Gluten Free in Italy: Top Tips for Celiacs by A Celiac
Italy is the home of pizza, pasta, pastries, and bread—all things heavy with gluten. Most people imagine it would be impossible to eat gluten-free in Italy. It’s hard to believe that Italy is very gluten-free friendly.
Seriously, it’s the best.
Italians are not only aware of celiac, but they’re also accepting of it. They are willing to accommodate and make gluten-free options available. You can enjoy pizza, pasta, croissants, and more in Italy. Even small cities have dedicated gluten-free bakeries. They’re so good you’ll wonder if it’s gluten-free!
If you’re Celiac, Italy is the perfect travel destination. It’s so easy to be gluten-free in Italy! But, there are still things you need to know to have a good experience in the country. I’ve spent so many weeks in Italy I’ve lost count (maybe 10 total, but 6 in the last 3 years).
I’m fortunate to have spent time all over the country, and I want to share all the things I’ve learned with you!
I can tell you what apps to download and which cities I’ve had the best luck in.
I’ll include all my top tips for being a gluten-free traveler in Italy so you can have the best vacation of your life.
Some of the links on the page are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase from one of the links, I earn money at no extra cost to you. I’ll only recommend brands I’ve used and love (or an alternative I would book myself). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I always pay for my own travel. I’ll be sure to let you know if that ever changes. If you choose to click through and purchase – thanks so much for the support!
Just remember, my celiac isn’t your celiac or gluten-free journey (or anyone else’s). Some of the things I’m comfortable with, you may not be, and you may have a different experience with the restaurants than I did. I hope you do because I had a great experience! But, you do you, no judgment and no pressure. I hope to shed some insight to make your planning easier.
Top Tips for Being Gluten-Free in Italy
I can give you a lot of history and background. But let’s get started with the things that will impact your life when you’re in Italy.
1- You Still Have to Plan
First things first, Italy is gluten-free friendly. But the whole country isn’t gluten-free.
You can’t walk into any restaurant and have a fantastic experience.
You can have the easiest trip of your gluten-free life in Italy. But not if you show up and hope for the best. Unfortunately, being celiac does still mean a bit more work.
The next couple of tips are my advice for finding the restaurants you want to eat at.
Please don’t wing it.
Researching the restaurants and bakeries makes me more excited. I know what I’m looking forward to!
Spend time understanding the restaurants you can eat at, where they are, and when they’re open. It’s not unusual for gluten-free restaurants to be closed on unexpected days of the week. So, check that.
Make a plan and have backup ideas.

2- The AIC Is Your Best Friend
The AIC is the Italian Celiac Association. It’s the best Cealic association I’ve ever seen.
The most important thing as a visitor is that the AIC certifies restaurants.
The AIC checks to be sure restaurants are controlling their kitchens. They even check about cross-contact. Since cross-contact is so sneaky, this is a game-changer!
So, if you see an AIC sticker, you know the restaurant has been vetted. It’s usually on a window or a door and easy to spot.

I love that I can be confident in a restaurant that isn’t 100% gluten-free if it has the AIC accreditation.
You can usually see these stickers easily.
Find Me Gluten Free is my normal go-to and the reviews often mention if a restaurant is AIC certified.
The AIC App
The best thing to do is download the AIC app.
They have a “Welcome Access” tier that is $3.99 for two weeks of access.
The app has a map of restaurants, so it’s easy to search for AIC-certified restaurants.
In Italy, I try to eat at dedicated or AIC-certified places.
I’ve had luck with others in a pinch. However, it isn’t worth the risk if I can avoid it. If a restaurant is willing to take extra steps to care for Celiacs, I try to reward them with my business.
3- Other Ways to Find Restaurants
Find Me Gluten Free remains my favorite app for tracking down gluten-free restaurants. Is it perfect? No, it’s crowd-sourced. Perfect would be impossible.
To use Find Me Gluten Free well, I recommend the paid premium version of the app. I like that there are clear safety reviews on this version, and they’re separated from the food reviews.
Always read the reviews and decide for yourself. Call restaurants if you’re unsure. You can also email or DM restaurants if you’re traveling.

I also enjoy the FMGF reviews for recommendations about what to try. At a restaurant in Florence, a truffle ravioli was highly recommended in FMGF reviews. I had to give it a try even though it was something I’d never pick on my own. I’m so glad I did. It was delicious, and I’d love to eat it again!
You can also use search engines like Google, Bing, and Pinterest to look for reviews from real people. Instagram and TikTok have good options, too. @CeliacInItaly is a favorite of mine.
Click here for my favorites from Milan. (more coming soon).
You can also search Yelp for reviews, but I don’t use it as my first source unless I have no other options.
Finally, make friends with other celiacs when you’re dining nearby. Many of my favorite recommendations are from talking to other celiacs.
4- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask – People can answer the question
There have been a couple of situations where there wasn’t a good option (looking at you, Murano).
Go ahead and write down the phrase “Senza glutine” for gluten-free.
If you ask, they’ll tell you the truth. “Celiachia” is another good word to have down. Italians generally know the difference between gluten-free and celiac-safe.
I’ve had one restaurant tell me they could accommodate me, but I’d be happier somewhere else. I found that so kind. It wasn’t like I was a burden, but it was a gentle, honest answer.
Another restaurant said it did not offer pizza or pasta but could serve grilled fish or prawns. I expected them to say that, so I was happy with that option.
I appreciated that they were both honest with me.
This goes for hotel breakfasts as well. Many hotels will have some options for breakfast. Usually, it’s a packaged gluten-free baked good of some kind. But even the packaged stuff is good, and trying the different brands is fun.
Don’t be afraid to ask.
5- Go to Grocery Stores For Snacks or Backup Options
There are dedicated gluten-free grocery stores in many Italian cities. The Italian government provides a celiac stipend to offset the cost of groceries.

