Gluten Free Eats in Italy
This past May I celebrated celiac disease awareness month by traveling to a place you might not suspect. Most people with a gluten free diet would be horrified by Italy, but it may surprise you just how much of a celiac safe haven lies within the beautiful country.
Italy may be the safest country in the world for celiac disease and I am so excited to share my experience with you.
When you think of Italy, you think pasta, bread, pizza, and GLUTEN. However, with Italy being so bread-based, they are aware that not everyone can tolerate it so the country has taken celiac disease, and the gluten free diet, very seriously. Not only are they on top of testing their citizens, they also offer stipends to their celiac citizens to help with budgeting in the gluten-free upcharge. On top of giving the stipend, most restaurants I visited did not upcharge for their gluten-free substitutions and most of them offered complimentary gluten-free bread! It was rare to walk into a restaurant and not have them ask if you were gluten free.
Visiting Italy was similar to visiting a parallel universe, where gluten-free wasn’t made fun of and taken so seriously they ask you before you even get seated. I am not one to finish a meal when traveling, especially finishing multiple dishes in one sitting, but I did it multiple times here. The stress of eating safely did not exist when I landed in Italy. I forgot what it felt like to not worry about the next meal and simply, live in the moment.
I feel the need to give a warning, or some sort of disclosure that the pictures you are about to see are in fact, gluten free. It may be hard to believe how delicious most of these meals look, but they are all entirely GLUTEN FREE! These images may cause some mixed feelings. You may cry, as I did after taking my first bite… every single time.
I knew I was going to love Italy before I even stepped foot in the country. My Godmother’s cooking and stories sparked my interest to visit Italy a long time ago. When I was diagnosed, that dream of visiting Italy went out the window until I saw the endless reassuring posts from so many gluten free bloggers. My anxiety was at an all time low preparing for this trip. I packed only a few snacks for the airport, but I had all the confidence that Italy was going to provide anything I needed, and they excelled in that! However, I still did my research to make sure I was staying in the right areas, near restaurants or grocery stores, and any other due diligence prior to traveling.
Two websites that are important to know on your trip are:
Find me Gluten Free
Many of you know of this app, and yes it works internationally! This app was great for picking a few places in each city to get a general idea where I wanted to stay. Since I did not rent a car, I relied solely on walking/biking and some taxi’s to get to anywhere I wanted to go!
Find me Gluten Free had an endless amount of restaurants and many with 40+ reviews! It was a shock to see. This was the first trip where I couldn’t even hit all the highly rated restaurants, though I was never disappointed with a place I chose (well, maybe one or two).
AIC (Associazione Italiana Celiachia)
Other than the Find me Gluten Free app to help navigate all the Italian cities, there was also another website that was extremely helpful in navigating the gluten free eats.
AIC is the Italian Celiac Association that helps people with celiac easily find gluten free food. This association has gone above and beyond to create a safe environment for people with celiac disease, and following a gluten free diet.
AIC has an app that is $3.99 for two weeks. After the two weeks, you will need to be a resident to become a member and continue access. I ended up not using the app, as I was pretty well off with the Find Me Gluten Free app.
While I didn’t use the app, I definitely followed the AIC stickers as I walked through the streets! If you visit Italy, you may notice these stickers on some restaurants
AIC has an app that is $3.99 for two weeks. After the two weeks, you will need to be a resident to become a member and continue access. I ended up not using the app, as I was pretty well off with the Find Me Gluten Free app.
While I didn’t use the app, I definitely followed the AIC stickers as I walked through the streets! If you visit Italy, you may notice these stickers on some restaurants
AIC has an “Eating Out Program” where the association has certified these restaurants to be safe for people with celiac disease. There are courses, training, and other requirements to pass a restaurant and you can learn more about their requirements to certify a restaurant here!
Having these two websites came in handy at times, but most of the trip consisted of strolling around these cities and stumbling upon some of the most amazing meals I’ll ever consume (gluten-free or not)!
