Italian cuisine breakfast is light, sweet, and small in portion, always centred around coffee. Most Italians start their day with a cornetto (Italian-style croissant) or simple baked goods, paired with a quick espresso or frothy cappuccino. Savoury breakfasts are rare. Only a small percentage of Italians enjoy eggs, cheese, or cured meats in the morning.
But that’s just the surface.
Breakfast in Italy is shaped by tradition, region, and everyday rituals; from biscuits dunked in milk to standing at a café bar with a quick coffee and pastry. While sweet breakfasts dominate, authentic savory dishes still hold a cherished place in Italian mornings.
In this guide, you’ll discover what Italians really eat for breakfast. Explore the most loved Italian breakfast foods and try authentic sweet and savoury recipes straight from real Italian restaurants and kitchens. Perfect for experiencing the true flavours of Italy in Perth.
What Is an Italian Cuisine Breakfast?
Unlike big, heavy breakfasts in other cultures, Italian breakfast is light, quick, comforting, and delicious enough to ease you into the day. Italian people don’t sit down for a long morning meal. Instead, they enjoy a small bite, a warm pastry or biscuit, and most importantly… coffee.
If there’s one constant across all Italian breakfast traditions, it’s coffee.
When people imagine Italian breakfast foods, the exact dishes may vary, but coffee is non-negotiable. Espresso is the coffee of choice all day, including breakfast. Cappuccino is socially acceptable only in the morning.
In fact, studies and surveys consistently show that around two-thirds of Italians say they need coffee to start the day. That’s why whether breakfast happens at home, at a café, or standing at the bar, coffee always comes first.
Sweet or Savoury? What Do Italians Really Eat for Breakfast?
Most Italians eat a sweet breakfast. In fact, only around 7% of Italians regularly choose a savoury breakfast, while the vast majority, roughly 93% of people, prefer something sweet, light, and quick in the morning.
A traditional Italian breakfast most commonly includes:
- A cornetto (Italian-style croissant)
- Filled with custard, jam, chocolate, or cream
- Paired with espresso or cappuccino
Cornetti are lighter and less buttery than French croissants. They are designed to be eaten quickly; standing at a café counter before work.
Other widely eaten Italian breakfast picks include:
- Dry breakfast biscuits dunked in milk or coffee
- Yogurt with fruit or honey
- Bread with jam, marmalade, or chocolate spread
Do Italians eat a savoury breakfast? Yes, but it’s uncommon.
A savoury Italian breakfast may include cured meats, eggs, or cheese with bread, but this is not part of everyday Italian home life. Savoury breakfasts are more typical on weekends, while travelling, or in regional and family-style settings.
Cereal also exists in Italy, though it’s mainly eaten by children. When adults eat cereal, it’s usually paired with yogurt or plant-based milk. Soy milk, oat milk, and other alternatives have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Next, let’s look at the most common Italian breakfast items you’ll actually see on Italian tables.
Common Picks for Breakfast in Italy
Most Italians have a light bite and a strong coffee before heading out the door. Here’s a look at the most popular breakfast foods Italians enjoy each morning.
Coffee & Pastry Classics: Espresso, Cappuccino & Cornetto
Coffee is the backbone of breakfast in Italy. Before 11 am, espresso or cappuccino is fair game. After that, Italians switch strictly to espresso.
Pair that coffee with a cornetto, and you’ve got the most iconic Italian breakfast combination. Cornetti are lightly sweet, softer than French croissants, and often filled with jam, custard, or chocolate. They’re mostly eaten al banco (standing at the café bar), making breakfast a social ritual as much as a meal.
Bread with Jam, Honey or Chocolate Spread
At home, breakfast is often even simpler.
Fresh bread topped with jam, honey, or chocolate spread is a staple across Italian households. Seasonal fruit preserves like apricot, fig, or cherry are especially popular. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying with a cup of coffee or juice. This everyday habit perfectly reflects how Italian breakfast cuisine values balance over excess.
Yogurt & Fruit: The Modern Italian Morning
Italian breakfasts are evolving.
More people now opt for yogurt with fresh, seasonal fruit; especially those looking for something lighter or more health-focused. Greek-style yogurt, a drizzle of honey, and berries or stone fruit make a refreshing, modern breakfast that still fits Italian simplicity. Green tea or fresh juice often replaces coffee for those choosing this route.
Milk, Cereals & the Italian Dunking Ritual
Milk and cereals are common in Italian homes, particularly for families with children.
