The Rome IndexEating in Rome with allergies
Gluten, dairy, nuts and shellfish — how to navigate Rome's restaurants safely.
Gluten-free
Italy takes coeliac disease seriously — gluten-free (senza glutine) options are legally required to be prepared separately in certified restaurants displaying the AIC (Italian Coeliac Association) symbol. Many Rome restaurants now carry the certification. Dedicated gluten-free pizzerias exist in several neighbourhoods.
Dairy
Dairy is embedded in Roman cuisine — pasta sauces, risotto, pizza and most desserts contain it as a default. Communicating a dairy allergy (allergia al latte) clearly and specifically is essential; "lactose intolerant" is sometimes interpreted as a preference rather than a medical requirement.
Key phrases
Sono allergico/a a... (I am allergic to...). Senza glutine (gluten-free). Senza latte (dairy-free). Contiene noci? (Does it contain nuts?). Mi può verificare con la cucina? (Can you check with the kitchen?). Writing allergens on a card in Italian is the most reliable approach.