Visiting Bologna as a celiac, or with someone who is? I got your back!😍 I only had a couple days in Bologna, so this list is shorter than my usual gluten free guides—but packed with places I’ve either eaten at or thoroughly researched.
Bologna is known as the Food Capital of Italy and even receives the nickname La Grassa (“the fat one”) thanks to its rich culinary scene and traditions. This is the birthplace of iconic dishes like tagliatelle al ragù (Bolognese), tortellini in brodo, mortadella, and lasagna.🤤
Thanks to the (unfortunate) rise in Italy’s celiac population, gluten free restaurants in Bologna are on the rise, and nowadays — being celiac doesn’t mean giving up on traditional food.
Most of the restaurants listed here are AIC (Italian Celiac Association) certified — meaning that in these restaurants, celiacs can safely enjoy traditional Bolognese food without worrying about cross-contamination. Some serve both regular and gluten free menus, but use separate prep areas and know how to serve celiacs safely.
Without further ado, here are the best gluten free restaurants in Bologna!😋👇
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8 Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Bologna
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Bar Meso’s (Celiac Safe)
- ⭐️ Rating: 4.5 on Find Me Gluten Free
- 📍 Location: Via Monte Grappa 8b, 40121 Bologna BO, Italy
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6 AM – 9 PM. Closed on Sundays
Just a short walk from Piazza Maggiore, Bar Meso’s is a cafe with a fair amount of gluten free options, including croissants, focaccia, sandwiches, and more.
All gluten free foods are kept separate here, and some are even pre-packaged to avoid cross-contamination.
In all my travels, I’ve had better croissants than the one here, but it’s still a solid breakfast option!
Pan8 (Gluten Free Friendly)
- ⭐️ Rating: 5 on Find Me Gluten Free
- 📍 Location: Via d’Azeglio 8, 40124 Bologna BO, Italy
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours: Open every day from 12 PM to 10:30 PM, or 11:30 PM on Fri-Sat
Located right by Piazza Maggiore, Pan8 is a delicious small restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Bologna’s sandwiches or even Taglieri, “charcuterie boards”.
While this isn’t a 100% gluten free restaurant, the majority of their menu can be made gluten free.
I had their A Tal Deg sandwich which has mortadella (a must-eat in Bologna), burrata and pistachio cream and it was incredible! Plus, a side of Aperol Spritz because that’s another Italy-summer must.🤩
Trattoria Vecchio Mercato (100% Gluten Free)
- ⭐️ Rating: 5 on Find Me Gluten Free
- 📍 Location: F, Via Piero Gobetti, 49, 40129 Bologna BO, Italy
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours: Currently Closed for Ferragosto holidays until August 14th.
Trattoria Vecchio Mercato is a 100% gluten free restaurant that offers a traditional Bolognese cuisine, preparing everything from Ragú Bolognese to Tortellini, Cotoletta alla Milanese (Italy’s version of schnitzel), and beyond.
This restaurant was high on my list, but because it is a 40 minute walk (30 minute bus ride) from the city center, I opted for a dinner closer to my stay.
I’m not one who ever regrets, but I do wish I pushed myself to go eat at Trattoria Vecchio Mercato on my last night in Bologna.
Based on the reviews, most of which mention the words “celiac heaven” and “[celiac] paradise” this restaurant is absolutely worth the short commute — don’t make my mistake!
They are currently closed for holidays until August 14th.
Book your table here.
Rosticceria Nosadella (AIC Certified)
- ⭐️ Rating: 5 on Find Me Gluten Free
- 📍 Location: Via Nosadella 37a, 40123 Bologna BO, Italy
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours:
Just a 12 minute walk away from Piazza Maggiore, Rosticceria Nosadella is an AIC Certified restaurant that also offers fresh, takeaway meals. This allows you to decide whether you want to dine inside, buy fresh takeaway meals to eat at home, or both.
Similarly to Trattoria Vecchio Mercato, I didn’t have the chance to visit during my short stay in Bologna, but this restaurant is high on my “Gluten Free Bologna bucket list”.
This restaurant receives stellar reviews, with most celiacs and gluten-intolerant people calling it gluten free heaven.
Book your table here.
