Madrid is one my of top gluten free travel destinations! In this Gluten Free Guide To Madrid you’ll find all the best celiac safe options Madrid has to offer.
During my trip to Madrid I was able to eat exclusively at dedicated gluten free restaurants, found a gluten free bakery that changed my life, and overall felt that I could enjoy the trip like a regular person. I didn’t feel like I constantly had to be on guard to ensure I was eating safely. The city as a whole is very good with all allergens. They treat gluten free as the allergen it should be considered, and there are also plenty of dairy free and vegan options sprinkled throughout the city.
Even with the amount of safe options you’ll find in Madrid, it’s still important to research and have a plan before you go. Here you’ll find some of my recommendations based on where I went while in Madrid, in addition to more options that were on my list but I didn’t make it to.
I’ve also put together a Madrid Gluten Free Food Tour that includes a full day walking tour, hitting all the best gluten free eats in Madrid plus guiding you through the beautiful city with plenty of options to explore. This guide also includes all my top picks for breakfast, lunch & dinner, tapas, and sweet treats.
I have celiac disease and am very sensitive to cross contamination, so every place that I recommend is something that I myself would feel comfortable eating at. I research restaurant menus, allergen statements, and read reviews from other gluten free people when making my decisions. Please consider that if your needs differ, and as always, communicate with wait staff to ensure your own safety.
Know Before You Go
Spain was my first international trip after being diagnosed, and I learned that I needed to approach planning trips differently than I used to. It requires more planning and additional considerations that I never had to make before. Read more about what I learned on my first international trip.
Madrid’s Perception of Gluten Free
In Madrid, and really any large city in Spain, you’ll find that there’s a general understanding of gluten free and cross contamination. While eating at dedicated restaurants is a perk to visiting a large city like Madrid, you’ll also find that plenty of non dedicated restaurants have gluten free menus and may even have a separate kitchen for gluten free orders. Now, that isn’t to say that you’ll find something everywhere. You can’t expect to walk into any random place and have safe options. It still takes some planning, which is what I hope to help with.
Throughout Spain when we ate at non dedicated restaurants and informed the staff of my allergy I felt we were immediately on the same page and I didn’t have to ask a dozen follow up questions about cross contamination. When served gluten free bread it often came still packaged but warmed. One waitress even double checked on the pumpkin seeds in my salad and found they did contain gluten – something I wouldn’t have even thought about. I found that in general wait staff was much better trained and proactive in ensuring your safety, I was never treated like I was dramatic or high maintenance like I often am in the States.
Language Barrier
Fortunately, I traveled to Spain with my Spanish speaking partner, so he was able to communicate for me when needed. But I felt that I could communicate well enough with context clues and the limited Spanish I know.
In Madrid, especially in the city center where most my recommendations are, you’ll find that a lot of staff speaks some English. Even if you can communicate in English it’s best if you learn a few key phrases to ensure your safety. In Madrid they primarily speak Spanish. Getting a gluten free translation card can help you communicate with wait staff, and google translate (especially the camera) can help you navigate menus.
Key Spanish Phrases for Gluten Free
The most important phrase is “Soy celíaco” (I’m celiac), which clearly communicates your condition. To ask if something is gluten-free, say “¿Esto es sin gluten?” (Is this gluten-free?). The phrase “sin gluten” (gluten-free) itself is universally understood and useful when scanning menus or grocery items. Even a basic effort in Spanish can go a long way in making sure staff take your needs seriously and accommodate you with care.
Apps To Download Before You Go
Find Me Gluten Free
My top gluten free app recommendation is Find Me Gluten Free. Users can add their own experience and pictures, making it a great resource. I’ve upgraded my account so I can filter for the most celiac safe options. You don’t have to but I found that it cuts out a lot of the reviews that basically say “don’t eat here”. In Madrid this app will help you find nearby locations if you’re in a pinch and need something fast. It’s also helpful for chain restaurants. Being able to read reviews on that specific location can help you make safe choices.
