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14 Best Destinations for Gluten-Free Travel (and Where to Eat)

Written by Becca

Updated on June 22nd, 2024

Is it easy to find gluten free places to eat when you travel? We have a list of some of the best and worst countries for celiacs and eating gluten-free food.

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Table of contents

• Mexico (Mexico City and more)
• New York City
• Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City & Hoi An)
• Guatemala (Antigua)
• Canada (Vancouver & Nova Scotia)
• Estonia (Tallinn)
• Israel (Tel Aviv & Jerusalem)
• Sri Lanka (Kandy & Ella)
• Italy (Milan, Florence, Rome & Naples)
• The Netherlands (Amsterdam & Rotterdam)
• Costa Rica (San Jose, Monteverde & Santa Elena)
• Peru (Lima & Cusco)
• India (Mumbai & Kerala)

I found out that I had celiac disease in 2005. While not being able to eat gluten is hard, I did not let it stop me from seeing the world. I’ve been traveling on six continents on my own since 2009, and I’ve eaten a lot of amazing GF foods!

I’ve had a few challenges while traveling around the world in some countries that were not at all friendly to gluten-free travelers. But I’ve had some excellent experiences in countries that were awesome for gluten-free travel, and I want to tell you about those.

Let’s see the travel destinations that have been easiest for eating gluten-free. I’ll tell you about where I ate, too. Read on!

Key takeaways for gluten-free travel around the world:

• Latin American countries that have corn-based cuisines like Mexico and Guatemala are good for gluten-free travel.
• Countries in Western Europe often have well-marked menus and English is widely spoken.
• Rice-based cuisines in Vietnam, the south of India and Sri Lanka are good for gluten-free diets.
• Mediterranean countries like Israel have food with lots of fresh vegetables, dairy and meat.

Mexico (Mexico City and more)

Mexico is the best gluten-free destination for my travels as a celiac. Visitors to CDMX should visit my guide to eating gluten-free in Mexico City to check out the specifics!

The gluten-free nature of Mexican cuisine allows me to order great food from an authentic restaurant and be pretty sure that I don’t have to ask for any alterations or substitutions to the meal. The food in Mexico is based on a lot of corn products (tortillas, tamales, tostadas and totopos). For this reason, I eat so much in Mexico!

If you’re interested in going around Mexico City with a local guide, a food tour is great for that. We took one of CDMX’s best food tours, and our guide double-checked with every vendor on the tour to make sure something gluten-free could be made for me. It was so kind! To learn more, you can visit my review of the Eat Like a Local Food Tour .

Here are my favorite things to eat in Mexico: I look for all of these items on a menu to determine if I can eat a restaurant I see!

• Tacos al pastor These tacos are made with corn tortillas (it helps to check, as, on rare occasions, tacos might be made with wheat tortillas) and have meat and sometimes pineapple. They’re always served with cilantro and raw onions. They’re typically dairy-free as well.
• Enchiladas : Enchiladas are corn tortillas bathed in salsa and have a filling of chicken, beef or cheese. I usually add extra hot sauce.
• Chilaquiles : Chilaquiles, which I ‘discovered’ in Mexico, are strips of corn tortillas in a bath of salsa (my dream come true!) and have either chicken or cheese on top.
• Tacos de canasta These are tiny little tacos that sit in a ‘canasta,’ or basket, all day until they’re sold. Typically these will be sold from breakfast time until after lunch, or whenever the vendor sells his entire supply of tacos de canasta. They’re usually served cold and filled with potato, beans or meat.
• Tamales : Tamales are corn flour steamed in big leaves and usually have a small filling of chicken, beef or cheese. To find out the filling, you have to ask the vendor, so speaking some Spanish or using Google Translate will be crucial!
• Totopos : This is the way to say “tortilla chips” in Mexico. They are served in many restaurants, just like you’d find them at home, with salsa or guacamole.
• Tostadas : I ate the famous tostadas at the Mercado de Coyoacan’s tostada vendors. Tostadas are toasted (rather than fried) thin corn tortillas, and will have toppings on them for a complete meal.

If you don’t speak Spanish, I suggest getting a pocket-size Spanish-English travel dictionary for your trip, like this Lonely Planet phrasebook to help point out your allergies and learn about food words.

New York City

I can’t believe the best answer for a gluten-free travel destination was right under my nose, this whole time! As someone who has lived in NYC for a decade, I always recommend NYC to friends who have gluten-free diets.

I think what makes NYC such a great gluten-free eating place to go is that you can find any type of food in the world in NYC. When I go out to eat, I typically opt for Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Indian or salad/health food. NYC is also home to several 100% gluten-free restaurants that are attractive for celiac travelers.

I would call NYC the #1 most gluten-free-friendly destination in the entire country, due to the sheer amount of restaurants. There are so many restaurants in NYC that I typically don’t have to go far to get something gluten-free, whether street food (Halal cart!), fast casual (CAVA!) or a sit-down restaurant.

While there are of course many, many places to dine out with gluten-free food in NYC, here are a few of my personal favorite restaurants:

• CAVA : I recommend CAVA a lot of the time in Facebook forums for gluten-free travel groups. CAVA has clear menu markings in regard to gluten and dairy, and I always get a “grains & greens” bowl with chicken, spicy harissa, olives, Israeli salad and more. There are several locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Find the NYC locations .
• By the Way Bakery : My old roommate once got me a birthday cake from By the Way Bakery and it was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. It’s a totally gluten-free and dairy-free establishment in the NY area. Amazing! See the goodies at the website .
• The Little Beet : I’m into the fast-casual dining scene, as you can tell (I’m always on the go!) and The Little Beet makes some delicious food for sitting down or takeaway. You can see a “full ingredient list” which helps find out what exactly is in a dish before you order.
• Tacombi : Dan and I used to go to the Fort Greene location of Tacombi while living in Brooklyn! I’d always get tacos, and never had any issues with glutening at this location or others. There are quite a few locations of Tacombi, so check out the website .
• National : This Thai restaurant (a sister restaurant to Joya) never failed me for gluten-free curry or Pad Thai. A lot of Thai restaurants in NYC can do a gluten-free curry. Either the menu will be labeled, or you can ask! Here’s the website menu .
• WILD : This Park Slope (Brooklyn) restaurant is 100% gluten-free and they make pizzas to die for! I like sitting down for a cocktail, too. Follow the Instagram .
• Bakeries at “Greenmarkets” : I’ve had gluten-free baked goods from vendors at the “greenmarkets” in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, as well as on the Upper West Side. Just keep your eyes peeled and look at ingredient labels! You may find hidden gems.

Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City & Hoi An)

Vietnam is the easiest place for gluten-free travel in Asia. I would be the expert to tell you that, as a gluten-free person who lived in Asia for 2.5 years! I’ve traveled to 15 countries in Asia, and Vietnam is the best for being gluten-free.

As a gluten-free traveler both my times in Vietnam, I ate a LOT of pho. Pho is Vietnamese noodle soup, and it is delicious, fragrant and filling, as well as gluten-free. The pho noodle is made completely of rice!

If you are a gluten-free traveler and you happen to love pho (note that it’s hard to get the vegan type, as most of the broths will be beef-based), you can try it from a ton of restaurants in Hanoi . It’s great to try the different flavors and styles at all the restaurants if you love it like I do.

More celiac-safe gluten-free foods in Vietnamese cuisine are vermicelli (round tubular thin rice noodles), ‘bun’ noodles (wider rice noodles) and noodles made of mung bean (glass noodles). Things to note are that the yellow noodles (“mee”) are made of wheat. Avoid those!

Other gluten enemies in Vietnam soy sauce and banh mi (baguette sandwiches). But, fish sauce and shrimp paste (two items that tend to give Vietnamese food its flavors) are OK. To see where I ate in Vietnam, check my Hanoi travel guide for starters.

My favorite Vietnamese dishes for a gluten-free diet are:

• pho ga (chicken pho)
• pho bo (beef pho)
• bun bo (cold bun noodles with beef)
• bun cha (rice noodles with pork. It’s still debatable how it’s made, but by looking up authentic recipes, few called for soy sauce.)

If you’re serious about traveling to this part of Asia, see my tips on how to plan a trip to Vietnam . My last tip is to get a pocket-size Vietnamese phrasebook , which I had on my first trip to Vietnam. It helped me point out foods in markets and talk to restaurant staff.

Guatemala (Antigua)

I’ve been to Guatemala twice, and having done it gluten-free the first time, I was not worried about going back again.

Guatemalan cuisine is heavy on corn, as well as eggs, chiles, salsas, meat and avocados. (I should note that the coffee is also excellent, and it’s why I wrote this Antigua coffeeshop guide .

I think what you’ll like about traveling in Guatemala as a gluten-free traveler is that the tortillas are not like Mexican tortillas (the tortillas you’d find in stores all over the world). Guatemalan tortillas (made of corn, and gluten-free!) are dense, thick and chewy. I think they are delightful.

In cities like Antigua, which is very much on the “tourist map” and very hospitable to foreigners, you’ll find some international food in addition to Guatemalan food. I enjoyed going to a taco restaurant (twice) and I liked getting a salad for takeout (with some modifications) from the cafe 12 Onzas.

Keep in mind that my options are more limited than the regular gluten-free traveler because I am also dairy-free and soy/bean-free.

Here’s where I ate in Antigua, and where you should try if you book a trip to this great gluten-free travel destination:

• 12 Onzas : This modern and Insta-worthy cafe has a healthy menu that I found easy to navigate. I had a salad with grilled chicken and got it to go!
• Pitaya Cocina Saludable : This healthy cafe has salads, smoothies, juices and a quinoa bowl on the menu for GF diners.
• Cafe Sky : I’ve been to this cafe and bar on both my Antigua trips: once for brunch, and once for appetizers and drinks. I can recommend the full
• Cafe Condesa : This cafe has some standard Guatemalan lunch fare. I was happy to have a tortilla with a fried egg, potatoes and fruit.
• Ta’Cool Taco Shop : I ate dinner at this modern taco shop and it was delicious! It was easy to navigate what was gluten-free (for me).
• La Taquiza Antigua : This simple taco joint was good for a gluten-free meal.
• Finca La Azotea (cafe) : We took a tour of this coffee farm, and at the end, had an awesome meal at the on-site restaurant. The staff was very personable and listened when I mentioned my allergies. There are chilaquiles, omelets and the Desayuno Chapin.

If you’re interested in a trip to Guatemala for your next gluten-free vacation, head to my Antigua, Guatemala, travel guide .

Canada (Vancouver & Nova Scotia)

Canada on the whole is hard to generalize, but chances are that you’re traveling to a few Canadian travel hot spots: Vancouver , Banff National Park, Toronto, Montreal or Halifax , Nova Scotia.

During my trip to Halifax and some other nearby parts of Nova Scotia, I was blown away by how gluten-free-friendly the restaurants downtown were! Every server knew about gluten allergies, and I was able to look at menus from my phone before sitting down anywhere, choosing to opt for restaurants with clear labels of GF as well as DF, for my dairy intolerance.

For traveling to Toronto, Montreal, Banff and Vancouver: these cities rate highly in terms of being friendly for gluten-free travelers and celiacs alike!

Keep in mind that in coastal Canadian cities like Vancouver and Halifax, there is a lot of seafood. Watch out for menu items like fried fish, fries, battered fish or fish that may have come into contact with breadcrumbs or Panko. If you eat shrimp, seafood, lobster, mussels and oysters, you’re probably in luck because these are typically prepared without breading.

I enjoyed a GF shrimp gazpacho and GF shrimp pasta, and there were usually options for adding baked salmon or smoked salmon to any salad.

As an example of how many restaurants in major Canadian cities cater to gluten-free diets, you can see these recommendations I have for a trip to Halifax:

• Bar Sofia : This trendy Latin restaurant has some Mexican as well as Argentine-themed dishes. Our server said most menu items could be prepared gluten-free and she was not kidding! I had the swordfish ceviche as a starter, and chimichurri chicken as a main. Here’s the menu .
• Darya : I looked at the Darya menu online and knew I had to go. It’s labeled with DF, GF, V and VE (vegan), which made it super easy for someone like me with both the gluten- and dairy-free requirements. I enjoyed a spread of three appetizers: the house-pickled vegetables, a side of mixed olives and braised green beans. The menu was overwhelming with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian items.
• The Daily Grind : At this full-service cafe and coffeeshop , I was able to get a vegan smoothie (gluten-free of course), an oat milk latte (twice), the gluten-free house omelet and a fresh orange juice.
• Peace by Chocolate : Behold the treats! For celiac travelers into chocolate, try Peace by Chocolate . I ate a vegan gluten-free house-made peanut butter cup (amazing). If you’re not allergic to dairy, you can seek out your favorite chocolate bar, as most are milk chocolates.

Estonia (Tallinn)

Estonia is a relaxing place to travel, and English is widely spoken in the cities.

While Estonia’s cuisine is indeed true to the Northern Europe types, focused on breads of wheat and rye, meat and game, dairy products and cold-water fishes, I was delighted to find that Tallinn (the capital city) has a very health-first approach in many new coffee shops and cafes , along with restaurants.

Asking for something vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free is almost normal, which was impressive. There are lots of new healthy cafes offering modern takes on traditional Estonian food, and farm-to-table goodness.

Here are a few places to eat, where staff speaks great English and where veganism and gluten-free-ism are welcomed:

• Rock, Paper, Scissors (Kivi Paber Käärid) This funky gluten-free restaurant is located in Telliskivi and it’s the first (and “best,” according to the website ) gluten-free restaurant in the country. All food items on the menu at this restaurant is also labeled with vegan options, casein-free options and lactose-free options. Dishes on the menu like salmon tartare, creamy chorizo pasta, slow-cooked beef cheeks and a spicy rice noodle salad may make you want to eat here twice. Visit the Instagram .
• Must Puudel : Known for gluten-free-friendly meals, along with lactose-free, vegan, vegetarian and health food in a cool retro atmosphere. Also laptop-friendly, although the WiFi was not super strong. Check out their Facebook page .
• NOP : Take one look at NOP’s photos of food and you’ll be sold on this farm-to-table health-conscious eatery that also has a small health food market inside. Every item is marked with vegan/gluten-free/lactose-free markings so that you can eat with no stress. See the website .

For cafe lovers, I put together a list of the best cafes in Tallinn , and for any visitor, check out my list of what to do in Tallinn on your trip.

Israel (Tel Aviv & Jerusalem)

On my four trips to Israel , I’ve been delighted to see that servers in restaurants ‘get it’ when it comes to allergies and food intolerances. Many Israeli foods (not all, but many) are naturally gluten-free, and the Mediterranean cuisine is to thank.

A few excellent gluten-free Israeli foods to try are…

• Shawarma : Shawarma is meat that is fired on a rotating rotisserie, and it’ll be either lamb, beef or shawarma. Sometimes you can order ‘Shawarma mix’ which will be a combo of the designated meats that the restaurant has. If you get ‘chips,’ this is French fries, but you can ask if they’re fried alone (if fried with other items, the fries are likely glutened.)
• Shakshuka : This Middle-Eastern delicacy is a stew of spiced tomatoes and onions with baked eggs on top. Often, there’s a beautiful garnish of herbs. Shakshuka is usually served with bread, but you can ask for no bread, and note that you are gluten-free. Maybe the restaurant has gluten-free bread!
• Salads : Israel is famous for salads, which are all kinds of pickled vegetables or fresh vegetables with herbs. My favorites are anything pickled, as well as Israeli salad (cucumbers and tomatoes with herbs).
• Dairy : If you eat dairy, try Israeli yogurts and cheeses! Before I went dairy-free, these were some great things I liked in Israel.

At most shawarma and falafel eateries, you can treat yourself to a whole buffet of pickled vegetable toppings… all included in what you paid. This is one of the best parts about dining in Israel!

If you’re thinking of an Israel trip, start with my Tel Aviv city guide and Jerusalem local travel guide .

Travel in Colombia is enlightening and exciting, which is why I’ve gone there three times! Colombia has many types of cuisines due to being so large. When I think of eating gluten-free in Colombia, I think of ‘bandeja paisa’ and arepas, and all the tropical fruits and smoothies.

Arepas are the national hot cake of Colombia, and they’re always made of corn by definition. Curious about how arepas are made? Check out this recipe from My Colombian Recipes .

Even though no one in Colombia really knew what gluten was (and I don’t expect people around the world to have heard the word), I was able to explain in Colombia that I had an allergy to ‘productos de trigo’ (wheat products). I stuck to safe foods made of rice and corn.

Finally, on my third trip to Colombia, I learned that empanadas in Colombia can be made from 100% corn (delicious… but do try to check as best you can by asking the vendor in Spanish or finding out from the restaurant kitchen if it’s completely corn-based, or not).

In the Cartagena region, you can enjoy ceviche or other seafood dishes like grilled fish. Due to Cartagena being so popular with North American tourists these days, gluten-free food is increasingly easier to come by.

In the Medellin region, opt for the famous ‘bandeja paisa,’ which will present you with a loaded plate of things like avocado, grilled plantain, white rice, a fried egg, sausage (maybe not GF), a thin piece of steak or chicken (depending on which bandeja you ordered) and an arepa, which will be a dry corn cake (gluten-free!).

For a trip to Medellin, gluten-free travelers can eat at:

• El Trompo: Modern Colombian food drawing from many parts of the country’s resources. See photos of the food at the Instagram .
• Mondongo’s : This famous mainstay is kind of like a Colombian diner — Colombian comfort food, ‘paisa’ style. Find it on TripAdvisor .
• Criminal Taqueria : I have been to Criminal Taqueria for tacos multiple times, and I’d recommend it to any gluten-free visitor in Medellin. You can visit the restaurant’s Instagram .
• Burdo : This trendy restaurant and bar has a splendid brunch and great staff (I got tacos, corn tortillas and all! No gluten). See the pretty Burdo Instagram .

If you plan to visit Medellin, look no further than my Medellin travel guide for some tips, and bookmark the list of the best restaurants in Medellin , where I ate gluten-free every single day!

Sri Lanka (Kandy & Ella)

Traveling in Sri Lanka is such a great surprise. I knew some things about tropical and coconut-based food, but the true pleasure was eating Sri Lankan food all over the country.

Sri Lankan cuisine focuses on rice, and that is a great thing for me as a gluten-free traveler. This is a gluten-free destination that I highly recommend!

Most foods in Sri Lankan cuisine have rice and coconut oil (great for lactose intolerance). Curries are made with coconut milk and coconut oil, and served with rice.

The best Sri Lankan gluten-free foods I found were:

• String hoppers : flat pancakes made from rice noodles
• Pittu : rice flour mixed with coconut and served in a conical shape
• Curry : Sri Lankan curry usually has chicken as its protein, and no gluten nor dairy ingredients among the spices, coconut milk, oil and vegetables.
• Tropical fruit : The best treat for breakfast and dessert was juicy pineapple, mangoes, passion fruit, watermelon and bananas.
• Sambol : This is a special side dish and comfort food made of coconut, onion, lime and chilis. Wow, it’s perfect! (Want to see how it’s made? Check out this recipe .)

There are some things to watch out for, though: roti (Indian bead) and kottu (chopped wheat noodles, stir-fried). These are not gluten-free in Sri Lankan cuisine. I think it is also worth noting that in smaller establishments, minimal English is spoken, and it will be important to have a translation in the Sinhala language for “I cannot eat wheat/flour ingredients.”

If you don’t get a translation card, you can use your phone.

Italy (Milan, Florence, Rome & Naples)

For me, the first thing that comes to mind about Italy is pizza. And as we all know, pizza is made purely of gluten-containing dough. Is gluten-free eating in Italy possible?

I spoke with Catalin, an American living in Florence. She was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2016 and has since become the founder of The Celiac in Italy . Catalin consults clients on traveling safely in Italy with celiac disease, hosts gluten free culinary experiences in Florence, and is an English- and Italian-speaking resource/content creator for all things gluten-free Italy. Wow!

Catalin (who has a cool Instagram ) says, “It’s no secret that Italy is one of the best countries in the world when it comes to gluten free options. Though it may seem counterintuitive with so much of the cuisine centering around gluten-filled delights, Italians have gone out of their way to make sure the gluten-free counterparts are just as accessible.”

As an American celiac who moved to Italy a few years into her diagnosis, she can confidently say that the awareness and understanding of the severity of a celiac diagnosis in Italy is unlike any other place she has visited.

Italy even has the Italian Celiac Association (Associazione Italiana Celiachia-AiC) which, among other things, offers a certification program for restaurants to learn about celiac disease, gluten-free menu options and best practices in the kitchen for avoiding cross-contact.