I didn’t even scratch the surface of restaurants and bakeries that Italy had to offer but I still hit enough to give you guys an Italian itinerary for gluten free (As well as London and Lisbon)!
Below are all the cities and restaurants I went to during my trip to Italy:
I only spent a few days in Rome so we only made it to a few places, but we made sure to pick the ones most recommended by bloggers and reviews on the Find Me Gluten Free app!
New Food Bakery
New Food Bakery is a smaller, but highly stocked, dedicated gluten-free bakery that offers an array of gluten-free baked goods such as baguettes, croissants, pizza, and so much more!
Osteria La Genola
We flew into Rome first, before heading to Sorrento, so we had time to sneak a dinner in when we landed. We stayed in the Trastevere area and opened up the app to find a last minute spot nearby called OSteria La Genola.
They did not offer gluten free bread but did have gluten free pasta and many celiac-safe options. I was relieved knowing they were so knowledgeable of celiac disease. The communication, despite the language barrier, was Exceptional.
This was the first meal in Italy and the first time I had ever had Carbonara, after my first bite I knew what my go-to meal would be for the rest of this trip. I was shocked at the texture from the noodles, as gluten-free can typically be harder noodles that seem to break apart the second they hit the plate. These noodles were so soft, I wanted to question if they were gluten-free but the staff was too reassuring to question their confidence in my dish.
Mama Eats
If there is one place you MUST go to when visiting Rome, is it Mama Eat. This restaurant has two kitchens. Yes, TWO kitchens. One for gluten meals, and one for gluten free so there is no risk of cross contamination. I have never been to, let alone heard of, a restaurant that has two completely separate kitchens just to ensure that a food will not even think of coming in contact.
Everything you see on the menu can be made gluten free which was such a treat! The friend I went with is a full-blown gluten loving foodie so it was nice to be able to try similar things in our own preferred flour mix (well I would prefer gluten but my disease says otherwise).
I ordered a pesto, sausage pizza and some potato croquettes which tasted like fried mashed potatoes. They weren’t my favorite appetizer in the world, but it was fun to have something fried.
I had three places in Italy with the most delicious, memorable, pizza I’ll ever consume and Mama Eat’s pizza comes in at #3. The flavor of the pizza was amazing but the crust is what sold it for me. To have a gluten free crust be so doughy, crispy and airy…It makes me wonder what we’re doing wrong in the states.
La Soffitta
The last restaurant we went to in Rome, was another sought-after restaurant recommended by many.
This restaurant is not dedicated gluten free, and they don’t have an entirely separate kitchen, but they do understand and take celiac disease very seriously.
They mark their gluten-free dishes with a flag, bring things out at different times, and asked if we had any food allergies as soon as they sat us. They offer gluten free bread, pasta and pizza.
Of course, I was on my carbonara kick so we know what pasta dish I already ordered and we know it was absolutely delicious.
This was our last meal before Mariah headed home, and it was day 8 of consuming nothing but carbs and wine so we knew it was time to put some veggies in our stomach.
We ordered a platter of grilled eggplant, zucchini and peppers as well as a dish called “Puntarelle in salsa d’alici”. This was a veggie based dish that had sprouts of catalogna chicory in an anchovy sauce. As much as I love my fresh greens, I am not one to write home about some veggies on a plate but this is one dish I still think about to this day. Between the flavor of the sauce and the feeling of nutrients hitting our stomach, we were two happy Italian campers.
After our one night in Rome, we headed to Sorrento/Positano for 4 days. We stayed in the Sorrento area, near downtown, and took a ferry to visit Positano for a day.
The atmosphere of Sorrento was beautiful and peaceful. It is a bit older, compared to Positano, but I really enjoyed the less crowded, slower pace environment.
There were a couple of gluten free bakeries on the coast, but unfortunately too far out for me to make that trip. I had many great dishes in Sorrento, but gluten-free food isn’t their specialty compared to other cities I visited.
As I mentioned, we flew into Rome first, and headed out the next day to Sorrento with a pit stop in Napoli to switch trains.
