Hey Local Guides!
Do you have a gluten allergy? I’ll let you in on a little secret…finding gluten-free things to eat in Italy is really not that hard. While it’s true that pizza and pasta are still the leading ladies on every menu, I was surprised to learn that because 1% of Italy’s population is allergic to gluten, there are tons of gluten-free spots! Big cities like Rome and Florence even have restaurants that are exclusively gluten-free, which is an easy option if your allergy is more serious.
Before my husband and I went to Italy last fall, I researched what kind of gluten-free options were out there. And daaaang, did I find some and daaang did we eat a lot of amazing gluten-free pizza. Here are my favorites!
1. Il Tulipano Nero - Via Roma Libera 15, 00153, Rome, Italy
You’d be hard-pressed to find complimentary gluten-free bread at any restaurant in the US, so we were thrilled to get a whole basket when we sat down for our meal. Il Tulipano Nero is a family-owned restaurant tucked away in a cozy part of Trastevere about a 10 minute walk from our excellent bed and breakfast, Residenza delle Arti on Piazza Sonnino. They have a wide selection of gluten-free pizza and pasta options. Their best asset is their outdoor seating, which gave us an ample vista for people watching throughout our meal.
3. Mama Eat Menu per Celiaci - Via di San Cosimato 7, 00153 Rome, Italy
Mama Eat serves the gluten-free cuisine of your dreams. Their flagship restaurant is located just around the corner from the Trastevere piazza and is your best pick for senza glutine in all of Rome. Let’s start with dessert, because why not. After you’ve walked around the Eternal City for hours and hours and hours, you’re definitely gonna want some carbs. Indulge in their scugnizzielli alla Nutella, which is fried pizza dough with Nutella drizzled generously throughout this petite mound of Heaven. How often can you say you had sweet pizza dessert?
Highly recommend these Mama Eat dishes:
- Bruschette miste (vegetable bruschetta)
- Arancino a metro Pistacchio (rice log with pistachios)
- Pizze Napul’è
- Pizze Panna, Prosciutto e funghi (mushroom and prosciutto pizza)
- Scugnizzielli alla Nutella (fried pizza dough with Nutella)
- Tiramisù pistacchio (pistachio tiramisu)
4. Voglia di Pizza - Via dei Giubbonari, 33, 00186 Rome, Italy
Voglia di Pizza is a great place to grab a bite when you’re on-the-go. It’s a solid option for gluten-free pasta and pizza options in a more touristy part of the city. I wasn’t blown away like I was at Mama Eat, but it’s good for lunch.
5. Pandali - Via di Torre Argentina 3, 00186, Rome, Italy
Obviously, we stopped everything we were doing and bought a huge bag of pastries, cookies and breads at Pandali. Everything is made in small batches. It’s located near the Largo Argentina tram, a stone’s throw from the Pantheon and about 15 minutes walk to Vatican City.
6. Ristorante Rosa Rossa - Sestiere San Marco (Calle de la Mandola) 3709, 30124, Venice, Italy
This is one of the coziest restaurants we visited. Josh still raves about the gluten-free pasta dishes he had here, including the cheesy beef concoction below.
7. Pizzeria al Campanile - Salizada San Polo, 2087, 30125, Venice, Italy
We came here multiple times during our 5-night stay in Venice. It’s a narrow, cozy restaurant that has excellent pizza and pasta that is worth the wait. It’s a good choice with several gluten-free options. Their pizza crust is incredible!
8. La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant - Via De’ Benci 3/3a, 50122, Florence, Italy For our final lunch in Italy, Josh picked this petite romantic spot near the Arno River and home to the best potato gnocchi I’ve ever had. We were able to walk right in for lunch, but definitely make reservations for dinner in advance, because they book up quickly.
9. Pizzeria Cucine di Mare Marinato - 4, Riva Nazario Sauro, 34133, Trieste, Italy
My grandfather was born in this northeastern corner of the country, which is how we found ourselves in Trieste! I dream of their Neapolitan-style gluten-free pizza with pistachio cream, bacon and fresh buffalo mozzerella. It’s almost worth traveling to Trieste just for this pizza.
10. La Brigata - Via Milano, 33, 34122 Trieste TS, Italy
WOW! This local shop’s brick oven gluten-free pizza is some of the best I’ve had and it’s made with gluten-free Schar flour products. Their pizza is perfectly crusty on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. If you find yourself in the northeastern corner of Italy, you must make a stop at La Brigata. They also deliver!
Where are yours, Local Guides?! #letsguide