Glovo
This is Madrid’s main food delivery app. I chose not to download this before we went and I wish I had. During a long travel day we found ourselves far away from food and needed to order something safe. Because we were using a esim on our phones we weren’t able to set it up without activating our US phone plan. The whole thing was time consuming and difficult, but it could have all been avoided had we set it up before our trip.
Glovo has plenty of dedicated restaurants available for delivery, as well as one of our US safe places – Five Guys. Old me would have avoided any US chains while in Spain, but gluten free me knows that safe food is safe food – and there’s nothing wrong with choosing that in a pinch. Plus, that Five Guys was the best burger I’ve ever had – so much better than the States!
Where To Find Gluten Free Groceries
In Madrid we opted to stay in an Airbnb so we could have access to a kitchen, just in case. While I probably wouldn’t go the Airbnb route in the future, it is nice to pop into grocery stores and pick up some snacks, bread and peanut butter. I found that having peanut butter sandwiches in my bag helped on long travel days when I was hungry mid tour and needed something before our next meal.
Best Gluten Free Grocery Store In Spain – El Corte Ingles
It took a week into our trip in Spain before I found El Corte Ingles – and I wish I had known about it from day one! This is a large department store that is often split between multiple buildings. Once you find the right building there is a grocery store, typically in the basement. This grocery store is huge and had an entire isle (both sides) of gluten free products and the largest selection of Schar brand products that I’ve ever seen! I stocked up on muffins and snacks to keep in my bag. And they even had freshly made gluten free sushi! I’ve missed grocery store sushi so much, and it was a great treat to pick some up again. If you’re wanting groceries at all on our trip – this would be my first stop.
More Gluten Free Grocery Stores in Spain – Mercandona, Dia Market & ALDI
Other grocery stores that have good options are Mercandona, Dia Market, and ALDI. You’ll be able to find these locations much easier than El Corte Ingles, and while they have a smaller selection it’s still really easy to find gluten free items. They are clearly labeled with a consistent “Sin Gluten” label. I also found that the gluten free items weren’t marked up 300% like they are in the US. I was even able to find fresh gluten free croissants at Mercandona! We picked up pasta and a gluten and dairy free pizza to make at our Airbnb and they were both so much better and affordable than anything I’ve found in the States.
Reservations Recommended
In Madrid many restaurants are very small with only a few tables. While I love wandering into random places until we can get a table – that’s much harder while gluten free. To ensure you can get a table somewhere safe I recommend making reservations anywhere you can. In Spain they tend to eat much later, with the dinner rush closer to 9-11pm. If you want to ensure you can get a table without a reservation you can try to arrive at the beginning of their dinner hours, usually around 8pm. In peak seasons it’ll be even more important to make reservations and have backup options just in case.
Where To Eat Gluten Free In Madrid
Breakfast
This bakery changed my life! It’s a small building but is PACKED with everything you can imagine, cakes, cookies, pastries, muffins etc. Their bakery consists of two buildings, one dedicated gluten free and next door is the regular bakery and coffee shop. We picked up donuts, muffins, and chocolate croissants and enjoyed them with our coffee at a nearby park. I would personally go back every single day. Next time we’re in Madrid I’ll book my accommodations close to this bakery for easy breakfasts.
This is my second favorite bakery we visited in Spain. They have multiple locations all over Spain, which makes it a great safe place if you’re exploring more of the country. Here you’ll find incredible gluten free cinnamon rolls that even my gluten eating partner thought were just as good as regular cinnamon rolls. Chok also has chocolate croissants, cupcakes, cookies, coffee and more.
Lunch & Dinner
Senza Glutine Di Grosso Napoletano
The best gluten free pizza I’ve ever had! I love this trendy pizza place. They also have multiple locations across Spain. Their gluten free locations have two separate kitchens, one dedicated just for gluten free. That makes this spot perfect if you have a group with gluten free and gluten eaters. I dream of this pizza at least once a week and I could see myself eating here multiple days in a row on my next trip. I believe they also deliver, making it a great take out option if you can’t get seated elsewhere.
