Gluten-Free Lake Garda: A Celiac-Safe Family Travel Guide

Updated: March 31, 2025

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Traveling to Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) was a dream for our family. The stunning lake, charming towns like Sirmione, and endless Italian food—what’s not to love? But when you’re traveling with family members who have celiac disease, every trip comes with extra planning.

My spouse and son both have celiac disease, which means I’m always on the lookout for safe gluten-free meals wherever we go. I know firsthand how stressful it can be, wondering if a restaurant understands cross-contamination or if you’ll be able to find something beyond a plain salad.

The good news? Italy takes gluten-free dining seriously, and Lake Garda is no exception. From dedicated gluten-free pizza and pasta to safe gelato, we found plenty of options to enjoy. Here’s everything I learned so you can plan a stress-free gluten-free trip to Lake Garda.

Is Lake Garda Gluten-Free? What Celiac Travelers Need to Know

Italy has some of the strictest food labeling laws in Europe, and the awareness of celiac disease is much higher than in many other countries. Many restaurants take precautions to prevent cross-contamination, and some even have certifications from the Italian Celiac Association (AIC).

If you’re traveling with kids who have celiac disease, eating out in Lake Garda is surprisingly easy—as long as you know where to go.

How to Order Gluten-Free Food in Italy: Key Italian Phrases for Celiacs

Before we get into restaurant recommendations, here are some useful phrases that helped us:

➡️ “Mio figlio/mia moglie è celiaco/a. Non può mangiare glutine.” (My son/spouse has celiac disease. They cannot eat gluten.)
➡️ “Questo è senza glutine?” (Is this gluten-free?)
➡️ “Avete una cucina separata per il senza glutine?” (Do you have a separate kitchen for gluten-free food?)

With these phrases and the right restaurant choices, we never had a problem finding safe meals.

Top Gluten-Free Restaurants in Lake Garda for Celiac Travelers

After a lot of research and personal experience, these are the best places we found for gluten-free dining around Lake Garda.

Gluten-Free Dining in Sirmione: Celiac-Safe Restaurants to Try

Sirmione is one of the most popular towns around Lake Garda, and it has some great gluten-free dining options.

• Ristorante Risorgimento – A beautiful fine-dining restaurant with gluten-free risotto, pasta, and grilled dishes. The staff is well-trained in handling gluten-free requests.
• Trattoria Al Porticciolo – A cozy lakeside restaurant offering gluten-free seafood dishes and pasta.
• La Rucola 2.0 – A Michelin-recommended restaurant that can accommodate gluten-free requests with high-end Italian cuisine.

Where to Eat Gluten-Free Around Lake Garda: Best Spots Beyond Sirmione

If you’re exploring other towns around the lake, here are a few more options we loved:

• Bella Vista (Peschiera del Garda) – The best place for gluten-free pizza, almost all dishes can be made GF.
• Trattoria Bella Italia (Desenzano del Garda) – A great stop for local Italian specialties.

All of these places had staff that understood celiac disease and took the time to ensure my family’s food was safe.

The Best Gluten-Free Gelato in Lake Garda: Where to Find Celiac-Safe Treats

Finding gluten-free gelato was one of the highlights of our trip. Many gelaterias in Lake Garda offer gluten-free flavors, and some even have gluten-free cones.

• Bar gelateria Punta Lido (Riva del Garda) – Specializes in artisanal gluten-free and dairy free flavors and uses separate scoops. They offer GF cones as well.

Tips for Ordering Gluten-Free Gelato

• Always ask: “Questo è senza glutine?” (Is this gluten-free?)
• Check if they use a clean scoop for gluten-free flavors.
• If they offer gluten-free cones, confirm they are packaged separately from the regular cones.

Gluten-Free Friendly Hotels in Lake Garda: Where to Stay with Celiac Disease

Finding a gluten-free-friendly hotel can make a big difference when traveling with family members who have celiac disease. Here are some options that offered gluten-free breakfast and dining options.

• Hotel Villa Rosa (Desenzano del Garda) – Offers a dedicated gluten-free breakfast with fresh baked goods.
• Agriturismo Le Caldane (Lazise) – A fully gluten-free agriturismo serving homemade meals in a farm setting.
• Hotel Olivi Thermae & Natural Spa (Sirmione) – Has gluten-free dining options upon request and a beautiful spa.

Tips for Traveling Gluten-Free in Northern Italy and Lake Garda

After traveling through Northern Italy, here are some tips that made our experience much easier.

✅ Download the AIC (Italian Celiac Association) App – This app helps you find certified gluten-free restaurants throughout Italy.
✅ Ask about cross-contamination – Even if a restaurant offers gluten-free pasta, always ask if they use a separate pot and utensils.
✅ Plan ahead – Some smaller towns may not have many gluten-free options, so it’s helpful to have snacks on hand.

Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting for Gluten-Free Travelers? Final Takeaways

Traveling with celiac disease in the family means every trip requires extra research, but Lake Garda made it easy. From safe gluten-free pizza and pasta to incredible gelato, we found plenty of options without stress.

If you’re planning a trip to Northern Italy, I highly recommend Lake Garda as a gluten-free-friendly destination.

Need more tips for traveling gluten-free in Italy? Check out my full Italy travel guide here: Gluten-Free Italy Travel

FAQ: Gluten-Free Travel in Lake Garda

For more gluten-free travel hacks, check out my full Ultimate Gluten-Free Travel Guide!