Europe Italy Florence Gluten-Free Florence: A Travel Guide for Celiacs

Gluten-Free Florence: A Travel Guide for Celiacs

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With this gluten-free guide you’ll find that traveling as a celiac in Florence is a breeze. Below is everything you need for a safe and delicious trip, plus you can even get a free Italian translation card. From dedicated gluten-free restaurants where you can indulge in traditional Florentine dishes to gluten-free hotels and gelaterias, you won’t want to skip this comprehensive gluten-free Florence guide.

Before getting into this detailed gluten-free Florence guide, here are a few things to know:

  • All restaurants listed here are certified by the Italian Celiac Association (AIC). This means they are monitored, trained to provide safe food to celiacs, and well-versed on cross-contamination and how to avoid it.
  • All dedicated gluten-free restaurants in Florence are marked with a star (★)
  • If you’re traveling and want to safely eat your way through Italy, be sure to get our new eBook for a list of all Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants in Italy. It includes hundreds of dedicated gluten-free establishments such as gelaterias, bakeries, restaurants, and even supermarkets that are perfect whether you’re backpacking Florence or road tripping all over Italy.

Recommendation: If you like to travel make sure to check out our new gluten-free guidebook. It lists over 1000 dedicated gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, and stores around the world, including popular destinations like Italy, France, and even exotic places like Bali. Trust us, your life as a traveling celiac will never be the same. For more information about the ebook click here.

Table of Contents

Gluten-Free Restaurants in Florence

Gluten-Free Restaurants near the Duomo

Mister Pizza | Piazza del Duomo, 5r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

If you are looking for a place to eat gluten-free near Piazza del Duomo that isn’t expensive, you can’t get any better than Mister Pizza. It is literally right in front of the Duomo. With a great view of the Duomo, you can enjoy a delicious and inexpensive gluten-free pizza. If you really want a delicious treat, try the gluten-free focaccia bread. All of their pizza and dishes can be made gluten-free, including the calzones. Everything is also made in a dedicated cooking space and comes on a different colored plate. Vegan and lactose-free pizza options are also available. You’re sure to leave Mister Pizza more than satisfied.

Pizza with Mozzarella Cheese, Fresh Tomato and Pesto Sauce. Served at Restaurant Table
Ryzhkov Photography / shutterstock.com

Le Botteghe Di Donatello | Piazza del Duomo, 28/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

For a good gluten-free meal with a great view, look no further than Le Botteghe Di Donatello. Le Botteghe Di Donatello boasts an extensive gluten-free menu with a fantastic backdrop of the Duomo. The pizza is good (hello, it’s Italy we’re talking about), but the pasta and the bruschetta will win the show. I had the pennette ai sette peccati and the bruschetta alla Fiorentina and I highly recommend you try them too, you’ll really enjoy them!

Quinoa ★ | Via dei Vecchietti, 17, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Located just a few steps away from the Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral, this beautiful courtyard garden restaurant sells only delicious gluten-free food! Yep, you heard correctly… Quinoa is one of the many dedicated gluten-free restaurants in Italy! Though their menu consists of some traditional Italian dishes, it’s the oriental dishes like pad thai and their quinoa burger that will be a nice break from all the pizza and pasta you’ll eat on your Italy trip. Vegans and vegetarians will also find Quinoa a godsend, as Florence is a very meat-happy Italian city. With a gorgeous garden setting, 100% gluten-free dishes, and deliciously fresh food, you won’t want to miss out on this little gem while in Florence.

Ristorante Ciro & Sons | Via del Giglio, 28, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

If you search gluten-free Florence, the first restaurant to pop up or the one everyone’s talking about is Circo & Sons! Everyone loves this restaurant and they rave about the pizza. After all, their gf pizza did win first place in the World Championship for Gluten-Free Pizza! So naturally, I went there and yes I liked it; it was good, but it didn’t live up to the hype for me! But hey, I know everyone has a different palate. If you love the pizza, you can actually buy their famed gluten-free crust mix at the restaurant. Nonetheless, Ristorante Ciro & Sons is a great restaurant to dine at for celiacs, as they have an extensive gluten-free menu, trained and knowledgeable staff, gluten-free beer, a dedicated gluten-free kitchen space, and wood oven, as well as delicious gf dishes. However, I must say, it is a bit more pricey and touristy.

Low angle view of a serving of fresh Italian spaghetti with a meat based bolognese or bolognaise with tomato sauce on a plain white plate
aodaodaodaod / shutterstock.com

Ristorante Pizzeria Lorenzo de’ Medici | Via del Giglio, 49/51r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Though not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant, Ristorante Pizzeria Lorenzo de’ Medici considers itself to be the best gluten-free restaurant in Florence, but we will let you be the judge of that. Ristorante Pizzeria Lorenzo de’ Medici is a good place to try Florence’s most famous dish, bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak) with roasted potatoes. It’s pretty good here, however I would skip the gf bread because it isn’t that good. If you don’t want the steak, you can enjoy one of the many gluten-free dishes. Side note: you are charged extra for gluten-free pizza.