While Napoli isn’t a must-stay destination, there is one restaurant we stopped in during our layover, and it was the BEST decision we made that entire trip.
Lucignolo Bella Pizza (Napoli)
Lucignolo Bella Pizza is a 15 minute walk from Napoli’s train station and worth popping out of the station to enjoy, quite possibly, the best gluten-free pizza of your life. This was the first pizza we had in Italy, and the first gluten-free dish that Mariah was sharing with me so the pressure to impress my gluten-loving food friend was ON.
I wish I had the reaction of our faces when the pizza was placed on the table. Because look at this thing!
First, can we realize that the gluten free dough must be fresh for them to shape it into a heart
Second, can we also realize that there is a crust on this pizza. It is not a thin cardboard crust…this is a PIZZA.
Mariah and I both questioned if this pizza was gluten free, it took some time for me to actually believe them, as anyone with celiac disease probably would.
Between the first carbonara dish in Rome the night before and this pizza, I knew the next few weeks were going to be a delicious adventure.
Foreigner’s Club
If you are staying in the Sorrento area, and looking for a beautiful view with a delicious meal, Foreigner’s Club needs to be on your list. We ended up coming here twice because it was so delicious.
Their menu has a couple pages dedicated to gluten-free recommendations of meals. They offer gluten free bread for the table, which was another shock to my celiac brain.
I’ve had free gluten free bread at restaurants before but to have GOOD and AIRY gluten free bread.. Unheard of.
The first time we went, we ordered mussels and I had their gnocchi with tomato sauce and basil. Gnocchi isn’t usually my first choice, but I needed to branch away from carbonara or that’s all my body would be consuming.
The second visit, we reordered the mussels because they were so fresh and delicious! I definitely recommend trying these if you make the stop here. For my main course, I cannot remember the name of the dish itself but it was a risotto with shrimp, sausage, and veggies. It was quite delicious and filling!
Raki Gelato
Many gelato shops in Italy offer gluten free cones, but some shops aren’t the best with cross contamination. One gelato place in Sorrento I enjoyed was Raki Gelato.
They had several options, keep their gluten free cones separate, keep scoops separate, and do not touch cones to spoons to avoid any cross contamination. I was a little skeptical walking into some gelato places throughout the trip but Raki was very cautious!
Ristorante Fuoro
Ristorante Fuoro was another favorite! This was our last meal in Sorrento, and we realized the only lemon-based thing we’ve consumed on the coast was a limoncello spritz (which is also a MUST drink when you are here).
We both ordered Tagliolini, a white cream pasta served in a lemon with prawns and parsley. This was exactly the meal we needed to end the Sorrento trip. We also ordered their octopus appetizer, which was another amazing treat.
Do not miss the seafood while on the coast!
L’incanto in Positano
There was only one restaurant we went to in Positano and I wish I would’ve done more research to find a better-fitting place with what we wanted but you can’t plan everything on vacation!
When we got off the ferry, I quickly opened the app and found this place right near the beach so the location was great and the view was beautiful but the food was probably my least favorite of the trip. Mind you, I had way too many good meals that there has to be a least favorite and L’incanto was it.
We split a gluten-free pizza that reminded me more of home that I would’ve liked. It was very thin and crispy/hard. The flavor of the pizza was amazing and the gluten ones looked way better, per usual. They did offer other gluten-free dishes that I am sure are way better than the pizza but you can skip out on trying the pizza here.
Lucignolo Bella Pizza (Napoli)
Radical
Radical was the breakfast place that offered gluten-free meals. I struggled with breakfast quite a bit in Sorrento because most of their breakfast consists of a cappuccino and a pastry. The cappuccino was easy to find, the gluten-free version of a pastry was not.
Radical was a cute stop, and very delicious!
It was the first time I had tried Turkish eggs and I was so impressed with the flavor. It was nice having a filling breakfast, because those were near and far between when visiting Sorrento.
There is a bakery about 15-20 minutes outside of Sorrento, called Panificio Gargiulo, but we didn’t have a car/scooter to make it out there. If you can, make that trip and stock up on some baked goods to keep you tied over in the morning!
