Last Updated on January 17, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: May 26, 2023
Italy is a country where things like pasta and pizza can seem like crucial components of the national identity, so you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s maybe not the ideal destination for gluten-free travelers. Luckily, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth—especially if your itinerary includes places where pizza and pasta aren’t part of the regional culinary tradition, like Tuscany and Florence. Here’s our complete guide to eating gluten free in Florence!
Curious what dishes to order when you’re visiting Florence? Don’t miss these 7 classic dishes you must try in Florence! With all the recommendations below, you should be able to find gluten free versions of these easily.
Gluten-Free Bakeries
Italian breakfasts are famously quick, usually consisting of a shot of espresso and a pastry eaten while standing at the coffee bar. To take part in this Italian tradition without the gluten, visit one of these gluten-free bakeries.
- Bottega Artigiana del Gusto: Not only is this bakery (Via Erbosa 12R) a 100% GF restaurant, they also have a GF market where you can pick up goodies to bring back from your travels.
- Pasticceria Gualtieri: You’ll find cakes, pies, tarts, chocolate truffles, and more here (Via Senese 18R). Oh, and they also offer coffee in case you want to pair your piece of cake with some caffè!
Pasticceria Gualtieri offers delicious baked goods, along with coffee. Photo credit: Clara Alim
Gluten-Free Restaurants
Florence is home to a couple of totally gluten-free restaurants, which are owned and operated by the same people:
- Quinoa: Quinoa is Florence’s first GF restaurant. They also serve up plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
- L’OV: L’OV (Piazza del Carmine 4R) offers 100% gluten-free and vegetarian meals.
In addition, there are several restaurants in Florence that have been certified by the Italian Celiac Association (AiC) and have adapted their beloved traditional Tuscan fare to be gluten-free:
- Trattoria da Garibardi: This restaurant has a separate menu for those who eat gluten free, making it very easy to see your options immediately. They serve up gluten-free local fare including Florentine steak, ribollita, gnocchi, fried food, handmade pasta, and more.
- Sgrano: Searching for traditional Tuscan sandwiches made with GF focaccia? Sgrano is your best bet! This local chain has a few locations around the city, where you can either pick up a ready-made sandwiches or sit down to full plates of pasta.
- Risotteria Melotti: As the name suggests, Risotteria Melotti is the place to go for delicious ristotto. We highly recommend ordering the risotto al tartufo when it is in season.
- Trattoria Cammillo: This is a lively restaurant with homestyle-type dishes. Their extensive menu offers everthing from fish to meat to pasta, making it a good option for a group dinner.
- Hostaria Il Desco: Romantic and elegant, Hostaria Il Desco is the perfect date-night spot. Some sample dishes include tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, homemade gnocchi with pears and gorgonzola, wild boar with polenta, beef fillet with truffles, and more.
Follow up your meal at Hostaria Il Desco with a gluten-free dessert such as almond-studded cantucci. Photo credit: McPig
Gluten-Free Pizzerias
Pizza may not be traditionally Tuscan, but it’s ubiquitous in Italy (and, for that matter, the world). Being gluten-free doesn’t mean you can’t partake, though. These pizzerie in Florence are certified by AiC:
- Ciro & Sons: The real (gluten-free) deal, Ciro & Sons is also certified by Naples’ pizza association as serving authentic Neapolitan pizza.
- Pizza Man: A Florence chain with multiple locations, you are never too far from a PizzaMan.
- Mister Pizza: Mister Pizza – not to be confused with PizzaMan – has two Florence locations. The build-your-own options make it easy to customize your own pizza.
- Ristorante Pizzeria La Luna: Ristorante Pizzeria La Luna has plenty of gluten-free pizza options, which are clearly labeled on their menu. This spot also offers other dishes in case someone in your group prefers, say, pasta instead!
Gluten-Free Gelaterias
Gelato might seem like a safe gluten-free bet, but of course there are plenty of opportunities for cross-contamination between scoops and cones. These shops are either completely gluten-free or they’ve got gluten-free cones and know how to avoid cross-contamination:
- Grom: Did you know that well-known gelato chain Grom is 100% gluten-free? The Florence location is centrally located just one block down from the Duomo.
- Antica Gelateria Fiorentina: Antica Gelateria Fiorentina is a local spot that offers gluten-free options so that you can sample flavors safely and deliciously.
