On my gluten free travel journey I have searched for many gluten free holy grails. Some I found (gluten free Cornish pasties), some I suspect will be a lifelong mission (the perfect gluten free bread) and others I’ve found without realising I was looking for it. A shop for Coeliacs sits very firmly in the latter category.
Mr D and I were enjoying a lovely sunny stroll around the sights of Genoa before our flight back home when we came upon this shop:
A shop for Coeliacs, how amazing…and surprising! My jaw literally dropped and heart skipped a beat when I clapped eyes upon it.
If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you might find my gluten free guide to Italy very useful. It’s full of tips and tricks to make your gluten free holiday a success!
A whole shop stocked full of gluten free products. I don’t think I can convey just how excited I was by the products on offer. Some photos of their huge selection of gluten free products…
The shop had a huge range of different brands including what appeared to have the entire range of Dr Schar…
I loved the name of this gluten free pasta range – Happy Farm – and was torn on which of their great looking pasta’s to buy. In the end I settled on the giant shells (conchiglioni).
I really miss eating couscous so was happy to see this:
At the back of the store there were several freezers containing everything you could imagine would be in a gluten free paradise from frozen pizza through pasta and pastry. Eagle eyed readers might be able to spot the gluten free cornettos!:
Many of the brands on offer, such as Agluten below, are not available in the UK so I found it really interesting to check out the different ranges and products.
We noticed big bags crammed full of gluten free products (which are just visible on the floor in one of the photos above). As we left the store we noticed a sign in the window advertising an ordering on line service. If you’re in the area, you can access it here. If you don’t speak Italian, you can use Google translate on the site. Even if you’re not travelling to Italy, it’s worth a look just to see what a huge selection of varied products are on offer in this store.
Farmacia Alvigini is located right in the centre of Gonoa. The address is via Patrarca 14r, Genova, Italy.
Planning a gluten free trip to Italy and wondering where coeliacs can eat senza glutine in Italia?:
You might find these gluten free guides to restaurants and regions in Italy useful:
- Gluten Free Rome: La Soffitta Renovatio (offering coeliac-safe gluten free pizza, pasta and even tiramisu!
- Gluten Free Rome: Gluten free pizza at La Pilotta
- Gluten free Rome: Mama Eat serving Gluten free arancini, gluten free pizza and pasta in dedicated gluten free kitchens
- The best gluten free ice cream in Rome at Fatamorgana
- Amazing gluten free pizza in Lake Garda
- How to use the Italian Coeliac Society’s (AIC) gluten free app to find coeliac safe restaurants in Italy
- Coeliac safe gluten free pizza in Florence at Ciro & Sons
- Where to find gluten free bakery in Florence, Starbene Senza Glutine
- The essential gluten free travel guide to Puglia, Italy
How amazing! I clicked on the Happy Farm link and they have GF amaretti biscuits. I want to taste them without delay!
Author
Yes, GF amaretti biscuits would be great! As would gluten free Cantucci biscuits, with a glass of vin santo!
Oh my GOSH. Let me in there!
It really is the best feeling when you find a 100% gluten free store on your travels isn’t it!? This one looks great :))
Author
Thanks, it was just such an amazing surprise to stumble across it. Their product range was absolutely huge.
THANK YOU!
I’m currently in Genoa and this afternoon walked less than 10 minutes to this store..a couple of bags later I’ll be able to eat properly for the next few weeks. Pity I cannot fit a few more bags to take home to Australia!!
Great blog, much appreciated
Mel
Hi Melinda, Thanks for stopping by and Buon Natale!
SO pleased you were able to stock up, what a fantastic shop that is! Hope you’re having a wonderful time in Italy.
Hi everybody, I came across your site by chance! Yes you’re right, in Italy we have many specialized shops for coeliacs, I am just wandering if I’ll manage to eat properly in London too, when I’ll take my trip next May..
Hello Cristina! We have lots of choice for gluten free food in London….just wish we had the Italian weather!
Please click here for some ideas on where to eat in London:
https://glutenfreemrsd.com/2012/07/gluten-free-guide-london-eating-out.html
Larger supermarkets have gluten free sections too, e.g., Waitrose, Sainsburys and Tesco.
Enjoy your time in London!