“All this to say that celiacs can rest assured that a trip to Italy will be a piece of gluten free cake,” Catalin says. “Though you don’t need to speak fluent Italian to safely navigate the cuisine, it is important to have a few Italian words in your back pocket.” And here they are:

• “I am a celiac” = “Sono celiaco/a”
• “Celiac disease” = “Celiachia”
• “Gluten free” = “Senza glutine”

Catalin is a firm believer that all celiacs should have the opportunity to visit Italy and enjoy the food. Here are her favorite spots:

Mama Eat (Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples)

Mama Eat is a delicious restaurant with six locations across the country, and it features a large menu of Southern Italian classics. It is certified by the AiC and known for having a dedicated gluten-free kitchen in each restaurant. The chef, Mama Marcella, is a celiac herself and has committed her career to making sure all celiacs feel welcome at the table. When you visit, Catalin recommends ordering the “A genoves” or “A amatriciana.”

Quinoa (Florence)

As the first 100% gluten free restaurant to open in Florence, Quinoa remains one of the most popular dedicated gluten-free spots in the city. The menu is a blend of traditional Italian and Asian cuisine. That’s right, Pad Thai and Bolognese are neighbors on the “primi” page. This is one of Catalin’s favorite local spots.

Risotteria Melotti (Isola della Scala, Florence, Rome)

This is a 100% gluten-free risotto restaurant with three locations in Italy. The Melotti family didn’t intentionally set out to open a gluten free restaurant; they were simply focused on growing rice and making risotto (which hails from their home region, Veneto), and later decided to lean into this naturally gluten-free tradition. The menu is always changing with the seasons.

The Netherlands (Amsterdam & Rotterdam)

As a health-first and forward-thinking modern European nation, the Netherlands is a great place to be gluten-free.

It’s not because the cuisine itself is gluten-friendly, as it’s not (heavy on bread), but it’s because people will understand what you want and there’s a wide range of international cuisines available, along with health-conscious shops and eateries, at least in Amsterdam and Rotterdam .

In nicer restaurants (figure a sit-down establishment rather than a grab’n’go), main dishes will consist of poultry, meat or fish, with sides of vegetables, and this is the route I took in order to have some grilled or roasted GF protein.

Eat gluten-free food in Amsterdam and Rotterdam at these places I tried!

• Fenix Food Factory, Rotterdam : A Rotterdam staple for locals and visitors, this revamped space is now a trendy indoor market with vendors selling international cuisine, health food, cheese, cider and coffee. Visit the Facebook page .
• STACH Food, Amsterdam : This Amsterdam-prepared goods store has several locations in the city and is a spot for picking up coffee, gluten-free snacks and healthy drinks. Visit the website .
• Anne & Max, Amsterdam : This fresh and health-focused brunch restaurant has a full menu of breakfast and lunch foods. Make sure to check out the menu, which notes gluten-free dessert options! See the website and menu .

Costa Rica (San Jose, Monteverde & Santa Elena)

Costa Rican food is Central American, so it’s pretty simple and focused on rice and beans. At a ‘soda,’ or a Costa Rican bodega/diner, you can get “casados:” rice, beans, fried egg, corn tortilla, plantain and sour cream or cheese. This is a typical meal in Costa Rica and it’s great for my gluten-free diet! Unless there’s a wheat tortilla, you’ll almost always be in the clear for gluten sensitivities.

If you have questions, you can say, “Tengo alergia grave de harina y productos de trigo.” (“I have a grave allergy to flour and wheat products.”)

In Costa Rica, I also recommend trying the local fruits. One thing you can count on to be gluten-free during your travels is amazing fruits and vegetables! In Costa Rica, a few I recommend for being wonderful and sweet are: pitahaya (dragonfruit), guayaba (guava), mango, papaya, passion fruit and granadilla, starfruit and bananas!

Peru (Lima & Cusco)

Peru, somewhere I’ve been twice (and spent an entire month!) was good for eating gluten-free because of one thing (among others): ceviche .

The national dish of fish marinated in lime juice, accompanied by camote (sweet potato), choclo (big corn) and onions is 100% gluten-free, and is sometimes made of shrimp as well.

A big plus for Peruvian cuisine is that potato is a big part of the national food dishes. When I was in Lima for four weeks, I went to a Peruvian cooking event where I learned that the country has more than a thousand types of potato types. Can you imagine?

This being said, there are a few Pervuian foods to avoid, as well as some to be very wary of, as a gluten-free traveler. AVOID fried items, as fryers will often be shared with fried things like chicken and seafood that are coated in potential wheat products. Also, avoid things like the other nationally-famous dish lomo saltado, which is made with soy sauce (not safe for celiacs or gluten allergies!).

There is a lot of fast food in Peru, and that means fried food, cross-contamination and sauces that may contain wheat. When possible, opt for fresh food and avoid foods with dark sauces. While in Peru, I mostly ate out at health food restaurants or ate fish and seafood, including ceviche, while being able to ask in Spanish about ingredients.

_My best advice is to go to Peru armed with the Spanish version of letting restaurants know about your allergies to gluten, or helping you eat something safe. A resource for Lima is Find Me Gluten-Free: Miraflores (Lima) and Find Me Gluten-Free: Cusco .

India (Mumbai & Kerala)

India is a massive country, and I’ve been to two distinct regions there (the Mumbai area, and Kerala province, in the southwest). As India is diverse, some regions are better for eating GF than others. In general, India stretches from the very northern and ‘wheaty’ region near the Himalayas and closer to Everest, all the way to the tropical ‘rice-based’ areas that get tropical in the south.

Which region of India is best for gluten-free?

In general, cuisines in the tropics have more rice, due to how it grows best. Regions closer to higher altitudes will have more wheat and cheese. This is what my experience has shown me all over the world!

Foods in the south of India (Kerala province) are pretty gluten-free friendly, similar to Sri Lanka. Rice is served at most meals, or at least always an option. Curries are made from coconut milk and heavier curries have dairy milk.

In the middle of the country, food options will mostly always be vegetables simmered in curries or sauces or yogurts. You will usually be able to eat rice wherever you go.

Is street food in India gluten-free?

The danger for gluten-free diets undoubtedly lies in street foods, which will be very exciting because there are so many of them. It’s hard to ask a vendor if something is 100% rice from how it looks, depending on what it is. With street vendors, limited English may be available.

As with traveling anywhere, it pays to have a way of translating into local languages (Malayalam in Kerala and Marathi in Mumbai, for instance) or having a guide for the day. For a severe gluten intolerance, I would NOT advise eating street food in India under any circumstances.

Gluten-free foods in India

My favorite gluten-free traditional Indian food that I tried to eat as many places as I could was Baigan Bharta. It’s also the Indian dish I tend to eat the most often if I go out for Indian food at home, because it’s gluten-free by default (I’ve even tried to cook it)! Baigan bharta is a vegetable-based dish made of eggplant, tomato, onion and spices. It is served with rice. If you’re feeling doubtful at a restaurant, try to seek out foods you know from home, like a curry with vegetables or boiled meat, or sauteed vegetable dishes with rice.

For more resources on how to eat gluten-free in India, check out this gluten-free guide to Goa , this gluten-free Mumbai guide , which recommends upscale dining there, and Find Me Gluten-Free can help out with New Delhi.

This gluten-free adventure blog has a gluten-free dining card available, translated into Hindi.

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Coeliac Sanctuary

Gluten free eateries, blogs, recipes. reviews and more..., the 10 best countries to visit for gluten free.

A few weeks ago we asked on Facebook where were the best countries people had visited when it came to gluten free eating, we had hundreds of comments and we went through and tallied the votes! In this blog we have the 10 most mentioned, some I found quite surprising the top ones. So where exactly are the easiest, most understanding places to eat? Lets find out.

Tagged with:

• Holidays , 
• Coeliac Holidays , 
• Coeliac Abroad , 
• Spain , 
• Italy , 
• Ireland , 
• Australia , 
• New Zealand , 
• Finland , 
• Cyprus , 
• Portugal , 
• USA , 
• Turkey , 
• Gluten Free Abroad

Added 5th February 2022

1. Italy The gluten free capital. Like Spain everywhere you go there is gluten free! There are very few places that can't cater, loads of 100% gluten free places and they generally just get it, knowledge of Coeliac is very high too, with a better understanding of coeliac in general than most other places. My lovely friend Sophie took a trip around Italy and wrote a blog where you can find some gorgeous places to eat at in a few different places around Italy, she never had issues eating anywhere Also check out My GF Guide to Italy too for 100s of places to eat at. In Rome alone there is at least 13 100% gluten free places as well as loads that have gluten free options. The majority of places will offer gluten free pizza and pasta and the supermarkets like Spain stock ridiculous amounts of gluten free products. Other places were mentioned too were Mexico, Canada, Poland and Dubai all being close right behind Cyprus, with Sweden, Goa, Malta, Iceland, Egypt and Norway all getting the odd mention too. Where have you eaten abroad that catered really well? Anywhere different? Let us know! There are gluten free travel cards available for all the countries mentioned in this blog, from Italy to even Malta and Iceland - check them out in our shop .

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The Best Gluten Free Cities in Europe

Travel can sometimes be a daunting prospect for celiac travellers, but Europe is a great destination to consider. With gluten free bakeries and celiac friendly eateries galore.

Of course, not everywhere in Europe is celiac friendly (I’m looking at you, France…with the exception of Paris). So to get you started on your adventure planning, I’ve compiled a top 10 list of some of the Best Gluten Free Cities in Europe.

These are all incredible cities to visit, with a really great gluten free food offering available. I have celiac travel guides for many of them, having done a lot of European travel myself. Or I have linked to other resources from celiac bloggers I know and trust.

The Italian capital is an absolutely stunning historic city to visit, and has to be my top choices for gluten free travel in Europe. There are so many gluten free bakeries, dedicated gluten free restaurants and celiac accredited restaurants across the city.

Read all about Gluten Free Rome in my celiac travel guide , and you’ll be enjoying gelato, pizza and pasta before you know it!

I lived in London for 12 years and it’s a wonderful place to be celiac. I’ve got quite a number of London gluten free guides on this website, but try starting with my Central London Gluten Free Guide or my 100% Gluten Free London Guide .

It’s such a cool city, with plenty of history to soak up, incredible monuments and afternoon tea to be enjoyed! Oh speaking of which, you should read my London Gluten Free Afternoon Tea Guide too :).

3. Barcelona

One of my favourite European cities, Barcelona is very loveable and very gluten free friendly. There are a number of fully gluten free bakeries and plenty of restaurants that can cater ably for celiacs.

See the Sagrada Familia then enjoy an amazing gluten free bagel and beer. Explore Gaudi’s houses ona walking tour, then feast on gluten free baked goods in between stops. Heaven! Read all about it in my Gluten Free Barcelona Guide .

Another incredible city, Lisbon has that Mediterranean vibe steeped in history with a dash of super cool thrown in. We have spent a couple of blissful weekends wandering around the city.

Gluten free in Lisbon is pretty easy, and we enjoyed gluten free pastel de nata, tapioca crepes and much more. Read my Gluten Free Libson Guide for all the details. Oh there’s also a fully gluten free gelateria!

My last tip – consider a Lisbon-Porto roadtrip, visiting Sintra along the way. It’s fantastic and you can use my Gluten Free Porto guide when you get to the other end :).

5. Budapest

A bit of a curve ball, Budapest is unexpectedly wonderful for gluten free. It is one of my top city break destinations too – quirky bars, outdoor thermal spas, beautiful buildings and plenty of good gluten free things to eat.

You can find details of gluten free bakeries, restaurants and more in my Gluten Free Budapest Guide . I’ve been three times and would visit again in a heartbeat!

6. Florence

Another Italian beauty, Florence is an art lovers paradise. Plus you’ll find plenty of celiac friendly places to grab a bite. We had wonderful pizza, ate at a fully gluten free restaurant and stayed at a very celiac friendly hotel.

All the info you need can be found in my Florence Gluten Free Guide .

France is generally terrible for gluten free travellers, with the exception of Paris. The capital has a number of gluten free bakeries and safe places to eat. You will need to do a bit of planning and research, as many mainstream restaurants may not be so celiac friendly, but it’ll be worth it.

I’ve been a number of times with work but haven’t gotten round to writing a guide yet (watch this space). In the meantime check out this guide from my trusty celiac blogger fried Rachel.

8. Edinburgh

This Scottish city is packed with character and charm, making it a natural stopping off point on many European itineraries. It’s also a haven for celiacs, with a dedicated gluten free brewery, bakeries and more.

For Edinburgh tips read this Edinburgh Gluten Free Guide from my celiac friend Rebecca. She lives in Edinburgh and her recommendations are all well considered.

9. Amsterdam

A city of bikes and canals, Amsterdam is another European highlight. I’ve not been for years, but I am always seeing posts about how good the gluten free food is there.

I’ll have to pull a guide together soon, to share all the wonderful tips I have been sent by celiac traveller followers.

I went to Oslo on a solo trip when pregnant with my daughter, and had a wonderful time roaming around. It’s a great mix of hip, modern architecture and grand classic buildings. Lots of cool little areas to discover.

I combined it with a rail trip over to Bergen, via the Fjords, highly recommended! The train journey alone was a stunning trip. Read about Gluten Free in Oslo in my guide (I also have a Bergen Guide if you need).

I hope I have given you lots of inspiration for you next gluten free city break in Europe. For more travel ideas, have a nosy of my full Gluten Free Travel Guides series, cover 60+ destinations worldwide. And come and follow my on Instagram or Facebook @myglutenfreeguide, where I always share my top tips.

Happy travels! Laura xxx

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Matador Original Series

Easiest travel destinations for celiacs and tips on how to avoid getting ill.

I f you’ve had the dreaded biopsy which confirms celiac sprue disease or just know that your body’s reaction to gluten is uncomfortable, it can put a real damper on dreams of travel. Especially when nearly every country in the world has its own spin on a sandwich or dumpling, and deep-fried, battery food dominates street stalls. The good news is that it’s actually pretty easy to eat around the problem, and still call yourself a foodie. With a little research and planning, there are few places one can find that don’t (or can’t) offer gluten-free foods or food alternatives. Armed with some key information, here are seven of the easiest travel destinations for celiacs.

Photo: natalie_maroz /Shutterstock

A celiac sufferer traveling in a country known for its pasta may seem like an oxymoron but pasta’s popularity is exactly why they should. There is a great deal of public awareness about celiac disease in Italy, thanks to the Italian Celiac Association . There are thousands of restaurants with “senza glutine” menus throughout the country and even every small town has at least one place to eat. An added plus, Italy is also known for its seafood, produce, risotto, and polenta so…eat it up. And perhaps the best news is that there’s no gluten in gelato.

Photo: Joshua Resnick /Shutterstock

Vietnam’s coastline that stretches over 2,000 miles and temperate climate mean bounties of fresh food, from seafood to fruits and veggies. Beyond the gluten bomb of banh mi, travelers can easily eat here knowing that many other popular dishes — from pho to bun bo nam bo — are rice-based. A croissant may not be on your menu, but you can still enjoy other dishes with the French-influence the country is known for such as banh xeo, a savory, rice-based crepe stuffed with meat, vegetables, and fresh herbs.

3. Costa Rica

Photo: EQRoy /Shutterstock

Eating like a local here will make celiacs happy as traditional Costa Rican cuisine is generally gluten-free. Consisting mostly of the fresh bounty from its rich-soiled interior land and that of the sea, the most prevalent dishes include plantains, rice, beans, vegetables, fruits, and corn. Thanks to its warm, wet climate and volcanic soil, it’s hard to find fruits and vegetables that aren’t freshly harvested. This makes fruit and vegetable dishes in Costa Rica especially delicious with creative options including gazpacho, patacones (smashed, deep-fried plantains with fillings), and inventive smoothies.

Photo: Tatiana Chekryzhova /Shutterstock

“Corn is life,” say many in Mexico. Corn is central to Mexican culture and therefore, to its food. From tamales and tacos to atole and pan de elote, celiacs can find a dearth of corn-born, gluten-free options throughout Mexico. Thanks to its east and west borders being the Carribean Sea and Pacific Ocean, fresh seafood is also common in many dishes along the coasts and inland, and fresh produce and exotic fruits are easily available at popular markets and in restaurants. Unfortunately, churros are not gluten-free but the ubiquitous paleta, with its infinite combinations, can satisfy just about any sweet tooth.

Photo: MayankYadav /Shutterstock

Specifically, south India. While most Indian cuisine is gluten-free by default, in the south rice is more common and serves as the base for delicious dosa, made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils. Another treat is appam, a sweet pancake made of rice and coconut milk. Either way, north or south, it’s relatively easy to eat gluten-free in India because when it all comes down to it, it’s all about the spice.

6. United States

Photo: Jeremy Pawlowski /Shutterstock

Thanks to its regional and cultural diversity, eating gluten-free in the US is pretty easy. Large cities have many restaurants that cater to those with food sensitivities, the best for celiacs include Detroit, Denver, Seattle, and Phoenix. Portland, Oregon, hosts a heavy concentration of entirely gluten-free restaurants, gluten-free breweries, and even a gluten-free food allergy festival. Travel in the Southwest, even through small towns, is made easier as the regional cuisine is centered around corn — similar to Mexican food but with more spice from the ever-popular chile.

Photo: Bartosz Luczak /Shutterstock

Ireland has one of the highest rates of celiac disease in Europe which is rough, but also an opportunity that many restaurant owners have taken advantage of. Planning a trip to Ireland is made even easier by the prevalence of country, and even town-specific, celiac guides found on the web. Also, as everyone knows, Ireland is famous for its potatoes. While people may tell you to go for the Guinness because it is wheat-free, be aware it is made of malted barley which contains a protein called “hordein,” which is similar to gluten and can cause complications for confirmed celiacs.

Pro-tips for traveling with a wheat allergy

• Learn how to say “I am allergic to wheat” or “I am gluten-free” in the language of your destination. If you can’t remember or are visiting multiple countries, keep the phrases on your phone, or even better, on laminated paper in a safe, easy-to-access place.
• There are many online travel guides and bloggers specific to gluten-free travelers, as well as helpful apps designed for gluten-free people eating out. Search them out and note food items and restaurants near the areas you plan to visit.
• Stay away from items that are breaded, fried, or toasted unless you can confirm they are gluten-free and cooked in a designated gluten-free fryer or toaster.

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The Sightseeing Coeliac

Eating gluten free around the world, gluten free in europe: the ultimate travel planning resource – the sightseeing coeliac.

Last Updated June 2024 For a while now I have been thinking about putting together a blog so that a lot of resources required for travel planning for countries are all together in one place. I often look for the same types of information when researching travel destinations so I thought this could become a great starting point for travel planning.

For a newly diagnosed coeliac, or a nervous traveller this list of resources really does give you an idea of where the easiest destinations are to travel gluten free. Italy will always be my number one recommendation for those travellers, I know, who would have guessed that the land of pizza and pasta would be the dream location! Large cities are always much more gluten free friendly so are a great place to start your travel adventures – think London, Paris, Rome or Barcelona perhaps for your first trip (or to just eat ALL the food!)

Resources for countries linked below include:

• Local Coeliac Society/Association Information
• Coeliac UK advice/fact sheet for the country if they have one. A great one sheet for help regarding the local language and helpful phrases, gluten free brands available in the country, supermarkets, tips and more in depth Coeliac society details.
• Blog posts for the country (Any guides written by a local blogger have been noted as such as you really can’t beat local knowledge)
• Links to 100% gluten free restaurants for that country
• My Instagram posts for any 100% gluten free restaurants (or must visit restaurants) that I have visited for photos and mini reviews
•  Information regarding the local cuisine – this helps understand what dishes and ingredients to watch out for, or depending on your mindset what dishes to challenge yourself to find gluten free!
• Some local recipes – there’s no need to miss out on local cuisine and fresh ingredients if you can’t find a local dish, or are travelling on a budget and staying in and cooking in an air b n b (or if you find you this a more comfortable way to travel with coeliac).

Please do get in touch if you have a blog post you would like adding to this resource, are a gluten free coeliac safe business in Europe or if you have a local traditional easy recipe that you would like people to try out whilst travelling your country! (Some that I have linked may need ingredients modifying to be gluten free).

Due to Covid-19 please do double check any recommendations with the venue themselves to ensure they are still operating before travelling there.

Meet the Coeliac travellers behind the blog posts

Rachel – the sightseeing coeliac.

