After spending seven weeks travelling across Italy, with a large chunk exploring gluten free Tuscany, I decided to create a helpful guide. Here you will find all my coeliac tips rounded up into this mega gluten free Tuscany guide.
Tuscany in the Spring is spectacular. Multicoloured rose bushes bloom across this never-ending garden and red poppies punctuate the rolling green landscape. I highly recommend May as a time to visit. The weather is warm and the tourist crowds haven’t yet boomed.
Italy is a very easy place to be a coeliac, as awareness of the condition is widespread due to the occurence of coeliac disease being relatively high.
In Tuscany, you will find 100% gluten free bakeries, AIC (Italian Coeliac Society) accredited restaurants aplenty and supermarkets brimming with fantastic gluten free products. Peruse this guide in full or discover individual city tips via the full guides that I have linked below.
If you are visiting Tuscany as part of a larger Italy trip, do read my Gluten Free Italy guide. You’ll find detailed gluten free city and regions guide for places across Italy, including Rome, Cinque Terre, Naples and Venice. I also have a guide for neighbouring Umbria, which is a region we love and is very much an undiscovered gem.
Gluten Free Tuscany
I have gluten free Tuscany tips galore, so have broken this guide down into city sections starting with Florence and then various other cities/places listed alphabetically. Click on the links below to be taken to the relevant city page.
I have also included a couple of non gluten free travel tips and details of secret Tuscan spots that we discovered in the main gluten free Tuscany guide – they were too good not to share.
Please email me at mygfguide@gmail.com you have any other gluten free Tuscany tips that you think would be helpful additions to this guide. All recommendations are suitable for coeliacs, unless stated otherwise.
Florence
We loved Florence and I have an extensive Gluten Free Florence Guide with detailed tips for you. Finding gluten free food in Florence is extremely easy and there are even some 100% gluten free eateries in the city.
From gorgeous gluten free ice creams at Grom to epic gluten free pizza at Ciro & Sons, coeliac visitors will find it easy to stay safely gluten free here.
Florence is a beautiful city to visit and explore, with historical buildings and famous art works galore. It is a must visit for any Tuscan itinerary, especially given all the gluten free treats on offer.
Click the link below to discover my top gluten free Florence finds.
Bagni San Filippo
My top tip if you are staying in Central Tuscany, these natural hot springs are both spectacular and completely free. I stumbled across this tourist attraction one day on Instagram and we decided we had to see these huge calcium waterfall formations in person.
Hot spring water tumbles down the waterfall, collecting in pools and then on to the warm river below. Locals and tourists alike can be found lounging in the pools and under the shade of the surrounding trees. A real hidden gem.
Osteria lo Spugnone
A thank you is due to one of my readers for this gluten free restaurant tip near Bagni San Filippo. She told me that this restaurant has gluten free pasta and bread, plus they will even make gluten free crostini and some desserts. The restaurant is not 100% gluten free but she is coeliac and has eaten there many times and never had problems.
Ristorante La Taverna Del Barbarossa
A little drive North of the springs, this restaurant has a wide gluten free selection and is AIC (Italian coeliac society) accredited. You’ll find a full gluten free menu listed on their website, if you want to check out the options in advance. It is extensive! Classic Tuscan cuisine and all house made, including desserts and pasta.
It’s on the grounds of the Casanova Wellness Hotel & Spa, which could be a good place to stay.
Albergo Le Macinaie
Another accommodation option for this area, this hotel can provide gluten free meals options to guests and is well rated.
Cortona
We were staying fairly close to Cortona and spent a lovely couple of hours wandering the steep cobbled streets. It is a very pretty little town that is the perfect place for a lunch stop or for an evening wander as the day cools down. The town is perched atop a hill and has spectacular views across the Tuscan countryside.
Ristorante Tempero
If you do decide to come to Cortona for lunch, then Ristorante Tempero is a good gluten free option. The restaurant has gluten free pasta and various other gluten free options, that were marked on the menu when we visited. We didn’t get the chance to eat here but we were severely tempted to while away a couple of hours on their shady terrace.
Ristorante Il Cacciatore
I’ve seen this restaurant recommended by several people, as having a good selection of gluten free options. From main courses to desserts. The menu states that they will take extra care to prepare your food safely if you let them know you are coeliac.
Hosteria La Tufa
This hosteria (an old farmhouse restaurant) is AIC accredited and they have a great gluten free selection, including pizzas.
Hotel Farneta
This hotel has an AIC accredited restaurant on site, so could be a great place to stay in Cortona.
Lago di Trasimeno
Italy’s fourth largest lake, Trasimeno is no Lake Como but it makes for a good beach alternative in Central Tuscany (although most of the lake is technically in neighbouring Umbria). The lake beaches are very child friendly as many are backed by grassy areas and we saw lots of families making the most of the cool lakeside days.
