Greek breakfast in Greece is usually quick, bakery-driven, and built around what’s freshest that morning—think bougatsa or tyropita from the nearest fourno, a sesame-coated koulouri eaten on the go, and thick strained yogurt with honey if you want something lighter.
On my trips, the most real breakfasts weren’t big hotel spreads—they were whatever locals were grabbing with coffee: a warm slice of pie, a ring of bread, or something sweet like loukoumades when you feel like starting the day on dessert.
Below is a practical list of classic Greek breakfast foods (plus a few regional specialties) and where you’re most likely to find them.
So pour your glass of orange juice, and let’s see which delicious dish you’ll try first.
- Avgolemono
- Beaten Eggs With The Trimmings
- Bougatsa
- Buttered Bread With Honey
- Eliopsomo
- Fresh Yogurt With Honey
- Kagianas
- Koulouri Thessalonikis
- Ladenia – Specialty Greek Flatbread
- Loukoumades
- Pischies
- Rizogalo – Greek Rice Pudding
- Staka Me Ayga
| Food | Sweet or savory | What it is | How common is breakfast in Greece | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bougatsa | Both | Flaky pastry, often with sweet semolina custard; sometimes cheese | Very common | Best from bakeries/pastry shops |
| Koulouri | Savory | Sesame-coated bread ring | Very common | Classic on-the-go breakfast |
| Yogurt with honey | Sweet | Thick strained yogurt served with honey (often nuts/fruit optional) | Common | Often found in cafés and tavernas |
| Tyropita / Spanakopita | Savory | Cheese pie/spinach pie (usually in phyllo) | Very common | Bakery staple across Greece |
| Loukoumades | Sweet | Fried dough balls with honey/syrup and cinnamon | Sometimes | More of a treat/snack; varies by place |
| Avgolemono | Savory | Lemon-egg soup, often with rice or orzo, based on chicken stock | Less common | More typical at lunch/dinner; may appear in mornings in some spots |
| Ladenia (Kimolos) | Savory | Olive-oil flatbread topped with tomato, onion, and oregano | Regional | Strongly associated with Kimolos/Cyclades |
| Staka me avga (Crete) | Savory | Eggs cooked with rich Cretan staka | Regional | Most associated with Crete; preparation varies |
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; in that case, it pays to know the best things to eat no matter where you are in the world.
While vacationing in Greece, breakfast will be a real treat for you. While the Greeks don’t seem as breakfast-obsessed as their neighbors in Turkey, they certainly enjoy the freshest, most delicious snacks to get the day started in the best possible way.
Here are a few ideas to help you know what to enjoy for your Greek breakfast the next time you’re in Greece.
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Greek Breakfast Foods To Try In Greece
If you want a quick answer: start with bougatsa or koulouri from a bakery, yogurt with honey, and a Greek coffee—then branch out into regional dishes like ladenia (Kimolos) or staka me avga (Crete).
1. Beaten Eggs With The Trimmings
When you are in Greece, it makes sense that you’d be looking for a traditional Greek breakfast option, so look no further than feta cheese, Kalamata olives, eggs, and fresh bread. It’s best described as a Greek-style omelet. This basic but satisfying meal will give you the energy to start your day exploring all that Greece has to offer.
2. Avgolemono
Try avgolemono, a Greek soup made with chicken, rice, lemon, and egg, for something a little heartier. It’s the perfect comfort food on a chilly morning.
3. Loukoumades
And if you’re craving a sweet treat, don’t miss out on loukoumades, deep-fried dough balls covered in honey and cinnamon.
4. Eliopsomo
This is a type of olive bread (often made with Kalamata-style olives) that may include herbs like oregano or rosemary and is sometimes served warm. It’s usually enjoyed alongside feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, and caramelized onions. No matter what else people have for breakfast, they’ll undoubtedly have some eliopsomo to go with it.
5. Rizogalo – Greek Rice Pudding
Rizogalo, or Greek rice pudding, is a sweet and hearty treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Rice and milk are the main ingredients of the pudding. It’s thickened with egg yolks or cornstarch, resulting in a creamy, custard-like texture. It’s a great breakfast treat, especially when adding cinnamon.
6. Pischies
If you often have a sweet craving when you wake up, pischies is for you! This is a fried pastry filled with sugar, cinnamon, and butter. It’s often served with a bit of syrup on top and crushed almonds. It hails from Cyprus, but you’ll find it everywhere.
7. Bougatsa
Bougatsa is another delicious pastry to enjoy in the mornings. You can choose a sweet version (usually custard) or a savory one (local cheese or minced meat). This particular option is made of phyllo pastry containing your filling of choice.
8. Ladenia – Specialty Greek Flatbread
As a Greek flatbread, Ladenia (pronounced la-the-nia) is soft, fluffy, and downright delicious. It’s made with Greek extra virgin olive oil and topped with tomatoes, onions, and oregano, almost like focaccia. Ladenia is a unique Greek flatbread from Kimolos, topped with ripe tomatoes, onion, oregano, and olive oil.
