Breakfast in Italy

Breakfast in Italy tends to be a sweet start to the day, where Italians commonly choose a cappuccino and a cornetto (The Italian version of a croissant) for their first meal in the morning. However, while meals in Italy are famously epic affairs, where lunches take hours and dinners regularly running late into the night (not difficult when accompanied by some of the best wine in the world), when it comes to the Italian breakfast though, things are much much more low key.

The good news is though that for the adventurous gastronomic traveler there is much more to the Italian breakfast scene, if you’re prepared to explore a little. 

So breakfast in Italy is not the most important meal of the day?

In short no, whilst other Italian meals can last for hours the average Italian breakfast lasts just 13 minutes! But that does not mean to say there aren’t some Italian breakfast treats out there.

How do you say breakfast in Italian? It is called ‘la colazione’ and if you’re used to hotel dining much more resembles a “conventional breakfast”  than an English fry up. Don’t expect bacon and eggs for breakfast in Italy. Generally speaking breakfast is for those with a sweet tooth. 

What is a typical Italian breakfast?

The cuisine of Italy is an extremely rich and wonderful thing, with each region having their own take on things. We will get onto the regional varieties of Italian breakfasts in a bit, but first lets sum-up an average Italian breakfast. 

Coffee

As you’d expect coffee accompanies most breakfasts in Italy. Most Italians use what is known as a moka to make their coffee at home. Popular Italian coffee brands include Illy and Lavazza.

Pastries, biscuits, cannoli and crepes

For most Italians a sweet pastry, biscuit, or some form of crepes is consumed for breakfast. The Sicilian cannolo is also enjoyed throughout the country.

Cereals, yogurt and fruit

What we might call the continental breakfast is also popular in Italy. This would include breakfast cereals, yogurt, fruit and milk.

The Cornetto

Don’t be confused here, cornetto has zero relation to ice cream ,. A cornetto (meaning “little horn”) is an Italian soft-pastry that is often described as an Italian croissant, but whilst there are certain similarities, they are also reasons why a cornetto differs.

Whilst both look quite similar, the cornetto is less crispy softer and sweeter than its French cousin. Therefore whilst you would add butter to a croissant, you would much more likely find custard, jam, honey or even Nutella added to a cornetto.  

So, our top tip for breakfast in Italy? You can’t go wrong with a cornetto and a cappuccino.

regional Italian breakfast

Italian cuisine varies as much as its scenery, so when it comes to an “Italian Breakfast” your options will obviously be affected by where in Italy you happen to be. 

Despite pastries and coffee available wherever you go, here are some regional Italian breakfast specialties that you might not know about. 

Breakfast in Piedmont

Piedmont is the second largest region in Italy, bordering both France and Switzerland has a rich culinary culture. But what is a Pediment breakfast? 

A breakfast option in Piedmont includes Zabaglione. It is an Italian style dessert sometimes called “Italy’s gift to the world”, made from egg whites, sugar and marsala wine. The breakfast version is whipped to almost resemble a custard, although it can also be made into a drink which incorporates cognac. Thankfully this i not to be in the breakfast version. 

Breakfast in Veneto

Veneto is the 5th largest region in Italy and most famous obviously for Venice. Culinary wise Venice might be most well known for its numerous fish dishes, but when it comes to breakfast in Venice it is all about the apple strudel. The pastry cooked with apples inside, is a classic venetian delight. Served hot and a must try breakfast (or dessert) when in Veneto.

Breakfast in Liguria

Liguria is a province in the North-West of Italy most famous for its capital city of Genoa. Famous for the genovese pesto, but what is Genoese breakfast like? The specialty is Genoese focaccia, which is a flat oven baked bread similar to pizza, but without toppings, although sometimes onions are added.

Breakfast in Sardinia

Sardinia is the second largest island of Italy after Sicily. Breakfast in Sardinia often consists of crepes with pecorino cheese. Crepes obviously need very little introduction, pecorino though is a cheese made from sheep’s milk. The crepe is served with the cheese often melted inside with prosciutto, or sometimes with honey. 

Breakfast in Rome (and Lazio)

Lazio is the province of Italy that encompasses Rome, where breakfast sometimes consists of the popular roman pastry Maritozzi. A maritozzi is a soft and light brioche style bun, filled with sweetened whipped cream.

Breakfast in Sicily

A Sicilian breakfast, usually consists of a brioche, which is a sweet pastry, as well as a granita (an iced drink), offered in a variety of flavors, including fruit as well as coffee. astry

And that is our guide to the often misunderstood world of the Italian Breakfast! For a complete insight into Italian cuisine including breakfast, join us for one of our Rome Food Tours.

Alternatively, discover more about Rome with our Rome Travel Guide.