One of the most frustrating things about having dietary restrictions is going to restaurants
and realizing they can’t really help you. The menu has “gluten-free” marked on a few items,
but you get the sense they don’t actually take it seriously. Or you’re vegetarian and half
the “vegetarian” options are just pasta with olive oil and nothing else.
At Inforno, we understand that dietary requirements are real. Whether you’re coeliac,
gluten-sensitive, vegetarian, vegan or just prefer to eat that way, you should be able to
have good Italian food without compromise.
This guide explains what we can do for dietary requirements at Inforno in Newcastle – what’s
available, how to order, and how seriously we take it.
Gluten Free Options at Inforno
The Bottom Line:
Yes, we can do gluten free pizza. Here’s what you need to know.
Gluten-Free Pizza Dough
We have gluten free pizza dough available. Here’s what that means:
What We Can Do:
- Make a wood-fired pizza on gluten-free dough
- Cook it in the wood-fired oven (same as regular pizza)
- Top it with any toppings you want
- Deliver the same quality you’d get on regular dough
What It’s Like:
- It’s still a proper pizza – not a thin, cardboard-like substitute
- Cooked in the wood-fired oven at high temperature
- Blistered and charred crust, just like regular pizza
- Takes about the same time to cook as regular pizza
Is It Safe for Coeliac?
Here’s where we need to be honest: We are not a gluten-free certified kitchen.
What that means:
- We cook gluten-free pizza in the same oven as regular pizza
- Surfaces, utensils and prep areas are shared
- There is a risk of cross-contamination
If you have coeliac disease and require 100% gluten-free preparation:
- We can’t guarantee completely contamination-free food
- You’d need to speak with management about our specific procedures
- Some people with coeliac are okay with our level of separation, others aren’t
If you have gluten sensitivity (not coeliac):
- Our gluten-free pizza is usually fine
- Cross-contamination risk is lower
- Many people with sensitivity eat here with no issues
We’re Honest About This:
We won’t pretend we’re completely gluten-free certified when we’re not. That wouldn’t be fair
to you. If you have strict coeliac requirements, call ahead and speak to management about
what we can do.
What Gluten Free Toppings Are Available?
Here’s the good news: almost any topping can go on gluten-free pizza.
Standard GF Pizza Options:
- Margherita GF – Tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil (same as regular)
- Prosciutto and Rocket GF – Prosciutto, rocket, parmesan (all naturally GF)
- Spicy Salami GF – Salami, tomato, mozzarella (check if salami is GF)
- Seafood GF – Prawns, calamari, mussels, tomato (naturally GF)
- Vegetable Pizza GF – Seasonal vegetables, olive oil, cheese
What to Check:
- Some processed meats have gluten fillers – ask about specific items
- Most fresh vegetables, cheese and oils are naturally gluten-free
- We can usually accommodate custom combinations
Best Tip: When you order, just ask:
- “Can this be gluten-free?”
- “What toppings are safe?”
- Staff can confirm which specific items work
Gluten Free Pasta – Limited Options
What We Have:
Pasta is trickier. We don’t have a full gluten-free pasta menu like we do for pizza.
What’s Possible:
- We may have gluten-free pasta available
- It depends on what’s in stock that day
- We can pair it with any sauce
What’s Not Guaranteed:
- We can’t guarantee it will be available every day
- Stock depends on demand
- Cross-contamination risk in pasta cooking (same water, utensils)
Our Honesty:
Pizza is our strong suit for gluten-free. Pasta is more limited. If gluten-free pasta is
really important for your meal, call ahead (02 4961 4031) and check availability.
Better Approach:
Come for gluten-free pizza (which we do really well) + a salad or appetiser if you need more
food.
Vegetarian Italian at Inforno
The Great News:
Being vegetarian at an Italian restaurant is actually pretty straightforward. Pizza and pasta
are naturally vegetarian if made without meat.
Vegetarian Pizza Options
Nearly unlimited options:
- Margherita – Tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil (the classic vegetarian pizza)
- Rocket and Parmesan – Rocket, parmesan, olive oil
- Mushroom Pizza – Mushrooms, garlic, cheese
- Vegetable Pizza – Seasonal vegetables, tomato, olive oil
- Roasted Garlic and Oil – Simple, flavourful
- Tomato and Basil – Pure and simple
The idea: vegetarian pizza doesn’t need to be boring. Good toppings, quality cheese and proper
cooking make all the difference.
Vegetarian Pasta Options
- Carbonara-Style Vegetarian – We can make carbonara without the meat (egg, cheese,
pepper) – confirm this works for you - Tomato Pasta – Simple, clean, naturally vegetarian
- Vegetable Pasta – Seasonal vegetables with olive oil or tomato sauce
- Mushroom Pasta – Earthy, rich, satisfying
What Makes Vegetarian Food Good:
- Quality ingredients (not just “remove the meat”)
- Flavourful sauces
- Proper cooking technique
- Good cheese and oil
We approach it seriously, not as an afterthought.
