Gluten-Free at Il Fornello

This was the first time at this restaurant and I was very impressed. First time in a restaurant where I wasn’t nervous about cross contamination. The waitress and the owner were extremely attentive making sure I felt safe. They brought new utensils and plates to me for every course, to ensure no cross contamination. The food was delicious and I had zero issues. Will definitely go back. Very nice ambience. Very clean restaurant.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

Waitress was knowledgeable about celiac. Gluten free pasta was delicious!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I had a delicious meal of grilled salmon and vegetables. No after-effects at all. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommended!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I called in advance to ask how the gluten-free pasta was prepared. The person who answered the phone went and spoke with the chef. After a minute, she resumed the call and told me that the gluten pasta is cooked in the same pot as the wheat pasta. And then it was further explained to me that "the heat would cook off the 'yeast' and that this is common practice throughout the city of Toronto.".

If I was still concerned after that information because it's a gluten allergy, she would understand if I did not want to make a reservation.....

Obviously whoever's in the kitchen has no idea about cross-contamination and this would not be a safe place for those with Celiac.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Below Average

One of my favourite go to restaurants. The cashew Caesar salad and the seafood pasta are wonderful. Highly recommend. It’s nice having tons of gf options and staff that are very knowledgeable

One thing to note is that the pizza oven is shared with gluten containing items

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers delivery
• Offers outdoor seating

I was shocked at the pizza crust. Had to double check that it was GF. Best pizza I’ve had since going GF and the service and atmosphere were both great.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering
• Reservations recommended

Great food with Dairy free and Gluten free menu. Pizza so good we had to double check to make sure it was gluten and dairy free!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Ordered delivery and indicated celiac in extra comments, pasta was amazing and hasn’t made me feel sick… yay!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Best gluten free pizza ever! They make their own crust from potatoes- made me love pizza again! I also got the dairy free truffle cheese which was delicious! They are very knowledgeable and helpful and staff is very kind!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I’ve eaten here a few times with my kids, and have been glutened once: I ordered the salmon dish which was deemed safe, but got very sick. When I went the next time, the server I had that evening was fabulous, very knowledgeable, and she told me the potatoes that go with the salmon dish are in a shared fryer and not safe. So, if you get the salmon (which is scrumptious), hold the potatoes!

Some servers are clueless, they are not universally trained. It depends on who you get.

GF Pasta is safe and delicious, no to the bolognese (wheat in meat).

GF Pizza is apparently safe, I’m extremely sensitive and haven’t been glutened off it.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Below Average

Most of their pasta dishes (except the Gnocchi and Ravioli) can be made gluten free. The waiter was knowledgeable about celiac and assured me that the pasta is cooked separately from their wheat pasta to avoid cross contamination. The pasta was cooked perfectly and didn’t fall apart like I’ve experienced at other restaurants before. The food was tasty and I felt safe eating there.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Best GF pizza crust I’ve had! It was super tasty and great texture. The staff are very knowledgeable- I ordered a GF pizza with salami, and the waitress came back and said she asked and that the salami, sausage, and pepperoni were no longer GF. I didn’t even think to ask about that, so they are careful with food allergies.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

We ordered in. Didn’t work out for me. Container marked GF but I became very sick.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Poor

Please note address is 2901 Bayview Ave in Bayview Village. There is no 2901 Sheppard location. My husband (who has celiac) and I ate here tonight. I made a comment on the online reservation that he had Celiac and needed allergy level gluten free and he told our waiter before ordering the same thing. He had GF pizza and by the time he reached the car afterwards he knew it had been cross contaminated. update: I emailed the restaurant and told them they should have a warning in their menu that they can't guarantee gluten free and the manager said my husband couldn't have gotten gluten in the kitchen because his staff are careful. He suggested my husband must have eaten some of my breaded calimari, which is insulting to say to someone with Celiac.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Ordered from them the other day for takeout, got the seafood linguini, person on the phone was great and was aware of what celiac disease meant and made sure to write it down on the order. When we picked up the order it indeed had celiac allergy highlighted on the ticket. Food was delicious and didn't get sick after

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Offers delivery

Very knowledgeable staff on gluten free options.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Family friendly italian restaurant. Most pasta and pizzas can be made gluten free. Staff seem knowledgeable about gluten and cross contamination. Mushroom pasta and the gorgonzla pizza are my favourite dishes here. But I've liked everything I've tried. Never gotten sick here!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers outdoor seating

Best Gluten Free Pizza EVER

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I spoke with them on the phone and they assured me that they would use all clean equipment/utensils/etc to prepare my food

I was able to make a plant-based pasta GF. They gave me lots of options. It was very tasty! And was my first time eating at an Italian restaurant since diagnosis. 3 days later and I’m still feeling great.

