What to Eat for Breakfast in Italy

Discover these fundamental tips and recommendations on how to handle breakfast time in Italy.

Italian cuisine is famous all over the world. From the iconic pizza to comforting bowls of pasta with velvety sauce, there’s something about Italian food that is untouchable and familiar to many of us, regardless of where we’re from.

It’s not unheard of for people to take trips to Italy just to eat and enjoy the delicious food. This is precisely why breakfast in Italy is such an interesting topic, not just in Italian cuisine, but the whole culture.

Visiting Italy for the first time? Dive into this guide to find out exactly what is eaten for breakfast in Italy, when to eat, how to order, and what not to eat.

Why trust us? We’ve accumulated these great insights on breakfast in Italy while living here!

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What to Expect for Breakfast in Italy

In a land where the quality of basic commodities like pasta and cheese is regulated by the government, it makes sense to assume that breakfast is equally an affair as the rest of the day’s meals.

On the contrary, it seems like it’s the one thing Italians don’t care about. After observing the habits of Italians during breakfast time, in rural villages, busy cities, north and south, it’s safe to conclude that breakfast in Italy is simply no big deal.

As a tourist, do not expect a plate of eggs with bacon, a hot bowl of oatmeal, or yogurt with granola to show up on a breakfast menu in Italy. Actually, don’t expect a breakfast menu at all. Italians do not covet breakfast like some parts of the world and keep it very brief.

An everyday Italian breakfast will consist of coffee and a piece of toast or a breakfast pastry. It’s short, very sweet, and keeps the population of Italy in motion.

For first-time visitors to Italy, being aware of what breakfast is really like will save you some initial confusion and potential disappointment.

Once this stage of grief is over, you can focus on embracing the Italian breakfast and ordering like a local.

breakfast in italy 3 — A platter of pastries from a pasticceria (pastry shop) in Italy can be enjoyed any time of the day.

A (Generalized) Overview of Eating Habits in Italy

Everyday Italian Breakfast

Time of day: 7:00am – 10:30am

Consists of: Coffee, Toast or Pastry

Lunchtime in Italy

Time of day: 12:30pm – 2:00pm

Consists of: Pasta, Meat Dish and Salad or Vegetable Side

Typical Italian Dinner

Time of day: 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Consists of: Antipasto (cured meats, cheeses, olives), Risotto, Gnocchi or Pasta, Meat or Seafood Dish and Salad or Vegetable Side

Why Is the Italian Breakfast the Way It Is?

Perhaps there was once a time when breakfast was more thoughtful, but this hasn’t been the case in the last handful of decades. We know this much because the breakfast items that are sold in stores haven’t changed since the 1960s and 70s.

The theory is that breakfast occurs too soon on the following day, after dinner for Italians. In Italy, you won’t find families sitting down for a meal at home or going out to eat before 8pm.

If a typical dinner concludes between 9pm-10pm, it makes sense why a majority of Italians just aren’t that hungry in the morning.

A Breakdown of Italian Breakfast Items

Cornetto

The cornetto is Italy’s version of a croissant. Different variations are available, such as whole grain, dusted with powdered sugar or almonds. They’re also commonly filled with cream, pistachio cream, or even Nutella. The Italian cornetto is an essential breakfast item found all over the country.

Brioche

Depending on where you are in Italy, the cornetto may go by the name of brioche. However, in most cases, the brioche is an item on its own and typically in the shape of a big bun. It is puffy, light, and typically served delicately sweet.

When in Rome, you must try the maritozzi, an iconic sweet brioche bun filled with cream.

Fette Biscottate

This is one of the most typical items for breakfast at home in Italy. It is pre-packaged toast that has been toasted twice, resulting in a hard and cracker-like texture. The toast is then enjoyed with jam, Nutella, honey, or butter.

Biscotti da Colazione

The word “biscotti” translates to cookies, and “colazione” means breakfast in Italian. So, these are literally breakfast cookies (or biscuits) that are acceptable to enjoy in the morning, particularly with coffee. On the other side, this is an equally popular breakfast item for children in Italy.