Another classic option is fette biscottate; crisp, twice-baked rusks designed to be dunked in milk or coffee. This dunking habit, known as inzuppare, is deeply ingrained in Italian breakfast culture and turns even the simplest foods into a ritual.
Breakfast Cakes & Regional Traditions
Yes, Italians eat cake for breakfast.
Simple homemade cakes like ciambella or crostata filled with fruit preserves are frequently served in the morning. These are not rich desserts but lightly sweet cakes meant to be enjoyed with coffee.
Regional traditions also shine through. In Sicily, for example, brioche served with granita turns breakfast into a celebration of local flavour and seasonality.
Up next, we explore authentic Italian breakfast recipes, both sweet and savoury; all delicious and perfectly suited to Perth restaurants and kitchens.
10+ Authentic Italian Breakfast Recipes Worth Trying
Sweet tooth? Savoury soul? Somewhere in between? No worries. Italian cuisine breakfast satisfies all taste buds.
Traditionally, Italian breakfasts lean sweet and light. But step inside modern Italian restaurants and homes, you’ll also find comforting egg dishes, rustic bakes, and savoury plates perfect for slower mornings.
Let’s have a trip to both worlds. Sweet Italian breakfast foods for dunking, sharing, and lingering over coffee. And savoury Italian breakfast recipes for when you want something hearty, nourishing, and deeply satisfying.
Sweet Italian Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day
1. Italian Breakfast Cookies (Biscotti da Inzuppo)
These are the cookies Italians grow up with. No overload of sugar. Just simple, dunkable perfection. These Italian cookies are crisp on the outside, gently soft inside, and designed to be dipped into warm milk or coffee. Kids love them. Adults always reach for seconds.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Whisk eggs, sugar, and oil until smooth.
- Add flour and baking powder to form a soft dough.
- Shape into logs, bake until lightly golden.
- Slice and bake again briefly for a crisp finish.
They’re intentionally mild. Traditionally made without vanilla, these cookies focus on texture rather than sweetness. That’s why they’re perfect for dunking without falling apart.
2. Pandoro French Toast (The Ultimate Holiday Breakfast)
Pandoro is Italy’s golden Christmas bread; light, buttery, and egg-rich. Turning it into French toast is what Italians do when leftovers deserve a second life. This is comfort food with a festive soul.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- Dip pandoro slices gently.
- Fry in butter until golden on both sides.
- Dust with icing sugar and serve warm.
Pandoro’s airy crumb absorbs custard beautifully, creating a soft centre with crisp edges when pan-fried.
3. Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread
Soft. Fluffy. Slightly sweet. This is coffee’s best friend. Italian brioche is lighter and less sugary than other enriched breads, making it ideal for breakfast.
Chocolate chip brioche bread takes classic Italian brioche dough and adds just enough chocolate to feel luxurious without turning it into dessert.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Prepare brioche dough and let it rise.
- Fold in chocolate chips and zest.
- Shape, proof again, then bake until golden.
Enjoy it fresh, or turn leftovers into the most decadent French toast you’ve ever had.
4. Sweet Pistachio Cream Brioche Rolls
These rolls are what happens when Italy meets indulgence – gently.
Soft brioche dough is rolled with pistachio cream and finished with chopped pistachios for texture. They’re sweet, nutty, and not overly rich; exactly how Italians prefer breakfast pastries.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Roll out brioche dough.
- Spread pistachio cream evenly.
- Roll, slice, bake until fluffy and golden.
Perfect for brunch spreads or when you want something impressive without being heavy.
5. Brioche Cinnamon Rolls (Italian-Style)
Not traditionally Italian, but beautifully adapted. Using Italian brioche dough, these cinnamon rolls are lighter, fluffier, and less sweet than their American cousins. Italian dough focuses on balance; buttery, airy, and never cloying.
Ingredients
Quick Method:
- Roll dough and spread butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Roll tightly, slice, and bake until golden.
You get comfort without heaviness. Have em for a relaxed Italian-style breakfast.
6. Yogurt Pancakes
These pancakes may not be traditionally Italian, but they’ve found a place in many Italian restaurants in Perth. Yogurt pancakes are light, slightly tangy, and incredibly soft. Yogurt adds moisture and tenderness without needing excess sugar or fat.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Whisk yogurt and eggs.
- Add dry ingredients.
- Cook spoonfuls on a hot pan until fluffy.
They’re versatile, quick, and pair beautifully with fruit and coffee; perfect for modern Italian breakfasts.
