Italian for Dining Out: Ask If a Dish Is Vegetarian or Gluten-Free
Learn to ask whether a specific Italian dish is vegetarian or gluten-free, and understand the waiter's answer with confidence.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you eat out in Italy, you often need to check one particular dish rather than explain your whole diet. This lesson teaches you how to ask if a dish is vegetarian or gluten-free, and how to understand the answer. You will use polite questions with 'è' (is) and 'senza' (without), and you will learn to recognise common replies such as 'Sì, è vegetariano' or 'No, contiene glutine'. The focus is on checking a single dish, so you can order safely without a long conversation.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a specific dish is vegetarian or gluten-free.
- understand a simple yes/no answer and ask a follow-up question.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Questo piatto è vegetariano?
Is this dish vegetarian?
KWEH-stoh PYAHT-toh eh veh-jeh-tah-RYAH-noh
Use 'questo' for a dish you can point to or that is already on the table. For a dish on the menu, you can also say 'Questo piatto qui' (this dish here).
Questo piatto è senza glutine?
Is this dish gluten-free?
KWEH-stoh PYAHT-toh eh SEN-tsah GLOO-tee-neh
The standard expression is 'senza glutine' (without gluten). It is more common than a literal adjective like 'gluten-free'.
C'è glutine in questo piatto?
Is there gluten in this dish?
cheh GLOO-tee-neh een KWEH-stoh PYAHT-toh
A useful alternative when you want to ask about the presence of gluten directly. 'C'è' means 'there is'.
Sì, è vegetariano.
Yes, it is vegetarian.
see eh veh-jeh-tah-RYAH-noh
A simple affirmative answer. The adjective agrees with 'piatto' (masculine singular).
No, contiene glutine.
No, it contains gluten.
noh con-tee-EH-neh GLOO-tee-neh
A clear negative answer. 'Contiene' means 'it contains'. You may also hear 'No, c'è il glutine'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To check a specific dish, use 'Questo piatto è...?' followed by the adjective or phrase you need. For example: 'Questo piatto è vegetariano?' (Is this dish vegetarian?) and 'Questo piatto è senza glutine?' (Is this dish gluten-free?). If you want to ask about a dish by name, replace 'questo piatto' with the name: 'Il minestrone è vegetariano?' (Is the minestrone vegetarian?). Note that adjectives agree in gender and number: 'vegetariano' for a masculine dish like 'risotto', 'vegetariana' for a feminine dish like 'pasta'. For gluten, the fixed phrase 'senza glutine' does not change.
When to use it
Use these questions when you have already chosen a dish and want to confirm it is safe for you. They are perfect in a restaurant, at a market stall, or when a friend offers you something. For example, before ordering 'lasagne', ask: 'Le lasagne sono vegetariane?' (Are the lasagne vegetarian?). If the answer is not clear, ask a follow-up: 'Quindi c'è glutine?' (So is there gluten?). This keeps the conversation focused on the dish, not on your whole diet.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, questo piatto è vegetariano?
Excuse me, is this dish vegetarian?SKOO-zee KWEH-stoh PYAHT-toh eh veh-jeh-tah-RYAH-nohSì, è vegetariano. Non c'è carne.
Yes, it is vegetarian. There is no meat.see eh veh-jeh-tah-RYAH-noh non cheh KAR-nehE è senza glutine?
And is it gluten-free?eh eh SEN-tsah GLOO-tee-nehNo, mi dispiace, contiene glutine.
No, I'm sorry, it contains gluten.noh mee dee-SPYAH-cheh con-tee-EH-neh GLOO-tee-nehA little context goes a long way
In Italy, 'senza glutine' is the standard phrase for gluten-free, and many restaurants can accommodate it, but cross-contamination is not always guaranteed. For vegetarian requests, 'vegetariano' is widely understood, but some dishes may contain meat broth or anchovies without being obvious. It is normal to ask politely before ordering, and staff generally appreciate a clear, specific question rather than a long explanation of your diet.
One thing to watch for
Using 'senza glutine' as an adjective that changes with gender, for example saying 'Questa pasta è senza glutina'.
Try this instead: 'Senza glutine' is a fixed phrase and does not change. Say 'Questa pasta è senza glutine' for both masculine and feminine nouns. The adjective 'vegetariano' does change: 'Il riso è vegetariano' (masculine), 'La pasta è vegetariana' (feminine).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask if a specific dish is gluten-free?
Show a sample answer
Questo piatto è senza glutine?
This uses the fixed phrase 'senza glutine' with 'questo piatto'. You could also ask 'C'è glutine in questo piatto?' which is equally correct.
2The waiter says: 'No, contiene glutine.' What does this mean?
Show a sample answer
No, it contains gluten.
'Contiene' means 'it contains'. This is a clear negative answer to your gluten question. Another common reply is 'No, c'è il glutine'.
3How would you ask if the lasagne (le lasagne) are vegetarian?
Show a sample answer
Le lasagne sono vegetariane?
'Lasagne' is feminine plural, so the adjective becomes 'vegetariane'. If you asked about a masculine singular dish like 'il risotto', you would say 'Il risotto è vegetariano?'.
To check one dish, ask 'Questo piatto è vegetariano?' or 'Questo piatto è senza glutine?' and listen for 'Sì' or 'No, contiene glutine'. Keep the question specific and polite.
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