La Capriata (AIC Certified)
- ⭐️ Rating: 5 on Find Me Gluten Free
- 📍 Location: Strada Maggiore 19, Corte Isolani, 1/e, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours: Open every day from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
La Capriata is an AIC Certified restaurant that offers traditional Bolognese cuisine.
I didn’t get a chance to visit this one either, but it’s high on my gluten free bucket list!😍
Based on reviews, people here particularly love La Capriata’s Tagliatelle al Ragú (Bolognese) which is the most iconic dish of Bologna, along with the Tortellini. Another item that receives a lot of praise is their gluten free bread!
Book your table here.
Caruso (AIC Certified)
- ⭐️ Rating: 5 on Find Me Gluten Free
- 📍 Location: Via del Parco 13, 40138 Bologna BO, Italy
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours:
Located a 40 minute walk (20 minute tram ride) from Piazza Maggiore, visiting Caruso includes a bit of a commute, but based on reviews – the commute is absolutely worth it!
Caruso is another AIC Certified restaurant that focuses on traditional Bolognese cuisine.
While their entire menu can be made gluten free, it seems that this restaurant is particularly famous for their gluten free pizza – many saying it’s the best in all of Bologna!
Based on reviews, this restaurant is often very packed and it’s important to book your table in advance – especially on weekends.
Book your table here.
Grom (100% Gluten Free)
- ⭐️ Rating: on Find Me Gluten Free
- 📍 Location: Several Locations
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours: Open every day from 11 AM to 12 AM, or 12:30 AM on Fri-Sat
Grom is a 100% gluten free gelateria chain that originates from Turin, and is now all over the country and even several different countries.
Here everything is gluten free – from the gelato flavors to the cones, hot chocolate, and even crepes.
Rosteria Luciano (Temporarily Closed for Summer Holidays)
- ⭐️ Rating: 4.6 on Google Reviews
- 📍 Location: Via Nazario Sauro, 19, 40121 Bologna BO, Italy
- 💰 Price Range: €€
- 🗓️ Days Open & Hours: Opening on the 1st of September
Rosteria Luciano is a phenomenal restaurant that is able to cater to celiacs. This restaurant is where I had my first ever Ragú alla Bolognese, in Bologna, and let me tell you – it is to die for!
Not only was their Bolognese out of this world, but they cooked gluten free pasta to perfection, al dente – something which many non-dedicated gluten free restaurants often get wrong.
As a celiac, I personally felt really safe at this restaurant and felt perfectly fine after my meals here.
This restaurant is closed for the whole month of August, it will open back up on the 1st of September.
Book your table here.
Gluten Free Bologna FAQs
How to ask if something is gluten-free in Italian?
Here are some phrases and words to know:
- I am Celiac – “Sono Celiaco (male) / Celiaca (female)”
- Do you have gluten free options? – “Avete opzioni senza glutine?”
- Senza Glutine – Gluten Free
- Celiac – Celiaco (male) / Celiaca (female)
Since Bologna is a major tourist destination, most restaurants should know a decent amount of English. That said, these four sentences/words are definitely worth knowing just in case!😊
Can you eat gluten in Italy if you are gluten free?
Some gluten-intolerant travelers say they feel better eating wheat in Italy than back home—but if you’re celiac, gluten is still gluten.
Can you get gluten free pasta in restaurants in Italy?
Yes! Outside of gluten free restaurants, it is possible to go to regular restaurants and find that they offer gluten free pasta – this is what happened for me with Rosteria Luciano.
If you’re celiac, make sure to mention you’re celiac and that it’s a serious health issue and that you need to avoid cross contamination.
Because the celiac population in Italy is constantly on the rise, it seems that most people are aware of celiac disease and best practices for celiac-safe foods. However, it’s still common to find people asking “how celiac are you”, not realizing that celiac disease isn’t a spectrum—it’s one clear diagnosis.
Is Bologna celiac friendly?
Yes, Bologna has a good amount of gluten free restaurants and due to the rising celiac population, most people are familiar with celiac disease.
As a celiac, I’d aim more for gluten free dedicated or AIC Certified restaurants – but if needed, I’m sure many restaurants will be able to accommodate you one way or the other.
Map of Gluten Free Bologna
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I have to ask…
Which of these gluten free spots are you most excited to try in Bologna? Let me know in the comments!👇🤩
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