About My Gluten Free Ratings
Throughout this site, I try to give a consistent take on the cities, foods, and airlines I review.
As the purpose of my site is to share how it is to visit a place for a long weekend as someone with celiac disease, speaking English and strictly avoiding gluten / cross-contamination (aka “CC”), everything relates back to that perspective. If you’re coming with a different reason for being GF or from a different place, my take may need to be adjusted a bit.
While numbers don’t tell a complete story, I get that they are a helpful summary of how good or bad, easy or difficult a place was for me, and so here are the scales I use to rate things.
City Guide Rating Scale
10 — No research required: You almost feel “normal” as dozens of dedicated spots can be found all over or shared spots are also very widely found and unbelievably reliable. Places know Celiac, have CC protocols, they aren’t just catering to GF trends. Examples: NYC, Rome, Budapest
9 — Just a quick look to eat: You’ll rarely be without a great option you can quickly find. Celiac is well known, CC is understood at any place that does GF reliably, and there are several dedicated options or many strong shared ones, though they may be spread out and no language issues. Examples: Dublin
8 — Easy to find safe options: Eating out is not an issue though it mostly means reliable shared spots. CC is generally understood even if Celiac is less widely known, and English remains a non-issue. There are some dedicated spots around. Examples: Stockholm, Copenhagen
7 — Some research required: It’s still completely doable to visit and eat out without fuss or bringing food in but CC understanding may be limited, dedicated spots may not exist or require traveling further out of the city center. Examples: Tallinn, Riga, Lisbon
6 — Come with a plan: Reviewed options exist but they are thin, entirely or nearly entirely shared spots, and they are worth double-checking. Do not assume Celiac is known, even at rated spots, and expect some translation issues around CC. Grocery stores have options to supplement as a fall back.
5 — Full planning & snacks required: There are some safe spots you may be fine sticking with but venturing further will require completely explaining what you need, as CC is rarely understood and language is a meaningful barrier. Grocery store finds will be limited. For example: Kathmandu
4 — Expect to rarely eat out: There are just a few reliable spots at best, some safe grocery finds but expect to be limited in finding snacks, and need to tackle both language and CC to eat out safely. Bring some backup meals and definitely your own treats.
3 — Expect to rely on grocery stores & extensive chats: There are few if any reviewed spots, translation is required, but gluten is less commonly used locally, making it easier to navigate. Bring some food.
2 — Expect to be reliant on your own food. GF is largely unknown, gluten is used in many dishes, language is a real barrier, and DIY is difficult with limited options sold locally. Pack a lot.
1 — Bring everything: Do not expect to eat out safely. Full stop.
Airline Rating Scale
All my flight ratings are relative to the seat/class I am in. What’s decent in business would be wildly impressive in economy.
10/10 — Like eating at a GF restaurant. Meals are wrapped and labeled, the crew confidently confirms your order, food is impressively seasoned with good portions, and zero backup snacks are needed.
8-9/10 — Smooth & safe flight. The meal arrives labeled or is confirmed by the crew without prompting, food is standard but enjoyable, a second meal is provided on longer flights, and few personal snacks are needed.
6-7/10 — Safely edible but unimpressive. Meals are wrapped or labeled but the crew does not proactively mention them, food is bland and often a free-from-everything option, and snacks are limited but you land full enough.
4-5/10 — High effort, with uncertainty. The airline has failed to cater some or all of your meals, or what was catered won’t cover the flight duration, but the crew pulls something together. Components require strict label checking, and you are heavily reliant on your own snacks.
1-3/10 — Meal failure. There is no safe meal available or what is provided is highly insufficient for the trip (e.g., just an apple on a long-haul flight). The crew is unconcerned or unaware of cross-contact, and if you didn’t pack your own food, you are going hungry.
N/A — Gluten free meals are not offered to even rate but the duration/class of service suggests they should be (e.g., a long-haul flight or First Class transcon).