Celiac Guide to the Best of Gluten-Free Rome 2024
Italy is the capital of pizza and pasta. It’s also a dream destination for so many people. For celiacs looking to travel to Rome or Italy, it can feel intimidating. I’m sure you imagine you’ll be eating snacks the whole time while looking at the rest of your travel friends in envy. But, you’d be wrong. Gluten-Free Rome is incredible!
I’ve spent 10+ days in Rome since my Celiac diagnosis. I’ve tried a lot of places and have some favorites. I spent 5 days in 2021 and went back for another 5 days in 2022 and I want to share all that I’ve learned.
Rome is such an easy place to eat gluten-free that it was at the top of my list when I was planning a trip with family who had never been to Europe before. I know I could enjoy the experience with them without worrying about food. There are so many restaurant options that are safe for celiacs. Rome is a magical place where you don’t feel weird eating gluten-free.
It can be hard to sift through the websites and reviews of gluten-free restaurants. Apps are a good place to start but it’s always nice to have information from a celiac who ate at the places you’re looking at. That’s where I come in! This post will cover restaurant recommendations and other travel tips for celiacs in Rome.
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.
AIC Accreditation: Who They Are and How to Find the Restaurants
The AIC is the Italian Celiac Association. They do so much for locals but what we’re going to look at is what they provide for travelers.
First, the AIC certifies restaurants. This means they train them in what the best practices are when cooking for celiacs. This means cross-contamination and everything else! So, if you see the red AIC sticker you know that restaurant is either dedicated to gluten-free or they’re well prepared to keep you safe.
The best part is that the AIC has an app that you can use to search restaurants where you are in the country. The app is paid but it’s super cheap for travelers and so worth it. It’s worth downloading for the trip so you can always look up the restaurants near you.
Most of the restaurants on my list are AIC-certified. There are so many options that it doesn’t make sense to me to risk it at another restaurant.
Find a Map of My Favorites Here
Gluten-Free Rome: Restaurants
Mama Eat
Mama Eat may be my favorite restaurant in the world. It’s definitely in the top 3! I’ve eaten here more times than I count- at least half a dozen? For me, this place is the best of gluten-free Rome.
Mama Eat has two kitchens. They have a regular kitchen and a gluten-free kitchen. The food from the gluten-free kitchen comes on different plates than the other kitchen so it’s easy to tell that your food came from the right one.
Everything on the menu can be made gluten-free. I’ve tried an extensive amount of things from their menu; Multiple pizzas, mozzarella balls, salads, and tiramisu to name a few.
Mama Eat is in Trastevere, across the Tiber from the tourist center in Rome. Several buses go into Trastevere but none of the trains. You won’t wander by Mama Eat in the average tourist circuit of Rome. Trust me, it’s worth it. Plus, Trastevere is beautiful and you should visit this part of the city anyway.
If you can’t make it to Trastevere, Mama Eat Street Food is a dedicated gluten-free location with a slightly different menu that is near Castel St Angelo.
Gran Caffè Maggiore
Gran Caffè Maggiorei is a traditional Roman cafeteria near Termini Station. It’s convenient if you’re coming to the city or leaving near a meal time. I found it when I arrived in Rome after a long train from Venice. The place is family-run and has a “locals-eat-here” vibe. The pasta and pizza can be gluten-free and they have a gluten-free tiramisu. I had Cacio e Pepe and a Tiramisu.
The woman who waited for us and owned the restaurant was so sweet and welcoming. I used my broken Italian to tell her I was gluten-free and Celiac. She was so excited. I had never had anyone be excited to hear I was gluten-free when coming to their restaurant. She was able to communicate to me that her daughter is gluten-free and she was so proud to be able to take care of me like she would her daughter. There was something so sweet and confidence-inspiring about the whole experience. It will forever hold a piece of my heart. Even though it’s not on the same level as Mama Eat in gluten-free practices I felt very safe here.
Pizza in Trevi
Nestled right near Trevi fountain you’ll find a haven for Celiacs. I generally avoid meals in tourist centers, but this one had many great reviews. I’ve probably eaten here 4 different times since it was near where I stayed on one visit to Rome.
Similar to Mama Eat, they have a separate gluten-free kitchen and bring out gluten-free cutlery as well. Their gluten-free bread, pasta, and pizzas were all incredible.
If you’re also dairy-free there aren’t quite as many options here as other places. But, they do have some pasta with tomato-based sauces that would be fine. Plus, their house wines are delicious and quite affordable!
Since it’s in the middle of the tourist center try to make a reservation or prepare for a bit of a wait. It’s worth it.
La Soffitta Renovatio
La Soffitta Renovatio is a perfect lunch spot when you’re visiting the Vatican City near Rome. Since it’s a bit farther away from the main part of the city I’ve only been a couple of times. Even still, no part of me can understand how this restaurant isn’t one of the most popular gluten-free spots in Rome. The whole menu can be gluten-free. I’ve tried pizzas, pasta, a calzone, and of course the tiramisu.
If tiramisu isn’t your thing there is a whole case of gluten-free desserts inside.
The street seating is popular here. But, there can be a fair amount of traffic so if the noise will bother you consider eating inside.
Pantha Rei
This is one of the most popular gluten-free restaurants in Rome. They know they are popular among celiacs so they’ll likely ask if anyone is gluten-free before you sit down. The gluten-free items come out with little flags so you know that you’ve gotten the right meal.
It was delicious and the location can’t be beat. It’s in a little alley near the Pantheon; you can eat outside and forget that you’re so near the hustle of one of the busiest parts of the city. But, it’s busy so there may be a wait.