So, you’ll find Italians doing their everyday shopping in these stores.
Stop by a grocery before you head home. You can find gluten-free flour and packaged products that you can’t find in the US.
I’m not sure about the rest of the world, but the variety is insane in Italy.
You can also check any other grocery store, though. Carrefour is my favorite chain. There is usually a “Senza Glutine” section where you can find everything you need.
I like to grab new cookies or snacks. I try to find some new favorites. I almost always land on something delicious!
So, that backpack of snacks we usually bring with us from home isn’t necessary in Italy. If you’re like me, you’ll get more joy out of trying something new anyway!
6- About Gluten-Free Wheat Starch
Italy has developed gluten-free wheat starch. It’s safe if you’re celiac or gluten-free.
It is not safe if you’re allergic to wheat.
If you’re allergic to wheat, you will want to ask more questions. I am not your best resource.
When you taste gluten-free bread in Italy, you’ll wonder how they do it. How is it so stretchy and delicious?
It’s the gluten-free wheat starch.
It’s not a big deal for celiacs, but it’s worth knowing.

7- A Gluten-Free Beer Caution
Much of the gluten-free beer is gluten-reduced beer. Check that it’s celiac-safe and truly gluten-free before you drink it.
Italy is known for wine, so I always drink wine anyway. The house red wine is my go-to because it’s cheap and so good!
8 – Going Home Might be Hard
This is worth noting because it surprised me the first time.
After a week or two, you can get used to feeling like you don’t have to be crazy vigilant. You get used to eating pastries and having people understand what you mean when you say celiac.
It seems so simple.
Somehow, it feels lighter and easier to exist as a Celiac.
I don’t know how to explain it, but there’s a reason why so many gluten-free travelers return to Italy repeatedly.
I always have an “Oh, yeah, this is hard again” moment when I step back into a US airport. I wasn’t prepared for it at first, so I want you to be ready.
Have the cry and enjoy a croissant you brought home with you.
A Note on Dining Cards
You may not need a dining card in Italy. English is pretty common in the big cities, especially at restaurants. And if you still go to AIC restaurants, you don’t have to ask as many questions.
The Google Translate App can get you through a lot.
But there have still been a couple of times I wish I’d had more than Google Translate.
Once, I was in a dedicated gluten-free bakery in Verona. There was no marking anywhere inside that it was gluten-free.
It was one little place outside. I had a name, many reviews, and a picture of the outside, so I went with it.
But everything looked too good to be gluten-free, and the man who ran it didn’t speak any English.
I asked, “Senza glutine?” We got through it with my broken Italian.
A dining card would’ve made that easier.
Luckily, it was delicious and remained one of my favorite gluten-free bakeries.
These are the only dining cards I trust.
I’ve used others recommended by/created by other big-name gluten-free bloggers. They didn’t work either time. The waiter actually said, “This doesn’t make any sense – just tell me in English.” Oof.
So, now I’m picky about my dining cards.
Dietary Cards

I don’t always take a card with me. But Equal Eats is the only brand I’ll use now.
I like that I can custom order a card to include my sesame allergy along with celiac.
I’ve tried several others that were recommended by Celiac bloggers and they were no good.
The wait staff laughed at the translation and said it was wrong.
Why is Being Gluten-Free in Italy So Easy?
If you’ve made it this far, kudos to you. If you want to know the why behind the gluten-free friendliness in Italy, here’s the shortened version.
Several years ago, the Italians did a study. They realized how many people have celiac.
It’s the same ratio as the rest of the world. But, since they’re looking for it now, most people know someone who is celiac.
They screen for celiac if patients have any of the long list of symptoms associated with it. Even NPR has reported on the gluten-free friendliness of Italy.
Food, and gluten-filled food at that, is so central to Italian culture that they figured it out. They chose to find a way to include their gluten-free loved ones. It’s evolved.
Most people I’ve met who work in gluten-free bakeries and stores in Italy don’t even have celiac. They’re just learning to bake in the bakeries because they want to.
The desire to have everyone included is the biggest difference in Itlay. That’s why you’ll genuinely love being gluten-free in Italy.
PSA- Gluten is Still Gluten In Italy
I know there are always people who eat gluten in Italy and Europe and then proclaim how it’s so much better. Even the restaurants and bakeries in Italy find that confusing.
Here’s the thing: Your body and your health. But, even if you can’t feel it, gluten can still be damaging your small intestine if you’re celiac.
If the gluten in Italy didn’t bother celiacs, then why would they spend so much effort creating gluten-free products and spaces?
Celiac is still Celiac in Italy. Gluten is gluten in Italy.
Ask any Italian Celiac.
Enjoy Being Gluten-Free in Italy
Italy really is a gluten-free eater’s paradise. I can’t describe how much you’ll enjoy being there. Enjoy a bucket list trip, but be sure to add some gluten-free food to your list, too!
I love Itlay so much. It’s one country I keep going back to. Mostly to revisit restaurants and enjoy an environment where I don’t feel weird about being Celiac.
I hope you have the best time!