I have tried to link many resources for you for each country in one place. On top of this I may use the app Find Me Gluten Free and Trip Advisor reviews for information, but do be careful with those resources as people writing the reviews may not be coeliac or take care with cross contamination. Take a look at all the resources below for your gluten free travel inspiration, and do whatever is right for you to be able to confidently travel the World!

Laura – My Gluten Free Guide 

Laura, having been diagnosed as coeliac for over 20 years has travelled the World gluten free and has over 60 guides on her website. Her guides are written for coeliac travellers and all restaurants she recommends will have been quizzed on their cross contamination protocols. She grew up in Bath, and lived in London with her husband and gorgeous young children Alba and Sebi, until they recently moved to Bristol. Head to her website for her huge gluten free guide covering U.K. products, recipes and travel, or click on any of her links below for guides for travelling throughout Europe and in depth local guides to London, Bristol and Bath.

Sian – Gluten Free Mrs D

The writer behind the luxury gluten free travel blog Gluten Free Mrs D, Sian travels the World with her young twins whilst being gluten free and having a nut allergy. She doesn’t let any of that hold of back as she travels to destinations off the main tourist trail. Take a look at her website, or any of her European blog posts linked below to follow her adventures, or for local knowledge on eating out in London gluten and nut free. I have followed Sian for years on social media and her attitude to travel has always inspired me to not let coeliac stand in the way and I absolutely love following her blog.

Sarah – Endless Distances

Sarah now lives back in her home state of Michigan, but her blog has gluten free travel guides from all across the UK and the rest of Europe, which she regularly updates. She is a sucker for a gluten free croissant or donut and always hunts those down! She also often travels with her partner, Dan, who loves trying the local cuisine so she always makes it a personal mission to find gluten free versions of the local cuisine wherever she travels.

Matt – Wheatless Wanderlust

I have tried to link you to gluten free guides written by coeliacs with cross contamination in mind, and any from the featured bloggers, gluten free globetrotter , the gluten free blogger and gluten interrupted will definitely do that. I have added some other resources too though if they are helpful for gluten free in the country due to being detailed, recent or a guide where there may be limited information so please do double check all recommendations. This should always be the case even for recommendations from others even if they are coeliac as menus, ingredients, staff and restaurants do change. Please make sure you always ask the relevant questions and make sure that you feel comfortable with the restaurants protocols before you go ahead and eat there.

Gluten Free Translation Cards

Free Gluten Free Translation Cards – Available in 63 Languages – Celiac Travel  

Coeliac and Other Dietary Needs Wallet Sized Travel Cards – Coeliac Sanctuary 

Coeliac Wallet Sized Travel Cards – Coeliac Sanctuary 

Legal Nomads detailed translation cards (I used these for Japan)

Equal Eats – New Coeliac translation cards, fantastic for multiple allergies too

Gluten Free Travel Tips

How to Travel The World Gluten Free – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Travel Food and Snack Guide – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Top Gluten Free Travel Tips – My Gluten Free Guide 

Essential Tips for Gluten Free Travel – Gluten Free Mrs D

How to Travel Gluten Free – Endless Distances 

Gluten Free Travel: How to Travel the World with Celiac Disease – Wheatless Wanderlust

How to Successfully Travel Gluten Free – Jetsetting Bees 

Top Tips for Coeliacs tackling the All Inclusive Buffet on Holiday – The Gluten Free Blogger

11 Countries Where Gluten Free McDonalds Exists – Becky Excell 

A Gluten Free Guide to Europe – Intrepid Travel 

Gluten Free Holidays

Best gluten free holidays – TUI 

Coeliacs Love to Travel – Hotel Guide 

Gluten Free Holidays – The Healthy Holiday Company 

Gluten Free Ski Holidays – Snowtrex 

Gluten Free Rui Hotels for Celiacs 

Gilli’s Holidays for Coeliacs in Italy 

Hotels in Europe – Schar 

Celiac Cruise

Aurora Holidays – Accredited by Finnish Coeliac Society

Albania 🇦🇱  

Gluten Free Albania – online portal for gluten free support in Albania

11 Delicious Foods to Try in Albania 

Gluten Free Albania Facebook page

Must try Albanian Gluten Free Dishes In Albania – Food Fondles 

Recipe: Albanian Baked Lamb with Rice (Tave Kosi)

Gluten Free Mrs D goes to Tirana, Albania

100% GF Tirana

Panja – Gluten Free Bakery

Celiac Association of Andorra  

Hotel Roc Meler – Gluten Free Kitchen

The 10 most traditional food dishes from Andorra 

Gluten Free menus in Andorra La Vella 

*Gluten free McDonalds available in Andorra

100% Gluten Free Andorra

0% Gluten – Facebook Page To

Vertical Ordina

Armenian Cuisine 

Gluten free stores in Armenia – Schar 

100% Gluten Free Armenia

Gluten Free Bakery Yerevan

Coeliac UK advice for travelling in Austria 

Top 10 Austrian Foods To Try 

Gluten Free in Zell am See – My Gluten Free Guide

Only Gluten Free Recipes – Austria 

Lactose and Gluten Free Hotel in Austria

Vapiano, Austria

*Gluten Free McDonalds available in Austria

Gluten Free Salzburg – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Salzburg – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Find Me Gluten Free Salzburg 

A Locals Gluten Free Guide to Vienna – glutenreise.at

Gluten Free in Vienna 2024 – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free in Vienna – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Vienna – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Gluten Free Vienna Guestpost: Gasthaus Nestroy and Biergarten – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free Vienna – Cake at Kurkonditorei Oberlaa – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free Vienna – Gluten Free Travellers 

40 gluten free restaurants in Wien – Schar 

Find Me Gluten Free Vienna

100% Gluten Free Vienna

Allergiker Café, Vienna 

Ausnahmsweise – Gluten free and vegan

Broselei – Gluten Free and Vegan

Cafe Groner Salon

Gluten Free X Bakery – permanently closed

Simple Raw Bakery, Vienna – Gluten free and vegan

Zum Wohl Gausthaus, Vienna (GF/lactose free)

Azerbaijan 🇦🇿  

The 20 Best Dishes of Azerbaijan

8 places to shop in Azerbaijan – Schar 

Gluten Free in Azerbaijan

I Bio – Gluten Free Store

2 places to shop gluten free in Minsk – Schar 

How to say gluten free in Belarus 

Gluten Free Belarus Map 

Instagram – #thesightseeingcoeliacbelgium

Coeliac Belgian Society 

Flemish Coeliac Society 

Coeliac UK advice for travelling in Belgium

Places to eat Gluten Free in Belgium – Schar 

Recipes – The Belgian Foodie 

Dunkin Donuts in Belgium (Reel is for the Netherlands but believe they are also available in Belgium)

Gluten Free in Antwerp – My Gluten Free Guide

Find Me Gluten Free Antwerp

100% Gluten Free Antwerp

Eugene Glutenvrije Bakkerij

Gluten Free in Bruges – My Gluten Free Guide

Bruges: Where’s the GF/DF Chocolate at – Jessica’s Gluten Free Kitchen 

Gluten Free Brussels and the GF Waffle Search – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Brussels – Marcella Carelli

Find Me Gluten Free Brussels 

Gluten Free Brussels Facebook 

Italia in Tavola – Permanently closed

100% Gluten Free Brussels

Chambelland 100% Gluten Free Bakery, Brussel

Vegan Waf, Brussels (GF/vegan) – Double check drinks

Gluten Free in Ghent – My Gluten Free Guide

100% Gluten Free Ghent

Chambelland 100% Gluten Free Bakery, Ghent

Epiphany’s Kitchen – Gluten Free and Vegan

100% Gluten Free Belgium

So Bake it, Organic and Gluten Free

Carolines Kitchen – GF, Lactose Free and Sugar Free

Bosnia and Herzegovina  🇧🇦

10 Traditional Bosnian Dishes You Need to Try 

Bosnian Recipes 

Gluten Free Stores in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Schar 

Gluten Free Restaurants in Sarajevo – Gluten Free Adventures

Discover Bosnia & Herzegovina Gluten Free and Vegan

100% Gluten Free Sarajevo

No Gluten Factory – Gluten Free Bakery in Sarajevo – Facebook Page 

Marshall’s Gelato

Bulgaria 🇧🇬

Coeliac UK advice for Bulgaria

Gluten free in Sofia – Gluten free adventures 

An Introduction to food and traditions of Bulgaria 

Recipe: Gyuveche -A traditional Bulgarian Meal 

Gluten Free Bulgaria Map – Ayalona Happy Mama

Gluten Free Poldiv – Kasias Plate

Gluten Free Sofia – Kasia’s Plate

100% Gluten Free Bulgaria

Amelie – GF Bakery, Sofia

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliaccroatia

Gluten Free in Croatia 2023 – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Coeliac UK advice for Croatia 

Visit Croatia – Special Dietary Requirements in Croatia 

Gluten free stores in Croatia – Schar

Gluten Free Croatia Map – Ayalona Happy Mama 

Visit Croatia – Croatian Cuisine 

Visit Croatia – Easy Croatian Recipes 

Gluten Free Croatia – Gluten Free Living

Hotel Amfiteater, Pula (GF chef)

Park Plaza Arena, Istria (GF Accreditation)

Dalmatino, Hvar – independent restaurant; owner family has coeliac

Valamar Hotels Croatia

100% Gluten Free Croatia

Rica Gluten Free, Rijeka

The Garden Lounge, Zadar

Find me gluten free – Dubrovnik

Gluten and Dairy Free Dubrovnik – Adventures with ZR

100% Gluten Free Dubrovnik

Igra Gluten Free Street Food, Dubrovnik

Gluten free in Split – Marcella Carelli

Marvie Hotel (Great GF restaurant)

100% Gluten Free Split

Salt Gluten Free House, Split

Gluten free hotel in Zagreb

Esplanade Hotel Zagreb

100% Gluten Free Zagreb

Bistro Fetis, Zagreb

Glutenno – 100% gluten free restaurant in Zagreb (I think this has permanently closed, but do double check just in case it is closed due to COVID19). 

Intolerant – Shop and bakery

Kata Brunch Bar , Zagreb

Melt Gelato and Brunch Bar, Zagreb

Tia’s Gluten Free

Vis a Vis Vincek, Zagreb (Dessert shop)

#thesightseeingcoeliaccyprus

Coeliac UK advice for Cyprus

Gluten Free Hotels in Cyprus 

Gluten Free guide to Cyprus – Gluten free Cy 

Traditional Cypriot Foods You Should Try 

Visit Cyprus – Local Recipes 

Gluten free stores in Cyprus 

Pinguino – Accredited by Cyprus Coeliac Society

100% Gluten Free Cyprus

Theta Healthy Eating Cuisine – Gluten Free Restaurant, Limassol (looks to be permanently closed)

Czech Republic 🇨🇿

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacprague

Coeliac UK advice for the Czech Republic 

Czech Republic Celiac Disease Association 

10 Traditional Czech Recipes You Need to Try 

The Ultimate Celiac Guide: Czech Republic

Gluten free restaurants in the Czech Republic – Schar 

Gluten Free Map Czech republic- Ayalona Happy Mama

*Gluten Free McDonalds available in Czech Republic

A Gluten Free Day Out in Brno – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten free Brno 

100% Gluten Free Brno

Faency fries

Fresh Freaks Bistro

Napoli Bistro

Proso Gluten Free Gastronomy – Closed

Svet Bezlepeku

Gluten Free in Prague 2023 – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Taste of Prague food tours 

Find me gluten free Prague 

Svejk u Karla – Gluten Free Local Cuisine, Prague  – Permanently closed

Gluten Free in Prague – The Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Another Gluten Free Meal in Prague – Gluten Free Globetrotter

Gluten Free Prague: A Complete Guide – Endless Distances 

Lavande, Prague – Temporarily closed

100% Gluten Free Prague

Alriso Italian 100% Gluten Free, Prague 

Babbicina Spiz – Gluten Free/vegan options

Bassotto Bezlepkova Pekarna

Buchta Cukrarstvi

Celiak Zdrava

Mali Bistro

My Raw Food

Restaurace U Agamy (Local Cuisine)

Tree Sisters

100% Gluten Free Czech Republic

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacdenmark

Coeliac UK advice for Denmark

Danish Celiac Association 

Gluten Free Denmark Information

Gluten free in Denmark Facebook page Gluten free in Denmark Facebook page 

An Introduction to Danish Cuisine 

Recipe: Gluten free strawberry Danish braid – Gluten free on a shoestring

Gluten free in Denmark pinterest

Gluten Free Restaurants in Denmark – Schar 

Legoland Billund,Denmark 

*Gluten Free McDonalds available in Denmark

Max Burgers – Branches in Sweden (Gluten Free Definitely available here), Norway, Denmark and Poland (Please check franchises menu and protocols)

100% Gluten Free Denmark

For Emma Bakery

Gluten Free in Copenhagen 2024 – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Copenhagen – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Find me gluten free Copenhagen 

Gluten Free at Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen 

100% Gluten Free Copenhagen

Feel Good Bakery – permanently closed

H.U.G Bageri

My Favourite Vegan Places in Copenhagen- Sunshine and Sunflowers (Matcha Baren is 100% GF)

Palaeo (Gluten free/lactose free/paleo)

Vita Boost (GF/vegan options/smoothie & juice bar) – permanently closed

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Visit Gluten Free in the UK: The Ultimate Travel Planning Guide – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Coeliac UK advice for Estonia 

Estonian Coeliac Society 

Top 10 Unique Estonian Foods to Try 

Visit Estonia 

Visit Estonia: Eating vegetarian, vegan or gluten free

Local Guide: Gluten Free Estonia – The Non Gluten One

Gluten Free Tallinn – Kasia’s Plate

Gluten Free Pizza – Gluten Free Mrs D

100% Gluten Free Tallinn

Algorithm 120 – Gluten, Lactose and Sugar Free

Kivi Paber Kaarid (Rock, Paper, Scissors) – 100% gluten free restaurant in Tallinn  (Serve normal beer)

Kohvik Vaffel

Prilleib – Gluten Free Bakery

Vaffel – Gluten Free waffles

Veg B12 Cafe – Gluten Free and Vegan

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliachelsinki

Coeliac UK advice for Finland 

Finnish Coeliac Society Finnish Coeliac Society 

Iconic Finnish Food 

http://www.glu.fi

Favourites from Finland AKA Coeliac Heaven – Beki Bites 

Recipes – Finnish Food Girl

Fazer Chocolate, Gluteeniton

Glutenfree_helsinki

*Gluten Free McDonalds available in Finland

100% Gluten Free Finland

Cafe Katto, Tampere

Gluten Free Bakery Ilona, Tampere

Gluten Free in Helsinki – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Guide to Helsinki – Kasia’s Plate

Happy Waffle – Gluten Free Bubble Waffles (Looks to be all gluten free except some normal oreo toppings?)

100% Gluten Free Helsinki

Pupu Salad Bar

Instagram – #thesightseeingcoeliacfrance #thesightseeingcoeliacparis

Coeliac UK advice for France 

French Association of Gluten Intolerance 

Gluten Free France – Supermarkets – Gluten Free Mrs D

French Recipes by BBC Good Food 

Gluten Free Guides Instagram

France – Went – Ate – Loved August 2017 – Gluten Free Mrs D

Guide to France – Coeliac Safe Eating Outside of Paris – Gluten Free Mrs D

Essential Gluten Free Guide to France – Legal Nomads

Visit France Gluten Free

Gluten Free Lyon: A mini gluten free suitcase guide

Nice/Cote D’Azur/French Riviera

Gluten Free in Antibes – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free in Côte d’Azur, Mougins and Nice – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Guide to Nice and the Cote D’Azur – The GFG (Gluten Intolerant)

Gigi Tavola, Nice – Accredited by French Coeliac Society

100% Tacos, Nice

100% Gluten Fre e Nice/Cote D’Azur/French Riviera

Amour Patisserie Vegetale – Gluten Free and Plant Based Pastry

Choopy’s Cupcakes and Coffee Shop

Free d’Home

Grom, Nice – Gelato – Temporarily closed

Miski Patisserie, Antibes

Yummy and Guilt Free – Permanently Closed

Gluten Free in Paris – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Paris – The Nomadic Fitpatricks

Gluten Free Guide to Paris – Gluten Interrupted

Gluten Free Paris – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Gluten Free in Paris: Top Travel Tips – Gluten Free Globetrotter

Gluten Free in Paris: Bakeries and Groceries – Gluten Free Globetrotter

Gluten Free Travel Prep for Paris – Gluten Free Globetrotter

Gluten Free Paris: A Celiac’s Complete Guide 2020 – Wheatless Wanderlust 

Disneyland Paris Gluten Free – Alexis’s Gluten Free Adventures 

Disneyland Paris Gluten Free

Paris Gluten Free Guide – Travel Far Gluten free 

Paris: Gluten Free Suitcase Guide

Gluten Free Paris: Restaurants Open in the Evenings – Gluten Free Mrs D

Paris Gluten Free Guide – The GFG (Gluten Intolerant)

100% Gluten Free Paris

Apeti – Gluten Free and Vegan

Bears and Raccoons – Gluten Free Sandwiches – Temporarily Closed

Biosphere Cafe – Gluten free Cafe

Cafe Mareva – Gluten and Lactose Free Brunch including sweet potato waffles

Cafe Pinson – Permanently Closed

Chambelland – Gluten Free Bakery

Clementine Oliver

Cococo – Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Sugar Free Japanese C

Copains – must visit bakery

Foucade! – 100% Gluten and Lactose Free

Helmut Newcake – permanently closed

Grom Gelato

Kapunka – 100% Gluten Free Thai

Kopi Cream Coffee Shop – Permanently Closed

La Guinguette D’Angele – 100% Gluten Free and Vegan

Le Cairn Coffee Shop

La Meringaie

Le Pont Traverse – Gluten Free Restaurant by No Glu

Little Nonna Gluten Free Italian

Manicaretti – 100% Gluten Free Italian

Mimi Cave a Manger

No Glu – Gluten Free Bakery & a Gluten Free Restaurant

Onyriza Gluten Free Bakery

Riz Riz – Gluten Free and vegan

Sol Semilla Restaurant

Tasca -100% Gluten Free near The Eiffel Tower

Thank you, My Deer – permanently closed

Wild and the Moon – Gluten Free and Vegan, Healthy

Yummy and Guilt Free – 100% Gluten Free waffles

Toulouse: The Mini Gluten Free Suitcase Guide

Guide 2022 Sans Gluten a Toulouse

Flint and Fork

100% Gluten Free France

Auberge La Feniere – 100% Gluten Free Michelin Star Restaurant and Hotel

Gluten Free France – Cookery Classes and Hotel in Provence 

La Goose B+B

Gluten Free Tbilisi – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Travel to Georgia – Gluten Free Globetrotter

Find Me Gluten Free Tbilisi

Tasty Tranquility in Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi Gluten Free Facebook Page

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacgermany

German Coeliac Society

Coeliac UK advice for Germany 

Gluten Free Christmas Market

20 of the Best German Foods

Essential Gluten Free Guide to Germany – Legal Nomads

Gluten Free Germany

Allergies and Intolerances Information – Europa Park

Stars Grill House, Legoland Deutschland

54 German Recipes 

Homemade Currywurst 

Gluten Free Berlin: A Celiac’s Complete Travel Guide – Wheatless Wanderlust 

How to Coeliac Berlin

15+ gluten free places to eat in Berlin – The gluten free blogger15+ gluten free places to eat in Berlin – The gluten free blogger

15 of the Best Gluten Free Places in Berlin – Becky Excell 

100% Gluten Free Berlin

Cafe Tante Nanni – Permanently Closed

Glutanada – Temporarily closed since March 2020

Glutenfreie Backerei Konditorei Eis Vos

Jute Backerei

Loblich deli

Oshione Gluten Free Bakery with Plant Based options

Pretty Hill Gluten Free Cafe with Vegan Options

Sinless Cakes – Order Gluten Free, sugar Free Cakes

Tapiocaria (Serves normal drinks)

Visit Koeln Gluten Free

100% Gluten Free Cologne

Isabella Glutenfreie Patisserie

Gluten Free in Dusseldorf – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free in Dusseldorf- The GFG (Gluten Intolerant)

100% Gluten Free Düsseldorf

Isabella Glutenfreie Patisserie 

Ruthi’s Cafe

Sybille.Glutenfree

100% Gluten Free Frankfurt

Glutenfreie Kaffeebar

Joolina Cakery – Gluten Free, Sugar Free and Vegan Raw Cakes

Plants and Cakes – Gluten Free, Sugar Free and Vegan Raw Cakes

100% Gluten Free Hamburg

Buhjah Bowls – Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free and Vegan