The breakfast aisle in any Italian grocery store is packed with different types, including chocolate chip, whole grain, sandwich cookies, and so on. None of which are incredibly sweet, but they are all buttery and light enough where you don’t feel guilty for eating cookies for breakfast.

The diverse assortment of breakfast cookies, eaten by both adults and children in Italy.

Pasticcini

Breakfast pastries are widely found in bars but more commonly purchased from bakeries (a pasticceria) directly. Assortments vary depending on the region, but there are Italian variations of danishes, donuts, éclairs, and so on.

For most Italians, this isn’t an everyday choice of breakfast, as these items tend to be heavier. However, it’s typical to bring a plate of pastries for sharing to work, school, or back home for the whole family.

Latte

Milk is often consumed at breakfast, mostly by children, and in this case, the milk is warmed up. There is full-fat (intero) and reduced-fat (scremato) milk, both of which are usually not refrigerated at the grocery stores in Italy.

The generic milk section at a typical Italian grocery store

Where Is Breakfast Eaten in Italy?

Most restaurants in Italy are not open in the mornings. There is an exception to this in big cities like Rome, but the restaurants that are open in the morning with a full menu tend to be tourist traps.

Going out to eat for breakfast is not an event in Italy. There is no IHOP or breakfast diner to spend hours in. However, this doesn’t mean that Italians only eat breakfast at home.

Bars, as they are known in Italy, are places which we more commonly know as a cafe or coffee shop. They are the unsung hero and, in our opinion, the backbone of Italy. It is a one-stop shop for all things coffee, the traditional Italian breakfast, and alcoholic beverages.

Since an Italian breakfast doesn’t take long, it’s very common for Italians to pick up a breakfast pastry and coffee at a bar instead of at home. Naturally, this is dependent on many factors such as household routines, big city vs. village, and so on.

Aside from children, it’s also very uncommon to see Italians eating while walking. A quick five minutes is still set aside to eat a brioche in peace at the bar top rather than on the go.

breakfast in italy 11 — Bars in Italy do not just serve alcohol, they are also where you go for coffee and refreshments.

What Is the Most Authentic Italian Breakfast?

There are regional variations of almost every type of meal and dish in Italy including breakfast. The maritozzi, for example, is a soft and sweet bun stuffed with cream that is largely enjoyed for breakfast in Rome.

However, you will have a hard time finding this pastry at all if you stop into a bar or bakery in Northern Italy.

There is one breakfast order across Italy that seems to resonate with all 20 regions of the country. A cappuccino with a cornetto. It is simple, common, and quick – everything that an authentic Italian breakfast embodies.

Additionally, it’s the only acceptable time to have a cappuccino as enjoying one after lunch is culturally prohibited.

Brioche buns and croissants are sold in grocery stores as pre-packaged items for breakfast at home in Italy.

The Cost of a Traditional Italian Breakfast

A basic coffee comes in the form of an espresso, which is the cheapest coffee you can buy. This also happens to be the drink of choice for most Italians during breakfast.

Unless you are sitting down in Venice, an espresso should not cost you more than €1 (€1.50 maximum). Furthermore, if you order a coffee drink while sitting down at a table opposed to at the bar, it may cost slightly more, but this also depends on the location.

The cost of a cornetto, brioche or similar pastry should also cost anywhere from €1 – €2. In total, if you are paying more than €5 per person for a breakfast order in Italy, something’s off.

Types of Coffee for Breakfast in Italy

If you want to sound like an experienced traveller for your trip to Italy, you must know the few different types of coffees and how to order.

Caffè

Unless you mention anything in addition to caffè, you will receive a single espresso shot. The most common way to drink an espresso in Italy is with a packet of sugar which you will mix in yourself.

Usually, a caffè is consumed quickly, especially in the mornings. Regular customers at their local bar will quickly pop in, tell the barista “un caffè” and be out of there within a couple of minutes.

If you feel like one shot of espresso isn’t enough, you can order an espresso doppio, which is a double espresso. When we first arrived in Italy from the U.S., the espresso doppio was our go-to, but later realized it wasn’t common among Italians.

Caffè Lungo

A customary follow-up question from the barista might be if you want your caffè normale or lungo. Choosing lungo means that they will pour hot water over the espresso shot.