Gluten-Free Restaurants near the Galleria dell’Accademia (Michelangelo’s David)

Il Desco Bistrot | Via Camillo Cavour, 27, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

This small bistro gets brownie points not because it’s a great celiac-friendly place (it is), but because of its fresh, seasonal, farm-to-table organic dishes. Though their seasonal menu is limited, there are always gluten-free and vegetarian options on the menu. When I was there, I got to enjoy one of Florence’s traditional dishes, pappardelle sulla lepre, aka pasta with wild boar, which was truly a treat! The staff are also extremely knowledge about celiac disease and are happy to cater to other dietary needs! You don’t want to skip this little gem while in Florence.

Tagliatelle vegetarian Pasta Dish with Mushrooms
Jyliana / shutterstock.com

Da Garibardi | Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 38R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Many celiacs who have visited this gluten-friendly restaurant near Florence’s Central Market would probably say this was one of their favorite places to eat while in Florence. Picking a dish or two will feel damn near impossible with such an extensive and delicious gluten-free menu, but whatever you choose you won’t be disappointed. Besides stuffing your face with delicious gf bread, top notch pizza, bruschetta, or a delicious pasta dish, you can also indulge in some authentic Tuscan cuisine and must-try Florentine dishes. These include trippa alla fiorentina (tripe in tomato sauce), bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), or crostini di fegato (liver pate toast). Did I mention they have gluten-free souffle?!!!

Gluten-Free Restaurants near the Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi

Trattoria Cammillo | Borgo S. Jacopo, 57/r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Just a stone’s throw away from the famous Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), you’ll find Cammillo, a family-run restaurant serving Tuscan food with a twist. Though they do not have a gluten-free menu, they can make most of their dishes gluten-free! Their meat and pasta dishes are not to be missed. We highly recommend the Florentine steak, veal, or the lamb. Oh, and the gf bread is on point! Since this is a small restaurant and it’s always busy (the food is that good), you should definitely make a reservation if you don’t want to be turned away at the door.

Hostaria Il Desco | Via delle Terme, 23/ r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Your meal will start off with complimentary warm and tasty gluten-free bread, a glass of Prosecco wine, and soup, all on the house. From there, you can dig into their extensive gluten-free menu and enjoy all types of dishes like pear and gorgonzola gnocchi, lamb with the raspberry sauce, and risotto with asparagus. Not only do they treat all dietary requirements, especially celiac disease, with care and seriousness, they also specialize in gluten-free food and traditional Tuscan dishes. This means you can get an authentic taste of Florence and enjoy dishes like bistecca alla fiorentina, pappardelle sulla lepre, and even crostini di fegato. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed at Hostaria Il Desco!

Potato gnocchi with pesto
carpe89 / shutterstock.com

Starbene Gold Bakery ★ | Via dei Neri, 13/r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

This gluten-free haven is a dedicated gluten-free bakery serving goodies you’ve probably always wanted to eat but couldn’t because they weren’t gluten-free. This includes the must-try Florentine dessert cantuccini (a kind of biscotti), flaky croissants, and apple strudel. They also have savory foods like pizzas, schiacciata paninis, and focaccia bread. Starbene is seriously where you need to go if you want pastries that taste, feel, and please your sweet tooth while making you wonder if you’re really eating gluten-free.

Other Gluten-Free Restaurants Around Florence

Ristorante Pizzeria La Luna | Via Vincenzo Gioberti, 93, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy

This hidden gem, located just a few steps outside the touristy center, is not to be missed. Thin and crispy gluten-free wood-oven pizzas, gluten-free beers, delicious fried dough, and Nutella calzones are just a few of the mouth-watering things you can eat off their menu. Luckily for us celiacs, they specialize in homemade gluten-free food, which means everything on their menu can be made gluten-free and it’s finger-licking good!

Bioveggy ★ | Via Erbosa, 12 rosso, 50126 Firenze FI, Italy

For a celiac eating outside of their own home, there’s nothing better than a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. Though a bit out of the way, Bioveggy should be visited by every celiac because the food is inventive, delicious, and healthy! The entire menu is vegan, gluten-free, organic, and homemade…it’s like nothing you’ve experienced before. Eating at Bioveggy is truly an experience of all the senses. From taste to sight to smell, you’ll enjoy this culinary experience from beginning to end.

Delicious tiramisu on a wooden background
Egor Fomin / shutterstock.com

Gluten-Free Bakeries in Florence

Mamey Firenza Ovest ★ | Via Pratese, 211, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy

At this specialty shop you can find everything from packaged and frozen foods to fresh baked goods. Not only can you shop for gluten-free goodies, you can also enjoy breakfast or a quick lunch at their 100% gluten-free in-house cafe. Mamey Senza Glutine Speciality Store is a chain that can be found in many places in Italy, including Venice.

