Italian Breakfasts are simple and light compared to American breakfasts. From savory options like traditional Frittata to sweet Italian breakfast pastries to drinks such as cappuccino or espresso, they’re a delicious way to start the day!

Traditional Italian foods are more than pasta and pizza. Italy is famous for using quality ingredients and its blending of meats, cheeses, and sauces.

If you like Italian cuisine, make sure to check out our Italian Soups and Italian Desserts.

What’s A Typical Breakfast (Colazione) In Italy?

A typical breakfast in Italy, referred to as Colazione, is a lighter and sweeter meal than what we usually see in the U.S.

It consists of a perfect cup of coffee, cappuccino, or a cafe latte with a side of bread slathered with jam, biscotti or a pastry.

Traditional Foods For Breakfast In Italy

1. Ricotta Pancakes

Fluffy and moist are the only way to describe these pancakes! Step up your pancake game by adding some ricotta to your homemade pancake recipe.

For the toppings, you can top them off with some macerated strawberries and complete them with butter and maple syrup.

The combination of the ingredients provides a sweet taste without one of them overpowering the other.

2. Frittata

Bacon, egg, cheese, and vegetables- this probably sounds like your typical and simple breakfast.

However, if you take those ingredients, sautee them while whisking in the eggs and cream, then stick them in the oven for just 10 short minutes, you will have a breakfast that not only warms you, but fills you too!

3. Italian Brunch Torte

Italian torta is a pie similar to a quiche, but here’s the caveat – the Torte’s crust is made of cheese, or even pizza dough, not egg!

Torta is the Italian word for cake. You can even try a vegetarian version.

4. Zeppole Italian Donuts

Also known as St. Joseph’s Day Cake! They are light and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Our recipe is quick and easy…don’t forget to use vegetable oil when making these delicious donuts. Plus, you can fill them with pastry cream, custard or jam!

5. Italian Baked Eggs & Sausage

Do you crave something warm and comforting on cold and wintery days? Try grabbing the tomato sauce, smoked sausage, and eggs to provide you with an everlasting satisfied feeling.

Simply sauté the sauce and sausage together, add in some Italian seasoning and poached eggs and you are well on your way to the perfect breakfast or even brunch.

6. Ciambella (Italian Breakfast Cake)

Ciambella is an Italian yellow bundt cake with a nice crumb. You can serve it as a breakfast cake or with tea or coffee. It’s moist, elegant and rich!

Italian Breakfast Pastries

7. Croissant (Cornetto)

Buttery, flakey pastry is what describes a croissant. Named for its crescent shape, a croissant provides a crispy texture on the outside, fluffy and airy on the inside.

It is better known in Italy as a cornetto, easily made by combining eggs, pastry dough, and water. The difference is that cornetto has a bit more sugar than your typical croissant.

8. Brioche

Butter anyone? If you are a butter fan, then Brioche is for you! The perfect cross between bread and pastry. You can easily make this a sweet brioche for dessert or a savory brioche as a compliment to your breakfast.

The high amounts of eggs and butter in this recipe make the bread have a golden outside and yellow light and fluffy on the inside.

Try your hand at making this perfect pastry, it is difficult to mess up.

9. Tiramisu

Can’t beat a dessert that combines that perfect cup of coffee and a pastry treat! Tiramisu is a simple pastry that will have you going back for more!

Simply dip the ladyfingers into espresso and combine the mascarpone, cream, sugar, and vanilla. From there it’s just layering the ladyfingers and mascarpone.

The best part about this pastry is that you don’t have to bake it!

10. Cannoli

Crisp and flakey, lusciously creamy- these are the words that describe that pastry you cannot do without!

Cannoli is a tube-shaped pastry that is usually filled with ricotta cheese and mascarpone mixture however you can step it up a notch and add in some icing sugar and chocolate chips, cinnamon, or even cream cheese.

Whatever option you choose, you will definitely want more than just one.

11. Pizzelle

Italian pizzelle are thin and crispy waffle cookies dusted with powdered sugar. They’re so festive and fun! Perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch menu served with some espresso.

12. Biscuits

Why not try your cappuccino, coffee, or latte with a biscuit?

And depending on where you’re eating and trying these flour-based products, you’ll either bite into a soft and flaky biscuit or drier and crunchy – in particular in Europe.

Italian Breakfast Drinks

13. Cappuccino

If you get the right cappuccino on the right day, there’s just something about them that brings comfort.

Traditionally prepared with steam milk foam, cappuccinos have been around since the 1700s. To add a little kick, try adding cinnamon or sugar to the top. 

14. Coffee & Latte

Dating back to the 15th century, this beverage is now consumed and enjoyed around the world! The coffee seeds undergo several processes before they become the familiar roasted coffee we all drink on a regular basis.

Latte is a coffee drink made from espresso and steamed milk. In Italy, caffè latte is almost always prepared at home, for breakfast only – hence our breakfast chain of food and drink here.

15. Authentic Italian Espresso

Espresso coffee is one of life’s great pleasures, but there are a few tips to getting it just right. With this recipe, you can make the perfect espresso at home with any setup.

Other Popular Italian Breakfast Recipes

16. Italian Brunch Casserole

At first glance you would call this dish an omelette. But that’s where the similarities end. Italian Brunch Casserole is served in a deeper pan, and therefore offers way more substance. Served best with fresh fruit!

I don’t know about you, but I’m not only hungry but also thirsty and can’t wait to tackle some of these suggestions tomorrow morning!

From the frittata to the cannoli to the cappuccino – heck we could write a song about these Italian breakfast favorites.

Mangia!!

17. Roman Maritozzo

Have you had a maritozzo, the soft Italian brioche buns filled with vanilla whipped cream? Hailing from the capital city of Rome, maritozzo are becoming super-popular stateside. Learn how to make your own at home!

18. Panettone

Nothing says the holidays like panettone, a sweet Milanese brioche bread that has raisins, candied fruit peel, almonds and brandy. Homemade is the best and avoids the preservatives in store-bought panettone. Here’s the recipe to make your own!

19. Bombolone

Bombolone are pillowy soft Italian doughnuts filled with pastry cream and rolled in sugar. Whenever you’re craving donuts for breakfast, try these. You can even make them a day ahead.

20. Crostata Di Marmellata (Jam Tart)

When you want a fancier start for breakfast or brunch, try making this irresistible Italian tart with apricot jam filling. The lattice top always makes it a runaway success!

21. Focaccia Bread

Do you love homemade focaccia, that soft leavened Italian flatbread? This recipe shows you how to make it at home, and you can customize the flavorings to make it for breakfast too. So good!

How To Order Coffee In Italy For Breakfast

Ordering coffee in Italy is an art just like ordering at Starbucks! Here’s how to do it:

1. “Un caffè” means an espresso by default. Add “doppio” for a double espresso, or “ristretto” for extra strength, or “lungo” for extra water.
2. They don’t make drip coffee in Italy, but if you say “Caffè Americano” they will dilute the espresso with hot water.
3. “Un mocha” is an espresso with some hot chocolate and steamed milk mixed in.
4. “Un latte macchiato” is a cup of steamed milk dotted with coffee.
5. “Un cappuccino” is espresso with steamed milk, usually only served post-11am.

More Breakfast Ideas

• American Breakfast
• Italian Pastries
• French Breakfast Foods