Pasqualino Al Colosseo S. R. L. Pasquale
This little place is off a side street with a partial view of the Colosseum. There aren’t many gluten-free friendly restaurants in the area so this was a good find. I ate there on each of my trips to Rome.
The food isn’t the highlight here as much as the convenience. The pasta is good and, most importantly, safe for celiacs.
The visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum can be exhausting. It’s long and even though everything is incredible it’s likely you’ll be hungry at the end of your tour. Knowing that Pasqualino is nearby makes it easier to get through the long tour!
Mercato Hostaria Roma
Located off of Campo Fiori this is another safe celiac restaurant. They use special dishes and flatware for gluten-free diners like many of the other AIC-certified restaurants.
The pizza crust wasn’t my all-time favorite. But, I was able to get a cheese pizza that I had no problem devouring. So, I guess the standards just get high when there are so many restaurants nearby.
Iari The Vino
Iari The Vino is another restaurant near the Colosseum. Honestly, I made the trip here after a late tour of the Colosseum on one trip. And I’ve never been back. They understood cross contamination for celiac and the food was decent. Plus, I didn’t get sick. But, it wasn’t nearly as confidence-inspiring as every other restaurant on my list. So, in a pinch, it could work. But, I’d pick another option.
Gluten-Free Rome: Bakeries
Le Altre Farine Del Mulino
A dedicated gluten-free bakery near the Vatican. The pastry case is incredible. Everything I had here was excellent. I leave with a bag full of goodies every time I go. On a slow morning with my family, I trekked across the city to stock up while they relaxed.
There are a few options for a cafe-style lunch. For a light lunch near the Vatican, this is the place to go. It’s not the most convenient when you’re in other parts of the city but it’s worth a visit.
New Food Gluten-Free
New Food Gluten Free is a little gluten-free bakery near-ish Trevi Fountain. Plus, some of their items can be found in coffee shops around the city. I went to the bakery and got several things even though it’s a bit of a walk from the Trevi area. The Tiramisu balls were incredible! They have a vast selection, and it was worth the trip. They also have a few little pizzas to grab for lunch if you don’t want anything heavy.
Pandali
Pandali is one of the most popular gluten-free bakeries in Rome. It can be found near the Pantheon. I grabbed some cookies one afternoon. But, I ate them so fast I didn’t get a picture! Nex time.
Gluten-Free Rome: Gelato
Most gelato is naturally gluten-free. But, with so many people getting their gelato on cones it can be really important to head to safe options. There are several gluten-free gelato locations in Rome so it’s not worth the risk here.
Gelato g Italiano
This gelato shop is off a street near Trevi Fountain and it is home to my favorite gelato. They have a dairy-free limoncello option that is incredible. I haven’t been able to find it anywhere else. The location is gluten-free and the cones are really good!
Fiocco di Neve
This is a gelato shop near the Pantheon. All the gelatos are gluten-free, even the cookie-based flavors that are so hard to find. Many are dairy-free also.
They also have gluten-free cones and crepes. I went for a mango gelato crepe on our first visit. It was good but the cone would have been the way to go.
Grom
Grom is a dedicated gluten-free gelato chain that can be found throughout Italy and in major cities in Europe. Most locations have dairy-free options too. There are several locations throughout the city including one at Termini train station. It’s not my favorite of the gelato options because they don’t have as many dairy-free options. But, if you’re good with dairy they have a lot of options that look delicious!
Gluten-Free Rome: Groceries
You likely won’t have to worry about groceries when you’re in Rome. But, it’s always nice to know what the options are just in case you want to eat in one night. Or, if you’re looking for some snacks.
For a celiac-specific grocery store check out Celiachiamo Lab. It’s a bakery-grocery store utopia for gluten-free food.
The good news is that being gluten-free in Rome is also easy at grocery stores; pretty much every grocery will have gluten-free options. Coop and Carrefour are my go-to grocery stores.
Seriously, I’ve never stepped into a grocery store that didn’t have gluten-free options. Look for items with “Senza Gluten” listed on the package. There are Italian brands but you’ll be able to find Scharr as well.
Italians know how to do gluten-free so don’t be afraid to try a new product.
If the label isn’t in English and well as Italian use Google Translate to help you double check ingredients. use the camera feature in the app and it will live translate for you!
Gluten-Free Rome: On the List for Next Time
I filled multiple 5 days trips to Rome with the restaurants I’ve already listed. But, there are always more places to eat in Rome than I can get to
La Pasticceria
This is a dedicated gluten-free bakery near Termini. Somehow I’ve never been able to make it work and I regret it! I have read that their focaccia is incredible. Visiting this bakery on my next trip is top of my list.
Celiachiamo Lab
This is another bakery that I’ve just never made it to. But, it looks incredible and I’m excited to check it out one day!
Gluten-Free Dining Cards in Rome
There were only a couple of times a dining card would’ve been useful for me in Rome. So many people speak English. And, if you’re willing to stick to AIC-certified restaurants they are already aware of what you need for your gluten-free diet.
But, if you feel better taking a dining card then you should! I’ve tried several dining cards and had terrible luck; including some recommended by other Celiac bloggers. These are the ones I trust when I need a dining card. I love that I can add my other food allergies in too!
Enjoy Gluten-Free Rome
Visiting Rome is high on many people’s bucket lists, and if you’re gluten-free, it should be super high on your list.
Find my 5-day Itinerary here to get some ideas for your trip.
The best part of being gluten-free in Rome is that you can explore the eternal city without having to worry about where you’re going to eat. There are great restaurants near all of the tourist sites. It’s so special to be able to explore without worry and without feeling like a burden when you enter a restaurant. Plus, MerYou’ll eat to your gluten-free heart’s content!