Gregor’s Superfood – Gluten Free and Vegan

Gluten Free Munich – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Wheatless Wanderlust 

100% Gluten Free Munich

Cupcakes for you Gluten Free Range

Echt Jetzt Bakery

Palm Tree Club

Torten Sternchern

Senzanome Italian

100% Gluten Free Stuttgart

Energetic Life – Gluten Free, Vegan and Organic

100% Gluten Free Germany

Green and Berry – Gluten Free and Healthy

Isabella Glutenfreie Patisserie – Aachen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Koln, Munchen and Stuttgart

Twenty 2 Concept Store

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacathens

Coeliac UK advice for Greece 

Gluten Free Guide to Greece – My Gluten Free Guide

Essential Gluten Free Guide to Greece – Legal Nomads

29 Traditional Greek Foods You Must Try in Greece 

Only Gluten Free Recipes – Greece 

Coeliac Society Greece 

Aldermar Resorts Launch Gluten Free Holidays in Greece 

What I ate in Corfu: Gluten and Dairy Free – Adventures with ZR

Crete: Gluten and Dairy Free Old Town – Adventures with ZR

Gluten and Dairy Free Mykonos – Adventures with ZR

Santorini – Naturally Gluten Free – The Coeliac Plate 

Gluten Free in Athens – The Sightseeing Coeliac

100% Gluten Free Athens

Greek Stories

Marinos Kosmas Bakery

Nudie Foodie

Yi – Gluten Free and Vegan

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacbudapest

Hungarian Coeliac Society LEOE

Coeliac UK advice for Hungary 

32 Hungarian Foods the Whole World Should Know and Love

Only Gluten Free Recipes – Hungary 

Gluten Free Hungary

*Gluten Free McDonalds is available in Hungary

100% Gluten Free Hungary

Cafe Spirit, Siofok

Freedom Skybar, Debrecen (Free Glutenmentes Finomsagok)

Dietazok Boltja, Szeged

Flamo, Kereszt

Glutenmentes Cukraszda es Pekseg, Koszeg

Glutenmentes Pekseg, Eger

Lili’s Truck

Mega Vegan Etelbar, Kecskemet

Pastronomia Bistro, Kecskemet

Romkert Etterem Glutenmentes, Varkorout

Gluten Free in Budapest – The Sightseeing Coeliac Reel

Gluten Free in Budapest – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Budapest – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Gluten Free Budapest Hungary A Complete Guide – Endless Distances 

Gluten Free Budapest: A Celiac’s Complete Guide – Wheatless Wanderlust 

Gluten Free Budapest – Gluten Free Travel Bee 

Gluten Free Budapest – The Gluten Free Fridge

Ten Best Gluten Free Spots to Eat At in Budapest 2020 – trip 101

100% Gluten Free Budapest

Monkey’s – Temporarily Closed

Bohemtanya Glutenmentes

Confectionery No Glu

Divine Cukraszda – Gluten and Sugar Free Bakery

Dolce Farina Niente

Drop – 100% Gluten Free Restaurant – Permanently closed 2022

Drumf – Temporarily Closed

Great Bistro – Gluten Free and Vegan – Permanently Closed

Glutenmentes Piac es Pekseg

Gluteno – Permanently Closed

GM Base Street Food – Permanently Closed

Golden Granet – Permanently Closed

Free! Gluten Free Bakery

Free From A Konya

Free Place Cafe

Fun Cafe – Permanently Closed

Kata Restaurant – Gluten and Lactose Free

Kool – Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free

Maja Gluten Free

Manioka Gluten Free Bakery

Meat Again Grill and Wine

Mentes Piskota

Naspolya – Gluten Free and Vegan

Non Gluten Pizza

Nyugati Coli Bisztro

Sugar Free Monkey – Gluten, Lactose and Sugar Free

Szederinda Glutenmentes

Tibidabo Gluten Free Bakery and Coffee

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliaciceland

Coeliac UK advice for Iceland 

G luten Free in Iceland and Driving the Ring Road – The Sightseeing Coeliac

10 Icelandic Food and Drinks you Must Try in Iceland

Guide to Eating Gluten Free in Iceland – All About Iceland Blog 

Gluten Free in Reykjavik – The Happy Coeliac 

Gluten Free Travel Experience: Reykjavik – Simply Coeliac 

Reykjavik – amazing trip with easy gluten free eating – The Coeliac Plate 

Reykjavik, Iceland Gluten Free Guide – The GFG (Gluten Intolerant)  

Find Me Gluten Free Reykjavik

100% Gluten Free Reykjavik

Joylato Icecream – 100% Gluten Free  – currently closed until further notice

Northern Ireland and Ireland 🇮🇪

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacitaly

AIC – Italian Celiac Association 

The Celiac in Italy

Gluten Free in Italy Country Guide – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Guide to Italy – Tips and Resources – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Essential Gluten Free Guide to Italy – Legal Nomads

Gluten Free Hotel: Villa Madonna, Trentino

Gluten Free Hotel in South Tyrol

7 Hotels in Italy for Coeliacs 

Grom – Gluten Free Icecream Italy – Gluten Free Mrs D 

More Gluten Free Shopping in Italy – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free in Alassio – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Bologna – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free in Bologna and Venice – Alexis’s Gluten Free Adventures 

Gluten Free in Cortona – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Cinque Terre – My Gluten Free Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Gluten Free Cinque Terre Italy – Endless Distances 

Gluten Free Genoa – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Lake Garda – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free in Lake Trasimeno – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Lucca – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Massa – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Flying Milan to London – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Dining Senza Glutine in Milan – Gluten Free Mrs D Dining Senza Glutine in Milan – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Palermo, Sicily – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Perugia – My Gluten Free Guide

The Essential Gluten Free Travel Guide to Puglia – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free Siena – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free in Sorrento and Capri – The Gluten Free Fridge

Ultimate Guide to Gluten Free Sorrento – Gluten She

Gluten Free in Sorrento – My Gluten Free Guide

Visit Sicily Gluten Free 

Gluten Free Turin – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Tuscany – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free in Tuscany – Alexis’s Gluten Free Adventures 

Gluten Free Dario DOC, Tuscany – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Umbria – My Gluten Free Guide 

My experience at Kaliyoga, Italy – Gluten Free Alice

7 Traditional Italian Foods to Try 

*Gluten Free McDonalds is available in Italy

100% Gluten Free Italy

La Dolcetteria, Rimini

Gluten Free Florence – The nomadic Fitzpatrick

30 of the Best Places for Gluten Free in Florence – Becky Excell 

Gluten Free in Florence – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free in Florence – Ciro and Sons – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Florence – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

100% Gluten Free Florence

Bottega Artigiana del Gusto

Mama Eat (Separate Gluten Free Kitchen)

Risotteria Melotti

Starbene – permanently closed

AIC Accredited in Florence

180 Grammi – Burgers

Hostaria Il Desco

Mister Pizza

Gluten Free in Rome – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Rome – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Gluten Free Rome – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Rome: A Celiac’s Complete Travel Guide 2020 – Wheatless Wanderlust 

My Gluten Free Guide to Rome – Gluten Free Danielle

Gluten Free in Rome – Alexis’s Gluten Free Adventures 

Rome: Gluten Free Suitcase Guide

30 of the best gluten free places in Rome – Becky Excell

Gluten Free Rome – Gelateria Fatamorgana – Gluten Free Mrs D 

100% Gluten Free Rome

Fatamorgana

La Pasticceria Senza Glutine

Mama Eats Rome (dedicated kitchen)

New Food Gluten Free

AIC Accredited in Rome

Gelato in Trevi

Napoleoni Gluten Free

Pizza in Trevi

Triticum Pizzeria

Gluten Free Venice – My Gluten Free Guide 

Gluten Free and Dairy Free Venice – Gluten Free Alice

Gluten Free Venice – Restaurant Ae Oche – Gluten Free Mrs D 

My Gluten Free Venice Guide – Kimi Eats Gluten Free 

100% Gluten Free Venice

MEA Libera Tutti – Gluten Free Shop

Kazakhstan 🇰🇿

Traditional Food in Kazakhstan 

Almaty (Guide with some gluten free tips)

Rice Spoon – Gluten Free Bakery in Almaty

Kosovo Association for Coeliac Disease -CELIAKKOS

Traditional Cuisine and Food from Kosovo 

Panino Gluten Free, Pristina (but not totally gluten free so be careful!)

Gluten Free Kosova – Facebook Page

Latvian Cuisine for Beginners 

Gluten Free Food – Eat Riga 

Dzive bez glutena

Gluten Free Latvia Map – Ayalona Happy Mama 

Gluten Free Products in Latvia

Gluten Free Guide to Riga

100% Gluten Free Riga

Better Bread

Nirvana – Gluten Free, Vegan, Raw

The Gluten Free Cafe – Skudrus Puznis – Looks to be permanently closed

Liechtenstein 🇱🇮

Delights from Liechtenstein

Gluten Free Vaduz – Kasia’s Plate

Lithuania 🇱🇹

Lithuanian Coeliac and Gluten Intolerant Association 

10 Traditional Lithuanian Dishes that you need to try 

Gluten Free Stores in Lithuania – Schar 

Gluten Free Vilnius – Culture Trip

Vafliu Namai – Gluten Free Restaurant, Vilnius 

100% Gluten Free Lithuania

Namai be Gliuteno, Klaipeda

Luxembourg 🇱🇺

Luxembourgish Association of Gluten Intolerance 

Luxembourg Cuisine – Top Traditional Dishes to try 

Travel gluten free – Luxembourg

City Savvy Luxembourg

A celiacs guide to Luxembourg

100% Gluten Free Luxembourg

Akor Cafe et Cycles – Gluten Free but not dedicated, so some pastries can be a may contain due to manufacturing process so check carefully

Chambelland

Coeliac Association Malta 

Coeliac UK advice for Malta 

Food and Drink in Malta 

Malta’s 9 Best Gluten Free Eateries – Love Malta 

Gluten Free Living – Malta 

Gluten Free Malta Facebook Page

Coeliac Friendly Malta – Gluten Free Traveller 

A Mediterranean Paradise in Malta – Adelante Travel Blog 

100% Gluten Free Malta

Anurakti’s Cakes

Corrie’s Gluten Free Pastries , Sliema

Damiano’s Dessert, Gzira

Golden Harvest Gluten Free Products

Helu Manna Gluten Free Kafeteria, Valletta

Nvked – Meal Prep Service

Eat and drink like a local in Moldova 

Fara Gluten Fabrica in Moldova Facebook

9 Delicious Foods of Monaco 

Montenegro 🇲🇪

Montenegrin Cuisine 

Gluten Free Stores Montenegro – Schar 

My Gluten Free Experience in Montenegro – Kimi Eats Gluten Free 

Gluten Free Guide Montenegro- Gluten Free Travel Bee 

Gotta Follow the Sun – Gluten Free Montenegro 

Find Me Gluten Free Podgorica

Gluten Free Montenegro – Fiamble

How to Travel Gluten Free in Montenegro

Taraca, Kotor – Advertises a gluten free menu

100% Gluten Free Montenegro

Bonjour Tivat – Gluten Free, Vegan and Healthy Food

Gandalf’s Magic Kitchen, Podgorica

Gluten_Freebakery, Kotor

Gluteria Getafix (beer not gf)

Marshall’s Gelato – Kotor

Netherlands 🇳🇱

Instagram – #thesightseeingcoeliacnetherlands

Netherlands Celiac Association

Must try Dutch Cuisine and Recipes 

Bagels and Beans

Umami by Han

*Gluten Free McDonalds is available in The Netherlands

100% Gluten Free in The Netherlands

Bakkerij De Anti Glut

Floor’s Coffee and Bunch Bar, Leiden

Glutenvrij bijClaudia, Noordwijk – Permanently Closed

Glutenvrijemarkt.com

Koek en Banketbakkerij Van de Bakker, Vlaardingen

Ijssalon L’Arcobaleno – Icecream parlour

Miss Nice Banana, Gouda – Gluten Free and Plant Based

The Welsh Bakestone, Den Haag

Gluten Free Amsterdam 2023 – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Amsterdam – Celiac Sarah Explores (You Tube)

Gluten Free Amsterdam – The Ultimate Celiac Safe Travel Guide – Wheatless Wanderlust  

Local Guide – Gluten Free Amsterdam

Gluten Free Amsterdam – The Happy Coeliac 

What I ate in Amsterdam (GF + DF) – Gluten Free Alice

21 of the Best Gluten Free Places in Amsterdam – Becky Excell 

Amsterdam: Gluten Free Suitcase Guide

Dunkin’ Donuts – Netherlands

100% Gluten Free Amsterdam

Bloem Eten and Drinken – Gluten Free and Vegan

Craft Coffee and Pastry

Croque Madame

De Glutenvrije Winkel

Rose and Vanilla – Gluten Free and Vegan

Sue Bites – Gluten Free and Vegan

Wild and the Moon – Gluten Free and Plant Based

Restaurants in Rotterdam that serve gluten free

Gluten Free Stores in Rotterdam – Schar 

100% Gluten Free Rotterdam

Bertmans – Health Restaurant

Sharp Sharp – Gluten Free, Sugar Free and Plant Based

Utrecht Gluten Free – The GFG (Gluten Intolerant)

Restaurants in Utrecht that serve gluten free 

Gluten Free Stores in Utrecht – Schar 

100% Gluten Free Utrecht

Rose and Vanilla

The Food Club

North Macedonia 🇲🇰

22 Delicious Macedonian Dishes you should know about 

Gluten Free Guide North Macedonia – Gluten Free Travel Bee 

Gluten Free Skopje – Kasia’s Plate

Gluten Free Travel Experience: Skopje – Simply Coeliac 

Bistro Zdravo

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacnorway

Norway Celiac Foundation 

Coeliac UK advice on Norway 

10 Very Norwegian Meals to Make in Norway for under $10

Gluten Free Norway: A Guide to Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and more – Endless Distances 

Sostrene Fryd – 100% Gluten Free Restaurant in Alesund

Gluten Free Guide Arendal – Gluten Free Travel Bee 

Norway’s Natural Paradise – Adelante Blog 

*Gluten Free McDonalds is available in Norway

Gluten Free in Bergen – My Gluten Free Guide

Find Me Gluten Free Bergen 

100% Gluten Free Bergen

Poca Madre – Permanently Closed

Gluten Free in Oslo – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Restaurants in Oslo – Schar 

100% Gluten Free Oslo

Arepas Angelita

Arepa Mathallen

Gluten Free Stavanger – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Find Me Gluten Free Stavanger

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacpoland

Polish Coeliac Society 

Visitors with Coeliac Disease Information – Celiakia.pl

Coeliac UK advice for Poland 

Hotels Accredited by Polish Celiac Society

Restaurants Accredited by Polish Celiac Society – Menu Without Gluten Full List

Polish Food and Recipes 

Gluten Free Pierogi Dough Recipe – The Spruce Eats 

Gluten Free Polish Donuts, Paczki – Crazy Dealicious 

Leave the gluten, take the pierogi – Dietary Restrictions in Poland 

Gluten Free Restaurants in Poland – Schar 

The Essential Gluten Free Guide to Poland – Legal Nomads

Gluten Free in Poland – Gluten Free Globetrotter 

Gluten Free Poland – Gluten Free Me

Gluten Free Guide Wroclaw 

100% Gluten Free Poland

Bezglutenowa Anula, Elk

Bezglutenowe Domowe, Lublin

Confectionary Afternoon Tea Without Gluten, Poznan

Fit Cake – Gluten Free and Sugar Free – Multiple branches, all sugar free but only some are certified gluten free

Piekarnia Bezglutenowa – Multiple branches

100% Gluten Free Gdansk

Atlier Smaku

Chleb Z Natury

Trattoria Sano

Ukrolika – Gluten Free

Gluten Free Krakow 

Gluten Free Krakow: A travel guide for celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Gluten Free in Krakow Poland – The Gluten Free Veggie 

Gluten Free options in Krakow: Klimaty Poludnia – Gluten Free Travel Bee 

Gluten Free Options in Krakow: Cakester Café – Gluten Free Travel Bee 

Gluten Free Options in Krakow: Restauracja Pod Baranem – Gluten Free Travel Bee 

Find Me Gluten Free Krakow 

Otsu Sushi – Menu Without Gluten Accreditation

Pod Baranam Polish Cuisine – Menu Without Gluten Accreditation

100% Gluten Free Krakow

Ciacho bez Cukru – Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Sugar Free

Piekarnia Bezglutenowa

Twisted Cafe

Zacrecona Kawiarenka – Gluten Free and Sugar Free with Vegan options

100% Gluten Free Poznan

Kafej Pastry Vegan, Poznan – Gluten Free and Vegan

Jaglana – Wheat Free (do double check it is definitely gluten free) and Sugar Free

Podwieczorek

Slodkie Bez Cukru – Gluten Free and Sugar Free, Poznan

Tez Mozna _ Gluten Free and Healthy

Gluten Free Warsaw – Gluten Free Traveller 

Groole – Accredited by Menu Without Gluten

La Cantina – Accredited by Menu Without Gluten

Sushi Wesola – Accredited by Menu Without Gluten

The Chef House

Wiesz Co Zjesz – Accredited by Menu Without Gluten including pierogis

100% Gluten Free Warsaw

O Matkozkorka

Portugal 🇵🇹

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacportugal

Portugal Celiac Association 

Coeliac UK advice on Portugal 

Gluten Free Must Eats in Portugal – The Sightseeing Coeliac

The Top Portuguese Dishes you need to try 

Essential Gluten Free Guide to Portugal – Legal Nomads

Gluten Free Pizza at Senhor Frogs , Albufeira – The Gluten Free Blogger 

Gluten Free Stores Albufeira – Schar 

Gluten Free Flying – TAP Airways – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Portugal: A Guide to Gluten Free Lagos and The Algarve – Endless Distances 

Talho das Manas, Butchers accredited by Portuguese Celiac Association

Churrasqueira Franguito, Near Sintra, Accredited Portuguese Celiac Association

*Gluten Free McDonalds is available in Portugal

Hotels Accredited by the Portuguese Celiac Association

Inspira Santa Marta Hotel, Lisbon

Pena Park Hotel, Riberia de Pena

Purala Wool Hotel and Spa, Covilha

Sport Hotel Gym and Spa, Covilha

Hotel Congress and Medical Spa, Unhais da Serra

100% Gluten Free Portugal

Bonna Patelaria Gluten Free, Braga

Gluten Free Lisbon – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Guide to Lisbon, revised 2019 – Gluten Interrupted

Gluten Free Lisbon – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Lisbon: Gluten Free Suitcase Guide

Gluten Free Lisbon – Little Bites of Beauty 

Gluten and Dairy Free Lisbon – Adventures with ZR

Zarzuela Gluten Free Bakery – Accredited by Portuguese Celiac Society

La Trattoria, Italian Restaurant, Accredited by Portuguese Celiac Society

Gelataria Scoop Gelato, Accredited by Portuguese Celiac Society

Gelataria Italiana Fabio Lupi, Cascais, Accredited by Portuguese Celiac Society

100% Gluten Free Lisbon

Batardas Gluten Free Bakery

Despensa N.6 Healthy Gluten Free Pastry

Rice Me Deli

The Food For Real

Gluten Free Porto – My Gluten Free Guide

Find Me Gluten Free Porto

Sergi Crivelli, Accredited by Portuguese Celiac Association

Tia Aninhas, Accredited by Portuguese Celiac Association

Tasquinha do Be, Accredited by Portuguese Celiac Association

100% Gluten Free Porto

Gluten Freak – Permanently Closed

Celiac Association of Romania 

Happy Gluten Free Romania Facebook Page

Gluten Free Options in Romania

Coeliac UK advice for Romania 

20 Amazing Romanian Foods you must try in your lifetime 

How to travel gluten free in Romania – Fold Bjerg 

 Gluten Free Guide to Bucharest – Jetsetting Bees 

Gluten Free Romania Map – Ayalona Happy Mama

Delicious Raw, Brasov

100% Gluten Free Bucharest

Arepas Colombianas

C hedo Gluten Free

Ergo – Gluten Free with allergens marked on menu and vegan options available

Jolie d’Iris Bistro – Permanently Closed

L’Amande Desserts Sans Gluten (also in Bacau and Timisoara)

Pizzaria Vittorului (check its completely gluten free)

Verv Kitchen – Gluten Free and Vegan

San Marino 🇸🇲

Gluten Free San Marino – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free restaurants San Marino – Schar

