Many people with dietary restrictions hesitate at the thought of traveling internationally as they are worried about communication barriers, limited options, or safety concerns. But here’s the good news: certain health conditions are recognized and accommodated worldwide, and celiac disease is certainly one of them. In this new post, we collected information and advice about celiac disease in Italy and our hometown, Rome. We also suggest how to navigate your unique eating needs when you’re abroad and don’t know the language.

It may surprise some of our readers, but Italy is one of the best destinations in the world for travelers with celiac disease. With the right preparation, you can enjoy Italian cuisine safely and fully as the country has strong legal protections and widespread awareness about the condition. Gluten-free products are available in most supermarkets and pharmacies (the bigger, the better), with dedicated shelves or aisles for celiac disease or lactose intolerance (incidentally, one of the main health issues in Italy).

The Italian Celiac Association (AIC) certifies restaurants, hotels, and cafés that meet strict safety standards. Look for establishments displaying the “Certificato AIC” or Alimentazione Fuori Casa (AFC) logos—these venues have been audited and trained in proper gluten-free protocols. Look for these logos online so you know how to recognize them!

While restaurants don’t typically have separate kitchens, those that are certified use dedicated prep areas, utensils, and cooking equipment to prevent cross-contamination. Staff are trained to handle gluten-free orders with care, using fresh oil for frying and separate pots for pasta. If you warn your server in advance, an attempt to accommodate you with separate prep areas and pots is possible even in non-certified restaurants. Waiters will communicate to the kitchen staff and, if gluten-free flour or pasta are not available, you will be directed towards menu choices that are celiac disease-friendly.

In non-certified eateries, it will always be possible to navigate a menu to find naturally gluten-free dishes: while keeping in mind that some traditional dishes are not Roman and therefore trickier to find in the city, risotto is common even in the Eternal City; polenta, which is made with corn flour, is not as ubiquitous, but it’s very much a safe choice when seen on a menu.

Many tourists that have this condition will want to go with grilled meats and fish, but some traditional preparations are also recommended: tons of “antipasti” dishes (the starters), as well as “contorni” (side dishes) and some if not all “secondi” (meat-based or seafood-based dishes, which can be vegetable based in restaurants catering to vegetarians or vegans) will be naturally gluten-free.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Our experience is that all restaurant nowadays will list ingredients when describing each individual dish, or will include a legend that indicates what is gluten-free and what is not. When this is not immediately clear, resort to a printed card in Italian explaining celiac disease and cross-contamination concerns. This is especially useful when choosing a restaurant that is not AIC-certified or is in a more isolated neighborhood or village. These are available online from a variety of websites.

This can be challenging since traditional Italian bars serve pastries. You can certainly pay for a buffet breakfast at a hotel, pick a place that serves North-American-style breakfasts (these are on the rise in bigger cities) or you can stock up on gluten-free packaged items from supermarkets and pharmacies, which carry extensive selections.

Gelato shops often have gluten-free flavors, but ask about shared scoops that could cause cross-contamination. Some gelaterias are AIC-certified.

The most important phrase to know is “sono celiaco” (if you’re a man) or “sono celiaca” (if you’re a woman)—”I have celiac disease.” Italians widely understand this condition and take it extremely seriously!

Other helpful phrases:

You can copy these on your phone or print them and bring them with you, ready to show them to waiters or owners.

AIC Mobile: The official app from Italy’s Celiac Association shows certified gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, hotels, and stores throughout the country. This is your most valuable resource.

Find Me Gluten Free: An international app with user reviews that works well in Italy’s major cities.

Google Translate: Essential for reading menus and ingredient lists. The camera feature lets you point at text for instant translation.

Major airports have gluten-free options, and so do train stations (“Mercato Centrale” or “Eataly” are some of the names of popular food courts that can be found there). Trains in Italy also allow you to bring your own food— be only considerate if you’re sitting next to stranger that whatever you’re having does not have a strong odor! Other than this, feel free to stock up your favorite gluten-free snack beforehand. Larger cities and tourist areas have the most certified options.

Traveling with celiac disease isn’t the hassle it once was, especially in Italy. With a combination of cultural awareness, legal requirements, and excellent resources, you can explore Italy’s incredible food culture more confidently than ever. Pack your apps, learn a few key phrases, and get ready to enjoy one of the most celiac-friendly destinations in the world!