Vegan Options at Inforno
Vegan Pizza
Yes, we can do vegan pizza. Here’s what that means:
What We Can Make:
- Pizza dough (check if it’s vegan – some doughs have dairy)
- Fresh vegetable toppings (tomato, rocket, mushrooms, etc.)
- Vegan cheese alternative (if we have it in stock)
What We Need to Check:
- Is the pizza dough vegan?
- Do we have vegan cheese available?
- Are the toppings all plant-based?
The Honest Truth:
We can do vegan pizza, but you need to call ahead and confirm (02 4961 4031).
Why?
- We need to check what we have in stock
- Some ingredients may vary day to day
- Cross-contamination is possible
Best Approach:
Call and say: “I’m vegan. What vegan pizza options do you have today?”
Staff will be honest about what’s possible.
Vegan Pasta
Similar situation – check availability and ingredients. We can likely do a tomato-based pasta
with vegetables, but need to confirm on the day.
Other Dietary Requirements
Dairy-Free (But Not Necessarily Vegan)
- Pizza without cheese? Absolutely – works great with good toppings and olive oil
- Pasta? Yes, with tomato sauce and olive oil
- Just specify “no cheese” when you order
Low-Fat or Health-Conscious
- We use quality olive oil (actually good for you)
- Fresh vegetables are available
- Lighter pasta options without heavy cream
- Pizza with minimal cheese is fine
Nuts / Other Allergies
- Most of our food is nut-free
- But confirm specific allergies when you order
- Cross-contamination is always a risk in a shared kitchen
Just Tell Us
Whatever your dietary need, call or mention it when you order. We can usually work with it.
How to Order with Dietary Requirements
Step 1: Call Ahead (Ideal)
Phone: 02 4961 4031
Tell them:
- Your dietary requirement (gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.)
- What you’d like to order
- Any specific allergies or concerns
They’ll confirm what’s available and safe.
Step 2: Order
Once confirmed, order as normal. Specify on the order:
“Gluten-free pizza” or “Vegetarian pasta” so the kitchen knows.
Step 3: Ask Questions
- “Is this gluten-free dough?”
- “Does this have dairy?”
- “Can you confirm the ingredients?”
Staff should be able to answer. If they’re not sure, ask to speak to a manager.
Step 4: Enjoy
Good restaurants take dietary requirements seriously. We do.
Cross-Contamination: What You Should Know
What Is Cross-Contamination?
It’s when traces of an allergen (like gluten) end up in food that shouldn’t have it, even
though the main ingredient is safe.
Example: Cooking gluten-free pizza dough in an oven that also cooks regular pizza. Flour dust
can settle on the gluten-free pizza.
How Serious Is It?
- For people with severe coeliac disease: very serious
- For people with gluten sensitivity: sometimes okay, sometimes not
- For people choosing to avoid gluten: usually not a big deal
What We Do to Minimize It:
- Use separate prep areas when possible
- Cook gluten-free pizzas separately in the wood-fired oven
- Clean utensils and surfaces between orders
What We Can’t Guarantee:
- 100% contamination-free environment (we’re not a certified gluten-free kitchen)
- Zero airborne flour
- Complete separation in a shared kitchen
Our Honesty:
We can do gluten-free pizza. But if you have severe coeliac and need 100% safety, we’re
probably not the right choice. A certified gluten-free kitchen would be better.
For gluten sensitivity or non-coeliac gluten avoidance, we’re usually fine.
Why You Can Trust Our Dietary Approach
We Don’t Pretend
We won’t say “certified gluten-free” if we’re not. We won’t claim we’re something we’re not.
That matters.
We Take It Seriously
Dietary requirements aren’t a trend or inconvenience. They’re real. We approach them with
genuine care.
We’re Honest About Limitations
Can we do gluten-free pizza? Yes. Can we guarantee 100% safety for coeliac? No. We tell you
that upfront.
We Work With You
If you have specific needs, call and ask. We’ll figure out what works.
Good Food Doesn’t Change
Your dietary requirement doesn’t mean you deserve worse food. A gluten-free pizza should be
as good as a regular pizza. A vegetarian option should be thoughtful and flavourful. We
approach it that way.
Food Safety and Allergens
Serious About Safety
If you have an allergy (not just a preference), tell us clearly:
- When you book or order
- Again when you receive your food
- Ask for confirmation of ingredients
We Keep Records
When you tell us about a severe allergy, we note it. Staff is aware. The kitchen is aware.
Questions Welcome
Ask about:
- Ingredients in sauces
- Preparation methods
- How we handle allergens
- Cross-contamination risks
Any good restaurant welcomes these questions.