Food and wine of San Marino 

Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Coeliac Association of Serbia

Coeliac UK advice for Serbia

11 Traditional Serbian Dishes you need to try

Gluten No – Gluten Free Kitchen with delivery in Belgrade 

Gluten Free Restaurants in Serbia – Schar 

Travel Gluten Free in Serbia – Gluten Free Adventures

Gluten Free Nut Rolls – The Spruce Eats 

100% Gluten Free Belgrade

Masa Restoran

100% Gluten Free Novi Stad

Gluten Morgan

Slovakia 🇸🇰

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacslovakia

Celiac association of Slovakia 

10 Traditional Slovak Dishes you must try 

Gluten Free in Eastern Slovakia – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Slovakia Map – Ayalona Happy Mama

Gluten Free Restaurants Slovakia – Schar

Gluten Free Hotels Slovakia – Schar

*Gluten Free McDonalds available in Slovakia

Gluten Free Slovakia – Pizza Mizza, Bratislava – Gluten Free Mrs D

Sweet Street Cukraren

100% Gluten Free Bratislava

Yeme Bezlepkova Pekaren (Located on the second floor of the shopping centre)

Slovenia 🇸🇮

Gluten free in Ljubljana and Lake Bled 2024 – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Slovenian Society for Celiac Disease 

Coeliac UK advice for Slovenia 

Traditional Slovenian Food – 10 delicious dishes to try 

Going Gluten Free in Croatia and Slovenia 

Find Me Gluten Free Ljubljana 

Gluten Free in Ljubljana – Emma Crushes 

Gluten Free Ljubljana – Gluten Free Kitchen

Gluten Free Stores in Slovenia – Schar 

Gluten Free Restaurants in Slovenia – Schar 

100% Gluten Free Slovenia

100% Gluten Free Restaurants in Slovenia 

Cojzla – 100% Gluten Free in Ljubljana 

Dezela okusov – Gluten Free B&B / Restaurant, Ljubljana

Lincer, near Lake Bled in Lesce

Lipa Kaverna, near Croatian border

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacspain

Spanish Federation of Coeliac Associations (FACE)

Coeliac UK Advice for Spain 

Playa Senator Gluten Free Hotels – In Collaboration with FACE

Servigroup – Gluten Free Hotels 

Garden Hotels – Gluten Free Hotels 

Gluten Free Hotels – Destinos Sin Gluten 

14 Spanish Dishes you should try 

Only Gluten Free Recipes -Spain

The Essential Gluten Free Guide to Spain – Legal Nomads 

Sin gluten! Eat your way around Spain Gluten Free – Gluten Free Travellers 

Gluten Free Spain – Ginos – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Gluten Free Benalmadena – Gluten Free Gez 

A Gluten Free Guide to Playa D’en Bossa, Ibiza – Gluten Free Danielle

Gluten Free Majorca (Mallorca) – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Santa Ponsa, Mallorca – Gluten She 

Gluten Free Menorca – My Gluten Free Guide

Gluten Free Girona, Spain: Restaurants, Shops and Tapas

*Gluten Free McDonalds is available in Spain

Gluten Free Barcelona – Gluten Free BCN

Four Amazing Gluten Free Bakeries in Barcelona – SH Barcelona 

Gluten free Barcelona – My Gluten Free Guide 

Barcelona Gluten Free – Alexis’s Gluten Free Adventures 

Gluten Free Barcelona – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac

Barcelona: Gluten Free Suitcase Guide

30+ of the best gluten free places in Barcelona – Becky Excell

Out of China, Chinese

Conesa Entrepans, Accredited Sandwich Shop

100% Gluten Free Barcelona

Bo Per Tu Cafe

Ca La Maria

Cal Marius 449

Casa Lupita

Celiadictos

Chok – Gluten Free branch = La Ramelleres

Grosso Napolitano Senza Glutine

Flax and Kale Passage

Messie Pizza Sin Gluten

Naked and Sated

Potstot – Gluten and Lactose Free

The Fish and Chips Shop Gluten Free

Gluten Free in Madrid – A Travel Guide for Celiacs – Happy Celiac 

Gluten Free Madrid – Sana Locura Bakery and Other Gluten Free Tips – Gluten free Mrs D 

Madrid: The Gluten Free Suitcase Guide

Gluten Free in Madrid – Madrid Food Tour.com

Gluten Free and Dairy Free Bakeries in Madrid – Wandering Everywhere

Gluten Free Madrid Bakeries – A Different Kind of Travel 

Find Me Gluten Free Madrid Bakeries 

100% Gluten Free Madrid

Holy Grain Bakery

Okashi Sanda – Japanese – Gluten and Dairy Free

Pasteleria La Oriental Sin Gluten

Restaurantes Vegetarianos, Veganos Y 100% Sin Gluten

Sana Locura Bakery

Solo de Croquetas

Creplovers – Accredited

100% Gluten Free Malaga

El Pastelero Real Sin Gluten

La Plancha Taberna

Pasteleria Nata and Chocolate

Vida Libra de Gluten

Yummy Heladeria Gluten Free and Vegan

Gluten Free Restaurant: Seville Restaurante Postigo 10 – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free Seville – Al Solito Posto – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Al Solito Posto

Coeliac Heaven in Seville – Gluten She 

100% Gluten Free Seville

Bar La Grupa Tapas

Mana De Santo, 100% Gluten Free at Poplar Grove

Pasteleria Durazno y Chaja, Gluten Free Bakery

Gluten Free in Valencia – The Gluten Free Fridge

Gluten Free Hotels – Valencia – Gluten Free Mrs D 

My Gluten Free Valencia Guide – Kimi Eats Gluten Free 

100% Gluten Free Valencia

Celicientos

El Obrador del Celiaca – Temporarily Closed

Gluten Free MDQ – Permanently Closed

Mi Lugar Celiaco

Panderia Baking Free

Santa Amalia Sin Gluten

Tinobu – Gluten, Lactose and Sugar Free

100% Gluten Free Spain

Watelia, Girona

Canary Islands

*McDonalds is available on the Canary Islands

Gluten Free Gran Canaria – Gluten Free Travellers 

Gluten Free Hotels Gran Canaria – Dunas Hotels and Resorts 

My Gluten Free Guide to Tenerife – Gluten Free Danielle

100% Gluten Free Canary Islands

Sin Gluten Raquel, Tenerife

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacsweden

100% Gluten Free Sweden

Cafe Colorado, Gothenburg – sold to new owners, unclear if it will be 100% GF when reopens

Gullegardens Glutenfria Bageri

Happy Me, Gothenburg – Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free

Wondo Etiopisk Restaurang, Gothenburg

Sweden: Gluten Free Supermarket Shopping in Stockholm – Gluten Free Mrs D 

Sweden’s Gluten Free Bakery: Friend’s of Adam – Gluten Free Mrs D

The Gluten Free Guidebook goes to Stockholm

Gluten Free Stockholm – Gluten Free Travellers 

Gluten Free Stockholm – Your Living City 

Stockholm – Gluten Free so Easy – The Coeliac Plate

Top Ten Gluten Free Restaurants in Stockholm – The Culture Trip  

100% Gluten Free Stockholm

Eat Your Garden – Gluten Free, Sugar Free and Vegan

Happy Atelier

Kea Bageri Stockholm

Malvas Glutenfria Hantverksbageri

Restaurang Nu

The Green Queen

Switzerland 🇨🇭

IG Celiac Association of Switzerland (German Sector)

Swiss Coeliac Association (French Sector)

Coeliac UK advice for Switzerland 

Gluten Free Switzerland – Schar 

Gluten Free Switzerland – Travel Gluten Free 

The Must try Foods in Switzerland 

36 hours in Switzerland: Basel and Bern – It’s Got to be Gluten Free 

Gluten Free Hotels in Bern – Schar 

Find Me Gluten Free Geneva 

Gluten Free Dining – Zurich – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free in Zurich including map

Gluten Free in Zurich – Facebook 

*Gluten Free McDonalds is available in Switzerland

100% Gluten Free Switzerland

El Gato Patisserie – 100% Gluten Free – Lausanne, Switzerland 

El Gato Patisserie, Lausanne

Glutenfrei Geniessen, Bern

Glutenfreie Koestlichkeitan – GF Bakery

Jovi’s Glutenfreie Backerei, Bern

Restaurant Le Jardin, Saint-Livres – Closed

Rice Up! Bern, Zurich – Gluten Free, Dairy Free Asian Bowls

Sonja, Bourg-en-lavaux

Instagram #thesightseeingcoeliacturkey

Turkish Celiac Association 

Coeliac UK advice for Turkey 

Gluten Free Must Eats in Turkey: Where to Find Local Cuisine – The Sightseeing Coeliac

Gluten Free Map Turkey

Eating gluten free in Turkey – Gluten Free Mrs D

Gluten Free Guidebook – Turkey

What is it Like to Fly Gluten Free with Turkish Airlines? – Gluten Free Mrs D

Must try Gluten Free Turkish Dishes in Turkey – Food Fondles 

Only Gluten Free Recipes -Turkey

Gluten Free Baklava, Ankara

Gluten Free Baklava near Pamukkalle

Gluten Siz – Gluten Free Restaurant in Istanbul

Your Guide to going Gluten Free in Istanbul – Daily Sabah

Eating Gluten Free in Istanbul – Adelante Blog 

Gluten Free Baklava, Istanbul

100% Gluten Free Istanbul

Glutensiz Market

No 94 Bakery

Tatli Firin

Yasemin Gluten Free Cafe

100% Gluten Free Turkey

Burbella Glutensiz, Pamukkale

Glutensiz, Kayseri

Level, Antalya – Vegan and Gluten Free

Love and Bakes, Ankara

Mirage Park Resort – Hotel with separate gluten free kitchen

Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Good luck with your European travel adventures and feel free to get in touch with any recommendations!

Note: Writing a gluten free travel blog is a passion project of mine but the website has an annual subscription cost so it actually costs me money to run. If you find my guides helpful please consider buying me a virtual coffee through my  kofi link  to help me run this free resource for gluten free travel. Thank you!

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10 thoughts on “ gluten free in europe: the ultimate travel planning resource – the sightseeing coeliac ”.

A very informative easy read!

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I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I hope it helps you with any future travel planning in Europe..

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Thanks so much to all the contributers for this, I have been nervous about travelling abroad for the last few years since finding out I was coeliac. Getting all of this tried and tested information for so many countries from others coeliacs has made it feel like the world has just opened up for me again! It makes being coeliac more normal and less restrictive.

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Gluten-Free Thailand: Celiac Travel Guide

May 6, 2022 · 8 Comments

This gluten-free Thailand travel guide will help you be prepared to visit the land of smiles with celiac disease. But heads up, it isn't easy!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more information. Thanks! This post was updated in July of 2022.

Thailand's friendly people, diverse history, stunning temples, and picturesque beaches were some of the reasons we fell in love with this backpacker's paradise. But since celiac disease is not as common in Asia as it is in other parts of the world, it definitely requires planning and preparation. It's definitely challenging. But if you are going to Thailand, rest assured that this guide will help you feel a little more prepared to eat there!

Dylan and I spent three weeks in Thailand in March of 2019 as part of our six-month round the world trip. In this guide I'm walking you through my top tips for visiting Thailand with celiac disease. You can read my 3-week itinerary for Thailand here and how we planned a 6 month trip around the world to more than ten countries right here .

NOTE   & DISCLAIMER

Everyone’s experience with celiac disease is different. Dedicated gluten-free facilities are usually the safest places to go, and you’ll some of those listed here. For non-dedicated facilities and restaurants, I only recommend places I have visited or where clear protocols are in place for celiac diners. My experience is not your experience. This is a guide – a list of suggestions to point you in the right direction.   Restaurants can change. Use your own judgment and only eat where you feel safe doing so . Please be aware that restaurants in Thailand are lacking in recent, updated reviews due to the country being closed to tourists from the pandemic. Visiting Thailand now will be even more challenging than when I visited in 2019.

This guide was originally published in Gluten-Free Living Magazine in 2019. It has been updated here for your reference. Always double check as places may have changed since the pandemic as I visited in 2019.

Gluten-Free Thailand Travel Guide

About Celiac Disease in Thailand

In general, celiac disease is not as common in Asia as it is in other countries. The prevalence of gluten-free food is thanks to a large part in tourists. You'll find that large cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai will have more gluten-free options and products in supermarkets available.

But unfortunately, due to cross-contact, lack of awareness of celiac disease, and use of sauces with wheat (soy sauce and oyster sauce), Thailand will be challenging- especially in restaurants. But you're here and reading this guide, and that's a great place to begin!

Staying Somewhere With A Kitchen

Upon our arrival in Thailand, I was extremely nervous about finding safe food, as I was not familiar with Thai cuisine at all. And rather than expose myself to more possible risk by dining out for almost every meal, Dylan and I opted to find a place with a kitchen for the first few days.

And this was really helpful and kept me calm our first few days in Thailand.

It's why I highly recommend booking a place with a kitchen when traveling with celiac disease. It gives you the option to balance out speaking up and risking exposure at restaurants by preparing something easy, safe, and quick in your accommodation. We also did this for the majority of our trip.

You can do this by booking an Airbnb (make sure it's owned by a local, so you are supporting the local community and economy) , using Booking.com to find a small apartment, or just reserve a hotel room with a kitchenette, microwave, or refrigerator. When deciding on a location, try to book something close to a market or grocery store, if possible. If it's within walking distance, even better!

During our time in Thailand, Dylan and I stayed in this Airbnb in the Sukhumvit neighborhood of Bangkok , then this hostel with a full breakfast in Chiang Mai , and various hostels/guesthouses on the island of Koh Lanta. You can read more about where we stayed in my 3 Week Thailand itinerary here.

Learn About Thai Cuisine & Take A Cooking Class

Thai cuisine is filled with various dishes, spices, curries, stir-fries, and steamed dishes. The more you know about Thai cooking, the better equipped you will be to visit Thailand with celiac disease. It means you will know what recipes contain what ingredients, what dishes are safer, and which to stay away from.

I highly recommend taking a Thai cooking class when visiting Thailand to further understand the ingredients that go into common dishes you'll see on restaurant menus. The more information and knowledge you have about Thai food, the stronger advocate you can be for yourself.

Dylan and I took a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai, with Mama Noi's Thai Cooking School . The experience was excellent. We each had our own clean cooking tools and station, and I brought my own gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce from a brand called Megachef, that I found at the local Rimping supermarket. I was able to eat almost every dish we made that day except one!

The class was so much fun to be a part of, and everything we made was scrumptious. I learned how to make gluten-free pad thai from scratch, which is still a dish I enjoy making at home on a regular basis.

Gluten-Free Groceries in Thailand

In large cities with a lot of tourists, such as Bangkok or Chiang Mai, you'll be able to find gluten-free imported products in larger grocery stores. I was also able to do this in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia , and Hong Kong .

Unfortunately, there's not really great labeling of gluten in packaged foods in Thailand, and I didn't buy anything that wasn't in English I could clearly read. You can use your phone and the Google Translate app (and your camera) to translate ingredients on packages. However, you will find plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, and rice to cook your own meals.

Rimping supermarket in Chiang Mai has an large selection of gluten-free imported products, as well as most of the large malls & grocery stores in Bangkok!

How To Find Safe Restaurants in Thailand

Locating gluten-free food can be tough when you're traveling - especially abroad. And while it's critical to speak to the restaurant directly to make sure their protocols work for you , sometimes you just want to get an idea of what's available. One of the best ways to do that while traveling is by doing your research first , on an app/website like FindMeGlutenFree.

FindMeGlutenFree can help you get an idea of what gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, and safe menus are available in Thailand. Yes - this app is used around the globe! And with a Premium Subscription , you can filter by most celiac friendly, see what's open now (so you don't drive all the way to a bakery for breakfast and discover it's closed) , and what's gluten-free in the direction you're headed. It's like Google Maps, but a gluten-free version. And no Ads!

I've been a FMGF user for over a decade, but I think their Premium version is much more effective. Take $5 off a Premium Subscription with the code THENOMADICFITZ to make your trip to Thailand less stressful.

Note: This app is usually very helpful when traveling, but in places that were closed to tourists during the height of the pandemic, they are very outdated . So it's going to be up to you to speak up, understand Thai food and know what dishes are *usually* safe, and give yourself a break by staying somewhere with a kitchen. And to help with restaurants - you should definitely have a translation card.

Gluten-Free Thai Dining Card

Do you speak Thai?

I learned to say "Thank you" and "Hello" during our three weeks in Thailand.

Unfortunately, my skills as a former Spanish teacher didn't really matter in Asia, unless I ran into someone who spoke Spanish .

But using proper colloquialisms, grammar, and vocabulary makes a big difference in comprehension - regardless of the language you are speaking.

That's why a restaurant card properly translated into the local language allows your host, server, or chef to know what foods you can and cannot eat, and how the preparation of your food is critical to your health and safety. Google Translate is great for identifying individual words (and you can download the app to use when reading menus or products), but it is not ideal for explaining your needs in restaurants.

This Thai restaurant card , created by fellow celiac and world traveler Jodi of Legal Nomads , is translated by a local in Thailand, to be sure travelers are understood. It goes into detail about cross-contact and ingredients to help your dish be prepared as safely as possible. This is crucial, especially in Asia where celiac and food allergies are not as common.

In general, in most touristy areas, people do speak English. But it always helps to try and speak the language of where you are visiting. This is their home, not yours. A Thai dining card will help with this.

Things To Be Careful Of Eating Gluten-Free in Thailand

One of the biggest challenges of visiting Thailand with celiac disease is cross-contact and sauces . This will especially apply to food stalls and outdoor markets, where there is one cooktop for everything. You really won't be able to get a lot at outdoor markets except mostly fruit/fruit smoothies (what I always had) and mango sticky rice. The majority of items will be risky due to cross-contact.

Soy sauce, fish/oyster sauce contain wheat, so they are not safe to consume with celiac disease. Pad Thai is also not gluten-free, due to the sauces. Yes, they use rice noodles, but the sauces are not. The sauces will be the bane of your existence when in Thailand.

Here's a list of some of the dishes I ate in Thailand in restaurants where there were no specific gluten-free options mentioned. Please keep in mind that for each of these dishes, I always spoke to the server, used a Thai translation card, asked about the ingredients, confirmed it was made separately, and that no soy sauce or oyster sauce, or other flavorings were added, where applicable. Some of the dishes I ate in Thailand :

• Plain steamed white rice
• Curries: Massaman curry (chicken, potato, peanuts - I ate this daily in Koh Lanta ). Most curries are gluten-free, but always double check.
• Fresh fruits
• Mango sticky rice
• Eggs - scrambled or fried
• Fruit smoothies (only from smoothie venders that served fruit only. No cookies or anything else)

Restaurants With Gluten-Free Food in Thailand

Since my visit to Thailand was 3 years ago,  I cannot speak to the current gluten-free safety procedures of the restaurants we visited as they may be outdated .  And due to the pandemic and the fact that Thailand was closed to tourists for over a year, many reviews/places online are not up to date. It is up to you to do your own due diligence and verify these places are options for you when you visit Thailand. This section was last updated in July of 2022.

We stayed in an Airbnb in Bangkok to be able to cook our own quick meals and did minimal dining out as we got accustomed to Thailand and Thai cuisine. According to my research and FindMeGlutenFree , there aren't many dedicated gluten-free places in Bangkok. But there are a few options you can try:

Theera Healthy Bake Room: Vegan and gluten-free bakery in Bangkok! For more information, visit their website . They serve breads, snacks, and desserts.

Rice Bakery : Gluten-free bakery. While I know this place was open pre-COVID, I can't find any updated information if it still is, or has closed. Here's the website with more information.

Peeps Thai Eatery : We ate here and had gluten-free dishes back in 2019. The staff was well aware of allergies and cooked everything separately - with gluten-free sauces. A rare find! The last I read they were reopened in 2021, but that's the last I have found. Their Facebook page is here.

Malls: The malls in Bangkok are massive, and wonderful places to cool off when it's almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In some malls I was able to find acai bowls or smoothies, or rice.

Chiang Mai is a backpacker paradise and was home to one of the best gluten-free spots - but unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many places we spent a lot of time in have now closed. We stayed in a hostel that had a full kitchen available and fresh breakfast every morning (fruit and eggs).

Unfortunately, there are no 100% gluten-free places in Chiang Mai anymore.

