Okay, so I recently got back from a trip to Florence, Italy, and let me tell you, finding gluten-free options was a bit of an adventure. I’m not celiac, but I try to avoid gluten as much as possible, so I did some serious digging before and during my trip. Here’s how it went down:
Before the Trip (Research, research, research!)
First things first, I scoured the internet. I mean, I spent hours reading blog posts, checking out restaurant reviews, and looking at menus online. I quickly learned that “senza glutine” is the magic phrase in Italian, meaning “without gluten.” I also found a few dedicated gluten-free bakeries and restaurants, which was super encouraging.
Hitting the Ground Running (Finding Food!)
Once I arrived in Florence, I started by visiting those dedicated gluten-free spots I’d found online. These were lifesavers! I could relax and order anything without worrying. One place, a small bakery, had the most amazing gluten-free croissants. I almost cried, they were so good!
Then, I ventured out to more traditional restaurants. This is where things got a little trickier. I quickly learned to always, always ask about gluten-free options, even if the menu didn’t mention them. Sometimes they had hidden gems, like risotto (which is naturally gluten-free, usually) or grilled meat and fish dishes.
Navigating the Menus (Asking Questions!)
I armed myself with a few key Italian phrases. Besides “senza glutine,” I also learned to ask about cross-contamination (“contaminazione crociata”). This was important because some places might use the same surfaces or utensils for gluten-free and regular food.
- “Avete opzioni senza glutine?” (Do you have gluten-free options?)
- “Questo piatto è senza glutine?” (Is this dish gluten-free?)
- “C’è il rischio di contaminazione crociata?” (Is there a risk of cross-contamination?)
The Unexpected Wins (Surprise Finds!)
One of my favorite experiences was stumbling upon a small, family-run trattoria. I asked about gluten-free options, and the owner’s eyes lit up. She explained that her daughter had celiac disease, so they were very careful. They whipped up a special gluten-free pasta dish for me, and it was one of the best meals I had in Florence.
Lessons Learned (What I’d Do Differently)
Looking back, I would have packed more gluten-free snacks. There were times when I was stuck between meals and couldn’t find anything safe to eat. Having some protein bars or crackers would have been a lifesaver.
Overall, eating gluten-free in Florence was totally doable, it just required a little extra planning and a lot of asking questions. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right? And discovering those hidden gluten-free gems made it all worthwhile! Don’t hesitated to ask.