How to say gluten-free in Greek, plus the phrases for the table
“Gluten-free” in Greek is χωρίς γλουτένη (roughly choris glouteni). That’s the word you’ll see on packs and menus. At the table you need a little more: that it’s a medical condition, which grains to avoid, and the kitchen questions. Here they are, in Greek, with the English meaning.
The phrases that help at the table
Show the Greek line to the staff; the English underneath tells you what it says.
| What it says | Greek |
|---|---|
| I have coeliac disease I have coeliac disease, an autoimmune medical condition, not a diet choice or preference. |
Έχω κοιλιοκάκη, μια αυτοάνοση ιατρική πάθηση, όχι διατροφική επιλογή ή προτίμηση. |
| What I can’t eat I cannot eat wheat (including spelt, kamut, durum and semolina), barley, rye or standard oats, or anything made from them: bread, pasta, batter, breadcrumbs, flour. |
Δεν μπορώ να φάω σιτάρι (συμπεριλαμβανομένων της σπέλτας/του ντίνκελ, του καμούτ, του σκληρού σιταριού και του σιμιγδαλιού), κριθάρι, σίκαλη ή κοινή βρώμη, ή οτιδήποτε φτιαγμένο από αυτά: ψωμί, ζυμαρικά, κουρκούτι, τριμμένη φρυγανιά, αλεύρι. |
| Even a crumb Even a tiny amount, a crumb, makes me genuinely ill. |
Ακόμη και μια ελάχιστη ποσότητα, ένα ψίχουλο, με αρρωσταίνει πραγματικά. |
| Clean pan and utensils Please use a clean pan, clean utensils and boards, and fresh oil. |
Παρακαλώ χρησιμοποιήστε καθαρό τηγάνι, καθαρά σκεύη και σανίδες κοπής και φρέσκο λάδι. |
| The shared fryer Was this fried in a shared fryer or in shared oil? Oil used for breaded food is not safe for me. |
Τηγανίστηκε σε κοινή φριτέζα ή σε κοινό λάδι; Το λάδι που έχει χρησιμοποιηθεί για παναρισμένα τρόφιμα δεν είναι ασφαλές για μένα. |
| Hidden gluten Does this contain soy sauce, malt, flour, breadcrumbs or stock cubes? Could you check? |
Περιέχει σάλτσα σόγιας, βύνη, αλεύρι, τριμμένη φρυγανιά ή κύβους ζωμού; Μπορείτε να το ελέγξετε; |
| Please check with the kitchen Could you please check the ingredients with the kitchen? I am very happy to wait. |
Θα μπορούσατε να ελέγξετε τα συστατικά με την κουζίνα; Θα περιμένω ευχαρίστως. |
| What I can eat I can eat rice, corn, potatoes, plain fresh meat and fish, eggs, dairy, vegetables and fruit, as long as they are not cooked with, or alongside, the items above. |
Μπορώ να φάω ρύζι, καλαμπόκι, πατάτες, σκέτο φρέσκο κρέας και ψάρι, αυγά, γαλακτοκομικά, λαχανικά και φρούτα, αρκεί να μη μαγειρεύονται μαζί με τα παραπάνω ή δίπλα σε αυτά. |
| Thank you Thank you so much for taking care of this, it genuinely makes all the difference. |
Σας ευχαριστώ θερμά για τη φροντίδα σας, έχει πραγματικά τεράστια σημασία για μένα. |
What the staff might answer
- Ναι, μπορούμε να το ετοιμάσουμε χωριστά, με καθαρό τηγάνι και καθαρά σκεύη.
Yes, we can prepare it separately, with a clean pan and clean utensils. - Λυπάμαι, σήμερα δεν μπορούμε να το εγγυηθούμε.
I am sorry, we cannot guarantee that today. - Μια στιγμή, να ρωτήσω την κουζίνα.
One moment, let me ask the kitchen.
On labels
In Greece, as in the whole EU, «χωρίς γλουτένη» on a label is a regulated claim: 20 mg/kg or less. A “may contain” line is voluntary and doesn’t cancel it.
Local things to watch
- Filo pastry (pites: spanakopita, tyropita) means constant flour dust in bakeries and tavernas.
- Kritharaki (orzo-shaped pasta) is wheat despite the barley-sounding name; giouvetsi is made with it.
- Popular fried dishes (kalamarakia, kolokythakia, cheese saganaki variants) are flour-dusted and fried in shared oil.
- Grilled meat, fish, horiatiki and most mezze can work: ask about flour dusting and shared grills.
- Some marinades contain beer; soutzoukakia often contain bread.
About these translations: every line was checked in September 2026 by three AI models (Gemini, GPT and Claude) against our English master and corrected where needed. A native speaker hasn’t read them yet, so point at the words rather than paraphrase.
Take it with you
- Free card tool: these phrases on your phone, spoken aloud, with the staff answer buttons
- The Atlas: gluten-free places near you
Reviewed against the HTGF methodology: every claim sourced, every listing tiered and dated. This article is practical guidance, not medical advice.
Gluten-free confidence in your inbox.
Practical tips, new guides and community stories. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.