Pink House Garden: CLOSED (Sad News) : It breaks my heart that the BEST Thai restaurant, Pink House Garden which was 100% gluten-free that we went to almost every day in Chiang Mai back in 2019, has closed due to the pandemic. This is where I had my first bite of pad thai and fell in love with Thai food in a 100% safe way. The owner is still making vegan & gluten-free cakes for pickup/takeaway, but the restaurant has closed. This is truly such a loss for the Chiang Mai gluten-free scene as they were cheap, delicious, and the staff so friendly.

Butter is Better : This diner has two locations in Chiang Mai and serves American fare with lots of gluten-free options, including meals and baked goods. I am not sure if their options are the same as they were in 2019. In previous years, they had many gluten-free choices, including baked goods, pancakes, sandwiches, cakes, etc. and strong understanding of allergens. Please inquire with them directly.

Salsa Kitchen : This is a Mexican restaurant in Chiang Mai, down by the university, with great tacos and corn tortillas. They were aware of allergies when we visited in 2019, and everything was very good. Their Facebook page can be found here.

Pa's Fruit Smoothies:

My friend Jodi, of Legal Nomads , who has lived around the world with celiac disease, wrote about Mrs. Pa and her fruit smoothies at the Chiang Mai south gate night market . Her smoothies are phenomenal and only 20 baht (less than $1USD) - Dylan and I paid her a visit almost every day and it became a ritual. After speaking with Jodi, I learned Mrs. Pa is doing very well and still keeps in touch. I hope one day to return to Thailand and enjoy Mrs. Pa's smoothies and her lovely company again someday!

The island of Koh Lanta (also spelled Ko Lanta) had very minimal gluten-free options. I relied on my knowledge of Thai cuisine and stuck to the same dishes every day we were there (eggs and fruit for breakfast, curries and rice for lunch/dessert, plus any snacks I could find at local markets). We stayed at small beach resorts & hostels that had breakfast available.

The only restaurant we visited that had gluten-free meals on the menu was The Happy Veggie , which is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant. The portions were tiny, and after walking 1.5 miles in the 100 degree heat, I was really upset and starving!

For more information about planning a trip to Thailand, be sure to read my 3-week itinerary to all three of these locations - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Lanta!

Final Thoughts: Gluten-Free Thailand

It's tough looking back on Thailand because I know that anyone who visits now, it's going to be much different than the experience I had in 2019. But I'm hopeful that as tourism comes back to Thailand, maybe more gluten-free places will pop up again like Pink House Garden. It truly was a magical place (and 100% gluten-free) that made cities like Chiang Mai, one of my favorite destinations around the world.

Be careful of sauces and cross-contact in Thailand. Learn about Thai cooking and hidden ingredients so you know what to expect. And most importantly, book a place with a kitchen so you have the option to cook for yourself!

Thailand isn't easy to visit with celiac disease, but it is possible. I hope this guide has helped!

Looking for more gluten-free travel posts?

The 5 strategies you NEED for traveling with celiac disease.

These 10 items are always in my backpack or suitcase when traveling.

What to do if you're traveling with IBS - and how to reduce travel anxiety.

Get my gluten-free travel guides to Boston , New York , Madrid , Buenos Aires (plus many more) here !

Have you been to Thailand?

How was your experience eating there gluten-free?

Let me know in the comments!

More Gluten-Free Travel Guides

Reader Interactions

Daniel says

July 14, 2022 at 11:07 pm

Great post about Thailand. I love the emphasis on finding a place with a kitchen. Unfortunately, Thailand is EXTREMELY difficult for celiac disease. Unless you have a great command of Thai language (or someone you know) and the ways gluten can sneak in foods in Thailand, I'd recommend anyone with celiac to really stay away from street food unless it's something like fresh fruit, mango sticky rice, etc.

One thing that might be helpful to add to this blog post is seasoning powders and MSG, which are used everywhere. Plain white MSG is usually okay, but in Thailand, there are two seasoning powders called Rosdee (รสดี) and something else I forget the name of. They DO have gluten and are used a lot :(. Unfortunately, it makes the usual dishes of curries and the like more of a crapshoot, because they are sometimes used. So while a restaurant might not use soy sauce, these powders can sometimes be used, especially on meats.

Jennifer Fitzpatrick says

July 16, 2022 at 5:50 pm

Thanks for sharing. As I stated in the post, street food is very limiting due to cross contact and I only recommend fruit, mango sticky rice, or fresh fruit smoothies that ONLY make fruit smoothies. Having a Thai translation card can help with those hidden ingredients as well.

Stefan Lindholm says

August 29, 2022 at 6:16 pm

I havent been to Thailand yet since I got celiac disease. Benn there on and off fot 30 years. Good information. Thank you. One thing that surprises me is that in most blogs I never see tom yum mentioned. To me it seems very safe and fortunately it is my favourite thai dish if not my favourite in the world! /Stefan

August 30, 2022 at 11:23 am

Thank you Stefan for your comment. Unfortunately I believe it would be the fish sauce in Tom Yum soup that is the culprit, which typically contains gluten. I use gluten-free soy, fish, and oyster sauces when recreating dishes at home from our time in Thailand. Hope that helps!

January 03, 2023 at 2:55 am

Fish sauce almost never contain gluten. The most popular thai fish sauce does not contain gluten.

January 04, 2023 at 2:24 pm

Thank you for this clarifier! I misspoke in my earlier reply and was thinking of oyster sauce. Apologies! Soy and oyster sauce are still two sauces I would be most careful with when it comes to Thai dishes.

Eduardo says

September 21, 2022 at 12:20 am

If you're visiting Chiang Mai you can say hello in the "Gluten Free Chiang Mai" Facebook group. I've posted there a google maps resource with 40+ restaurants that have gluten free options. There is no coeliac safe place in this city.

If you're going to Bangkok there is also a facebook group, and they have also created a google maps resource with 100+ locations now.

September 21, 2022 at 9:10 am

Thanks for sharing!

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4 Surprisingly Gluten-Free Friendly Countries

These countries offer great options for gluten-intolerant travelers..

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There’s more to order in Paris than a gluten-filled baguette.

Photo by Shutterstock

We get it: the idea of traveling gluten-free can be overwhelming. For people with a serious allergy, preparing for a vacation is a whirl of printing out diet cards in different languages, spending hours online digging through gluten-free blogs and travel forums, and packing half a suitcase of gluten-free snacks, just in case. It’s exhausting.

The good news is that gluten-free travel is getting easier as global awareness increases—even in countries you might think are heavy on the wheat. Here are 3 countries that are not just good for gluten-free travel, but are surprisingly gluten-free. Instead of worrying about what’s in your food, you can focus on immersing yourself in the culture around it.

The land of pasta and pizza, Italy seems like an unattainable dream for the gluten-free among us. Sure, there is plenty of Italian cuisine that is naturally and mouth-wateringly gluten-free (osso buco! risotto! cacciucco!), but you don’t have to skip the pasta in Italy to stay in the safe zone. The fact of the matter is that the phrases “ io sono celiaca ” (I am a celiac) and “ senza glutine ” (gluten-free) have been commonplace in Italy since before most Americans had ever heard the word “celiac.”

Already comfortable using alternative flours like chestnut and corn in traditional cuisine, Italy hopped on board the gluten-free bandwagon in the 1970’s. Even as far back as 2007, some of the pioneer gluten-free food bloggers were gleefully relating how accommodating Italy was for gluten-free travelers—including how it was not unusual to bring your own gluten-free pasta to a restaurant for the chef to cook with his or her sauces.

These days, however, the country is turning out some of the best gluten-free pasta brands available—Jovial, Delallo, Rustichella d’Abruzzo, and Riso Bello are all made in Italy. Even chain restaurants have menus senza glutine. From the smallest rural Umbrian village to the fanciest Roman restaurant, all you need are the magic words “io sono celiaco(a)” and you’ll be just fine.

If what you crave from Ireland is a pint, a slice of brown bread with that famous Irish butter, and maybe a basket of fish and chips, I wouldn’t blame you. But when you cannot tolerate the Guiness , nor the brown bread, nor the batter on the fish, it’s easy to get discouraged. Fear not, because Ireland is another country with a fairly high concentration of celiacs for whom gluten-free is old news.

The Irish Coeliac’s Association was founded in 1963, far before celiacs disease started gaining world-wide notoriety. In fact, the quality of gluten-free products in Ireland has been absolutely stellar for over a decade. Back when there was only one brand of rice pasta widely available in the U.S., Tesco, a European supermarket chain, had an entire dedicated gluten-free section stocked full of cookies, breads, crackers, and pasta.

These days, of course, the quality and availability of gluten-free food in Ireland only continues to get better. The long history of gluten-awareness means that Ireland has some of the best resources for gluten-free travelers, such as Gluten Free Ireland , a search engine which links to over 700 gluten-free establishments across the country. And the best news? No one will scoff at you for choosing a Bulmers (known as Magner’s in the US) cider over a Guinness. Naturally-gluten-free cider is just as popular in Ireland as beer is. And it doesn’t fill you up quite as much.

Insider tip: There are quite a few Chinese restaurants in Ireland, but the use of soy sauce makes these not gluten-free-friendly. While some do accommodate, you’ll have to do a little more homework on this one.

3. Australia

It’s hardly surprising that Australia , a country riding the crest of a food revolution wave, is gluten-free friendly. What is surprising is just how gluten-free friendly it is. In 2014 I sat down at the award-winning restaurant at Sandalford Winery just outside of Perth, and was about to start weeding out the (usually) few options on the menu that I could consider when I realized that everything had a gluten-free option available, from the ravioli to the dinner rolls. And it’s like that everywhere.

From high-end eateries to tiny breakfast cafés, there are always gluten-free options. The plethora of options is astounding but the real winner was the absolute lack of stigma, not a single eye will bat. Gluten-free? No worries.

I love Paris anytime, but as one of the gluten-allergy afflicted, sometimes it can be tough to love at mealtimes. Those crusty loaves of bread and exquisitely aromatic pizzas tend to spark serious jealousy. It’s not impossible to eat gluten-free in France, especially if you cook for yourself, as there are plenty of supermarkets with gluten-free products.

Restaurants, however, are much more difficult; there’s still little patience for substitutions and little compassion for those who are gluten-free. But Paris makes this list because it is home to what is arguably the best gluten-free bakery in the world: Helmut Newcake . Everything you’d ever want from a Parisian bakery, but all gluten-free.

>> Next: 7 Addictive Gluten-Free Airplane Snacks

Inspiration for Your Gluten-Free Journey

Gluten-Free Europe: 14 Tips for Your Dream Vacation

You’re planning your dream European vacation. You’ve prepped for weather, fashion, comfort, must-see sites, and downtime.

Oh, but the food! Europe is known for its fabulous food. Regional specialties made with local ingredients. Pastries, pasta, paella, fish & chips… Can you eat any of it? With celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity?

Yes! Absolutely.

Travelers and locals with celiac disease and gluten intolerance do it every day and do it well. While each region has varying levels of awareness and options, in general, European countries are ahead of most parts of the world when it comes to accommodating those of us on medically-necessary gluten-free diets.

Yes, gluten-free travel takes extra planning, but you can enjoy safe versions of your dream destination’s local cuisine.

Here are my best tips, put together from my own experiences traveling Europe with celiac disease.

Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. To learn more, visit our Disclosures .

1. Facebook Groups are a Fabulous Resource

Nobody knows gluten-free like the gluten-free community. We are our own best source of gluten-free products, restaurants, tours, and hotels. We know where have eaten safely, and we love to share it with others who need gluten-free food.

Any Celiac support group on Facebook is a great resource, but Celiac Travel groups are full of posts, like, “looking for a hotel in Rome with safe options,” “where can I eat by the Eiffel Tower?” or “can my picky, celiac child eat safely in Scotland?” Whatever you want to know, someone else has probably already asked it. Pop your destination in the search box and you will instantly know the “ best gluten-free options in Budapest “.

Coeliacs Eat Abroad , Celiac Travel , and Celiac Travel Group are three Facebook Groups I use regularly to plan my trips. For Europe, I find Coeliacs Eat Abroad particularly helpful. It is based in the UK, and folks are traveling around Europe much more frequently than Americans.

Insider tip! Once you’ve pinned down your itinerary, join local celiac Facebook groups for your destination. They are the insider’s guide to gluten-free eating. Members can give you detailed information on the safest and best restaurants, where to eat near common attractions or at public events, and even exciting supermarket finds!

One of my favorites is the unofficial Facebook Group for the AIC: Associazione Italiana Celiachia, (the Italian Celiac Association) which is helpful for all of Italy.

When planning a recent trip to Munich, I joined Zöliakietreffen München , the local celiac Facebook group. I heard about a dedicated gluten-free bakery that was opening in Munich before my arrival. It wasn’t on any apps or travel groups, yet, but the locals knew it was opening!

To translate Facebook comments in a language you don’t speak/read, simply click on the text “see translation” under each comment.

2. Google Translate is Your Best Friend

Let’s deal with the language barrier. Before you get on the plane, download the free Google Translate app.

The app is extremely user-friendly. You can use the conversation feature to speak into your phone in English and have your words translated into the local language.

For the gluten-free traveler, the best feature is the camera! The app uses your camera to “read” everything from food labels to menus and translate them from the original language into English, or any other language of your choosing.

Not sure what language is on a product label? Select “detect language” and Google Translate will figure it out.

I found that particular feature helpful last year while checking labels at the airport in Paris, where the ingredients were often listed in several languages. And recently, in Slovakia, food labels had several languages, including Slovak, German, Czech, and Hungarian. I couldn’t sort it all out, but Google Translate did.

3. Confirm Restaurant Days & Hours Online

The best gluten-free, French cuisine in Paris won’t be found in a large chain restaurant that’s open 24/7.

You’ll find it in a charming cafe owned and run by hardworking Parisians, passionate about serving high-quality meals. Once you’ve researched this restaurant, drooled over pictures of it’s gluten-free dishes, and planned your visit around your sightseeing itinerary, the last thing you want is be disappointed by a “closed” sign.

This great place with gluten-free traditional cuisine may open for lunch, close for several hours, and open again for dinner. Perhaps, it’s only open Wednesday through Saturday.

And, it may even be closed for two weeks in August while the owner is on vacation. All of this is fairly common. Hours can be especially variable over summer vacation and winter holidays when you are most likely to be visiting.

Getting information from the restaurant directly is important. Restaurants will often announce holiday hours and closures on their websites or Facebook pages. You can also send an email, using Google Translate of course!

3. Make Chrome Your Internet Browser

Speaking of Google Translate (tip #1) and checking local restaurant hours (tip #2), you can set up Chrome to automatically use Google Translate on websites in foreign languages. This makes checking hours and browsing menus a breeze. Here’s how it works:

• Use Chrome as your internet browser. I am a die-hard Safari fan, but I happily give it up for Chrome when browsing websites in other languages.
• Open “Settings”.
• Click “Languages”.
• Under “Preferred languages,” turn “Use Google Translate” on.

Watch the magic happen and be amazed! You can see hours, menus, and announcements regarding closures, all in English or your preferred language.

5. Carry a Celiac Dining Card

I carry these cards with me whenever I travel internationally. They are helpful in English, but absolutely essential if you are traveling to a foreign country where you and your travel buddies don’t speak the language fluently.

A good celiac dining card will explain that you have celiac disease and can’t eat gluten, what foods contain gluten, and the importance of avoiding cross-contamination.

I recommend getting the card in the language you need and in English, so you understand what it says.

Laminating the card and/or bringing several copies is a good idea. Sometimes the restaurant staff is incredibly knowledgeable and reassuring about celiac disease. In those cases, you may feel comfortable just sharing the celiac dining card with your server. Other times, you will want the card to get to the chef. It’s nice to have a backup if it gets lost or damaged after a few kitchen trips.

• Gluten Free Card is free and is currently available in about 10 languages. These cards are excellent. They cover all the bases. Gluten Free Card is also available in a free app. Just show your phone to the server. Again, because I prefer to send the card to the kitchen, I print out the cards rather than use the app. They fold to the size of a credit card.
• Celiac Travel offers free (donations accepted) Gluten-Free Restaurant Cards for Celiacs/Coeliacs in an extensive collection of 63 languages.
• If you have multiple dietary restrictions, I recommend Equal Eats food allergy cards . Equal Eats cards are available for purchase and can be customed to include celiac disease, along with other food allergies.
• Legal Nomads also offers celiac dining cards in nearly 20 languages for purchase. The English version is free. These dining cards are made by a celiac for celiacs, and thoroughly, politely, and firmly cover issues like cross-contamination and the importance of your food being gluten-free.

While all of the cards mentioned are designed for celiac diners, they are suitable for anyone needing a strict gluten-free diet.

6. Learn a Few Key Phrases

The celiac dining card will do the heavy lifting. Still, a smile and a few key phrases go a long way.

In Spanish, try: ¡Buenos días! Tengo la enfermedad celíaca. No puedo comer gluten. (Good morning! I have celiac disease. I cannot eat gluten.)

If you’re feeling confident, it’s a good idea to add: “… ni contaminación de gluten.” (nor gluten contamination)

Or if all you can muster is a friendly “Guten morgen!” or sing-song “Buona sera!” start there and add on more as your trip goes on.

7. Get the Find Me Gluten Free App

I particularly love the Find Me Gluten Fre App App for travel at home and abroad. It’s a popular app in the gluten-free community. You will be thrilled to know that it has been updated by gluten-free diners with reviews of restaurants throughout much of Europe.

Find Me Gluten Free is crowd-sourced, meaning the information is only as reliable as the gluten-free diners posting the reviews. So read the reviews carefully.

The free version allows you to filter your search for dedicated gluten-free restaurants, which are always the safest bet. As in the United States, you will notice more dedicated gluten-free restaurants in major cities. They are sometimes in smaller towns, but definitely few and far between outside metropolitan areas.

The premium version of the Find Me Gluten Free App allows you to filter restaurants by most celiac friendly per the reviews. This can be especially helpful when you find yourself in locations without a lot of dedicated gluten-free restaurants. When using the premium version, you can also save restaurants to Collections, which is useful when planning your trip and referencing later once you are at your destination. Use the code GOGLUTENFREELY for $5 off the premium version of Find Me Gluten Free .

8. Visit Your Host-Country’s Celiac Association Website

The Association of European Coeliac Societies maintains a list of celiac associations throughout Europe.

The offerings vary widely by country. Some list baking schools, activities, and camps for members. Some associations vet and train restaurants throughout the country, like Coeliac UK’s Gluten Free Accredited Venues . Others simply cover the basics of celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. It’s worth a look before you hit the road.

One of the best sources of celiac-safe restaurants in Europe is the AIC App from the Associazione Italiana Celiachia, which vets restaurants throughout Italy. I discuss this particular app, which I consider essential for traveling to Italy, in this post on 10 Tips to Enjoy Gluten-Free Italy .

9. Understand European Labeling Laws

In the UK and the Europe Union, cereals containing gluten, including wheat, rye, barley, oats, and hybrids must be declared on the label. Not only declared, but they must also be in bold. There are no hidden gluten ingredients. Please note that cross-contamination is still possible.

Regarding labeling a product gluten-free, in the European Union, the product must contain no more than 20 ppm (parts per million) to carry a gluten-free claim.

10. Recognize the Cross-Grain Symbol

For added reassurance, look for the cross-grain symbol.

Many of the country-specific members of the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) license gluten-free food throughout their countries. They will carry the cross-grain symbol on the packaging and meet strict AOECS standards . Over 23,000 products have been licensed to date.

The cross-grain symbol cannot be placed on a single-ingredient product that has not been processed. You will not see it on an apple, for example.

11. Pack Plenty of Travel Snacks

Nothing ruins a travel day like being hangry. Whether traveling by plane, train, or automobile, it may be difficult to readily access gluten-free food on the road. Being prepared with emergency snacks will help your travel days go smoothly.

Sadly, more than once, I have had my pre-ordered gluten-free airplane meal magically turn into a kosher meal or come with a “contains wheat” roll on top. Pack snacks for just such fiascos.

Simple Mills seed crackers , cheese, fruit, veggies, baked goods, pre-made sandwiches, meat sticks , and protein bars are filling choices.

It’s really important to my daughter, Miss E, to get a hot meal on a long flight. Her emergency food supply includes gluten-free Ramen in a cup . Flight attendants have always been happy to get her hot water, and she’s happy to have safe food that she considers a decent meal.

Keep in mind that many of the items on my snack list can not travel internationally. You can take them on the plane, but when you arrive or connect, you will have to toss fruits and vegetables (and often meat and cheese). For the “must-toss” items, I only pack what I need.