Pasticceria Gualtieri | Via Senese, 18/red, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy

Pasticceria Gualtieri is a dedicated vegan bakery that has been making traditional pastries since 1933. Not only do they cater to vegans and celiacs, but also to other dietary restrictions. They even created a pastry that excludes seven popular baking ingredients and allergens such as gluten, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and yeast. All of their gluten-free baked goods are made in their own dedicated kitchen.

Starbene Senza Glutine ★ | Various Locations

Starbene is a small dedicated gluten-free bakery chain with many locations in Florence and throughout Italy. You’ll find their baked goods and salty foods to be better than most baked gluten-free goods you’ve eaten. In addition to the delicious baked goods and snacks, they also sell packaged gluten-free products so you can stock up if you’re running low.

Gluten-Free Hotels in Florence

The following hotels are all certified by the Italian Celiac Association, AIC, which means the staff are monitored and trained, and should be equipped with the proper knowledge to provide safe, gluten-free meals to all celiacs. To read reviews and check availability and pricing on the hotel, just click on the hotel’s name.

Grand Hotel Mediterraneo – Has a good selection of gf food options available in a separate area for breakfast. Their restaurants don’t have many options.

Hotel Fiorino – Located near the steps of the Uffizi Gallery and a short walk from the Duomo, this hotel serves a good range of gluten-free foods for breakfast.

B&B Cimatori – Centrally located between the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery, this bed & breakfast offers a gluten-free breakfast that can include gluten-free bread, toast, brioches, and cookies.

Don’t want to book at a hotel and want to make your own meals, check out Airbnb! You can rent entire homes or just a room, the choice is yours. If you want to get $40 off your first booking on Airbnb click here!

Hand Holding Gelato with Blurred Florence Duomo on background, one of the most famous landmark in Italy in the background.
Moomusician / shutterstock.com

Gluten-Free Gelaterias In Florence

All the gelaterias listed here are certified by the AIC, the Italian Celiac Association, and all staff are trained to be able to provide safe gluten-free gelatos to celiacs.

Antica Gelateria Fiorentina | Via Faenza, 2, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

They serve gluten-free gelatos with gluten-free cones, and are also well aware of the dangers of cross-contamination and know how to avoid it.

Gelateria Roberto | Via Giovan Filippo Mariti, 3, 50127 Firenze FI, Italy

Gelateria Roberto has an array of gluten-free flavors available, and they are well aware of cross-contamination and take precautions to prevent it.

Sottozero | Via Francesco Anton Doni, 47, 50144 Firenze FI, Italy

This gelateria serves tasty gelatos with gluten-free flavors and cones. Other dietary requirements are also catered to, as they have lactose-free, vegan, and sugar-free flavors, to name a few. Sottozero has multiple locations in Italy, as well as one in Malta!

Grom ★ | Various Locations

A dedicated gluten-free gelateria with multiple locations around Florence as well as Italy. They have gluten-free cones. In addition to serving delicious gelatos, they also have cookies, sorbets, slushies, and ice cream pops.

Useful Italian Phrases (+ Free Italian Restaurant Card)

Below is a list of useful Italian phrases you should know to help avoid getting glutened. Make sure to also download our FREE Italian gluten-free restaurant card.

  • Lo sono celiaco/a – I am celiac
  • Sono intollerante al glutine – I’m intolerant to gluten
  • Tutti senza glutine – Everything is gluten-free
  • Sono disponibili cibi senza glutine – Gluten-free food is available
  • è senza glutine? – Is (it) gluten-free?
  • Senza Glutine – without gluten
  • Può contenere tracce di – may contain traces of
  • Contiene – contains
  • Germe di grano – wheat germ
  • Grano – wheat
  • Farina di grano – wheat flour
  • Orzo – barley
  • Segale – rye
  • Avena – oats
  • Farro – spelt
  • Semolino – semolina

Supermarkets with Gluten-Free Items

Normally with this section I would list specific supermarkets that have gluten-free products, but for Florence and all of Italy, there is no need. Every supermarket, even pharmacies, stock gluten-free products. Large supermarket chains like Aldi, Conad, and Coop even sell their own gluten-free product brands, which are generally cheaper than other gluten-free products sold in the supermarket.

More Gluten-Free Resources

Well there you have it, a detailed guide to having a safe and gluten-free trip to Florence. The only thing left to do now is pack your bags and get ready for a fun and stress-free trip to Florence.

Recommendation: If you like to travel make sure to check out our new gluten-free guidebook. It lists over 1000 dedicated gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, and stores around the world, including popular destinations like Italy, France, and even exotic places like Bali. Trust us, your life as a traveling celiac will never be the same. For more information about the ebook click here.

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