If you’re dreaming of fresh pasta, crispy pizza, and gelato but wondering what eating gluten-free in Rome is actually like, I have some good news: the Eternal City is an incredible destination for gluten-free travelers.
Italy takes celiac or coeliac disease seriously, and you’ll find everything from restaurants with dedicated menus and separate kitchens to a gluten-free bakery serving treats you might have assumed were off-limits.
Rome is the home of pizza, after all, and having celiac disease doesn’t mean you have to miss out! Throughout the historic center and beyond, there are plenty of gluten-free options where you can enjoy Italian favorites like fresh pasta, pizza, and ice cream while experiencing the heart of Rome.
In this guide, I’m sharing some of the best places I found for gluten-free food in Rome, including spots that can make eating your way through Italy one of the best parts of your trip.
Why travel to Rome?
If you’ve never been to Italy Rome is definitely the place to start! It has a bit of everything for everyone – art, culture, history, architecture, and food.
It’s not just a city; it’s a living museum where ancient ruins share the spotlight with gelato shops and buzzing cafes. You can’t help but fall for its laid-back yet lively spirit, wandering through charming cobblestone streets and stumbling upon hidden gems. Whether you’re tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, sipping espresso in a sunlit piazza, or indulging in a carb-fueled feast, Rome invites you to embrace “La Dolce Vita” in every delicious, art-filled moment. It’s the kind of place where you trade FOMO for the joy of exploring a city that effortlessly balances its rich past with a vibrant, modern soul.
If you’re looking for the coolest things to see while in Rome check out these amazing tour options via Viator!
Is Rome Celiac Safe?
YES! In fact Italy has its own government organization dedicated to helping people with celiac disease! 😍
Italy is home to the Italian Celiac Association (AIC) which is supported by the Italian Government. The AIC has been working for over 30 years on raising awareness, helping create laws, and training restaurants on the significance of celiac disease.
The AIC goes in and trains restaurants across Italy to cater to gluten-free needs responsibly and safely. Through training and workshops, AIC educates chefs about gluten-free cooking techniques, cross contamination prevention, and ingredient awareness.
AIC endorses restaurants after they have completed and passed their training requirements. Their endorsement shows that a restaurant is committed to quality gluten-free offerings.
Any restaurant in Italy displaying the AIC logo has been properly trained and endorsed by the AIC to be celiac-safe!
Gluten-Free Guide to Rome: Restaurants
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#1 Mama Eat (MY FAVORITE!)
Mama Eat – Near the Vatican
Mama Eat – in Trastevere
Hands down – these restaurants are my absolute favorite. There are two currently located in Rome, one near the Vatican and the other in Trastevere.
Mama Eat is NOT dedicated gluten-free. However, they pride themselves in having a entirely separate gluten-free kitchen.
Their food is so good that you will question which kitchen your food came out of. But if you mention that you are gluten-free and especially if you are celiac they will make sure your food is gluten-free.
No matter which restaurant of theirs you visit it will be certified safe for celiacs and I highly recommend you visit all of them! The two in Rome (for example) have slightly different menus. Their food is well worth two visits and out of their two locations in Rome only the Trastevere location has the best Bolognese I have ever eaten!
I have eaten at both Rome locations as well as the Milan location and I promise you it is some of the best food you will find in Rome – even if you’re not gluten-free. It is the best of the best.
My recommendations are:
- Pasta Bolognese
- Pasta Carbonara
- Tiramisu
- Margarita Pizza
The photos are from different locations around Italy but no matter which city you visit the food will be out of this world.
Mama Eat Rating
Celiac Safety: 4.5/5 (not dedicated gluten-free but close enough!!)
Food Selection: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
#2 Pizza in Trevi
If you are celiac, Pizza in Trevi will make you cry of happiness. I’m not joking. I literally cried in this restaurant, haha!
Pizza in Trevi is also certified by the Italian Celiac Association as being safe for celiac. Their gluten-free protocols will blow your mind. I have never seen a restaurant go out of their way to this extent to make sure celiacs are safe.
First, when you mention you’re celiac they will change your placemat, your utensils, and your cup to ones they only use for celiacs. WHAT?!
They bring out a placemat that basically says “HEY THIS PERSON IS CELIAC. And the new place mat reminds you that they are certified as celiac-safe!
They also bring you out a brand new set of utensils that are wrapped and sealed as well as a blue cup that is reserved for celiacs. When the waiter explained all this to me that is when I cried of relief!
I ordered both their pizza and on a different occasion their pasta Carbonara. Both were delicious. Their food is great, and the precautions they take for celiacs is why Pizza in Trevi is my #2 recommendation on where to eat in Rome.