For other items, like crackers, protein bars, and Miss E’s ramen cups, we bring extra to hold us over until we hit a grocery store and for the flight home. If you never need them on the trip, they can tour Europe with you before heading back to your pantry at home.

12. Visit Local Grocery Stores

When sightseeing, take a quick break to pop in local grocery stores. You will likely find gluten-free treats specific to the country you are visiting. Treats you cannot buy at home. A duffle bag of gluten-free goodies makes the best souvenir!

Schar is popular in Europe and offers unique varieties of bread like its kaiser roll in Germany or rosette roll in Italy. I have found eaten different varieties of Schar hazelnut chocolate in Greece and Germany that were both amazing !

Just like home, grocery stores are the perfect place to find seasonal specialties. German zimtsterne (almond/hazelnut flour star-shaped cookies) were for sale at the Christmas Markets, but the gluten-free-ness of the traditional zimtsterne was questionable. Grocery stores sold safely labeled gluten-free zimtsterne, so Miss E and I could enjoy the traditional, Christmas treat.

In Italy, even better than a visit to the supermarket is stopping by a pharmacy , where you will find a wide selection of gluten-free pre-packaged products. The Italians know that good gluten-free food is medicine for celiacs.

13. Pack a Picnic

Use those grocery store trips to gather food for a picnic.

This is simply good travel advice, whether gluten-free or not.

Rick Steves, the European travel guru, recommends picnics as a way to save money, eat fresh, local food, save time by occasionally skipping lengthy restaurant meals, and enjoy a break on a castle wall or during a mountain hike.

Use pre-packaged food from home or special gluten-free foods from your destination, together with meat, cheese, and fresh fruit for a wonderful picnic. Or grab a sandwich from a gluten-free bakery!

14. Consider Renting a Vacation Home

In some big cities, like London, Rome, and Budapest , you may be perfectly content dining primarily in restaurants. However, as you venture into smaller towns, the dining options can become more limited. And some countries are less aware than others of celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

Get my free Vacation Meal Planner to stay organized with easy meals:

Vacation Rental Gluten-Free Meal Planner

• Celiac Travel Kit List
• Easy Meal & Snack Ideas
• Sample 8-day Meal Plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
• Sample Grocery List
• 7-Day Vacation Meal Planner
• Grocery List Planner
• Weekend Getaway Meal Planner

In locations with limited gluten-free bakeries and restaurants, a Vacation Rental is an excellent choice.

You can make simple breakfasts with yogurt, gluten-free bread, meat, cheese, or cereal. Yogurt with honey and matcha is my go-to travel breakfast.

Picnic lunches are easy to prepare when you have access to a small kitchen. Round it all out with sheet pan dinners , ideal for making quick, easy, gluten-free meals at the end of a busy day of sightseeing.

You’ve got this! Being gluten-free will not stop your dream vacation.

Bon Voyage!

Related Posts

• Gluten-Free Guide to Budapest
• Gluten-Free Travel Report: Greece
• Gluten-free Guide: Amalfi Coast & Bay of Naples, Italy

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By Roxanne Bracknell

By Roxanne Bracknell • June 22, 2018

The Top 10 Food Cities for Gluten-Free Diets

Journal of gluten sensitivity summer 2018 issue.

Celiac.com 06/22/2018 - The rise of food allergies means that many people are avoiding gluten in recent times. In fact, the number of Americans who have stopped eating gluten has tripled in eight years between 2009 and 2017.

Whatever your rationale for avoiding gluten, whether its celiac disease, a sensitivity to the protein, or any other reason, it can be really hard to find suitable places to eat out. When you’re on holiday in a new and unknown environment, this can be near impossible. As awareness of celiac disease grows around the world, however, more and more cities are opening their doors to gluten-free lifestyles, none more so than the 10 locations on the list below.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12): Perhaps unsurprisingly, the U.S is a hotbed of gluten-free options, with five cities making the top 10. Chicago, in particular, is a real haven of gluten-free fare, with 240 celiac-safe eateries throughout this huge city. The super hip city of Portland also ranks highly on this list, with the capital of counterculture rich in gluten-free cuisine, with San Francisco and Denver also included. Outside of the states, several prominent European capitals also rank very highly on the list, including Prague, the picturesque and historic capital of the Czech Republic, which boasts the best-reviewed restaurants on this list.

The Irish capital of Dublin, meanwhile, has the most gluten-free establishments, with a huge 330 to choose from, while Amsterdam and Barcelona also feature prominently thanks to their variety of top-notch gluten-free fodder.

Finally, a special mention must go to Auckland, the sole representative of Australasia in this list, with the largest city in New Zealand rounding out the top 10 thanks to its 180 coeliacsafe eateries.

The full top ten gluten-free cities are shown in the graphic below (Image Below:   https://www.travelsupermarket.com/en-gb/holidays/gluten-free-cities/ ):

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A very interesting post, tried cornucopia at Dublin and Hog Heaven cafe at Auckland. Planning to travel to Chicago soon, your article will come in useful then. Going gluten free has made my life a whole lot pleasant.

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Roxanne is writer and avid traveller with a hunger for life. She spends her spare time cooking up gluten-free delights with her daughter and partner in crime!

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8 meal kits we love with dairy-free options

Skip the milk with these meal kit delivery services.

Updated June 21, 2024

Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

One of the perks to using a meal kit is that you won't have to decide what to make after a long day or drive to the grocery store at the last minute. We can all use a little help when it comes to reducing how many decisions we make each day, which is where a meal subscription really shines.

We've rounded up meal services that provide a stress-free alternative to reading the ingredients on everything at the store so you can order meals that work with your dietary needs. You can have your dairy-free meals and enjoy them too!

1. Purple Carrot

Purple Carrot is a leading plant-based meal kit delivery service that excelled in our testing.

It can be difficult—not to mention time-consuming—to find vegan meals that also meet other dietary restrictions, whether it be high-protein or gluten-free; but Purple Carrot does the hard work to create meal kits and prepared meals that are yummy and align with all your needs.

Another perk is that the company encourages sustainability through eco-friendly packaging and responsibly sourced ingredients, and you can still shop from brands you recognize. Purple Carrot also offers prepared meals, snacks, and aptly named "Plantry" items that allow you to get grocery shopping and meal ordering done all on one site.

2. HelloFresh

HelloFresh ensures convenient and delicious meals for those avoiding dairy.

Our pick for the best meal kit delivery service, HelloFresh provides flexible meal kit delivery with a variety of dairy-free options. While not exclusively dairy-free, the service allows customers to customize their meal plans to accommodate their dietary needs.

Every week, HelloFresh offers a rotating menu with clearly labeled recipes—keeping things, well, fresh—including dairy-free choices. With easy-to-follow instructions and pre-portioned ingredients, HelloFresh is a no-brainer for dairy-free folks.

If you’re looking for fully prepared meals, Thistle might be the dairy-free meal service for you.

There are new meals to select from each week, keeping your options fresh. Most importantly, thanks to dairy alternatives like coconut cream, nut cheeses, and dressings, you can eat dairy-free and still enjoy flavorful meals.

4. Green Chef

Green Chef provides organic meal kits with options for various dietary preferences, including a plant-based option.

The service emphasizes organic ingredients and sustainable practices, ensuring that each meal is both healthy and environmentally friendly. By the time your food gets to you, Green Chef's easy-to-follow recipes and pre-portioned ingredients make preparing your dairy-free meals easy.

5. Hungryroot

Hungryroot is a grocery and meal delivery service that specializes in healthy and whole-food ingredients.

In addition to pre-planned meals, Hungryroot allows you to shop for groceries, snacks, pantry staples, and condiments—some of which can be hard to find dairy-free at your local grocer. With over 8,000 dairy-free recipes, it's a convenient way to meal plan and restock your kitchen all at once while accommodating you or your family's dietary restrictions.

6. Blue Apron

Blue Apron is one of the largest meal kit delivery services, with options for everyone.

Menus are posted nearly a month in advance, and the Blue Apron website lists all ingredients for each menu, which makes planning accurately and ahead of time a breeze. It's worth noting, however, that Blue Apron prepares food in facilities that also process dairy and nuts, so it may not be suitable for those with severe dairy allergies.

7. Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest specializes in plant-based, dairy-free frozen meals and snacks made from high-quality, organic ingredients.

The majority of Daily Harvest's ingredients come from certified organic farms, and the company avoids "synthetic pesticides and fertilizers so they stay out of our soil, food, and water." Customers can buy items individually or in bulk for discounts, and some grocery stores even carry Daily Harvest items if you need them in a pinch.

Factor is a pre-made meal delivery service with dietitian-designed meals, including dairy-free options.

Factor's meals are also free from hormones, antibiotics, refined sugars, and GMOs, and many are gluten-free. Factor also provides nutrition coaching through its website if you're looking for additional support with meal planning, weight loss, or adapting to a new diet.

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Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance Companies

• Best Overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance
• Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

Best Overall Travel Insurance

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review .

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review .

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

Aig travel guard.

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review .

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Best Travel Insurance for Reputation

C&f travel insured.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review . 

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Tin leg travel insurance.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

Worldtrips travel insurance.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

Best Travel Insurance for Affordability

Trawick international travel insurance.

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips

Travelex travel insurance.

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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What is the healthiest bread? Dietitians share their favorites

Bread is a simple staple food that can provide a ton of nutrients — especially fiber and protein — if you choose the right kind. So what's the healthiest bread you can buy? There are a few key factors to look for when shopping for bread, dietitians say.

Foods rich in carbohydrates, like bread and pasta , have been unfairly maligned in recent years. While you may want to track or limit the carbohydrates you're eating depending on your health goals, experts tell TODAY.com, we all need carbs to keep our bodies functioning properly. And bread can be a healthy way to get those essential carbohydrates.

"I joke all the time that I'm a carb crusader — and I'm a huge fan of bread," says Caroline Susie, a registered dietitian based in Dallas.

Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients the body needs and a major source of energy. Most healthy adults should aim to get around half of their daily calories from carbs, Theresa Gentile, a registered dietitian in New York City and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com.

In addition to carbohydrates, bread can be a plentiful source of fiber , protein and essential vitamins and minerals, says Susie, who is also a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A single serving of bread, which is usually just one slice, can contain 3 grams of fiber or more, she says.

And it's not just about the bread. A hearty sandwich bread or perfectly toasted slice "can be a vehicle for so many other foods," Susie says. Think about meeting your protein goals with hummus, peanut butter or tuna salad on a piece of toast. Or maybe you pile a ton of roasted veggies and fresh mozzarella into a sandwich at lunchtime.

“There are so many nutritious foods that people probably wouldn’t eat if (they didn’t) put it on bread,” Gentile says.

That said, "You still want to put on your nutrition hat and be smart about what you're searching for (in bread)," Susie says. When you're trying to buy the healthiest bread for your individual nutrition goals, it pays to take a good look at the label.

What to look for in a healthy bread

Generally, it's a good idea to look for whole-grain bread, the experts say, which is made with flour containing the entire wheat kernel.

There are three parts of the kernel: the bran, germ and endosperm, the U.S. Department of Agriculture explains.

Whole-grain bread contains all three and, therefore, naturally comes with a good helping of fiber, protein, vitamins and antioxidants. Thanks to all those nutrients, whole grains support gut, brain and heart health and are a major piece of the top-rated Mediterranean , DASH and MIND diets .

On the other hand, bread that's made from refined flour — white bread — only contains the endosperm. And it loses a hefty dose of nutrients in the refining process that removes the other pieces.

Enriched white bread is bread that's had some of those vitamins and nutrients added back into the final product, Gentile explains. And multi-grain breads contain a combination of whole-grain and refined flours, she adds.

But the experts generally recommend opting for whole-grain breads that naturally contain all parts of the kernel and, therefore, don't need to go through that extra processing.

There are different types of whole-grain bread available, such as whole wheat, sprouted grain, and whole-grain bread made with gluten-free grains, such as millet or oats.

When you're shopping for healthy whole-grain bread, keep these pointers in mind:

• The first ingredient on the label should be whole-wheat flour or another type of whole-grain flour. It may also appear as "100% whole grain" or "100% whole wheat," the USDA says.
• Opt for a bread with as few grams of added sugar listed on the label as possible.

What is the healthiest type of bread?

Whole-wheat bread.

Whole-wheat bread contains whole-grain flour. That means it will provide the nutrients contained in the entire kernel, including a good amount of gut-healthy fiber, filling protein and energizing carbs.

When looking at the label, make sure it lists "whole-wheat flour" as the first ingredient on the label, Gentile says. Or, better yet, look for a percentage. "Some breads might say '100% whole wheat' on the package," she explains. "It probably won't advertise it if it's not 100%." 

Remember that you can't rely on the color of the bread alone to know whether or not it contains whole grains, the USDA says.

That's one reason Susie encourages people to really study the nutrition label and ingredients list when choosing whole-wheat bread. "You need to look and see that the first ingredient (is) whole wheat flour," she says. "What you want to avoid, potentially, is just wheat flour, because (that is) basically white flour."

Sprouted breads

Some people prefer sprouted breads, which contain whole grains that have been allowed to germinate before getting turned into flour, Susie explains.

Like whole-wheat bread, sprouted breads tend to have large amounts of fiber and protein, Susie says. But there's some evidence that the extra germination process increases the bioavailability of some of those nutrients. "You're going to get more bang for your buck with certain vitamins and minerals," Susie says, particularly iron and B vitamins, like folate.

But that's more of a "nice to have" benefit in bread than an essential, Susie says. Sprouted bread can also contain more antioxidants , particularly the plant-based polyphenols, Gentile adds.

Be warned that sprouted breads tend to have a denser texture that may be better suited for toast than a sandwich, Susie says.

Seeded bread

You'll likely find different types of whole-grain bread with added seeds, which add even more nutrients to those products.

"Seeds can be full of good fats," Susie says, and are another way to add fiber and protein. She particularly recommends looking for bread containing flaxseeds and chia seeds , which are packed with nutrients. Experts previously told TODAY.com that pumpkin seeds are some of the healthiest seeds due to their high fiber, protein, zinc and magnesium content.

However, any added seeds will change the texture of the bread, Susie notes, which may or may not be to your preferences.

And they can add extra calories, which may be something to keep in mind depending on your goals, Gentile explains. "It does bump up the calories for the bread, possibly significantly," she says.

Gluten-free breads

For those with gluten allergies or sensitivities, gluten-free bread will be the healthiest option.

And, thankfully, you have a lot of options to choose from at the grocery store these days, Susie says. Many gluten-free breads are made with alternate starches, like corn, chickpea, oat, millet or rice flour.

Those alternate flours tend to provide less fiber than whole-grain flour, Gentile notes. And, because gluten is what gives bread its characteristic spongy texture, gluten-free bread may be a bit crumblier than other types, Susie explains.

Gluten-free bread can also be made with almond flour , which provides some extra protein and healthy fats, Gentile says.

Additionally, sourdough bread naturally contains less gluten than other types of bread because gluten gets broken down during the bread-making process, Gentile explains. So it may be another good option if you're sensitive to gluten. But sourdough bread is not entirely gluten-free, so people with gluten allergies should steer clear.

What's the healthiest bread you can buy?

When Consumer Reports looked at 56 breads on the market to find the healthiest options, it generally opted for breads that are made with whole grains and low on added sugar and sodium. Breads that have added nuts and seeds provide bonus protein and healthy fats, the publication said.

The healthiest breads, according to Consumer Reports , include:

• Food For Life Organic Flourless Sprouted Grain Ezekiel 4:9
• Food For Life Organic Flourless 7 Sprouted Grains
• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ancient Grains
• Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat
• Dave's Killer Bread Organic Powerseed

No matter what type of bread you choose, remember that carbohydrates are not the enemy. “People demonize carbs and are so scared of them,” Susie says. “It’s wonderful to remind people that you can absolutely enjoy these foods — and they’re very much good for you.”

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Gluten Free Amsterdam: Complete Travel Guide for Celiacs

I, Matt – the resident Celiac here at Wheatless Wanderlust – have been to Amsterdam three different times now, and on my last trip I spent a week in the Dutch capital learning about Dutch history and the unique culture in Amsterdam and exploring the gluten free food scene. 

Now, I basically travel and eat gluten free food for a living these days, and I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of whether or not a city is going to be a good gluten free food city well before my flight takes off. 

Generally speaking, it comes down to whether or not many of the key dishes and ingredients in a given place are naturally gluten free (with some notable exceptions, like Italy ). 

Unfortunately, there is one specific thing about Amsterdam’s food culture that make it fairly tough to navigate gluten free: the main staples are generally fried – like bitterballen, apple pie, and croquettes. Which means many things are either off limits or suffering from cross-contact in a shared fryer. 

However, the good news is that Amsterdam is a big city where more than 30% of the population has come from somewhere else to settle here (I’m writing this guide while I’m in Amsterdam!), and there are almost always some good options in big cities because of the sheer volume of places to eat. 

Is Amsterdam the best gluten free city in the world? No, and it’s not even close to cracking our top gluten free travel destinations . Are there some worthwhile gluten free spots in Amsterdam? Absolutely. And we’re here to help you find them. 

In this guide to eating gluten free in Amsterdam, we’ll go through our picks for the best gluten free restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops, and more. 

As an added bonus, many of the places featured in this guide are dedicated gluten free, which makes them safer for Celiacs (like Matt), AND we’ve personally eaten at almost every single place on this list. 

Our intention here is that, by the end of this guide, you’ll have a list of potential safe gluten free restaurants and bakeries in Amsterdam to hit during your time exploring the city. 

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Things to Know About Navigating Amsterdam Gluten Free

Here are a few things to know about navigating Amsterdam with Celiac Disease or a gluten sensitivity. 

Do You Need a Gluten Free Restaurant Card in Amsterdam? I personally always travel with a gluten free restaurant card when I don’t speak the language (Dutch is HARD), and this trip was no different – I packed my Dutch gluten free card from Legal Nomads (my card purveyor of choice) in my backpack, and I used it exactly ZERO times on my trip.

The reason? There are two.

One, everyone in Amsterdam speaks great English, for the most part.

Two, I never really got into a situation where I needed to communicate my needs in the moment because I already had done the research to create a restaurant list that I felt good about prior to my trip.

However, for peace of mind, I still spent the $9 to have a backup plan in case I ran into a situation where I was having trouble communicating. 

Watch out for gluten free beer (which is actually gluten-reduced, if you’re American). I am always flabbergasted by this one, because typically I think of the E.U. as having better regulations around labeling. However, apparently gluten free beer is the exception here.

I remember sitting at a beer bar on my very first trip to Amsterdam with my little brother and ordering a gluten free beer, excited to be there and have a safe option. Until it showed up and right there on the ingredient list was “barley.” So Connor got two beers that day, and I got none. 

Every single “gluten free” beer I’ve seen in the Netherlands is actually what we Americans know as “gluten reduced,” which means it’s brewed with barley and then an enzyme is used to break down the gluten.

I’m not going to legislate whether this is safe for Celiacs here (I don’t believe it’s safe), but you can read this piece by Gluten Free Watchdog (who is way smarter than me) and make your own decision. 

Our Favorite Gluten Free Restaurants and Bakeries in Amsterdam

And now, on to the restaurants and bakeries themselves!

Over the years, we’ve realized that it’s important to us to prioritize supporting the businesses that support the Celiac community. And that means doing our best to make it to every single dedicated gluten free restaurant and bakery in a city to include it in our guides. 

In this case, Matt did it (with one exception)! 

Generally speaking, I’m not someone who is going to wait until I show up to a restaurant to spring my questions on them and expect them to be able to serve me UNLESS it’s a place that gets great reviews from other people in the gluten free community. 

I use a combination of Google Maps, Instagram, and Findmeglutenfree to find restaurants that have been recommended by other Celiacs, and I go from there. 

A couple of rules for me: I don’t do pizza places or bakeries that are mixed, because I have recently gotten into baking bread and making pizza at home and flour ends up EVERYWHERE. It must be impossible to keep them separate in a normal kitchen unless you have a completely separate prep area and oven, which most places just don’t have. 

There are a couple of pizza places in Amsterdam that get good reviews from gluten free people – De Italiian and Loulou Pizzabar – but I did not go to either for the aforementioned reason. 

At the end of the guide, we’ll include a handy map of these gluten free Amsterdam restaurants and bakeries so that you can visualize how it all fits together and make plans for your specific trip. 

Craft Coffee and Pastry (Dedicated Gluten Free)

As I covered above, I came to Amsterdam in the spring of 2024 for what was easily the longest time I’ve ever spent exploring the city (a full 10 days, split over two legs at the beginning and end of a three week European adventure). 