Ristorante Pizzeria Tasso
Ristorante Pizzeria Tasso had a lot of good reviews on the Find me Gluten Free app so we were excited to give it a try! Unfortunately, we did not love it as much as everyone else.
We both ordered pizza, and it’s obvious we spoiled ourselves in Napoli with Bella Pizza because this pizza was a little too doughy and burnt for my new standard of gluten free pizza. For it being gluten free, still a pretty delicious pizza but if you do end up trying this restaurant, i would opt for a pasta or meat dish.
Master Host
I had many people message and comment to try Master Host in Sorrento. Specifically to try their pizza. Another unfortunate event when we arrived, they were out of gluten free pizza dough!
Instead, I enjoyed a bolognese penne pasta and some french fries! This was a great little lunch stop but I wish I was able to try the pizza everyone had raved about!
The restaurant was extremely cautious of celiac disease, and cross contamination. We went back and forth a few times trying to figure out what else we could make because there were some dishes, originally gluten free, that were no longer due to cross contamination. I felt very safe eating here knowing they took my dietary restriction so seriously!
After Rome, Mariah flew home and I started my solo trip to Milan and Lake Como! I took the train from Rome to Milan, where I stopped at a bakery, Officina Zero, before getting back on the train to Como. I researched ahead of time and saw there weren’t any gluten-free bakeries near me in Como so I stocked up on some bread and pastries to hold me over for the few days I was there. I was staying about 15-20 minutes out of Como in a town called Cernnabio.
Those few days, it rained most of the time but thankfully I chose a cozy airbnb with a beautiful view of the lake and mountains. I spent most days watching the water, making food at home, and catching up on my work.
There was a grocery store right near my place, and they had many gluten free options such as pre-packaged baked goods, pizza, pasta and just about anything you would find at your local grocery store. I stocked up on some pasta, sauce, salami, mozzarella, pesto, and eggs to enjoy a few days of breakfast again!
Ristorante Hostaria
I found one restaurant in Cernobbio that completely shocked my taste buds to their core. This was one of my favorite meals not only for the food but for the Italian dining experience I had been longing for.
This restaurant has a total of 10 tables, most being two seaters. I was the only one there, because I decided to have dinner at 7pm and not 9pm. I had the full dining experience and started with the best gluten free bread there is to offer in this world. For anyone who knows the taste and texture of a gluten-filled baked artisan bread, please know that is exactly what this bread tasted like. I did ask, twice, if it was gluten-free because there is no way something gluten-free can be this crispy, airy, and delicious.
Along with the complimentary gluten free bread, they also offer a complimentary starter that consists of anchovy and tapioca on a bed of lettuce. I am usually not a “let’s take a bite of an anchovy” but it was a perfect start to this dinner.
For my main dish, I had their “risotto gelato al taleggio, cipolla bruciata”. This was the only dish I had in Italy that absolutely melted in my mouth. Cipolla bruciata means “burnt onion” which I am assuming is what the shaved black dust is on my dish. They make everything from scratch in their kitchen, including their cheese gelato topping for this dish. CHEESE GELATO. The dish was so creative and delicious, even if you are staying in the Como area – make the trip to Ristorante Hostaria!
After my delicious meal at Ristorante Hostaria, it was time to get on the train and head back to Milan.
I really enjoyed Milan, despite it being more of a big city vs. the feel of a European town. If I were to move to Italy, I’d consider Milan as an option as it was very easy to communicate with almost everyone there and they had the most variety of gluten-free options. I did not make it to all but there were over 5 dedicated gluten-free bakeries, several dedicated gluten-free restaurants and even a dedicated gluten-free pizza by the slice!
Milan was the city that made me feel the most inclusive when it came to food. I had forgotten what it was like to be able to walk down the street and have endless options. It was a warming feeling being in Milan and eating everything from cannolis to burgers to pizza that I only had to buy one slice of! Clearly, the gluten-free pizza by the slice is what’s getting me.
