Of all the culinary magic that Italy does well, I’m going to go ahead and say that breakfast isn’t one of them.
Don’t get me wrong — Italian food is multo multo bene, and a large part of the reason we return to Italy year after year. I swear that I dream about the paper thin pizza and Chianti Classicos on the regular. But you know what foods aren’t particularly memorable? The breakfast foods. And because of that, I encourage you to conserve your caloric intake for all the glorious Italian food and drink that come later in the day! Those Italians know how to do lunch and dinner.
This is how we do breakfast in Italy: when we’re staying at an Airbnb, we always seek out a market nearby to stock up on some breakfast staples. Often times, that includes fruit, yogurt, and maybe some toast. These are quick and healthy foods that will keep us fueled for the morning, and are easily accommodated by our kitchen. And you guys, the fruit in Italy is amazing. They usually sell only the freshest, most seasonal fruit, so you’ll be sure to get the best.
Heading home from the Campo de' Fiori market with fresh fruit!
Then, after we are all breakfasted up and heading out for the day, we seek out the nearest cafe to grab a quick espresso. This is where the fun of breakfast lies. For a mere Euro or so, you elbow your way up to the bar, order a cafe macchiato, and within a few minutes, you’re caffeinated!
At most cafes there are usually some pastries of some sort. While they’re no doubt tasty, I’d encourage you to skip them (on most mornings), eat breakfast at home, and then look forward to the many tasty lunches, dinners, and random bites to come! If you’re traveling to Italy, think about opting for a healthier start to your day by eating in, grabbing an espresso on the go, and getting on with exploring this beautiful country!
