When we decided to visit Rome this winter, I worried that there wouldn’t be many vegan and gluten-free options. However, I learned that Italy has a very high rate of celiac disease and food safety is taken very seriously. Although many restaurants offer gluten-free pasta and pizza, if you have celiac disease, you should look for the Associazione Italiana Celiachia symbol on the website or menu. I was surprised to learn that some restaurants even have dedicated, separate kitchens to eliminate cross-contamination. As suspected, Rome has very few vegan restaurants, and none are located in the Centro Storico, or city center. Luckily, Italian cuisine includes many vegetable side dishes that are vegan, such as artichokes ala Romana and roasted potatoes, and you can always order a pizza without cheese. Although I did a lot of research prior to our trip, we encountered a few places that had only one or no options for me. However, we enjoyed some wonderful, sumptuous meals and I didn’t feel deprived of the Italian culinary experience.
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Voglia di Pizza Gluten Free
A two-minute walk from Campo de’Fiori, Voglia di Pizza has been serving gourmet gluten-free pizza for fifteen years. It has an extensive separate gluten-free menu and is certified by the AIC. Both times we visited, we started with a heaping plate of grilled vegetables on a bed of greens with a sprinkling of fresh basil on top. The variety and quantity of the vegetables—which included zucchini, eggplant, red bell pepper, artichokes, carrots, black olives, cherry tomatoes—surprised us.
On our first visit, I ordered the gluten-free vegetarian pizza without cheese. It came with cut-up versions of the grilled vegetable platter and even sported a few French fries. Its crust was crisp yet chewy and so delicious, and despite lacking cheese, its sauce and toppings weren’t dried out.
On our second visit, I had the vegetarian spaghetti without cheese, and it came lightly dressed with tomato sauce and peppered with the same grilled vegetables. The flavor of the al dente pasta shined through and was perfectly accented by the roasted vegetables. It was nothing like the stodgy versions of gluten-free pasta in the US.
On both visits, looking at the food on our table I couldn’t imagine eating it all, but each time we cleared our plates. Glancing around at other tables, the portions were all very generous, and the salads were beautiful. Voglia is centrally located and open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., which is helpful for travelers who may not be on a typical Roman eating schedule. Their prices are very reasonable, especially considering the amount of food and that we each had a glass of wine. If we’d eaten here our first day, we likely would have dined here all four days.
Pandalì
Pandalì is a gluten-free bakery just a block and a half behind the Pantheon. All of their bread is vegan, but they only have a small selection of vegan baked goods. Luckily, as we arrived they were pulling a fresh tray of spinach calzones out of the oven. They also offered cabbage calzones, but it was a bit early in the day for that flavor. They were as large as my husband’s hand and stuffed with nothing but fresh, steamed spinach. The bread was soft, steaming, and tasted amazing! It made a wonderful breakfast that fortified us for a morning and early afternoon exploring the Colosseum and Forum. Although Pandalì does not offer hot drinks, the kind lady said we could go to the bar next door and bring back to-go coffees.
The other vegan options that day included pizza nera di beridde, which is a Roman Jewish cookie that looks like focaccia bread with dried fruit and raisins, and ciambelle al vino cookies. If you follow a gluten-free and vegan diet, Pandalì is an excellent option for breakfast or to stock up for snacks in the hotel or on the plane ride home.
La Soffitta Renovatio
After working up an appetite at the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica, we walked ten minutes to La Soffitta Renovatio for a late lunch. It is certified by the Associazione Italiana Celiachia, and everything on the menu can be prepared gluten free. We started with a crisp insalada mixta with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which was large enough to share. Next, we devoured a plate of perfectly seasoned, crispy sauteed potatoes. We ordered gluten-free pizzas without cheese and the waitress offered us lactose-free cheese, so it’s important to take the extra time and explain that you’re vegan. Their gluten-free pizza crust was delicious, and they were very generous with the paper-thin sliced mushrooms, long slices of zucchini, and thick rounds of eggplant. La Soffitta Renovatio is an excellent place to find vegan and gluten-free options for lunch or dinner while exploring Vatican City or the Castel Sant’Angelo.
Travel Tips
Associazione Italiana Celiachia
The Italian Celiac Association (AIC) website has some very useful information. Look for their symbol in restaurant windows and on menus.
Celiac’s Travel Card
If you have celiac disease or are severely affected by gluten, you may want to download this card from Celiac Travel.
Key Phrases
Although most of the waiters and waitresses speak English, the person who brings out your food may not. Here are a few important phrases to learn:
sensa glutine: without gluten, gluten free
vegano: vegan
niente formaggio: no cheese
niente carne: no meat
You May Also Enjoy
You may also enjoy my guide to planning a vegan and gluten-free vacation, which includes restaurant recommendations in Paris, Vegan and Gluten Free: Paris.
