Last updated: March 2022

Going to Venice? Worried about eating gluten free? Don’t be! Venice is heaven on earth - it’s absolutely beautiful and, what’s more, there is gluten free food to be found everywhere you look. Prepare for a LOT of pasta.

The restaurants often have gluten free signs in the windows (see the pic below), and they are super clued up on cross contamination because there’s a high prevalence of coeliac disease in Italy.

Helpful phrases include:

senza glutine (sen-za gloo-tin-ay) = gluten free
sono celiaca (son-o chee-lee-acka) = I am coeliac (female)
sono celiaco = I am coeliac (male)
AIC accreditation (and app)

The AIC is the Italian equivalent of Coeliac UK, and just like Coeliac UK they certify restaurants that can cater well for gluten free! What’s more - they have an APP TO DOWNLOAD called AIC MOBILE. This lists accredited gluten free restaurants and shops to make your life a whole lot easier, and is definitely worth downloading (you can cancel your subscription after you leave).

At the end of this guide is a list of some AIC accredited restaurants in Venice.

WHERE WE ATE

On the go: Baci & Pasta

When we first arrived in Venice, we were HUNGRY, so stumbling across Baci & Pasta and finding out their gnocchi is gluten free was a win for us. They had gluten free beer too, the pasta was made in a new, clean pan, and it was perfectly seasoned and delicious.

Traditional ice cream: Gelateria Nico

Gelateria Nico is accredited by AIC (Italian equivalent of Coeliac UK) and ALL of the ice cream is gluten free. If you want to go for the traditional option, get the gianduiotto, which I can only describe as a block of frozen hazelnut chocolate with whipped cream.

Top restaurant recommendation: Trattoria Il Gazzettino

This gorgeous little restaurant is family owned, and even the desserts are made by the owner’s wife which is just the sweetest. Make sure to book and go hungry, they’ll bring you bread, crackers, tasters of different dishes, and you’ll want dessert because they’ve got PROFITEROLES!

Must visit 100% GF shop: Mea Libera Tutti

If you’re in Venice, you absolutely must take a trip to Mea Libera Tutti, and you’ll want to make sure there’s space in your suitcase! The lovely owner has packed the shop with everything you could imagine - including gluten free pasta, biscuits, cakes, croissants, pastries, calzone, the likes of which I’d never seen before. They will also give you fab restaurant recommendations.

For easy breakfast: Frulala

I always find breakfast is the hardest meal when you’re abroad - so many pastries and so much bread! Luckily I stumbled across Frulala, a little stall in Cannaregio with make your own yoghurt bowls. Some of the toppings contain gluten but they were able to talk me through it all and they’re all stored separately.

For pizza: Ristorante Pizzeria Al 56Zerootto

While gluten free pasta is absolutely everywhere in Venice, pizza restaurants are few and far between. We managed to find this one in a lovely square near the Rialto Bridge. It wasn’t the best pizza I’ve ever had, but if you fancy mixing it up a bit from pasta this is a good spot.

More restaurants: Trattoria Pizzeria Alla Ferrata

We had a lovely pasta al olio and caprese salad here in their undercover courtyard before heading to the airport - the gluten free spaghetti was some of the best I’ve had!

On Burano: Ristorante Al Cesendeli

I highly recommend taking the boat to gorgeous Burano while you’re in Venice - the rows colourful houses are just like something from a fairytale in the sunshine! This restaurant is a great lunch spot for a colourful Aperol spritz and gluten free pizza, and they brought out gluten free crackers too!

AIC accredited restaurants

If you want the reassurance of knowing somewhere has been accredited by the AIC (see above), there are plenty of places to choose from! These include:

Vecia Cavana: separate gluten free menu with pasta, and they have GF bread and crackers.
Frary’s: Mediterranean restaurant for something a bit different.
McDonald’s (and YES they have gluten free buns)
Al Giardinetto da Severino: separate gluten free menu and gorgeous courtyard, but make sure to book in advance as they were full when we went.
Oke Zattare: lots of gluten free options including the likes of pizza and lasagna.
Ristobar San Polo: handy location and lots of gluten free options including pizza and tiramisu.