I was absolutely devastated – and that is an accurate word to use here – that Craft Coffee and Pastry was closed for my first stint in Amsterdam. 

So when I returned to Amsterdam a couple of weeks later, after two weeks of stuffing my face full of all sorts of gluten free food, Craft Coffee and Pastry was quite literally my first stop. 

The first thing you should know about this gluten free bakery is that there is almost certainly going to be a line, particularly if you’re here on a weekend. 

I happened to show up 15 minutes before they opened, and found a small line already starting to form. By the time they actually opened their doors, it was probably 50 people long. 

Craft Coffee and Pastry is the best gluten free bakery in Amsterdam, and I don’t think it’s close. They have a range of pastries – including multiple types of croissants with various fillings (my favorites were almond, ham and cheese, and chocolate, in that order), some other nice sweet treats, and a bunch of different types of bread. 

Now, you can order in advance on their website for pickup to ensure that you get the baked goods that you want. HOWEVER, it is worth noting that you will need to wait in that long line even if you’re just picking up your goodies . 

I wanted to make sure to include this tidbit because I saw this happen to a woman who showed up when they told her to show up for pickup only to find that she would have to wait in that long line. 

Croque Madame (Dedicated Gluten Free)

I would say that I had fairly mixed opinions on this place, which is essentially in the Red Light District and is one of the best options in Central Amsterdam for a Celiac-safe lunch. 

Croque Madame is a cozy little cafe with a small seating area in the back, and they basically serve four things: toasts (open faced sandwiches), sandwiches, burgers, and baked goods.

On the one hand, I really appreciate the fact that it’s dedicated gluten free, which is a rarity in Amsterdam. 

On the other hand, I didn’t think the food was good (although I should say that I did enjoy the baked goods!). 

I hesitate to even write something like this about a dedicated gluten free small business because I know, after years of doing this and asking questions and connecting with gluten free restaurant owners, it’s a tough business. 

But on the other hand, I also think that my role as a writer is to help you figure out where to spend your hard earned money (and arguably more importantly, time) on your trip. Which means telling you what I really think about the food options at any given place. 

Despite a relatively poor experience on my first trip, when I had an aggressively mediocre burger (perhaps the most aggressively mediocre burger I’ve ever had), I returned a second time to see if it was a fluke, or if I ordered the wrong thing, or if there was some other reason that it didn’t go great on that first trip. 

Nope, the sandwich I got on the second trip was equally disappointing. It was basically a baguette stuffed with a LOT of vaguely truffle-flavored mayo, some cheese, and a few slices of tomato and cucumber. 

It also takes forever, which makes sense considering it’s a tiny kitchen and only a few staff. But it’s relevant because you shouldn’t come here in a hurry. It took ~20-30 minutes both times I ate here, which is wild to me considering it’s mostly sandwiches. 

In summary, I’d say it’s nice to have a safe gluten free option in central Amsterdam (especially for lunch), and if you’re in need of a meal while you’re out and about in that part of the city, this is a solid option. But I probably wouldn’t recommend making a detour to make sure to eat here. 

Miuz Gelato (Dedicated Gluten Free)

You know who loves a good 100% gluten free gelato shop where you don’t have to sheepishly ask if they’ll use a new scoop and scoop from a new tub in the back while there’s a line of a hundred people behind you wondering who this loser holding up the line is??

But seriously, I am the kind of person who avoids cross-contact at gelato shops by asking for those two things (I’m a regular at an ice cream place near our house that does it all the time with a smile!), and it’s truly a privilege to walk into a place and not have to ask the staff to go the extra mile because everything is already safe! 

I’ve been diagnosed as a Celiac for 15 years or so now, and it still makes me incredibly giddy when it happens.

Anyway, the gelato at Miuz is great. I went here twice on my trip to Amsterdam – once on a cold, rainy day, and once on a warm sunny day – and both times it was the same person (who is one of the owners) serving me, and they were extremely helpful and friendly. 

I even asked about their pistachio flavor – my favorite – and why it’s vegan, and they explained to me that they wanted to highlight the pistachio-ness, and the addition of milk just makes it a little less flavorful to them, so they decided to make it vegan to turn the dial up to 11 on the pistachio-ness. 

The cones are also gluten free, so this is a rare occasion where you get to have your gelato in a cone, too! Another treat that brings a smile to my face every single time it happens. 

Bloem Eten & Drinken (Dedicated Gluten Free)

While it may not be the most convenient location on this list, I do think that Bloem is my favorite place for lunch or dinner in Amsterdam. Which, as I’ve covered, is easily the toughest gluten free meal to find in the city. 

Their kitchen is 100% gluten free, and they are a member of the Dutch Celiac Association (and have been for years). I also appreciate that their kitchen is oat-free, which is a positive in my mind (because oats are complicated for Celiacs). They have an entire page on their website dedicated to talking about allergies and dietary requirements . 

Bloem is up near Artis, about 10-15 minutes east of Amsterdam Centraal near the zoo. It’s a 100% gluten free and vegan cafe, and I walked in very jet lagged and craving vegetables on my second day in the city. I chose a table upstairs with great natural light, and settled in for a lovely lunch. 

I started with the simple but delicious pumpkin soup – which is served with a seedy sourdough bread that I really liked, and finished with the eggplant sandwich – the tomato chutney and lime sauce combination really blew my mind. Keep in mind that the sandwiches are almost open-faced – it’s not a sandwich that you’ll be able to pick up and eat. 

I enjoyed my lunch so much that I decided to prioritize a return for dinner a few days later. Their dinner menu is similar, but has a 3 course option that I was interested in. 

When I returned for dinner, they had a three course menu available with a few choices for each course (including dessert). 

I really enjoyed the buckwheat blinis (little pancakes topped with kimchi and a sauce that I wish I could put on EVERYTHING) and the falafel.

Wild & the Moon (Dedicated Gluten Free)

I am familiar with Wild & the Moon from Paris, where they have a couple of locations, and generally feel like they lean a little more “trendy” (for lack of a better word – they have all sorts of juices and acai bowls) than I generally go for. 

However, everything they make is gluten free and plant-based, which we are very much into since we don’t eat a whole lot of meat or dairy (except cheese!) these days. 

One sunny afternoon I accidentally walked past their location near De Pijp and decided to stop in for my favorite thing on their menu from previous visits; their vegetarian banh mi. 

And, to be honest, it was really good. While it’s not a real banh mi in the sense that the ingredients they use are things you’d never find in a traditional Vietnamese spot, it tastes good, the bread is good, and the sauce that they put on it is magic. 

The thing that I don’t like about Wild & the Moon is the pricetag. That banh mi costs €11.90, which is egregious considering it’s not particularly big. But good ingredients are always going to cost a little extra, I suppose!

Rose & Vanilla (Dedicated Gluten Free)

Rose and Vanilla is a gluten free bakery – more accurately, a gluten free cake shop – in Oud-Zuid, out near Vondelpark and Museumplein. 

I went here twice – once on my first stint (it was literally my first gluten free stop in Amsterdam) and once on my second stint. 

Both times, I was really impressed by the service. Someone greeted me and stepped out from behind the counter to walk me through the bounty in their pastry case, answering my questions about dairy-free options (most – but not all – of their products are dairy-free) and their use of gluten free oats (they do use them sometimes, and they have ingredient lists in a binder behind the counter). 

They also have their ingredients listed on their website, if you want to take a look in advance. 

I actually didn’t realize that you could use oats in products in the Netherlands and call them gluten free, so I didn’t think to ask about it on my first visit (though I did ask about it on my second, and the oats they use are certified gluten free). 

Generally, I avoid oats because they’re kind of a complicated mess, which means (sadly) the plant-based cheesecakes they have are out for me on future visits (the mango yuzu cheesecake is great, though, if you don’t care about oats!). 

Sue Bites Bar (Dedicated Gluten Free)

Sue Bites Bar is a gluten free bakery that is also vegan and refined sugar free (which just means they use a source of sweetness that is not just sugar, it DOES NOT mean there is no sugar in their products). 

They make cute little layered squares in various flavors like white chocolate cheesecake, salted caramel, and tiramisu. 

If we’re being completely honest here – and I do try to be completely honest so that you don’t go spend the money on gluten free treats that are going to be disappointing – I did not enjoy their products. But I’m also not the target audience for them – give me all the refined sugar (it’s the reason I play a lot of soccer – so I can eat more). 

I even went back a second time to make sure it wasn’t just the flavors I chose on the first try! Turns out, after five flavors tried, I can confidently say that it just isn’t my thing. 

The reason to come here is if your dietary restrictions include avoiding refined sugar. As you might imagine, the particular set of dietary restrictions here also comes with a hefty price tag.

Restaurant Olijfje

Restaurant Olijfje was the nicest dinner I ate in Amsterdam, and it’s also the most expensive meal I ate in Amsterdam by quite a bit. 

The first thing to keep in mind here is that, while they DO have gluten free bread and they will gladly bring it to you (for a fee), the first basket of bread they bring you WILL NOT BE GLUTEN FREE. 

Despite telling the server that I have Celiac Disease and need to eat gluten free (and being solo), they still brought me a basket of bread. Thinking I had somehow made a mistake and actually ordered the gluten free bread, I asked “is this gluten free?” and the server responded with “no, do you want gluten free bread?” 

I just told them that I didn’t want or need the bread they had brought, and they took it away (looking very confused). 

Anyway, the menu here is clearly marked, and when I asked about shared fryers they were able to answer my questions (on the second try, the first try got lost in translation). A vast majority of the menu is gluten free, and I personally didn’t see any issues with things being marked gluten free but not safe for Celiacs based on my questions. 

I had the stuffed eggplant with yogurt to start, and it was great. Smoky, tomatoey, and the yogurt is a nice topping. 

Then I had the Hünkar Beğendi, a rich stew made with eggplant, onion, and cheese topped with tender lamb, and I think it was my favorite thing I ate in Amsterdam. Even the rice was amazing (it was clearly doused in butter, but it was delicious!). 

I would have definitely overlooked that particular dish, but the server said if I liked cheese (I do) it would be a good choice, so I went for it. 

Make a reservation if you can – even on a Monday evening, there was a wait. 

Tapi ‘n Bowls

I love a good tapioca crepe, which are naturally gluten free! It’s a food group that we discovered on our travels, and since then we regularly Google things like “tapioca crepe X city” when we’re on the road to find them (we’ve recently found them in Montreal and Barcelona).

Tapi ‘n Bowls is the spot in Amsterdam to get these Brazilian babies. 

It’s kind of like an arepa (or a taco, or a sandwich – every culture has something like it!) where you have a tapioca crepe on the outside, which is made from little pearls of tapioca cooked on a hot grill, and stuffed with your choice of fillings. 

When I was in Amsterdam, they were closed for dine-in because they were in the midst of a renovation of their space, but they were open for delivery, which I snagged for lunch one day. 

I got the chicken and cheese and, of course, an order of their pao de queijo – which is basically cheese bread, also made with tapioca, that we also love (and make fairly regularly at home). 

They also have bowls, but I’m less interested in those (plus, the granola contains oats). 

Gluten Free French Fry Spots (Four Good Options)

If you spend a day walking around Amsterdam, you’re sure to stumble upon a place selling a cone of french fries. 

Now, it is absolutely worth noting that, while I asked about their fryers and watched each of these places for a good long while deciding what the risk level was (mostly for myself), cross-contact is certainly possible in these tiny kitchens that are also frying croquettes. 

However, if you watch them work, you’ll notice that there is a completely separate fryer area with big wide vats (they almost look like copper woks, in some cases) where the fries are fried, then they’re taken out of the fryer and put onto a tray (or similar) where they’re scooped into cones or containers, topped with sauce, and handed to the customer. 

The croquettes are in a different (but nearby) part of the kitchen and ARE NOT GLUTEN FREE. 

I made the decision to indulge in these specific places, and you’ll need to evaluate the risk and make that decision for yourself. 

It is worth noting that Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx does one thing, and one thing only; fries . So the risk of cross-contact is much lower there (they do have sauces that contain gluten, which the staff can help you with). 

Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx : A nondescript little window on a narrow street just off of Koningsplein in Amsterdam’s historic center, they only serve fries here, so you don’t even have to worry about cross-contact in the fryers. They do have sauces that contain gluten, so you’ll want to ask the staff to help you. 

Fabel Friet : Apparently this shop in the Grachtengordel (the Canal Belt) got famous through Tik Tok (I wouldn’t know – the app sees the gray hair in my beard and sideburns and says “nope” when I try to open it), but I found it because of the fact that it gets good gluten free reviews. They do both fries and croquettes, but after watching through the window for a solid 10 minutes, I felt good about the fact that the fryers are suitably separate. But the real star here are the toppings! You can get them topped with shaved cheese (parmesan or cheddar) and sauce (truffle mayo was the star). It’s a popular spot, but it’s worth the wait if the line is relatively short (peak time is 3-4pm). Get the fries, parmesan, and truffle mayo and thank me later. 

Manneken Pis: I’m familiar with this name because there’s a statue in Brussels of a young boy peeing with the same name. This spot (there are actually two of them in Amsterdam’s Centrum) does Flemish-style fries and croquettes, and they have a helpful allergen menu on their website that tells you which sauces are gluten free. Same deal here – I watched them make food for a while to see how they handle the fries vs. croquettes, and felt good after seeing they have a very similar setup to the other spots here. 

Heertje Friet: The last of the spots I visited, they also have a useful allergen menu on their website which lists the sauces and which ones contain gluten (the fry sauce DOES contain gluten). They also have croquettes and bitterballen, all of which contain gluten but are fried in a separate part of the small kitchen. 

Other Restaurants in Amsterdam with Gluten Free Options 

Think of this as a section of places that showed up in my research, but I didn’t personally eat at while I was in Amsterdam for whatever reason. 

Because Amsterdam is a big city, there are way too many gluten free restaurants to visit in a single trip. 

Or, in this case, even in three trips that span more than two weeks in total. 

So I’m going to use this section as a place to house other recommendations I’ve gotten (or found myself) for gluten free restaurants in Amsterdam that I haven’t personally made it to yet, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t!

Plus, that will make it easy for me next time I’m in Amsterdam, because I’ll have my “must-do” list in one place.

De Glutenvrije Winkel : I tried to go here on my latest trip, but they unexpectedly changed their hours at the beginning of a week that included a bank holiday, and ended up being closed the entire week that I was there. Sad! It’s a dedicated gluten free grocery store AND bakery, and though it’s a bit far out, it’s relatively easy to reach on the tram. This is a good spot to get gluten free bread, which they make fresh almost daily.

Café Piazza : I ate here on one of my previous trips, but not this one. This feels very much like eating gluten free in Italy, where their Celiac Association guides restaurants with different processes to ensure gluten free meals are prepped and served separately to be safe for Celiacs (like different colored plates and utensils, which this place also uses). They have an entire page on their website dedicated to their gluten free menu, and have gluten free pasta (multiple types!), but don’t have gluten free pizza. 

Gluten Free Amsterdam, Mapped

As promised, here is a map of all of the restaurants and bakeries listed in this guide so you can visualize where everything is. 

Where to Find Gluten Free Groceries in Amsterdam

If you’re looking for a place to buy gluten free groceries, there are plenty of grocery stores in Amsterdam that fit the bill. 

The most plentiful is going to be Albert Heijn , which is great as far as local grocery stores around the world go. Each of their locations – and I went to several – have a completely separate gluten free section with a variety of products including plenty of Schar (love Schar!). 

Jumbo also typically has a separate gluten free section, and is roughly the same (but less plentiful). 

As I mentioned above, another good option is De Glutenvrije Winkel , which is part gluten free grocery store (as in everything is gluten free), part gluten free bakery. But it does require a separate trip, because it’s not in the center.

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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Thank you so much for creating this! We’re going this weekend & will be trying it out!!

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Kim Jong Un and Putin sign mutual defense pact as Russian leader visits North Korea

SEOUL, South Korea — Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a new pact Wednesday that includes a pledge of mutual defense if either is attacked.

The agreement was sealed at a summit in Pyongyang during a rare visit by Putin to the reclusive nuclear-armed state as both countries face growing confrontations with the West.

In a news conference after the summit, Putin said the agreement, which he called “a truly breakthrough document,” reflected the two countries’ shared desire to raise relations to a new level — covering security, trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties.

Kim said it was a peaceful agreement that elevated relations to an alliance.

The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, both of which have been isolated by global sanctions, could expand transfers of military technology to Pyongyang in exchange for supplies of munitions that Moscow’s military badly needs for its war in Ukraine. U.S. officials have told NBC News that such transfers could vastly enhance North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs and threaten the Asia-Pacific region.

Kim, who has been accelerating weapons testing and stoking tensions with U.S. ally South Korea, on Wednesday promised his “full support” for what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

A lavish welcome

Putin visited Wednesday for the first t ime in 24 years as the Kremlin’s forces push for breakthroughs in Ukraine’s east and north while Kyiv’s defenses have been bolstered by new commitments from its own allies.

He arrived at midday for a welcome ceremony at central Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square, which is named after Kim’s grandfather, North Korea’s founder.

Standing before a large crowd of cheering civilians, Putin and Kim greeted officials on a red carpet outside the square’s main building, from which two giant portraits of them stared down. Military bands played the two countries’ national anthems, and children waved balloons and the Russian and North Korean flags.

Kim and Putin then left for summit talks at the Kumsusan Palace.

Talks between the two countries’ delegations lasted for about an hour and a half, followed by one-on-one discussions between Kim and Putin that went for two more hours, Russian state media reported.

The two leaders also exchanged gifts, with Kim receiving a Russian-made Aurus limo — the second one Putin has gi ven him — a tea set and a naval officer’s dagger, according to Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov. Putin’s gifts from Kim included busts and other artwork depicting Putin.

Earlier, Kim was at Pyongyang International Airport to greet Putin early Wednesday, shaking his hand and embracing him, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. He then accompanied Putin in his limousine to the Kumsusan State Guest House, where Putin would be staying.

The agency said that the two leaders “exchanged their pent-up inmost thoughts” during the ride and that their meeting demonstrated the “invincibility and durability” of Russia-North Korea ties.

After they signed the agreement, the text of which was not immediately released, the pair attended a state reception in Pyongyang.

Putin last visited Pyongyang in 2000 to improve ties with Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia’s far east last year offered signs of the deepening relationship.

The agreement Putin and Kim signed Wednesday could “lay the groundwork for arms trade and also facilitate their anti-U.S. and anti-West coalition,” said Lami Kim, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu.

Officials in the West are concerned about weapons and intelligence-sharing that could both help Putin’s army in Ukraine and threaten the U.S. and its allies in Asia.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Russia was trying, “in desperation, to develop and to strengthen relations with countries that can provide it with what it needs to continue the war of aggression that it started against Ukraine.”

He said North Korea had been providing Russia with “significant munitions,” as well as other weapons for use in Ukraine.

U.S. intelligence officials believe Putin is providing North Korea with nuclear submarine and ballistic missile technology in exchange, six senior U.S. officials have told NBC News. The Biden administration, they said, is concerned that Russia might help North Korea complete the final steps needed to field its first submarine able to launch a nuclear-armed missile. 

North Korea and Russia have denied any transfer of arms, which would violate United Nations Security Council resolutions that Russia has supported in the past. 

Russia ended the monitoring of U.N. sanctions against North Korea with a veto in the Security Council this year, which drew accusations that Moscow was avoiding scrutiny and joining China in shielding Kim from consequences for his weapons tests. 

China, which is North Korea’s most important trade partner and is also growing closer to Moscow, has been muted in its response to Putin’s visit to North Korea. On Tuesday, a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said only that it was a bilateral interaction between Russia and North Korea.

The agreement with Moscow may give Pyongyang access to much-needed oil and natural resources for its devastated economy and missile program.

“Their cooperation will further undermine the effectiveness of sanctions,” said Kim, the professor in Honolulu.

It’s also a personal victory for Kim, she said, as “being seen with a world leader like Putin would also be a huge win” for domestic propaganda efforts to elevate him to the cultlike status his father and his grandfather enjoyed.

“There’s economic gains and reputational gains,” she said.

After having left North Korea on Wednesday, Putin is expected to visit Vietnam, which upgraded its relationship with the U.S. during a visit by President Joe Biden last year. 

The U.S. rebuked Vietnam over the visit, with a State Department spokesperson telling NBC News: “No country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities.”

Stella Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea, and Mithil Aggarwal from Hong Kong.

Stella Kim is an NBC News freelance producer based in Seoul.

Mithil Aggarwal is a Hong Kong-based reporter/producer for NBC News.