I stayed around the Porta Genova neighborhood, right by the canal, which was a perfect location to walk around! It was not near the bakeries I tried, but a 20-30 minute walk can easily get you there!
Officina Zero
Officina Zero was the bakery I stopped at on my way to Como. It is about a 15 minute walk from Milano Centrale. There are a couple stations so if you are coming into Milano Centrale, and have time, make the stop to Officina Zero!
I stopped in here for lunch and to stock up on baked goods. I had a sandwich on focaccia bread that was so delicious, the bread was not dry and the meat/cheese was very flavorful. While I was there I also grabbed a baguette, a loaf, a few croissants (filled and regular), and a muffin. They also had pizza, calzones, and so much more!
GluFree Bakery
GluFree Bakery was a further walk from the area I was staying in, but so very worth it. I did receive a few comments that they are no longer open which is disappointing to hear because this place was my favorite and the only bakery that served gluten free cannolis!
I came in here for brunch and ordered their potato and rosemary focaccia bread, a cannoli, and a cappuccino. I will spare all the details as the bakery is no longer open, but know if they are open, you need to go.
Spontini
If there was one thing to make this entire trip 1000 times better, it would be to have a dedicated gluten-free pizza shop that sells pizza by the slice.
Anyone who isn’t gluten free won’t understand the feeling of excitement and relief there is when you can walk into a pizza shop, not worry about cross contamination, and get ONE slice of pizza instead of spending $20+ on a 10-inch cardboard with cheese just to have a slice or two. Despite the picture, because I was far too excited to let my phone eat first, but this was the thickest gluten-free pizza, it was almost a deep dish but way better than you could ever imagine.
Bistró
Bistro is another dedicated gluten free restaurant that has a menu about as large as the Cheesecake Factory. I ended up coming here twice because there was way too much I wanted to try, and I loved knowing that the entire restaurant was free of gluten.
My first trip here, I started with a meat platter and devoured all 4 pieces of the table bread. Once that plate was cleared, I enjoyed their burger with fries which was great to have a good gluten free burger but I wish I would’ve tried a different sandwich. My american heart was missing a burger and fries and quickly got that fix (except for the trip to McDonalds to get a gluten free cheeseburger). At the end of my meal, the restaurant gifted me some of their baked goods like croissants, muffins and a donut!
My second trip was way better, I had a salad with carbonara and Lasagna. Their noodles were very soft, and the stuffing for the lasagna was so flavorful. You don’t want to miss this restaurant while in Milan!
Hygge
I stopped into Hygee for a quick breakfast and coffee one morning after finding it on the Find me Gluten Free app!
There was one review but I had a desperate need for breakfast and so glad I took the risk because I do not think I will ever have better scrambled eggs in my life.
Pizzeria Positano
I lied and realized there are four top favorite pizzas I had in Italy, and this one is competing with Mama Eat in Rome!
This restaurant isn’t dedicated to gluten free, but they do have separate fryers and ovens for their gluten free pizzas and dishes! We started with the caprese salad, a margarita pizza and they brought us some complimentary bread that seems to be their pizza crust they made into a herb bread. They have some gluten-free fried options as well!
Ristorante BiBop
My last meal in Milan was another one to remember. When I came into the BiBop, they immediately asked if I was gluten free and handed me their gluten-free only menu. They are also not dedicated to gluten free but are very cautious about cross contamination and offer many gluten-free substitutions like pasta, pizza, fried items, and ALL their desserts were gluten free
I exhausted myself from all the pizza and pasta so I went a different route of salmon tartare and fried thin cut beef that I wish I could remember the actual name of. Either way, the entire meal was delicious and exactly what I needed to get me back to the pasta and pizza kick!
I was in Florence for almost a week, joined with a couple friends, and stayed in two different areas of the city. First, was in the Bellosguardo neighborhood. I really enjoyed the quietness of this area. You are outside of the downtown/touristy area but still within a 10-minute walking distance to the center/canal area.
The second area was closer to downtown which was great to be so close to more restaurants but a lot more crowded than I prefer.
