These Italian Breakfast Foods Start Your Day Perfectly

Don’t expect pancakes and bacon when you are coming to Rome. Instead, these Italian breakfast foods will get your morning ready to experience the Eternal City.

The Italian way of starting your morning is a very different experience from the hearty spreads typical in other countries. Instead, it’s usually a delicate, sweet pastries and a cup of espresso or a cappuccino. While it may seem like too light of a meal to foreigners, this combination is deeply ingrained in Italian culture. 

This article will focus on four beloved components of an Italian breakfast: the variety of regional pastries, the classic cornetto, my favorite saccottino and the uniquely Roman treat known as the maritozzo. Some of these breakfast favorites might seem like imports, others are definitely Italian but all of them deliciously pair with an espresso for a perfect way to start your day.

Must-Try Italian Pastries

Italian bars and bakeries are filled with a dazzling array of sweet options that are typically available for breakfast in Italy. Some of these are more common outside of Rome, but it would be good to be aware of them in case they become your only option while visiting the city. If you’re seeking variety in Italian breakfast foods, you’ll find plenty to choose from.

Each of these pastries can be found all over Italy, and they all share a common purpose: to sweeten the start of the day. Italians might not load their plates in the morning, but they make every bite count.

To explore a curated list of the top nine sweet options to try for breakfast and dessert, check out this article: “The Best 9 Types Of Italian Pastries“.

The Cornetto: A Classic Italian Morning Treat

The undisputed king of Italian breakfast foods, certainly here in Rome, is the cornetto. At first glance, this pastry might remind you of a croissant, but don’t say the quiet part out loud. While they share a similar shape, the cornetto has a personality and taste all its own.

Unlike the French croissant, which is buttery and flaky, the cornetto is softer and often sweeter. It may be dusted with powdered sugar, filled with apricot jam, custard, or Nutella, or simply enjoyed plain. You’ll find them in almost every bar (café) across Italy, typically enjoyed with a cappuccino or espresso.

Eating a cornetto isn’t just about getting some food, it’s consistent with how Italians begin their day. There isn’t a big heavy breakfast, it is something quick with a hit of sugar and caffeine that gets your body and mind engaged for the morning activities. At least until you can get the next espresso at 10:00AM.

There’s something quietly luxurious about standing at the bar, sipping coffee and slowly savoring the pastry. This isn’t a meal to rush through. It’s an experience. Pro Tip: those nasty waxy napkins that you find at the bar aren’t for wiping up because they don’t absorb anything. They are for holding the pastry so you don’t get sugar on your hands. It took years to figure that out!

To dive deeper into the delicious variations of this beloved breakfast item, visit our full article: “A Cornetto Pastry Is The Perfect Italian Breakfast“.

The Saccottino Is Your New Favorite Breakfast Pastry

Though lesser-known outside Italy by its Roman name, the saccottino deserves more love on any list of Italian breakfast foods. This soft, pillow-shaped pastry is similar to (and definitely influenced by) a French pain au chocolat, but improved with an Italian flair. It’s made from the same dough as the cornetto but folded around a rich filling, most commonly bastoncini of dark chocolate.

If you have the opportunity to bite into a warm saccottino,  you’ll be rewarded with the perfect blend of tender pastry and melted filling. They’re often served warm from the bakery, and locals will tell you they’re best when paired with a cappuccino.

What makes the saccottino special is its balance. It’s just indulgent enough to feel like a treat, but not so rich that it overwhelms the start of your day. If you’re visiting Rome, keep an eye out for this underrated gem at local bars and pastry shops. It’s often hidden behind more famous pastries, but well worth seeking out.

If you are outside of Rome, you can use the more common Italian name: pane al cioccolato or even the French pain au chocolat. Calling it a Saccottino in Rome is just a fun way to act like you know the local traditions!

To learn more about where to find it and why it should be your go-to breakfast in Rome, don’t miss: “A Saccottino In Rome Is The Delicious Breakfast You Need!“.

The Roman Maritozzi

No discussion of Italian breakfast foods in Rome would be complete without mentioning the ubiquitous and delicious Maritozzo. This rich, cream-filled bun is as decadent as it is historic. 

Given the long history of this pastry, there are many historical accounts of its origin. One version says that the term “maritozzo” derives from the Latin “maritus”, or husband, and the dessert was prepared on the occasion of the wedding as a sign of prosperity and luck for the couple.

Other ancient accounts say that on the first Friday of March, engaged couples used to hide an engagement ring or another gold object in this sweet bread, called maritozzo, a variation of “marito”, with the aim of symbolizing the commitment of the marriage proposal.

Today, maritozzi don’t come with jewelry, but they are packed with sweet whipped cream, sometimes enriched with vanilla. The bun itself is surprisingly soft and slightly sweet, often with a touch of honey or orange.

The maritozzo has become a year-round staple in Rome. Locals grab one with their morning coffee, and some bakeries have even tried to elevate this pastry into an art form by adding variations like chocolate cream, pistachio, or even savory twists. For me, the traditional and simple version is the best, so be sure to try that before other variations.

Admittedly, it might not be an everyday choice for everyone due to its richness. I have reached the point where a Maritozzi is an occasional treat and not my “go-to” breakfast. However, when you’re in Rome, a maritozzo is an absolute must-try. It’s both a cultural experience and a delicious indulgence.

For more on the origins, variations, and where to find the best ones in Rome, check out our detailed guide: “Maritozzi Might Be The Best Roman Breakfast“.

A Sweet Start To The Italian Day

Breakfast in Italy is usually light, but it’s never lacking in flavor or tradition. Whether you’re exploring the variety of pastries in a local bakery, enjoying a flaky cornetto at the bar, biting into a gooey saccottino, or diving into a cloud of whipped cream with a maritozzo, you’re getting your Roman day started on the right note.

These Italian breakfast foods aren’t just about their amazing taste, they’re about how Italians greet the day: with something sweet, fast, and a strong espresso to match. While savory breakfasts are common in the US and the UK, Italy proves that a gentle, joyful start to the day can be just as satisfying.