Gluten Free Madrid: Best Restaurants, Bakeries, and Desserts for Celiac Travelers
Madrid was another standout stop on our gluten free journey through Spain.
If you’re traveling to Madrid with celiac disease, you’ll find an impressive variety of dedicated gluten free restaurants, bakeries, desserts, and even gluten free churros. Before arriving, we had heard great things about Madrid’s gluten free scene, and the city definitely lived up to those expectations.
Between Japanese comfort food, bakeries, desserts, and traditional Spanish treats, we never struggled to find safe options.
If you’re planning a trip to Madrid with celiac disease, here’s where we ate, what we loved, and what we’d recommend.
Is Madrid Good for Celiac Travelers?
Absolutely.
Madrid offered some of the most diverse gluten free dining experiences we found in Spain.
Rather than constantly searching menus for the one safe option, we found several dedicated gluten free establishments where Julia could order freely without worrying about cross contamination.
We used the Find Me Gluten Free app extensively while planning our trip, and it helped us identify many of the restaurants and bakeries featured in this guide.
Madrid offered some of the best gluten free dining experiences we found anywhere in Spain and is a city we’d happily revisit.
Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Madrid
Okashi: Fully Gluten Free Japanese Food in Madrid
Okashi ended up being one of our favorite meals in Madrid.
As a completely gluten free Japanese restaurant, it offered something we rarely encounter while traveling: the ability to enjoy Japanese comfort food without worrying about ingredients or cross contamination.
One of the things that stood out immediately was the menu itself. Instead of searching for a few safe dishes, Julia could order anything she wanted.
We started with the Tori no Karaage, crispy chicken bites marinated in soy sauce and sake and flavored with ginger and garlic. The chicken was incredibly flavorful, juicy, and tender.
We also ordered the restaurant’s famous handmade gyozas, which are filled with pork and vegetables before being steamed and finished on the grill with sesame oil.
Because the gyozas are made entirely by hand, availability can sometimes be limited, so we’d recommend ordering them if they’re available during your visit.
For our entrees, we ordered the Katsudon and the Ramen.
The Katsudon featured crispy breaded pork served over rice with sautéed onions, egg, and a sweet soy and mirin sauce. It was hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor.
The ramen was good, but it wasn’t our favorite dish of the meal. The toppings, including grilled pork, marinated egg, corn, mushrooms, seaweed, and green onions, were all enjoyable, but we found the broth a little blander than we were expecting.
The two standout dishes were easily the handmade gyozas and the Tori no Karaage. If we returned, those would be the first things we’d order again.
If you’re looking for gluten free Japanese food in Madrid, Okashi is one of the easiest recommendations we can make.
Lalina: Gluten Free Dining in Madrid
Lalina was one of our lunch stops during our time in Madrid.
We weren’t looking for a huge meal, so we shared the potatoes topped with cheddar cheese and bacon along with the Iberian pork toast.
The meal was enjoyable, but it wasn’t one of the standout dining experiences from our trip. That said, we also weren’t trying to sample a large portion of the menu.
Based on our experience, we’d happily return and try additional dishes on a future visit.
Best Gluten Free Bakeries and Desserts in Madrid
Celicioso: Gluten Free Bakery in Madrid
Celicioso is one of Madrid’s best-known gluten free bakery chains, with multiple locations throughout the city.
We visited the location inside the Gourmet Experience at El Corte Inglés, which offers great views from the rooftop area while exploring Madrid.
The bakery featured a wide variety of gluten free desserts and baked goods, making it a convenient stop while sightseeing.
We tried the lemon lime cupcake.
While it wasn’t our favorite dessert of the trip, Celicioso is still worth considering if you’re looking for a dedicated gluten free bakery with multiple convenient locations around Madrid.
1902 Chocolatería: Gluten Free Churros in Madrid
Trying churros in Spain was high on our list, so a stop at 1902 Chocolatería felt like a must.
While the restaurant isn’t entirely gluten free, they’re known for offering gluten free churros that are prepared separately from the traditional version.
We ordered the gluten free churros along with their hot chocolate for dipping.
The churros were so good that we ended up ordering a second round because we still had chocolate left over after finishing the first batch.
For travelers with celiac disease, being able to enjoy one of Spain’s most iconic treats without worrying about gluten is a memorable experience.
If you’re visiting Madrid, this is one stop we wouldn’t skip.
Honorable Mention: Ardemos Madrid
While we didn’t visit the Madrid location during this trip, Ardemos also has a restaurant in Madrid.
We ate at the Barcelona location and enjoyed some of the best gluten free burgers we had anywhere in Spain.
If you’re looking for a dedicated gluten free burger restaurant while visiting Madrid, Ardemos is worth adding to your list. You can read more about our experience in our Gluten Free Barcelona Guide.
Tips for Eating Gluten Free in Madrid
Learn “Sin Gluten”
The Spanish phrase “sin gluten” means “without gluten.”
Even when visiting dedicated gluten free restaurants, we liked to confirm that the food was gluten free before ordering.
One phrase that can be useful is:
“Toda la comida está sin gluten, correcto?”
This roughly means:
“All of the food is gluten free, correct?”
Use Find Me Gluten Free
We used the Find Me Gluten Free app extensively before arriving in Madrid.
It’s a useful tool for finding dedicated gluten free restaurants, bakeries, and highly rated celiac-friendly options throughout the city.
Don’t Skip the Churros
One of the highlights of our time in Madrid was finally being able to enjoy gluten free churros.
If you’re visiting Madrid with celiac disease, 1902 Chocolatería should be high on your list.
Consider Making Reservations
Just like Barcelona, some of Madrid’s most popular gluten free restaurants can get busy, especially during peak dining times.
If there’s a restaurant you’re particularly excited about visiting, it’s worth booking ahead when possible.
Final Thoughts: Is Madrid Celiac Friendly?
Without question.
Madrid had some of the best gluten free restaurants, bakeries, desserts, and dining experiences we found during our trip through Spain.
From fully gluten free Japanese food and bakeries to traditional Spanish churros, there were plenty of opportunities for Julia to enjoy great food rather than simply search for something safe to eat.
Most importantly, we never felt like celiac disease limited our experience in the city.
The variety of dedicated gluten free options made dining in Madrid both easy and enjoyable.
If you’re planning a trip to Spain with celiac disease, Madrid should absolutely be on your itinerary.
And if you’re looking for more gluten free travel inspiration, be sure to check out our complete Gluten Free Spain Travel Guide, along with our guides to Barcelona and Seville.
