The Best Gluten-Free and Lactose-Free Bakeries in Rome
Celiachiamo
As someone with food allergies and intolerances, finding sweet treats that I can safely enjoy—especially pastries—can be a real challenge. While I don’t have it myself, I know this struggle is even greater for people with celiac disease. Thankfully, Italy, and Rome in particular, offers incredible options for gluten-free and lactose-free desserts that taste just as amazing as the originals. In this blog post, I’ll share my favourite gluten-free bakeries in Rome, where you can treat yourself with Italian classics like cornetti, cannoli, and biscotti. These spots are not only gluten-free but also cater to those who are lactose intolerant, so everyone can enjoy a taste of Rome without worry!
New Food
Created in 2013, New Food is a gluten- and lactose-free bakery with several locations in Rome. I walked in for the first time thinking it only offered gluten-free options, but when I asked the staff if they had any lactose-free desserts, they made my day by confirming that everything in the bakery is lactose-free as well!
As mentioned, New Food has several locations across Rome. Of the five, Ponte Sisto and Piazza Fiume are the most centrally located, making them convenient stops for travellers. Their flexible opening hours make them even easier to visit, for example, the Ponte Sisto location is open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
What I always notice first about any New Food store is the incredibly kind staff. They often offer samples, such as their delicious gluten-free panettone during the Christmas season, which makes the experience even more welcoming and memorable.
As you can see from the pictures, the treats at New Food look absolutely incredible, and they taste just as good! Their apple strudel is one of my personal favourites. In addition to their pastries and desserts, New Food also offers savory options like gluten-free pizza, making it a versatile stop for a meal or snack.
While New Food is a great place to grab delicious gluten- and lactose-free treats, it’s worth noting that their stores are primarily focused on take-away. There isn’t much seating available, so if you’re looking to sit down and enjoy your treats, you have to be a little creative.
If you have celiac disease, it’s great to know that New Food also has a restaurant! The New Food Experience was created by the owners out of a passion for inclusive cuisine free from common allergens. Located at Via Germanico 190 in the Prati neighbourhood, it’s close to the Vatican and offers a wonderful dining option for those with dietary restrictions.
Celiachiamo
Let’s imagine me, doing research for this article, thinking I have to cross all of Rome to find these gluten-free bakeries, only to discover there’s one just ten minutes from my house. And not just a gluten-free bakery, no, no—Celiachiamo is like heaven for people with food intolerances, allergies, and celiac disease.
While New Food focuses on freshly baked goods, Celiachiamo goes a step further with an entire store. In the Celiachiamo store, you’ll find an enormous selection of gluten-free cookies, pasta, bread—pretty much everything you can think of.
Celiachiamo has five locations across Rome. While most are in residential areas, there’s one in the Prati neighbourhood with a large selection of gluten-free products and baked goods. The one near my house, close to Tiburtina Station, has a smaller selection, but it’s my favourite!
The staff at the Tiburtina location are incredibly kind and passionate about their food. Like New Food, they offer gluten- and lactose-free pizza in addition to sweets. And the sweets—oh my god! Their brownie is so good it’s probably my favourite of all time, even compared to regular gluten-filled ones. Their cornetti are also incredible; the cream-filled one is a chef’s kiss, and I also tried one with blackcurrant that was amazing.
One of the staff even gave me a sticker that said: F** Gluten*! While I don’t have celiac disease, I still deeply appreciate the passion, you know?
The only downside I can think of is that Celiachiamo stores open at 10:00 AM, which is slightly later than other bakeries on this list. However, they make up for it with flexible closing times, staying open until 8 PM or even 9 PM at some locations.
If you want to explore all the Celiachiamo stores, I recommend visiting their website for more details. Just a heads-up, everything on there looks absolutely mouthwatering, so be prepared to crave all their delicious treats!
La Pasticciera
Located between the main train station, Termini, and my home base, Sapienza University, is the charming petit bakery La Pasticciera. Found at Via Varese 43, it’s open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and offers a selection of sweet and savory gluten- and lactose-free treats.
Like the prior bakeries, La Pasticciera is a takeaway spot with no seating. Thankfully, they collaborate with Alei Caffetteria Bar Nicaragua, just two minutes away, where customers can enjoy their baked goods with a coffee order.
As with the other bakeries, the staff is incredibly kind and welcoming. Since I also have a nut allergy, I often need to ask questions, and they’re always happy to help. From their selection, I tried a chocolate cupcake, and it was amazing! How they make their cream so creamy without lactose is a mystery to me—but hey, I’m definitely not complaining!
Napoleoni
The last bakery on this list is Pasticceria Bar Napoleoni, located at Via Appia Nuova 592. Unlike the other bakeries, which are fully dedicated to gluten-free products, this bakery is about 80% "traditional" with a separate selection of gluten-free items.
Not all of their gluten-free pastries are lactose-free, but lactose-free options are marked with a green sign. If you're unsure, the friendly staff are happy to assist.
What I love about Napoleoni is the outdoor seating, which makes it perfect for enjoying a treat with coffee and a moment of peace. Bonus tip: the beautiful Parco dell’Appia Antica, mentioned in my earlier blog post about Rome’s parks, is just two minutes away. It’s an ideal combination, treat yourself to something sweet and then take a relaxing walk through this stunning park!
A major plus for me are Napoleoni’s extensive opening hours. They’re open from Tuesday to Sunday, 6 AM to 9:30 PM, giving you plenty of flexibility to visit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I highly recommend each of these bakeries. They craft their products with love and passion, and it’s heartwarming to see how they ensure everyone feels included, regardless of their allergies or intolerances. When I first discovered my lactose intolerance, I was a bit sad, but places like these have allowed me to enjoy my favourite treats again. I'm sure there are more gluten- and lactose-free bakeries to explore in Rome. If I missed any, or if you have a favourite, feel free to share!
