Senza Glutine:
is it possible in Italy?
You might think all the carb-filled goods of Italian cuisine wouldn’t be possible if you are following a gluten-free diet. No more classic Italian lasagne, pizza margherita, pasta carbonara, tiramisu… the list could go on and on! In reality, Italy is actually one of the most gluten-free friendly countries in Europe, with about a third of its restaurants offering gluten-free options. The Italian Coeliac Association (AIC) website provides a list of suitable gluten-free dining venues across the peninsula. On several recent trips to Italy, the number of restaurants I’ve seen displaying the AIC symbol has been impressive. Here I have reviewed some of the best gluten-free restaurants and cafes that I’ve visited for whenever you have a craving for some authentic Italian cuisine that doesn’t taste like cardboard!
ROMA
La Soffitta Renovatio @ Piazza Risorgimento 46a, Roma
Old Bridge Gelateria @ Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo, 5, Roma
Just a couple minutes’ walk from La Soffitta Renovatio, Old Bridge Gelateria makes for a perfect dessert. Selling traditional and authentic Italian gelato, there are several Old Bridge Gelaterias dotted around Rome staying open until 2am for any late-night gelato cravings! The base ice cream recipe is gluten-free, and if a customer asks for a gluten-free cone the assistant will put on gloves to avoid cross-contamination. I also discovered that if you tell the assistant you are gluten-free, they will scrape the top layer of ice cream away and clean any utensils to prevent further possible contamination; this rarely happens in the UK let alone in Italy. All sorbets are naturally
cucina
cucina
If you’re looking for typical Roman cuisine, you must visit La Soffitta Renovatio. With a huge chalk sign showing the gluten-free options available, it’s hard to miss this trattoria next to the Vatican City. Accredited by the AIC, all dishes on the menu can be made gluten-free; anything from a starter of fried baby squid to the classic Italian tiramisù, nothing is off limits. The staff are extremely welcoming and are well-educated on gluten intolerance and coeliac disease. If anything gluten-free is ordered, a small flag is put in the dish so that staff and customers are aware. I was grateful for the flag, as the food tastes so good it would be hard to distinguish between gluten and non-gluten dishes.