Special Considerations for Different Diets
Coeliac Disease
- Gluten-free pizza is available
- But we’re not a gluten-free certified kitchen
- Cross-contamination risk exists
- Call ahead to discuss your specific situation
Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity
- Gluten-free pizza is a good option
- Risk is much lower than coeliac
- Usually works fine for most people with sensitivity
Vegetarian
- Huge range of options (pizza and pasta)
- Treated with same care as meat options
- Very workable
Vegan
- Possible but limited
- Need to call ahead to confirm availability
- Some dishes work better than others
Lactose Intolerant
- Pizza without cheese is great
- Pasta with tomato sauce is fine
- Check milk-based ingredients in some items
- Usually manageable
Multiple Restrictions
- The more restrictions, the more important to call ahead
- We’ll work with you to figure out what works
- Be clear about what you need
Menu Items That Work for Common Diets
Best for Gluten-Free:
- Margherita Pizza GF (if GF dough available)
- Any vegetable pizza GF
- Prosciutto and Rocket Pizza GF
Best for Vegetarian:
- Margherita Pizza
- Rocket and Parmesan Pizza
- Mushroom Pizza
- Tomato Pasta
- Vegetable Pasta
Best for Vegan (Check Availability):
- Vegetable Pizza (no cheese, if vegan dough)
- Tomato Pasta with Olive Oil
- Rocket and Tomato Pizza (no cheese)
Best for Health-Conscious:
- Margherita (minimal cheese option)
- Seafood Pizza (light, protein-rich)
- Tomato-based pasta
- Vegetable options
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own gluten-free bread if you don’t have GF options that day?
Check with management, but generally we prefer to control what’s served. Call ahead and
we’ll make sure we have gluten-free options available.
Is your pizza dough made fresh or is it pre-made?
Our regular dough is made fresh and fermented for 72 hours. Gluten-free dough – check when
you order (may be fresh or pre-made depending on the day).
Do you have a separate fryer for gluten-free items?
We don’t have a fryer, so that’s not an issue. All cooking is in the oven or on the wood-fired
base.
Can I see the ingredient list for items?
Yes, ask to speak to a manager. We can provide information about ingredients and preparation.
How do you handle nut allergies?
Most items are nut-free. But confirm specific nuts when you order. Cross-contamination is
always possible in a shared kitchen.
Is your tomato sauce gluten-free?
Check when you order – most tomato sauces are, but some thickened sauces might have gluten.
Ask specifically.
Do you have vegetarian cheese?
Most cheese is vegetarian, but some use animal rennet. If you need vegetarian cheese, confirm
when you order.
Can I eat here if I have a severe nut allergy?
Possibly, but we need to know in advance. Call and discuss your situation. Be honest about
severity.
How far in advance should I call about dietary requirements?
Ideally, when you book. But even 30 minutes before is fine. Just give us notice so we can
confirm availability.
What if I arrive without calling ahead?
Tell staff immediately about your dietary need. They’ll do their best to help, but we’d prefer
a call ahead so we can be prepared.
Is your pasta egg-free (for vegan)?
Traditional pasta contains eggs. Our standard pasta does. But we can check what options we
have. Call ahead.
Building Confidence: You Can Eat Here
If you have dietary restrictions, you might worry:
- Will they take me seriously?
- Will the food be bad?
- Will there be cross-contamination?
- Will they judge me?
Here’s what we promise:
We Take It Seriously
Your dietary requirement isn’t an inconvenience. It’s real and we respect it.
The Food Will Be Good
Dietary restrictions don’t mean compromised quality. A gluten-free pizza should be as good
as regular pizza. A vegetarian dish should be thoughtful and delicious.
We’re Honest
If we can’t do something safely, we’ll tell you. If we can do it, we’ll do it well.
We Won’t Judge
Whatever your dietary need, it’s valid. We’re here to feed you well.
Final Thoughts: Gluten Free Italian in Newcastle
No matter your dietary needs – gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, allergies – you should be able
to have good Italian food.
At Inforno, we believe that. We work with dietary requirements seriously. We won’t pretend to
be something we’re not. We’ll be honest about what we can and can’t do.
But we will feed you well.
Call ahead. Tell us what you need. Come hungry. Leave satisfied.
Contact and Location
Inforno Hamilton
Beaumont Street, Hamilton NSW 2303
Phone: 02 4961 4031
Inforno Charlestown
Pearson Street, Charlestown NSW 2299
Phone: 02 4961 4031
Email: info@inforno.com.au
For dietary requirements, call ahead to confirm availability and discuss preparation.
Both locations welcome dietary needs with notice.
🍕 Hamilton, Newcastle – Come to In Forno and taste the difference.
📍 Come to charlestown, Newcastle, or reserve your table online today!
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