Gluten Free: Milan

Gluten Free travel in Milan!

I have always wanted to travel to Italy as I’ve heard that the country caters well for gluten free, and Milan did not disappoint. A lot of places have gf options and there were quite a few fully dedicated gluten free locations.

Associazione Italiana Celiachia (AIC) is a non-profit organization in Italy dedicated to supporting people with coeliac disease. They collaborate with restaurants and catering services to create a network of establishments that provide gluten-free meals. These restaurants undergo inspections and training to ensure they meet the required standards. I found that in a few of the places I visited they displayed the logo on their menus/in the establishment. This also made me feel safe regarding the preparation of my food.

 

Food recommendations

My favourite place that I visited was definitely ofinciana zero. Which is a fully gluten free bakery. On my first visit I. had a pistachio doughnut which was amazing. My friend who can eat gluten tried it as well and she said you couldn’t even tell it was gluten free! We enjoyed it so much we visited again on our final day. This time I tried the custard doughnut, and it was equally as good. 

 

Another place we visited was Old Wild West. This restaurant is located very near to the Duamo. The restaurant is accredited by the AIC, and they also have a separate gluten free menu. I had a crispy chicken wrap which I enjoyed! They also had gf beer and a few dessert options!

 

A few other mentions                           

-       Starbucks roastery

-       Mignon (Central FS Station)

-       Seta Hotel (Bellagio)

-       Carrefour Supermarkets

 

Bergamo airport

On our way back home from Bergamo airport, I was pleasantly surprised to find a McDonald's. Since my celiac diagnosis, I hadn’t had a McDonald's, so I decided to check if they offered a gluten-free burger. To my delight, they did! The burger came packaged inside a plastic bag within the box, minimising cross contamination. It was great to finally have a fast-food option, something that’s often a challenge at home. I really wish the UK would introduce this gluten-free burger as well; it would make life so much easier

 

Overall, I found Milan one of the easiest places that I’ve been to find gluten free options. there seemed to be a genuine awareness of coeliac needs and a wide range of choices available. It was such a relief not to have to constantly worry about finding safe food, which can often be stressful when traveling. Please comment below if you have any more helpful recommendations!