Where to Find an Italian Breakfast In London

What is a typical breakfast in Italy? While you may be familiar with popular Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, gnocchi, and lasagna, you may be surprised to learn about the most commonly found traditional Italian breakfasts. In this article, we will go over some standard Italian breakfast options in Italy and where you can find these tasty Italian breakfasts in London. We also discuss some frequently asked questions about Italian breakfasts at the end of this blog post. So grab your Treccia al cioccolato (aka, crunchy chocolate twist from Italy) and let’s begin! 

What do Italians Eat for Breakfast?

A typical Italian breakfast is something light and not overly filling. This is because Italians like to save time and space for a relaxing lunch. Unlike the famous phrase in Britain stating that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’, Italians don’t treat breakfast as a particularly key main meal. Therefore, most Italian breakfasts are small and sweet. 

Italian breakfasts are a great way to start your morning routine. A grab-and-go breakfast menu can include some items such as a pain au raisin and cannolo di sfoglia (a puff pastry with a creamy filling). These Italian breakfast options make great choices for people who are looking for an exciting reason to get out of bed during a cold winter day in the UK. 

Many Italians enjoy their breakfast or lunch at a bar or cafe. Most Italians will choose to have a coffee and a pastry or other sweet breakfast at an Italian coffee bar. 

For example, Italian menus, such as the typical Italian breakfast menu at Golóso, include options such as a sugary puffy pastry filled with sweet cream, or croissants, cannolo and krapfens. As well as Italian breakfast pastries, there are also some options for people craving a savoury Italian breakfast in Soho, including a delicious spinach and ricotta pie.

TOP TIP

Italians rarely drink cappuccinos after breakfast. So if you want to try to live like an Italian for the day, be sure to get in your strong foamy coffee before 10:30 am! Although Italians often indulge in an espresso later in the day.

Where to Try Traditional Italian Breakfast Foods in London

Italians are family-orientated, and they love sharing food with their loved ones. However, living in the busy city of London, it can take a lot of work to set aside time to spend with friends and family amidst a busy work schedule. 

Luckily, you can enjoy a sit-down meal or some delicious takeaway or delivery breakfasts from arguably one of the top Italian delis in London. Golóso in Soho has a varied menu of breakfast options, including savoury pie with spinach, swiss chard and Parmesan and sweet options. Golóso also offers fresh juices and smoothies, a great option for a more filling breakfast. 

Take a peek at the current Italian breakfast items on the Golóso menu on our website for more information on the type of foods we offer at our London deli. 

Italian Breakfast FAQ

What is a typical Sicilian breakfast?

Quick geography lesson: Sicily is a large island just off mainland Italy. So you may be wondering whether the traditional breakfasts are the same on the island of Sicily as on the Italian mainland. 

Sicilians enjoy a morning brew in the form of a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso. Like Italians, Sicilians enjoy small, sweet breakfasts like croissants or filled pastries. 

Where do Italians usually eat breakfast?

In the UK, if someone told you they were off to a bar to order a coffee or espresso, you might think they were going to the wrong place. However, this is common in Italy because many Italians refer to their local café as a bar. An Italian bar serves food and drinks most of the day, including breakfast, simple lunches, such as Italian sandwiches, and coffee all day long. 

Similar to the British, most Italians have breakfast between 7 am and 10:30 am. And also similar to the British, Italians are huge foodies. Whenever possible, Italians try to sit down and mindfully eat their meals sat at home. However, if they have time in the mornings, Italians love to enjoy breakfast in a local bar to treat themselves to a filling meal before a long day.

Is Italian breakfast healthy?

Of course, it depends on what you are looking for in a healthy breakfast as to your opinion on the general Italian breakfast and the health of this meal. Breakfast is a good way to ensure you have enough energy to get through the day. 

However, as we believe it’s important not to skip meals, we think that choosing an Italian breakfast is a good option, especially if you can pick up one of the Golóso breakfasts on your way to work to avoid skipping this meal. 

Conclusion

Many people in the UK seem surprised to learn that many traditional Italian breakfasts are small and sweet and it is often eaten quickly. It can be a bit of a surprise to be served a small pastry with coffee if you’re used to treating yourself to a large fried breakfast or a big bowl of warm porridge first thing in the morning before work or school. 

So, if you’re looking for a quick Italian breakfast on the go, check out Golóso for Italian breakfasts in Soho. We are an Italian focacceria and deli in London run by Italians, so we know exactly how to provide that “made in Italy” experience over 1,000 miles from Italy. So, pop into our bar soon to try our delicious Italian breakfasts for yourself. See you soon!