We spent one day going out to Greve in Chianti, for a few wine tours. This was a last minute adventure we took. If we were to plan and call ahead, I think there would be more accommodations for serving gluten free food but for the last minute trip we took, the hosts still had gluten free bread or gluten-free options to nibble on.
The first wine tour we went to did not have gluten free bread but they did end up giving me some delicious eggs from their chickens in the back. If you can’t have bread with your charcuterie, might as well have eggs!
Florence was my favorite city, overall. They had almost everything you would want as a gluten free traveler. From the delicious meals, to the amazing attractions, it would be very hard to have a bad time in Florence, Italy.
I do wish they had more gluten-free bakeries, as I didn’t see many dedicated ones and the ones I did were a little too far out from the city.
Raw
Raw is a dedicated gluten free and vegan restaurant that is a great stop to get some nutrients! I ordered avocado toast and a smoothie and let me tell you, my body was THANKING me after that. One thing I wish I consumed more of while in Italy was fruits and vegetables but it was easier to find a slice of pizza than it was an apple at times so what’s a girl to do!
Raw offers rolls, wraps, pizza, toasts, smoothies and desserts! Not too far from the outside of central Florence, this is a vibrant spot to hit!
Sgrano
There are two dedicated gluten free restaurants that are the same, but not. There is Sgrano, which is open for lunch and there is Osteria dello Sgrano that is only open for dinner so keep that in mind! They are not too far from each other so if you get to the wrong one, you aren’t far from the right one!
Did I go to both? Yes.
Did I go to both on the same day? Yes.
Did I order beef tartare at both places? Yes.
Did my stomach hurt after all of that? Absolutely not.
For lunch, we started with their truffle beef tartare and fried dough balls which is the most ideal combo for lunch if you ask me. We also ordered a sandwich on focaccia. I wish we swapped for more fried dough balls because we were too fixated on the appetizer to appreciate the sandwich.
Osteria dello Sgrano
For dinner, we started with another truffle beef tartare and do not regret consuming that much raw meat in one day. These two restaurants introduced a whole new dish for me to obsess over!
Other than our pound of beef, we also ordered burrata and tomato sauce pasta. The meals are far too large to get us to order dessert but the wine was a great night cap!
Mister Pizza
And now, we are at our final favorite pizza place: Mister Pizza. Located right by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Mister Pizza offered the most beautiful looking pizza I ever laid my eyes on. They do offer a few different gluten-based pizzas, and one gluten-free pizza that they always mark with a flag!
If Bella Pizza in Napoli is #1, this is right up there with it at #2. I still loved Bella Pizza most because the wood fire heart shaped crust was something that I cannot compare anything to! Mister pizza was one that cannot be compared to either – in it’s own special way! Like most pizzas in Italy, it can get a little soggy but still very flavorful and their crust was also airy and crispy.
Ristorante Hostaria ll Desco
When I was walking the streets, I stumbled upon this restaurant and I noticed they had the AIC sticker on their door so I knew they took celiac disease very seriously! When I walked in, they immediately asked if I was gluten free and gave me the correct menu. The fact this is the norm in Italy, no matter the city, was so reassuring when dining.
This was another restaurant I went to twice, for the same truffle cream fettuccine and it is definitely worth checking out more than once!
La piazzetta di Lorenzo
Another last minute find was La piazzetta di Lorenzo, I did find this while scrolling through the Find me Gluten Free app and noticed we were a few blocks away so we popped in for an early dinner!
I enjoyed another plate of carbonara and a spinach ricotta crepe! I wasn’t able to find many gluten free crepes around Italy but thankfully I got my fix here!
Ristorante Enoteca Fuoripiazza
(Greve in Chianti)
This was another restaurant that can be missed, if you make it out to Greve in Chianti. We stopped here after our wine tours, and I wish I would have stuck with my carbonara dish but instead went with a very interesting risotto and dried prosciutto dish with fried chicken thighs.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a dedicated gluten free restaurant with a smaller, but wide variety menu! We started with the caprese salad and some complimentary bread.