Traditional Dishes in Tuscany that Are Gluten-Free
As mentioned earlier, pasta doesn’t play a huge role in Tuscan history. Some of the quintessentially Tuscan dishes, however, do incorporate the region’s famously unsalted bread as a thickener. In other words, you’ll want to confirm with waiters that a dish is gluten-free—don’t assume because it’s a “soup” that it automatically is.
There are many traditional Tuscan dishes that are inherently gluten-free, though, including:
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Florence’s famous steaks are seasoned minimally with salt and grilled over open flames.
Chestnut Flour Pasta and Bread
Many Tuscan towns are well-known for growing chestnuts, some of which get ground into flour. Chestnut flour pasta is a typical dish in the town of Lucca, for instance, part of the region’s cucina povera (“peasant cooking”) heritage of making do with less.
Legumes
Tuscans have made beans and lentils an important part of their diet for centuries (people sometimes call them “the bean eaters” today), and modern Tuscan cuisine still features plenty of legumes. Note that sometimes those beans are combined with bread (as in traditional ribollita), so pay special attention to the ingredients in bean soups.
Risotto
As long as the broth used to make it is gluten-free, risotto can be an excellent gluten-free option. The dish is a staple in northern Italy, where pasta is a relatively recent addition to the diet, and Tuscany is one of the regions known for rice cultivation.
Truffles
These humble-looking lumps are prized for a reason, and when it’s truffle season in Florence you’ll find them on menus all over the city. Learn more about truffles in Tuscany and why they are so important and delicious!
Italian Celiac Association and the AiC app
It may come as a surprise that eating gluten-free in Florence is getting easier and easier. There are a few things that help explain this:
- Dietary restrictions, including celiac disease, are more familiar all over the world.
- Food is central to Italian culture and social life, and Italians don’t want anyone to get left out.
- Italians are empathetic regarding digestion issues, so they understand the idea that someone can’t digest gluten well.
There’s also a government organization, the Italian Celiac Association (AiC), that helps ensure that restaurants they certify serve gluten-free dishes that are safe for celiac diners. You can look for their red and white stickers in restaurant windows, and there’s even an AiC app. You can buy a temporary version of the app for just a few dollars that’s good for two weeks (rather than paying to be a full AiC member), which lets you search for gluten-free restaurants and markets wherever you’re going in Italy.
Want an Expert Local to Show You Where to Eat?
Want to skip the confusing options and tourist menus while you’re visiting Florence? Save a spot on our Florence Food and Wine Tour! One of our expert local guides will take you to the easily-overlooked places where the Florentines eat. You’ll enjoy artisan charcuterie, local pasta, and a sizzling bistecca alla Fiorentina, then you’ll sip prosecco through a centuries-old wine window and learn the secrets of the best negroni.
The best part? This tour is adaptable for gluten-free eaters (although not for celiacs); just let us know you are gluten free when booking your tour.
Featured Review: Florence Food & Wine Tour
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Such a great foodie tour! We visited a lot of places we wouldn’t have even seen if we didn’t do this tour. Our guide was so friendly and she went above and beyond. Lots of food included and all delicious!”
– JadeKennedy on Tripadvisor
Eating Gluten Free in Florence FAQs
Is it easy to find gluten-free food in Florence?
Yes, Florence is very gluten-free friendly. Many restaurants, cafés, and bakeries offer dedicated gluten-free menus or can adapt dishes upon request, and gluten-free pasta, pizza, and pastries are increasingly common across the city. Be sure to sign up for the Italian Celiac Association app to find certified gluten free dishes.
Do Florentine restaurants understand cross-contamination concerns?
Many restaurants in Florence are aware of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease and take precautions to avoid cross-contamination. Still, it’s always best to communicate your needs clearly—in Italian if possible—and choose establishments with a strong reputation for gluten-free dining.
What gluten-free Tuscan dishes should I try in Florence?
Classic Tuscan dishes that are naturally gluten-free or easily adapted include bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita (without bread), grilled fish and meats, seasonal vegetable sides, and gelato made without gluten ingredients. Just confirm the preparation method with your server.
Are there gluten-free bakeries or gelaterias in Florence?
Yes, Florence has dedicated gluten-free bakeries and many gelaterias that clearly label flavors free of gluten. You’ll find gluten-free breads, cookies, cakes, and gelato options throughout the city, often near popular neighborhoods like Oltrarno and Santa Croce.