7. Bomboloni – Pistachio Custard Filled Doughnuts
Soft, airy, and delightfully indulgent, bomboloni are Italian filled doughnuts made from sweet, yeasted Sicilian brioche dough. These are the ultimate treat for breakfast, brunch, or even a cheeky afternoon snack. Unlike regular doughnuts, they have no hole in the middle and are stuffed with luscious pistachio custard; or other fillings if you prefer.
The magic is in the dough is it’s enriched with eggs, butter, and a hint of orange zest and vanilla. It bakes into light, fluffy bomboloni that are crisp on the outside yet soft inside. Rolling them in sugar adds that classic Italian sweet finish, making them irresistible alongside a morning espresso.
Quick Method:
- Roll out brioche dough and cut into circles.
- Fry each circle in hot oil until golden and puffed.
- Drain and roll in sugar while warm.
- Fill with pistachio custard using a piping bag.
Tips & Filling Variations:
- You can fill bomboloni with vanilla pastry cream, chocolate hazelnut spread, lemon custard, or jam.
- Serve immediately for the fluffiest texture; they’re best fresh.
- Perfect for impressing guests at a brunch or simply elevating a weekend breakfast.
Bomboloni are indulgent yet not overly heavy, embodying the Italian approach to breakfast. In Sicily, it’s common to enjoy them alongside granita or a morning coffee, making mornings feel like a little celebration.
Savoury Italian Breakfast Cuisine You’ll Love
8. Fried Eggs with Greens (Quick, Rustic & Satisfying)
Not every Italian breakfast is sweet. And Italians will happily tell you that eggs, vegetables, and simple bakes make a brilliant start to the day.
This is the kind of breakfast Italians make when the fridge looks empty. And somehow it still tastes amazing. Fried eggs with greens combine soft eggs, lightly sautéed vegetables, and briny olives, all finished with good olive oil and crusty bread. It’s fast, flexible, and deeply Italian. Greens elevate humble eggs into a proper meal.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Sauté onions and greens in olive oil until soft.
- Add olives.
- Crack eggs over the vegetables and fry to your liking.
- Serve with crusty bread.
9. Zucchini Blossom & Egg Scramble
If you see zucchini blossoms in Italy; you cook them immediately. This scramble is delicate, floral, and deeply seasonal. Zucchini flowers add subtle sweetness and a soft, silky texture.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Gently sauté blossoms.
- Add beaten eggs.
- Cook softly and serve with bread.
10. Classic Italian Frittata – Ricotta, Zucchini & Potato
If Italians love one thing for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it’s a frittata. The open-faced, egg-based dish that’s versatile, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable. From light and creamy to hearty and veggie-packed, frittatas are a staple in Italian kitchens, enjoyed hot, cold, or even as leftovers.
Here are three classic Italian frittata recipes, each variation with its own unique personality.
- Ricotta Frittata
This ricotta frittata is the ultimate minimal-effort breakfast. Rich, creamy, and protein-packed, it’s baked entirely in the oven; no flipping required. The ricotta keeps it soft without being heavy, making it perfect for busy mornings or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Whisk eggs and ricotta until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake in an oiled dish until just set and lightly golden.
A creamy, fuss-free option that feels indulgent yet light; ideal for a simple weekday breakfast.
- Zucchini Frittata
Zucchini and eggs are an Italian classic, and this version takes it up a notch with a crisp breadcrumb crust and gooey provolone centre. Oven-baked and golden on top, it’s a show-stopping brunch dish that disappears fast.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Layer zucchini and breadcrumbs in a baking dish.
- Pour eggs over.
- Add cheese and bake until golden and bubbly.
A summer favourite in Italy, perfect for entertaining or adding a gourmet touch to a weekday breakfast.
- Potato & Red Pepper Frittata
For a more rustic, filling breakfast, the potato and red pepper frittata is hard to beat. Firm, colourful, and hearty, it’s started on the stovetop and finished under the grill — no flipping required. Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers.
Ingredients
Quick Method
- Pan-fry potatoes until tender.
- Add peppers and pour in whisked eggs.
- Grill until set and golden.
Together, they show that Italian breakfasts don’t have to be heavy; they can be flavourful, balanced, and satisfying, whether you’re in a café in Rome or cooking at home in Perth.
Visit Prego, An Authentic Italian Restaurant in Perth: A True Task of Italy in Perth
At Prego Restaurant we do Italian cuisine breakfast properly. Whether you want a quick al banco coffee and pastry, a relaxed weekend brunch, or to host a morning function, we’ve got the flavours and the vibe you’re after.
The kind of Italian breakfast that makes you smile and come back for more. Book a table for two, reserve a group spot, or call us for custom breakfast functions.
Come hungry – we’ll take care of the rest.