Side note: Complimentary gluten free bread, and not charging extra for gluten-free, seem to be the norm in Italy! I was surprised how inexpensive it was to eat gluten-free in Italy.
Other than the salad, we also shared their gnocchi in tomato sauce and chicken tenders! I was so happy to have some chicken fingers and fries for a meal again, it was long overdue!
Il Profeta
This small restaurant was another great Italian dining experience. After 3 hours, I think I ate enough food to keep me full the rest of the two weeks I had left.
They offer gluten free pasta and bread and they can make a lot of their dishes gluten-free! We started with their bruschetta and I had their “Trovolta” pasta which was a tomato and mushroom based sauce! I don’t think I’ve finished a plate so fast, I was licking it clean.
I knew I couldn’t leave Florence without having a Florence steak. After feasting on that and fish, there was still dessert to be had.
They didn’t have many gluten free desserts but I did have a delicious flan with a caramel sauce.
The Travolta pasta itself was enough to want to come back to this restaurant but the atmosphere and experience itself is a must stop!
The last stop on my three week Italy trip, before heading to London, was Venice! I stayed in the Cannaregio neighborhood. I had a beautiful view of the canal and was within walking distance of quite a bit, including near the port to get to the airport and island hop but I do wish I stayed more south as there were a ton of amazing food options.
Venice was a very fun experience, and had some of the best seafood dishes! I hopped between Burano, Murano, and Lido beach which i highly recommend checking out! You can get an unlimited boat taxi pass that allows you to get on and off whenever, and also allows you to hop between these islands! I spent about $50 for a 3-day unlimited boat taxi pass and very worth it! It made it very easy to get around Venice itself as well!
The homes in Burano were the highlight of my time there, I loved how colorful that island is! There were not many gluten free options, mostly because I arrived pretty early so there wasn’t a ton open but Murano had many great restaurants!
Venice restaurants were very impressive when it came to advertising who has gluten-free options! Everytime I turned a corner, I would see another restaurant with a sign indicating they had gluten free pasta, pizza, bread, or dessert.
Al Giardinetto de Severino
Al Giardinetto de Severino had over 40 reviews on the Find me Gluten Free app so I knew I had to stop in and so happy I did.
Other than the restaurant in Cernobbio, this was the best gluten free bread I had. I may have asked them for more than the average person, but I knew that bread was not going to be found again.
For my starter, I had the mushroom clam gnocchi and my main dish was their sea bass that they cut and serve at the table. Their gnocchi and sauce was amazing but the sea bass melted in my mouth that it took over that dinner.
Would I go back here a million more times? Absolutely.
Ristorante Pizzeria Tintoretto
This restaurant was 2 minutes from my airbnb and my first stop in Venice. I loved sitting right on the canal, and gondola watching.
I ordered their calamari which wasn’t what I imagined it to be. The squid itself was good but I wish it was more crispy than soft.
For my main dish, I had a butter sage ravioli and the new obsession for butter sage flavored pasta has entered the chat.
Osteria Al Pozzo Roverso
I stopped here on my way home for some midnight pizza, and I really enjoyed this pizza but it wasn’t anything to write home about. For it being gluten-free, it was more still less thin/cardboard-like than the ones in the States but it was still a very thin and crispy pizza. I was too spoiled the first two weeks of my trip, I knew I became a pizza snob by the time I hit Venice.
Ristorante al Corner
This was another midnight snack stop on the way home one night, and the carbonara dish was delicious but a little more creamy than it typically is, and the meat was different from the other carbonara dishes I had, so it wasn’t my favorite but I also became a carbonara snob by the time I found this place as well. They had a sign out front advertising their gluten free pasta, which had a great texture but the flavor was a little different than what I prefer
Bistro 3.0 (Murano)
After Burano, I took the ferry over to Murano to check out and enjoy some lunch. I researched prior to island hopping to see if anyone has reviewed any lunch spots because many places weren’t open until dinner around Venice and wanted to be safe! There weren’t many options but the option I had, was a good one!
