, bread, and packaged snacks. These stores were great for stocking up on gluten-free snacks for long day trips or for groceries to cook back in our Airbnb’s.
Amorino Gelato
For a sweet treat, stop by Amorino Gelato. Just make sure to ask them to wash the spoon to avoid cross-contamination. The gelato was creamy and delicious, and very allergen-safe!
Florence
Florence was arguably the best city for gluten-free food I have ever visited. The array of options and the quality of the food were incredible!
Hostería il Desco (AIC Certified)
For your first night, have dinner at Hostería il Desco. This AIC-certified restaurant marks gluten-free items with a special colored menu, cup, and napkin. The gluten-free menu here is extensive, featuring plenty of dishes I had never been able to indulge in before, as they are never made gluten-free:
Bruschetta
Truffle Pasta
Bolognese
Ravioli
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Tiramisu
This restaurant was a favorite for my family! We wish we had had time to go back for a second night :)
Celiachia Grocery Stores
Florence also has multiple Celiachia grocery stores, which are entirely gluten-free. I was amazed to learn that the Italian government provides a stipend for celiac citizens to offset the cost of more expensive gluten-free groceries- I might just have to move there!
Sgrano (AIC Certified)
For the best sandwiches you’ll ever have, head to Sgrano in central Florence. This entirely gluten-free shop offers every sandwich option imaginable. I loved my turkey, cheese, tomato, arugula, and bruschetta sandwich with warm, soft gluten-free bread. My gluten-free dad loved his pastrami, turkey, and ham sandwich with pesto. Sgrano has two locations: a sandwich shop for lunch and a different dinner restaurant where you can enjoy:
Pici Pasta
Ravioli
Truffle Pasta
Cheese Boards
Tiramisu
GROM Gelato (AIC Certified)
In both Florence and Rome, stop by GROM Gelato as often as you can. This entirely gluten-free gelato shop has gluten-free cones, which we all know is one in a million! The stracciatella and raspberry chocolate chunk were my personal favorites :)
Rome
Rome has an abundance of gluten-free options, though it is the most touristy city. Here’s a rundown of my gluten-free dining experiences in Rome.
Cimarra 4
For your first night, dine at Cimarra 4. With options for both gluten and gluten-free eaters (but extensive knowledge on Celiac-safe meal preparation and a separate kitchen), I enjoyed:
Fried Mozzarella Balls
GF Pizza
Cacio e Pepe Pasta (my first time trying it!!)
GF Calzone (which was HUGE and AMAZING!)
The Nutella cheesecake and tiramisu were the perfect desserts after an amazing meal.
La Soffita
Right outside Vatican City, La Soffita offers both gluten-free and non-gluten-free options and is AIC certified. The gluten-free food comes with a cute little flag. I loved the:
Cacio e Pepe Pasta
Giant Calzone
Focaccia Bread (which we bought extra of to take back to the Airbnb for breakfast and snacks!)
Il Nostro Gelato
Yet another gelato place, visit Il Nostro Gelato, which is entirely gluten-free and delicious.
Pizza in Trevi (AIC Certified)
For dinner near the Trevi Fountain, Pizza in Trevi is an allergen-friendly restaurant with a huge menu, labeled with gluten-free options but also has gluten options for gluten lovers. I enjoyed:
GF Lasagna
Pesto and Tomato Bruschetta
Pizza
Truffle Pasta
Next door, Gelato in Trevi (AIC certified) offers incredible GF gelato, including chocolate-dipped sprinkle cones (again, one in a million), and gluten-free waffles!!
Il Ristorante Pantha Rei (AIC Certified)
Tucked away in an alleyway, Il Ristorante Pantha Rei provides a cozy dining experience with gluten-free options marked with red flags. I enjoyed:
Bruschetta
Ravioli
Seafood Pasta
Crème Brûlée
New Food GF Bakery
Visit the New Food GF Bakery, where you’ll find incredible gluten-free treats like:
Pigs in a Blanket
Spinach Sandwiches
Ravioli
Brownies
Cookies
Mini Pizzas
Mini Buns
Cupcakes
Donuts
Voglia de Pizza (AIC Certified)
For our last night in Rome, we went to Voglia de Pizza, where we found an array of amazing gluten-free dishes, including:
Huge GF Calzones
Cacio e Pepe
Bruschetta with Meats, Cheeses, and Veggies
Conclusion
Italy might be known for its gluten-heavy cuisine, but it’s actually amazing for celiac travelers. With widespread awareness, AIC certifications, and amazing gluten-free options, Italy ensured I had a safe and delicious experience in every city. If you have Celiac Disease, Italy should be at the top of your list.
Remember, traveling with Celiac Disease doesn’t have to be stressful or impossible- with a little planning and some insider tips, you can have a worry-free adventure. :)
Feel free to sign up for the email list, or email me directly, if you have any questions about Celiac-safe travel in Vietnam or could use any further guidance!
- Chloe G. 🌍✨
