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 had. During the trip, I received many messages asking how I find restaurants while traveling. I replied to so many people that I decided to put my approach into a blog post.
Background
My husband and I are both of Italian heritage and have been to Italy before, but our children had never visited. Both boys were eager to go, and our youngest son—who has Celiac Disease—was especially excited. He’d heard a lot about gluten-free pizza and pasta in Italy and wanted to try as many versions as possible to find his favorites.
The goal of this trip was twofold: to see highlights of different parts of Italy and to seek out the best gluten-free food we could find.
A few caveats
Even with careful planning, you should always verify a restaurant’s approach to gluten-free service yourself. Staff, chefs, and practices can change, and people have different comfort levels regarding cross-contamination. Do your own research and make decisions based on your needs.
Finding restaurants that work involves more than just dietary safety. Consider menu variety, taste preferences of everyone traveling with you, budget, and location when choosing where to eat.
How do we choose restaurants?
If you followed my Instagram Stories during our trip, you saw that we ate exceptionally well. Some of the gluten-free meals were among the best we’ve experienced. Here’s how I find restaurants when we travel.
Before every trip I do a bit of research and follow a consistent process.
1. Scoping out the options
- I start by searching the web for gluten-free dining options at our destination.
- I read blog posts from gluten-free and Celiac bloggers I trust to learn about recommended places.
- I check the Find Me Gluten Free app. It isn’t perfect for Celiac-safe recommendations, but its reviews and comments are a useful starting point.
- I make a list of restaurants that look promising. Often the same names appear repeatedly, which helps narrow the field.
2. Narrowing the choices
Once I have a list, I look for places that appear repeatedly and then investigate each one more closely. I read menus and check websites for details about gluten-free offerings.
Key questions I consider:
- Will the menu satisfy my son’s appetite? He’s a teen with a big appetite, so places where the only gluten-free option is salad aren’t suitable.
- Is there enough variety for the rest of the family? Ideally everyone can find something they enjoy.
- Does the restaurant fit our budget?
- Most importantly: how does the restaurant approach gluten-free service? Do they offer a separate gluten-free menu or clearly label items? Do they make statements about accommodating dietary restrictions or have any certifications?
3. Does the location work for us?
After narrowing the list, I check each restaurant’s location relative to our itinerary. Google Maps is very helpful for estimating travel time and planning meal stops that fit our schedule.
4. Reaching out to the restaurant ahead of time
Unless a restaurant is entirely gluten-free, I contact them before our visit to ask about menu details and cross-contamination practices. When there’s no language barrier I often do this before we leave home; in destinations where language is an issue, I ask concierges or guides to inquire on my behalf. When making reservations I always inform the restaurant that one of our party has Celiac Disease and that we require gluten-free options.
If you’d like specifics about the questions I ask at the restaurant and how we handle dining once we arrive, see our Tips for Dining Out Gluten-Free on the site.
Doing this research may sound time-consuming, but managing Celiac Disease while traveling becomes routine. Taking these steps lets us explore the world confidently and enjoy meals together without my son feeling limited by his condition.
Some places are more Celiac-friendly than others, but this process works in any destination: research options, narrow choices by menu and gluten-free practices, check location, and contact restaurants in advance.
Leave a comment and let me know if you find this helpful or have other tips to share.