Breakfast in Italy – what do Italians typically eat? And especially, what do we tourists have to order to feel just like a real Italian? Whether it’s a week-long vacation on the Adriatic in an all-inclusive or at least full-board hotel, or in a small bed & breakfast hotel in one of the country’s many beautiful cities and metropolises. The bigger the hotel, the more international the breakfast offer will be. Especially in important economic like financial cities like Milan or Rome, you will get everything at breakfast to choose from. But, do you need this at all, this surplus? Why not enjoy it locally, like the local population? After all, you often come to a country precisely because of the local culture, then you should also come into contact with the typical customs. The smaller a hotel or B&B is, the less choice you usually get, and the more typical the offerings become. Below for you below also some impressions of my breakfasts from previous trips to Italy, and the typical breakfast offer.

Breakfast in Italy

A classic breakfast in Italy is quick to consume, and especially fortifying in terms of caffeine. In the last post I already wrote about until what time it is okay to order and drink cappuccino in Italy, and this of course applies perfectly to the Italian breakfast.
Breakfast in Italy usually consists of two components – something sweet, and something fortifying to drink.

If you like to eat sweet for breakfast, you will love the first meal of the day in Italy. Breakfast cakes, croissants and brioches each either plain or filled or of course something fresh like a fruit salad or fruit and yoghurt. The starchy component is often a cappuccino, which is velvety whipped milk with milk foam and an espresso. With more warm milk than a latte or, of course, if time is short, just an espresso. That’s just a big sip anyway, with the full force of caffeine.

Of course, you can also enjoy a Panini sandwich bread with cold cuts for breakfast if you are more on the hearty side. Yummy bread filled with thinly sliced Mortadella, Prosciutto Crudo or Caprese (tomato and mozzarella) is also more than delicious.

Ordering breakfast in Italy, in Italian

To know at least a few phrases for your breakfast in Italy, here are some phrases and words that will be helpful for you.

Breakfast – Colazione

What do you eat for breakfast in Italy? – Cosa si mangia a colazione in Italia?

Do you offer Italian breakfast? – Offrite la colazione italiana?

I would like to order a croissant – do you have croissants with custard, chocolate or pistachio filling? – Vorrei ordinare un cornetto – avete cornetti con ripieno di crema, cioccolato o pistacchio?

For me please a cappuccino and a slice of breakfast cake. – Per me, per favore, un cappuccino e una fetta di torta da colazione.

Do you offer savoury breakfasts as well? Sausage, cheese, butter or cream cheese and bread? – Offrite anche la colazione salata? Salsiccia, formaggio, burro o crema di formaggio e pane?

Do you only have slices of bread or rolls as well? – Avete solo fette di pane o anche panini?

Do you also offer fruit salad or fruit with yoghurt for breakfast? – Offrite anche macedonia di frutta o frutta con yogurt a colazione?