Panificio La Favola Florence

If you walk down via Romana in the direction of the massive Porta Romana (the namesake of this neighborhood), you will inevitably pass La Favola. This is a tiny bakery that, from first glance, could lead you to believe it's a typical panifico siciliano, offering traditional Sicilian style-bread and pastries. In reality, it is so much more! It's enough to glance at the handwritten sign on the window that says, "gluten-free bread and pastries," to understand it is different.

But as someone who avoids gluten and has lived in Italy for a few years, I can say that it's not easy to find products that are both authentic and made with wheat-free alternatives. Here are my ultimate saviors: a Sicilian couple, Isa and Fabbio, who work incredibly hard to provide typical Florentine and Sicilian baked goods for both wheat-eating costumers and those who have gluten intolerance.

My favorites are thebuckwheat croissants and tea cookies, the buckwheat sourdough schiacciata, and their newest innovation, a paleo bread. Of course, if you or your friends are looking for a classic pizza a taglia, croissant, or bread made with Italian wheat, you are sure to find that there as well.