Breakfast, colazione as Italians call it, can vary in size depending on appetite, region, the season of the year, etc. Many Italians prefer small breakfasts, often consisting of a simple cornetto (an Italian variation of French croissant), and a quick espresso, so to save their appetite for later in the day. Others prefer a more traditional choice for breakfast. In this article we will explore the different ways Italians choose to start their day concerning their breakfast, in different regions of the country.
Rome
Photo Credit: Jonathan Pielmayer
Roman breakfast is considered poor as many locals prefer to drink just coffee such as espresso, cappuccino or caffe latte as they call it, which is hot coffee with milk over eating a complete meal. But if they choose to have something with their morning coffee that would usually be toasted bread, pastry rolls, butter and jam. Cookies are also served along with an Italian kind of rusk hard bread named biscotatte. Another easy and quick breakfast dish Romans often have is omelet, cooked in several different ways according to the ingredients available.
Mirabelle Restaurant of Hotel Splendide Royal, nearby Piazza di Spagna, one of the most popular squares in Rome, is located on the 7th floor featuring a breath-taking panoramic view of the city. It's the perfect spot to enjoy your breakfast overlooking the 19th century palace of Pinciano, Villa Medici, Trinita dei Monti, and Saint Peter’s Cathedral.
Naples
Photo Credit: Toa Heftiba
Naples is well known for its most extraordinary food. The traditional Napolitano pastries can be found in bakeries and coffee shops around the city, and Neapolitans choose them over anything else for their breakfast. Some popular pastries are the babas, small yeast cakes dripped in syrup usually made from rum, and often filled with whipped cream, sfogliatelle, a seashell-shaped pastry filled with a sweetened ricotta cream, semolina, and cinnamon mixture and pastiera, a Neapolitan tart made with ricotta cheese, and flavored with orange flower water.
Grand Hotel Parker's in Naples and the multi-awarded 'George' restaurant offer authentic Neapolitan dishes along with an extended wine list with more than 150 labels. You can enjoy your breakfast and then head to the hotel's bar 'La Terrazza delle Muse' for a quiet afternoon accompanied with relaxing music tones and fruity cocktails.
Bologna
Raviole are typical sweets from Bologna made of cookie dough, and you can find everywhere, from a simple bakery (panetterie) to sweet shops (pasticcieries) and restaurants. They are named after their appearance because they are prepared to look a lot like “ravioli pasta.” Raviole is usually filled with Mostarda Bolognese (a kind of jam made of fruit like apples, pears, plums, almonds and raisins and a little bit of mustard), folded to look like a moon-shaped cake. Traditionally raviole is dipped in a glass of red wine but you can also try dipping it in your milk or coffee at breakfast.
Venice
Photo Credit: Taylor Kiser
When visiting Venice, make sure to try the traditional Venetian Tea Sandwiches (Tramezzini). Tramezzini are small triangular sandwiches usually with their crust removed. They are very popular in Venice because they don’t cost much and can be easily found in cafes around the city. During Christmas, you should try a focaccia along with your morning coffee, a special Venetian sweet bread and at Carnival time try the frittelle, a type of Italian doughnut.
Milan
Photo Credit: Roman Kraft
Milanese coffee shops are known to be among the best in the world where locals enjoy the typical Milanese breakfast with cappuccino and homemade brioche. As in most parts of Italy, Milan owns a number of nice pasticcerias serving panettone, an Italian bread similar to a fruitcake filled with raisins and traditionally served during Christmas holidays. Croissants are also a popular choice and come in various flavors including Nutella, strawberry, cream, and blueberry.
Florence
Photo: Villa La Vedetta Hotel
Florence has its own alternative in case you are tired of the same old sandwich. Panini or panino is actually a grilled sandwich made with special bread types such as baguette, ciabatta, and michetta. The bread is cut horizontally and filled with deli ingredients such as cheese, ham, mortadella, salami, prosciutto or chicken, and it is served both cold and warm.
For those who want something sweet as a breakfast, a Florentine fruit tart is an excellent idea! In Italian is called Crostata di Frutta meaning that is cooked without a filling, but filled afterwards with a whipped cream custard also called a crema pasticcera. On the top it is decorated with fresh fruit like strawberries, berries, apples or pears and garnished with edible flowers. This fruit tart is surely one the most attractive food dishes you will ever try!
Villa La Vedetta Hotel in Florence serves a wide variety of traditional tarts made with fresh and local ingredients. The Belvedere Lounge is located on the terrace, where you can sit and enjoy your breakfast 'with a view' of the landscape. The Lounge is open from 7.30 am to 10.30 am, and you can choose among freshly baked pastries, croissants and breads, yogurt, fresh fruits and juices, egg specialties, as well as a variety of traditional cheese and cold meats.