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.