The one thing you must eat for breakfast in Italy

Breakfast in Italy is a dream. We just got back from Italy a few days ago. We were visiting my family in Viareggio. Viareggio is on the beach, just a short train ride away from the Cinque Terre. It was such a treat to spend a week there enjoying our familytime, the sun, the gorgeous Italian towns and the amazing food.

While I was a student here in Paris, I used to go to visit my family in Italy during most school vacations. We had about 2 weeks of vacation every 6 weeks and 4 months of Summer break, which resulted in me spending a good portion of the year on the gorgeous Tuscan beaches next to the darling town my mom, sister and brother call home. This was an extra special trip because it was the first time that Hugo and I visited my family in Italy together (they typically come to see us in Paris) and we met my sister’s wonderful boyfriend Jonathan who flew in from NYC.

Table of Contents

Breakfast in Italy

One of my favorite aspects of Italian culture is how they enjoy breakfast. Italian breakfast is typically sweet and served with coffee – strong espresso ristretto or a cappuccino. I love them both but a perfect Italian cappuccino is my favorite. The breakfast selection at any local bar, as Italians call a café, is a feast for the eyes.

While everything is tasty, trying a traditional budino is worth the flight to Italy. Technically, a budino may refer to any small Italian dessert. In this case, we are specifically refering to the breakfast treats offered across Tuscany. Yum!

There are many flavors to choose from and they are all delicious.

This is the rice budino or budino di riso

This pastry has a firm, shortbread exterior and is filled with a denser version of a rice pudding. We will be experimenting in the kitchen soon to come up with a homemade recipe to share with you.

Related : Bucatini Cacio e Pepe recipe

This is a ricotta and chocolate chip budino, called a budino di ricotta e giocche di cioccolato in Italian.

This budino has the same shortbread base and is bursting with a creamy ricotta filling and exquisite chocolate chips.

Related : How to Say I’m Hungry (learn to say “I’m hungry!” in 21+ different languages, including Italian)

This is a budino di cioccolato e pere, or a chocolate and pear budino.

The mixture of the dark and creamy chocolate and slightly sweatened pear is Heavenly. Reason #1002653 that we love breakfast in Italy!

Breakfast in Italy! Start the day with a traditional Italian budino (or 3) at Galliano in Viareggio.

Our favorite spot to start the day when visiting my family in Viareggio is at Galliano 1923. This family-run bar has been around since 1923 (!) and is a happening spot that attracts locals and tourists alike. The mood is relaxed and tasty.

You also can’t beat the view.

My mom has 4 yorkies. Our dogs, Violette and Chou Chou, had puppies 6 years ago and they live in Italy with my family. We took one of them, Fleur, out to spend the day with us.

Galliano is located on the main street along the beach, called the Passiagiatta which means that as soon as breakfast is over, you will be in the perfect spot to go for a walk, go shopping or head directly down to the beach.