If you’re interested in finding the closest thing to an American cup of coffee, order a caffè lungo and more specifically, mention that you’d like it in a big cup (tazza grande).

Alternatively, most Italians will understand what you’re after if you ask for a caffè Americano, but a caffè lungo is the local term.

As a fair warning, do not expect a tub of black coffee like you’d receive at a Starbucks in the U.S. The sizing is simply different.

Cappuccino

The most popular breakfast drink in Italy is the cappuccino. Since it is larger than a standard caffè (espresso), it takes more time to drink and enjoy, thus being appropriate for breakfast. The base of a cappuccino is an espresso which is then topped with steamed milk and foam.

Macchiato

If your usual drink is a latte in the U.S., then you’ll want to order a latte macchiato in Italy. The latte macchiato is typically served in a tall glass and is primarily made up of milk but, of course, has a shot of espresso.

Do not order just a latte while visiting Italy – you will receive a glass of milk with zero coffee.

When ordering a macchiato, you should specify if you want the latte macchiato or a caffè macchiato.

The caffè macchiato is based on a shot of espresso with just a splash of steamed milk, which means it is stronger. Confused yet? Don’t be! Just remember the type of coffee drink you prefer and stick to it.

Alternative Coffee Drinks

The word decaffeinato means decaf and you can order any of the coffee drinks above without a caffeinated espresso shot.

Or, try a caffè d’orzo, which is a coffee substitute made out of barley and contains zero coffee at all. We’ve noticed that many European countries have their own version of this, and it’s actually quite tasty.

Caffè corretto is the term used in Italy for an espresso shot with alcohol. Because, why not? A caffè corretto is a standard espresso topped with a splash of liquor that can vary depending on the region. If you want to specify, ordering an espresso with grappa or sambuca is most common.

Crema Fredda al Caffè, a creamy iced coffee served in bars during the summer

How to Order Coffee in Italy

To place an order for coffee or breakfast item at a bar, simply start with “Vorrei…” which translates to “I would like…” Then, finish the sentence based on your coffee of choice.

A coffee (ie espresso): un caffè

A double espresso: un espresso doppio or un caffè doppio

A cappuccino: un cappuccino

A macchiato: un latte macchiato or una caffè macchiato

A decaf coffee: un caffè decaffeinato

A caffè d’orzo: un caffè d’orzo

A caffè corretto: un caffè corretto

TIP: If you need to order two drinks, switch out “un” with “due.” Finish your orders with a “please” by saying “per favore.”

How do you say eggs in Italian? Don’t worry, you won’t have to say it when looking for breakfast in Italy!

You can get everything from snacks, ice cream, breakfast, alcoholic drinks, coffee and soda from a standard bar in Italy.

Eating Breakfast in Italy at a Hotel or Airbnb

Confirmed by countless traditional B&Bs and Airbnb hosts, registered accommodation in Italy requires you to provide breakfast for guests. As Americans, this will sound more exciting than it is.

By now, you are aware that Italians don’t eat a big, hot, or complex breakfast. So this regulation simply means that your Airbnb will come stocked with the breakfast items we mentioned in this post – packaged croissants, toast, jam, Nutella, cookies, and various pastries.

Some privately owned accommodation may include refrigerated items, but the standard is to offer at least pre-packaged croissants and coffee for guests to enjoy in the morning.

If you’re staying in an apartment while visiting Italy, it is almost certain that your stay will include a capsule coffee machine. Alternatively, you may find a Moka pot which takes more time and effort but is well worth it.

Hotels in Italy, particularly higher-end hotels, may include breakfast in the cost of a room. In these cases, you can expect a more elaborate experience in the morning than just pre-packaged snacks.

Breakfast buffets in Italian hotels will usually now offer savory options, including eggs and ham, in addition to the classic sweets. The popular continental breakfast we all know and love is designated for the purpose of accommodating international tourists and is not a reflection of how Italians truly eat breakfast.

Capsule coffee machines are a very popular kitchen appliance in a typical Italian household.

Find a Hotel With Breakfast Included

Italy Travel Resources

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