Introduction 

My semester in Madrid was incredibly impactful, and my experiences will stay with me for the rest of my life. I want to share my story as a person with multiple severe food allergies to provide comfort to anyone who may be worried about how to eat and survive while studying in Spain. Food allergies make eating out anywhere tricky. Add a foreign country, unique food, and a different language, and it can feel impossible. Learning about the cuisine and expanding my Spanish vocabulary helped me advocate for myself and taught me how to successfully navigate the Madrid food scene.  

A rooftop dinner in Gran Vía with my roommate 

Allergies in Madrid 

I got to discover and experience Spanish food classics such as paella and patatas bravas. Nuts are an uncommon ingredient in Spanish food, so I easily avoided my anaphylactic allergens. 

The best paella ever at a small local restaurant in Valencia 

Many restaurants had an allergen key on their menu like this: 

The icons appeared next to the menu items that contained them, a visual representation of off-limits menu items. However, I had to remain cautious because some ingredients, like butter or mayonnaise, slipped under the radar, even when no allergen icon was next to a dish. Some restaurants didn’t have these icons. In those cases, I relied on my knowledge of typical ingredients or asked for a menu with allergen information. 

Eggs, dairy, and gluten proved most difficult to avoid. Some of their most iconic dishes, such as tortilla de patatas, are made with these. Some traditional tapas restaurants didn’t give a choice of what tapa you received. When ordering a drink, they would add a mystery tapa. I spoke to someone working the bar, and after explaining my allergies, they only served tapas I could eat. 

Massive tapa servings of chorizo, olives, chips, and jamón iberico

How to Ask for Accommodations 

I would love to teach a class on communicating dietary restrictions and advocating for yourself in Spanish, but a brief crash course will have to do. 

I led by saying, “I have a lot of allergies” or “tengo muchas alergias” and asking questions about the menu: “puedo preguntarte sobre algunas cosas en la carta?” or something similar. If someone has little or no basis in the language, jumping into the next step is okay. 

Sometimes, it’s best to be as specific as possible. Asking about one or two menu items and whether they contain specific allergens was helpful. For example, when asking about patatas bravas, I was most concerned about mayonnaise in the “brava” sauce. I would ask, “En las patatas bravas, la salsa contiene huevos o mayonesa?” Or, while pointing to the item on the menu, simply, “contiene huevos?” 

When overwhelmed or unsuccessful in finding something to eat, I would tell my server all my allergies and ask for their recommendation: “qué recomiendas?” This often started a helpful back-and-forth conversation. 

To ask for a menu with allergen information, I said: “Tienes una carta con información sobre alérgenos?” 

The Safest Option: Grocery Stores and Cooking for Yourself 

Thanks to CEA CAPA, there was a grocery store within a five-minute walk of my apartment. I was in a fantastic spot with at least five stores within a few blocks, including one called El Corte Inglés. It was slightly more expensive than other stores but had the biggest allergy-friendly selection. It was invaluable when I needed quick snacks for long school days or traveling. 

One of my favorite meals I cooked for myself while living in Spain: coconut curry with rice and baby greens! 

Some Special Places 

Madrid is a massive city, and there are plenty of places to suit any needs. My favorite was Chocolatería 1902, which sold gluten-free, vegan churros con chocolate, an iconic Madrid food. 

Gluten- and dairy-free churros con chocolate at Chocolatería 1902 

Outside of Spanish cuisine, Madrid boasts a variety of international restaurants. I could safely eat familiar cuisines, find affordable meals, or try new cuisines. My favorites were kebab, sushi, Tierra, and Tiki Taco.  

The European Gluten Myth 

People with celiac may have heard that gluten in Europe is safer than in the U.S. I’ve heard this is related to some differences in wheat processing. I wanted it to be true, so I tried some bread. But it didn’t work out. 

A tiny bite of bread

When Things Go Wrong, Here’s How to Deal with It 

During my second week in Madrid, I got Indian food with a new friend. I ordered a delicious dish, my usual in the U.S. On my way home, I started feeling symptoms. Since the food was impressively spicy, I didn’t think the swelling in my throat or the hot redness in my face was anaphylaxis. 

When I arrived home, my symptoms worsened. I got hives. I immediately took Benadryl and waited for my symptoms to improve. It was a slow reaction (I apparently ingested trace amounts of allergen), so I luckily had time to decide on a course of action. When my symptoms didn’t improve, I went to the hospital. 

CEA CAPA recommended Hospital de Madrid because they have the most straightforward payment system with insurance. I didn’t go there; I went to the closest one. The employees didn’t speak much English, which was okay for me, but if English communication is necessary, I recommend Hospital de Madrid. 

I was given an IV with antihistamine and a steroid to stop and reverse the reaction. I stayed in the hospital until my symptoms subsided. The next day, I picked up my prescription for oral antihistamine and prednisone (in case the reaction relapsed) at the closest Farmacia. 

Pharmacists in Madrid make helpful recommendations after listening to symptoms. Benadryl doesn’t exist in Spain, so asking for a strong antihistamine and explaining its purpose ensures getting what’s needed. 

The bill was less than I would have paid as a copay in the U.S. However, finding a way to pay was challenging. After many dead ends, I paid easily with Wise, an app for transferring money without borders. 

Very important: keep ALL receipts, bills, and other papers to send a complete claim to insurance. Amazingly, a full refund was mailed to my U.S. address.  

Concluding Advice for Fellow Students with Allergies  

Take a deep breath. The most important thing is to advocate for yourself. It can be daunting, especially in an unfamiliar environment with a new language. Be patient with yourself and ask for help. The skills gained are invaluable, and studying abroad will be a fantastic experience! 

My roommate treated me to delicious Peruvian food on my last day in Madrid!