Celiacs and eating in Genova and cinque terre

jennie,

I've never had occasion to check, but suspect you should be able to find items that are suitable for a Celiac diet as Italians will also require that. Hopefully one of the others will have more specific information on that.

Genova is not the most ideal "home base" for visiting the Cinque Terre.

Thanks -I am hoping people have specific returns they have visited because my app doesn't show any places to eat - there are other reasons we are staying in Genova not just Cinque Terre as we are also flying to France from Genova

A celiac member of my Italy My Way Tour group reported great experiences last year. She carried a gluten-free info card, was always able to get recommendations from waiters, and was often offered gluten-free pasta substitutions. Many menus (posted outside each restaurant) will mention gluten-free pasta options.

There has been lots of similar feedback on this Forum, such as at https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/gluten-free-in-italy-a012f8ff-c39d-4f04-93b5-eb264116d4ef.

See also this article from the New York Times last year: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/travel/gluten-free-dining-in-italy.html?_r=0.

Thanks - I read the New York article and I tired to browse through the topics! I will scan it more throughly.

You'll find restaurants are far more aware of and accommodating for celiac disease than many places in the US. And pasta as a main meal is an Italian-American thing. You'll find most menus feature many items that are not pasta. Your main concern really will be sauces and coatings. Having the card translated in Italian is helpful just in case you face a language barrier and there is no mis-communication. So no need to search out specific restaurants; just go where you want, show the card and enjoy what you can eat!

If you do want pasta, many restaurants have GF pasta available.

I am eating gluten-free for the first time in Italy, it's easy. The Italian phrase is "senza Glutine". Most waiters will be able to help you choose, or the chef may come out for a chat. There are gluten-free bakeries and restaurants. I haven't been to Genova yet but have confidence, you'll be fine. Yesterday at a restaurant in Palermo, the waiter left to go and buy a gluten-free roll for me. Be sure to tell the waiter, since sometimes flour is used to dredge proteins or vegetables.

I google "gluten-free" and the name of the city, if there are specifically gluten-free restaurants they will show. Pharmacies and grocery stores have gluten-free sections, too.

Here in Monterosso there is a bakery the Wonderland bakery that bakes the most wonderful traditional bread from garbanzo beans. Only has garbanzo,water, olive oil, salt.
I have eaten lots!

senza not senna, but that may be close enough

I have celiac disease and must adhere to a gluten free diet. Last year we traveled to Italy on the My Way tour. I am happy to report that there was an abundance of gluten free foods available. I had pasta and dinner rolls in Venice, pizza in Sienna, several pasta dishes and farinata (a pizza-like dish made with a chickpea crust) in Cinque Terra, and pasta and tiramisu in Rome! I would approach the wait staff and ask "senza glutine?" and most would smile and reply "of course!" Most pharmacies also have a variety of gluten free products but many times they are not on display - you'll have to ask for them.

Thanks, Nigel - damn keyboard! I forget to proofread sometimes.

This link has a lot of helpful tips:
http://www.primalpalate.com/paleo-blog/eating-gluten-free-in-italy/