Dedicated gluten free hamburgers, chicken fingers, and fries? Yes please! I haven’t found gluten free chicken fingers very often, so it’s always exciting when I do. Enjoy this entirely gluten free hamburger bar and remember what it was like to just relax at a hamburger joint without stressing. They have a large menu with burgers, nachos, gluten free beers and desserts. Reservations Recommended.
It’s nearly impossible for me to find 100% gluten free Japanese food in the States, so this restaurant is just the treat! Enjoy ramen, gyozas, katsu, Japanese cheese cake and more! It’s entirely gluten and dairy free and even has vegan options.
Restaurante Casa San Juan Comida Española
Enjoying the local cuisine is so important to me, but is more difficult being gluten free. Fortunately, many of Spain’s favorite foods are naturally gluten free and the ones that aren’t have gluten free versions tucked away all over the city. Here you’ll find traditional Spanish foods like croquettes and paella. Paella is naturally gluten free but you’ll want to make sure, in more touristy areas where the food is lower quality the paella may contain gluten.
Right by the Royal Place you can stop here for wonderful paella, meats, sandwiches, pasta, and Argentinian dishes. Reservations Recommended.
While in Spain you must see a flamenco show! This Micheline Star Rated venue is located right by the Royal Palace and serves a completely gluten free tasting menu. They’re great with all allergens and also have a dairy free and vegan tasting menu. It’s on the pricier side, but if you’re looking for an elevated experience – this is it!
Where to Find Gluten Free Tapas In Madrid
Tapeo – Tapas Bar Crawl
This social tradition in Spain consists of hopping from bar to bar, enjoying a drink and a small appetizer- tapas, then moving on to the next bar. Then the evening is capped off with a small light meal. A gluten free tapeo requires a bit more walking between spots and planning, but is still very enjoyable! As a visitor you may find that tapas are filling enough on their own and choose to skip the late night meal. The city comes alive late into the evening, so slow down and enjoy the energy!
Try various flavors of these incredible croquettes – 100% gluten free! Croquettes are crispy golden brown fritters that are filled with savory or sweet fillings. So good and so many to choose from, it’s worth visiting multiple times. Reservation Recommended.
LaLina Bravas y Tapas Restaurante La Latina
This 100% gluten free Tapas bar is a MUST visit! They have a couple of locations and each offers a fun vibe and great Tapas. We ordered a couple of Sangrias, croquettes, and jamon to start our tapeo.
Quirky little bar with tapas and great drinks. Close to the Prado Museum so it’s a great place to stop after visiting. Not dedicated, but gluten free items are marked on the menu and staff is knowledgeable.
Gluten Free Sweet Treats In Madrid
Stop here for the traditional Spanish sweet treat – churros and chocolate! Not dedicated gluten free, but with a dedicated fryer. Order it with dipping chocolate for the full experience. They also have a selection of other gluten free light meals like sandwiches.
La Mejor Tarta de Chocolate del Mundo
Try the best chocolate cake you’ll eat in your life! It’s both gluten and lactose free and they are great with all allergies. It’s near many of the museums, making it a great mid day sweet treat.
Self Guided Gluten Free Food Tour – Madrid
Enjoy all the best gluten free eats in Madrid with this self guided walking tour! Go as fast or as slow as you’d like – stopping along the way for sightseeing, shopping, and incredible tours. This tour includes stops for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it a perfect framework for a full day in Madrid.
This self guided tour features 7 of the best places to eat in Madrid, and leaves time to explore and take tours in Madrid. This guide covers about 3 miles of walking throughout the day, however metro, buses, and cabs can help you explore if that better fits your needs.
In addition to a walking tour, this guide includes more gluten free recommendations to make your trip to Madrid even easier. I’ve researched and vetted all the best locations, many of which I’ve tried myself and others that will for sure be on the agenda on our next visit. Gluten free travel can be stressful, I hope my resources can make it a bit easier for you.