Bistro 3.0 was the perfect spot for lunch! I had a prosciutto panini and french fries! They are not dedicated to gluten free but have many gluten free options and separate fryers. The best part about this lunch, is since you are gluten-free they give you TWO sandwiches because the bread is a little smaller than their gluten bread.
When she sat this plate down, I tried correcting her that I didn’t order two and she reassured me that they don’t make me pay the same for less there.
Bistrot de Mar & Pura Vida (Lido Beach)
Another day, we island hopped to Lido di Venezia and hangout at Lido beach for the day. If you have an afternoon to spare, this was a fun little stop to get away from Venice and the touristy areas.
Maybe we were lucky with timing, but when we arrived to Bistrot de Mar & Pura Vida, there were not many people and endless gluten-free options!
Bistrot de Mar and Pura Vida are two separate restaurants, next to each other on Lido beach. You can choose to sit on the beach, at their restaurant, and enjoy your meal or get closer to the water and rent lounge chairs. They both have very similar menus, offering sandwiches, pizza, pasta, poke, smoothies, salads, and more!
We were here for most of the day and enjoyed quite a bit of food! We started with a mango avocado salad and a tuna poke bowl. They didn’t have gluten free soy sauce so I was a little bummed I ordered it prior to asking but it was so fresh, I didn’t need it! For my last meal, I had a chicken pesto panini that came in TWO again since they are using smaller, gluten-free bread.
After two days of double the sandwiches, for the same price, I was really contemplating my next move.
Trattoria Agli Artisti Pizzeria
My last dinner in Venice was one of my favorites, mostly because I hadn’t had a pesto pasta dish yet! I enjoyed my last caprese salad and pesto almond pasta before finishing the dining experience with some creme brulee and espresso!
Villa Sandi & deCanto
(Venice Airport)
I almost forgot that my last meal at the Venice airport was a delicious pesto and pea risotto with a house salad! This was the only gluten-free dish offered at this restaurant, and i think in the entire restaurant, and I am so glad I tried it! It was a nice filling meal to hold me over until I landed in London that night!
What cities would I go back to?
All the cities I explored in Italy were filled with amazing adventure, food and people. In a perfect world, I would go back to every city but if you can only visit a few stops, here are my suggestions:
If you are looking for the beachy, Italian vacation, you would enjoy Sorrento/ Amalfi Coast or Venice.
Personally, I would choose Amalfi Coast over Venice. This is mostly because the environment itself was more laid back, spaced out, and it was a lot less expensive compared to Venice. Lido beach was a great spot to relax but I enjoyed visiting and relaxing at Bagni Regina Giovanna more. I love a beach, but I love hiking and nature that surrounds the water, so Sorrento was my favorite coastal town.
When it came to experiencing Italian culture and food, Florence was my favorite city. I am very happy that I decided to spend my most time there (5 days), because there is a lot to see!
Here are my must see’s and do’s in Florence:
Do a wine tour on the countryside
Make sure you plan this ahead. It is possible to do the day before, as we did, but if you can plan in advance most wineries can prepare for your dietary restrictions!
See the original Michaelaneglo’s David and Uffitzi Gallery
Walk around the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and stop at Mister Pizza for the most delicious gluten free pizza of your life!
Walk to Sistema delle Rampe del Poggi and walk up to watch a beautiful sunset over Florence
(Free)
I wish we had spent more than two days in Rome to give a better review but for the time we were there, it was packed with delicious eats and adventure! If you make it to Rome, Mama Eat must be on your list to try!
The travel between these cities in Italy opened my eyes to how easy it can be to travel outside of the US and even eat more safely than I could in the United States! Going from the biggest city in the country to these smaller town restaurants, Italy takes celiac disease, the gluten free diet, and cross-contamination very seriously no matter where you visit! I cannot wait to go back to visit more cities and try more delicious, safe gluten-free food!
If you’re interested in seeing more about my time in Italy, check out my Tik Tok and Instagram at @noglutegabby and if you are interested in hearing about my gluten free London and Lisbon eats, don’t forget to subscribe below to stay in the know!