You could combine a morning in Perugia with an afternoon swim and beach chill here.
Osteria la Pergola
On the North side of the lake, Osteria la Pergola serves up homemade gluten free pizza alongside other gluten free options. The pizzas are suitable for coeliacs.
Ristorante La Cantina
In Castiglione del Lago on the West shore of the lake, this restaurant is AIC accredited and has a big section on their website about their gluten free options.
Lucca
Such a charming little town, we adored Lucca even though we were only there for a few fleeting hours. I would definitely go back again for an extended visit. The beautiful streets, tree-lined city walls and charming piazzas have a number of gluten free goodies on offer including a 100% gluten free bakery and ice cream parlour. Follow the link to my gluten free Lucca guide for some top coeliac tips.
Massa
A good place to stop for lunch or a snack on your way down towards Tuscany or Florence. There is a fully gluten free tearooms there!
Il Cairoli
The aforementioned fully gluten free tearooms. Found in the centre of Massa, treat yourself to afternoon tea of gluten free aperitivo. No cross-contamination worries in sight :).
Osteria dell’Arancia
For dinner in Massa, try this restaurant. We didn’t try it ourselves but I read good reviews about its gluten free credentials.
Montepulciano
A wine lover’s haven, this pretty town perches atop a hill and can be admired from miles around. Montepulciano is in the centre of wine growing territory and many of the cantine have shops here. Sample wines and wander the historic streets before tucking into a delicious gluten free dinner or pick up some supplies for a picnic.
This restaurant (and B&B) has an extensive gluten free menu and is very capable at catering for coeliacs, Choices include homemade gluten free pasta and desserts.
The B&B has been recently remodelled, so the rooms might be a lovely place to stay.
Ristorante La Briciola
This restaurant has gluten free options, including gluten free fresh pasta, and processes in places for coeliac diners.
Conad
We bagged some fantastic gluten free picnic supplies at the large Conad supermarket just outside the city walls. We didn’t want to be cooped up in a restaurant when we could enjoy these immense Tuscan views.
Panzano in Chianti
This pretty town is in the centre of the Chianti wine region, so is a nice little stopping point for wine buffs. Here are a couple of options to consider:
Ristorante Olte Il Giardino
With a very beautiful terrace and stunning views, this is a lunch spot I would like to try. They have a good number of gluten free options and can cater for coeliac guests.
Villa La Barrone
Why not stay a while and enjoy the regions wines, with a stay at this gorgeous-looking hotel. It can cater to all dietary requirements, including for coeliac guests, simply notify them at the time of booking.
Perugia
A fabulous town to visit in neighbouring Umbria, Perugia’s historic buildings and incredible views will leave you wanting more. While you are there, be sure to check out the gluten free Aladdin’s cave on the outskirts of the city! More details via the link below.
Pienza
A pretty little Tuscan town, perched on a hill, Pienza is a lovely place to stop for lunch and a wander.
La Terrazza del Chiostro
This rather fancy restaurant is AIC accredited, making it an excellent safe choice for coeliac visitors to Tuscany.
It is linked to Il Chiostro di Pienza Hotel, which would be a nice place to stay if you want to stop for longer or use Pienza as your base. I assume the hotel is able to cater well for coeliac guests at breakfasts, given the restaurant’s rating, however please check when booking.
San Gimigiano
This small town features 14 medieval towers and is an excellent trip if you are staying in nearby Siena.
I Love Yo
/Loving Yo! (it comes up on Google maps as the latter) – 36 Via S. Matteo. This is a fully gluten free frozen yoghurt and crepe shop, a great place to grab a treat on the go when in San Gimigiano.
Il Feudo
For something a bit more substantial, this restaurant has a gluten free menu and plenty of choices for coeliacs. They use a special system of green plates to clearly identify gluten free dishes, which is very reassuring.
San Casciano
Villa Il Poggiale – recommeded by a reader, who said she was really well catered for as a coeliac at this hotel. Their chef and kitchen were able to provide safe gluten free food.
Siena
Siena is a wonderful Italian city and an essential additional to any Tuscan itinerary. Click the link below to discover my top gluten free Siena finds.
Happy Tuscan travels! If you enjoyed this gluten free travel guide, why not check out some of my other European gluten free guides:
- Barcelona Gluten Free Guide
- Cornwall Gluten Free Guide
- Majorca Gluten Free Guide
- Menorca Gluten Free Guide
- Vienna Gluten Free Guide
Laura xxx
*This article contains some affiliate links, meaning no additional cost to you but enabling me to keep running www.mygfguide.com as a free website that is open to all :).
