We just returned from Italy and had an incredible trip. We visited beautiful cities and enjoyed some of the best gluten-free food we’ve ever eaten. During the trip I received many direct messages asking how I find restaurants while traveling, so I wanted to share the approach I used in one place.
Background
My husband and I are both of Italian heritage and we’ve been to Italy before, but our children had never visited. Both boys were eager to go. Our youngest son has Celiac disease and had heard so much about gluten-free pizza and pasta in Italy that his main goal was to sample as many gluten-free dishes as possible and find his favorites.
The goal of this trip was both to explore different regions of Italy and to discover excellent gluten-free food.
A few caveats
Even with careful planning, you should always evaluate restaurants yourself for gluten-free safety and cross-contamination risk. Restaurants change menus and staff, and people have different comfort levels, so do your own research before you dine.
When dining out, choose places that meet the needs of everyone traveling with you: dietary restrictions, menu variety, taste preferences, budget, and proximity to your plans all matter.
How do we choose restaurants?
If you followed my Instagram Stories while we were in Italy you saw we ate exceptionally well—some truly standout gluten-free meals. Here’s the research process I use before and during a trip.
I treat it like a small research project before we leave.
1. Scoping out the options
- I scan the web for gluten-free dining options at our destination.
- I read posts from gluten-free and Celiac bloggers I trust for specific recommendations.
- I consult the Find Me Gluten Free app as a starting point, reading comments carefully since it’s not always Celiac-safe.
- I build a list of restaurants that sound promising; often the same places appear across sources.
2. Narrowing the choices
With a shorter list, I research each restaurant more deeply: site details, menus, and any information about their gluten-free practices.
Key things I check:
- Is there substantial gluten-free food that will satisfy my son? He’s a teenage boy with a big appetite, so a single salad option won’t work.
- Are there options for the rest of our family so everyone can eat happily?
- Does it fit our budget?
- How does the restaurant approach gluten-free service? Do they offer a separate gluten-free menu or clearly marked items on the regular menu? Do they make statements about handling dietary restrictions or hold any certifications?
3. Does the location work for us?
I check how close each restaurant is to our itinerary. Google Maps is very helpful for estimating travel time and deciding whether a restaurant is convenient for that day’s plans.
4. Reaching out to the restaurant ahead of time
Unless a place is entirely gluten-free, I contact the restaurant to ask about menu items and cross-contamination procedures. If there’s no language barrier, I do this before departure; otherwise I ask concierges or guides to help. When making reservations I note that we’ll need gluten-free options and that one of us has Celiac disease.
For specific questions I ask and tips for dining once we arrive, see our Tips for Dining Out Gluten-Free on our blog.
It may sound like a lot of work at first, but with experience it becomes second nature. Planning ahead makes it possible to travel, explore, and enjoy meals without letting Celiac disease limit the experience.
Some destinations are easier for gluten-free dining than others, but this method works wherever we go and helps us relax and enjoy our food and time together.
Leave a comment and let me know if you found this helpful or if you have tips to share.