My boyfriend ordered a regular pizza and I asked that they label my take-out container as ‘gluten free’. I was nervous about ordering a ‘mixed order’ but the two meals were very separate and clearly were prepared apart because my meal was definitely safe.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

They are celiac aware. If you talk to.your server about fresh cutting tools for your pizza and surface contamination they are great. I've had the pizza multiple time and never been sick. The crust is decent but not out of this world. Toppings are good. Never had their pasta. (I have Celiac Disease).

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Our favourite restaurant in the city with tons of GF options including pizza.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My mom and I both have celiac and this is our go to place! They have amazing gf pizza crust and are knowledgeable about celiac. They also have gf chocolate soufflé for dessert!!! (I’m also vegan and they have tons of vegan and gf options)

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I love the food here and used to eat at this restaurant all the time. Their gluten free pasta is amazing!! Beware their cheese is not gluten free!

Celiac safe. The gluten free pasta was even better than the pizza. All good!

Very few GF options. The gf pasta says it’s rice pasta on the menu, but they’re really serving awful and dense Maria’s brand pea/kale pasta fusilli. Yuck. It’s like lead. I’ve never seen an Italian restaurant not have a decent gf pasta if they have gf pasta. Based on previous reviews I was extremely specific with the servers and don’t feel glutened. I’m reluctantly giving it a “celiac friendly” rating, but not because you’ll enjoy your pasta.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Good knowledge about GF among the staff. The god was so-so, but I felt very safe eating there.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I ordered risotto and got glutened here. The server seemed well aware of gluten & celiac disease, but I still got glutened. It was a busy weekday evening during the theatre rush so they may have been rushing.

Celiac friendly?

No

Great food. Staff very aware of cross contamination. Many options. I had a pasta with chicken and pesto and it was delicious!

Knowledgeable and delicious! They take lots of precautions.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great food. Three of us had pizza (GF), pasta, and chicken Asiago. All very tasty. GF pizza crust was quite good - a bit soft under the toppings and crispy around the edges. GF items are identified on the menu, but I think all pizzas and pastas can be made GF.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Gluten free pasta was mediocre

I’ve ever eaten a few times and I’ve never had a problem. They are very aware of cross contamination and do a great job. Recommend.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Amazing! We ordered gf rotini alfredo and gf rotini Capri and gf it was absolutely perfect. Definitely recommend for any fancy Italian cravings you may have.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I am celiac and also must eat dairy free. We eat here regularly and I have never had any issues. The servers have a very good understanding of allergies/intolerances. One of my favourite places to go.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I advised our server I was celiac and ordered from the gluten free menu stressing what celiac meant. I was quite sick afterwards and suffered being glutened here.

Celiac friendly?

No

Great meal. Pizza was great all pasta is GF option and lots of choices.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My boyfriend has celiac disease and is nervous eating at places we've never tried. The waitress assured us that it was celiac friendly but he got horribly sick. He was sick for an entire week after eating here. If you have celiac, DO NOT GO HERE!

Celiac friendly?

No

Found the gf pizza left a lot to be desired. Limited flavour, and an unappetizing texture.

Two Italian places worth checking out in downtown Toronto are Il Fornello and Kit Kat Bar & Grill. Il Fornello also offers gluten-free pasta for an upcharge, but we opted for the daily special seafood risotto and chicken asiago.

Amazing pasta that is out of this world! Staff are very knowledgeable and handle food allergies with the utmost caution. Felt very confident dining here and would recommend it to any Celiac.

Amazing GF pizza with knowledgable staff. Seriously the best thin crust pizza outside of Naples.

gf pizza and pasta with knowledgable staff.

great food and amazing careful service!

Gluten free pizza and pasta

Great gluten-free dining. Always great food and service. The pizza and pasta cannot compare anywhere else. They always go above and beyond!

Several locations around Toronto, nice pasta and great thin crust pizza