Pizza in Trevi Rating
Celiac Safety: 4.5/5 (not dedicated gluten free but with the precautions they take I trust them with my life, haha)
Food Selection: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
#3. Risoterria Melotti
I have not been to Risoterria Melotti in Rome, but I have been to their location in NYC! This 100% gluten-free restaurant specializes in you guessed it – risotto. Risoterria Melotti takes great pride in making sure their restaurants are celiac-safe and their waiters know how serious celiac disease is. Risoterria Melotti is located just a short walk away from the vibrant Piazza Navona!
I had their gluten-free bread, gluten-free calamari, their lemon shrimp risotto, and of course, I followed it up with their gluten-free tiramisu.
Risoterria Melotti Rating
Celiac Safety: 5/5 (dedicated gluten-free)
Food Selection: 4/5 (all risotto options)
Overall: 4/5
La Soffitta Renovatio
La Soffitta Renovatio is another gem found right outside the Vatican. This restaurant is NOT dedicated gluten-free but I still genuinely recommend them. They are recognized by the Italian Celiac Association (AIC).
They even state on their website:
“The problem of celiac disease or those who simply follow a gluten-free diet has our full attention. We are members of the AIC Italian Celiac Association. All our dishes, appetizers, first courses, pizzas and desserts can be prepared without gluten. Gluten is a protein contained in some cereals such as wheat, oats, barley, rye, kamut and spelt. Instead, it is absent in rice, corn, millet, sorghum, buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth. Even those who are lactose intolerant can request dishes prepared especially for them.”
La Soffitta Renovatio
Even with the AiC accreditation, I was still a bit worried about eating here. However, La Soffitta Renovatio put my mind at ease by serving me my food with a little “Gluten Free” flag on it.
La Soffitta Renovatio stands out to me because of their pasta and their dessert.
Their pasta is clearly homemade and you can tell. It was one of my FAVORITE gluten-free pasta that I have had in all of Italy. Their Cacio e Pepe was a little creamier than I like, but I highly recommend their pasta because it was beautifully homemade.
Their dessert selection is fantastic! I asked my waiter if they had any gluten-free desserts. He laughed and said ‘Come with me.” He then walked me over to their dessert stands. They had two tall, fridges filled with desserts. One was filled with gluten desserts, but to my delight, the entire other fridge was filled with desserts that were all gluten-free!
Of course, I got the gluten-free tiramisu and it was HEAVENLY. It did not have a gluten-free flag, but because I picked it out myself from their gluten-free fridge I was not concerned!
La Soffitta Renovatio
Celiac Safety: 4/5 (not dedicated gluten-free but food is labeled)
Food Selection: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Voglia di Pizza – Gluten Free
Another great spot for gluten-free pizza in Rome is Voglia di Pizza – Gluten Free. Voglia di Pizza is a dedicated gluten-free restaurant with an extensive gluten-free menu filled with great pizza choices for any traveler!
New Food Gluten Free – Ponte Sisto
Google labels this establishment as a bakery, but I’m going to consider it more of a cafe. There is no inside dining option so all food is to go, but you can get more than pastries here.
New Food Gluten Free Rating
Celiac Safety: 5/5 (dedicated gluten free)
Food Selection: 3/5 (not a large variety of options but great on the go food)
Overall: 3.5/5
Gluten-Free Bakeries
They are still pretty rare in the United States, but in Rome, you can take your pick!
My favorite bakery happened to be 50 feet away from my usual Airbnb. I had no idea until I arrived in Rome and recognized it from pictures
Le Altre Farine Del Mulino
Le Altre Farine Del Mulino is located on the main street behind Vatican City. This is usually where I tend to stay because it is quiet, a 15-minute walk to the Vatican, and there is also a train station nearby. (I don’t recommend staying in this area unless you’re going to be spending most of your time at the Vatican).
This cafe is 100% gluten-free so everything here is celiac-safe! They have a large selection of assorted pastries including fantastic cornetti. I remember when I was first diagnosed with celiac disease I was devastated thinking I could never have my daily breakfast in Italy of a custard-filled cornetto and a cappuccino. Fortunately, this place has AMAZING cornetti!
You can also come back for lunch when they have assorted little sandwiches and flatbread-type pizzas. I got a little pizza with no cheese for lunch one day and it was nice and light on a 95-degree day, but filling enough to hit the spot!
Is Rome Gluten-Free Friendly?
Is Rome gluten-free friendly? Absolutely!
From dedicated gluten-free restaurants serving up mouthwatering gluten-free pasta to bakeries with heavenly options for those with dietary restrictions, Rome embraces the gluten-free lifestyle with open arms. I have an incredible time every time I travel to Italy and go back almost every year!
From all of the different gluten free restaurants, to the excitement of the city center, the rich ancient and modern history. I know I can travel to Italy with confidence thanks to Italy’s knowledge of food allergies and thanks to the Italian coeliac association.
Buon viaggio and buon appetite!
Wow! These look incredible. I cant wait to try the out