This is one of my favorite breakfasts, as it makes me feel full without that bloated feeling.
9. Buttered Bread With Honey
This might sound very simple, but when your bread is freshly made, and the honey comes from the local beekeeper, it’s something different and super delicious!
10. Koulouri Thessalonikis
Koulouri is a type of bread that is crispy on the outside but soft and super-fluffy inside. It’s covered in sesame seeds, and you can enjoy it as it is, with a bit of cheese inside, or even with a chocolate spread if you want something sweet. You’ll also see locals dipping their koulouri thessalonikis in their coffee.
11. Fresh Yogurt With Honey
Greek yogurt is famous worldwide, but when it is fresh from the source, it’s super-special. Proper Greek yogurt is very thick. You’ll often find it served in a small clay pot, and you can drizzle some fresh honey over the top for a delicious, creamy breakfast.
12. Kagianas
If you want something a little heartier for breakfast, kagianas are an excellent choice. The best way to eat it is with plenty of fresh bread. This is scrambled eggs combined with a thick tomato sauce and cooked in plenty of fresh olive oil. You can also find kagianas with feta cheese on top.
13. Staka Me Ayga
This traditional Greek dish comes from the island of Crete and will give you all the energy you need to start the day. This great dish is fried or sometimes poached eggs, then topped with a creamy/flour-based mixture. It’s then all mixed and seasoned, served with tomato. It sounds strange in the description, but give it a try, and you’ll surely enjoy it!
Traditionally, staka me avga is a Cretan dish where eggs are cooked in (or alongside) rich staka; how it’s finished and what it’s served with can vary by taverna or home cook.
What are some typical breakfast foods in Greece?
Greek breakfast often includes items such as tiganites, bougatsa (a flaky pastry most commonly filled with sweet semolina custard or a savory cheese filling), spanakopita (spinach pie), and tyropita (cheese pie).
Is Greek yogurt a common breakfast item in Greece?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a staple in Greek breakfasts. It is often served with honey, nuts, or fresh fruit.
What is traditional Greek coffee?
Greek coffee (ellinikos kafes) is a strong coffee made with very finely ground coffee, water, and optional sugar, gently heated in a briki (small pot) and served unfiltered with the grounds in the cup. But do not worry; Greece also has excellent herbal tea options.
Are there any savory breakfast options in Greece?
Absolutely! In addition to sweet treats, you’ll also find savory options like strapatsada (scrambled eggs with tomatoes, often with feta). Pastourma (spiced cured beef) can appear in savory pies or egg dishes, depending on the region.
Are there regional variations in Greek breakfast foods?
Yes, each region of Greece has its own breakfast specialties. For instance, in Crete, you can find the famous kalitsounia (sweet or savory cheese pastries).
What do people typically eat for breakfast in Greece?
Breakfast in Greece is often light and quick: bakery pies (tyropita, spanakopita), pastries like bougatsa, sesame bread rings (koulouri), yogurt with honey, or a simple bread-and-honey combo—usually alongside coffee.
Is Greek yogurt a typical breakfast in Greece?
Yes. Strained yogurt is a classic breakfast choice, commonly served with honey and sometimes nuts or fruit, especially in cafés and tavernas that do simple morning plates.
What is Greek coffee,e and how is it served?
Greek coffee (ellinikos kafes) is made with very finely ground coffee, water, and optional sugar, heated in a small pot (briki). It’s served unfiltered, so the grounds settle at the bottom of the cup.
Where can I find the best Greek breakfast foods—cafés or bakeries?
For the most common options, go to a bakery (fourno) or a pastry shop (zacharoplasteio) for pies, bougatsa, koulouri, and other sweet pastries. Cafés are great for yogurt with honey and coffee, and some also serve simple egg dishes.
Are there savory breakfast options in Greece?
Yes. Savory pies (tyropita, spanakopita), egg dishes like strapatsada/kagianas, and bread with feta/olives are common savory picks—especially if you want something more filling than pastries.
Is avgolemono a breakfast food in Greece?
Avgolemono is traditionally a soup more often served at lunch or dinner. Still, you may see it offered earlier in the day in places that serve hot soups from morning, g—particularly in cooler weather.
What is bougatsa, and is it sweet or savory?
Bougatsa is a flaky pastry most famously filled with sweet semolina custard and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, though savory cheese versions are also standard in some areas.
Are Greek breakfasts the same across the country?
Not exactly. Many staples are nationwide (pies, koulouri, yogurt with honey), but some dishes are strongly regional—like ladenia from Kimolos or staka me avga from Crete—so what you see depends on where you’re traveling.
What’s the most leisurely Greek breakfast to grab on the go?
Koulouri is one of the most leisurely “walk-and-eat” breakfasts, and bakeries also make it simple to take away a slice of tyropita/spanakopita or a piece of bougatsa with coffee.
Whatever you choose to eat for breakfast in Greece, you’re sure to start your day right! And, of course, no Greek breakfast would be complete without a cup of strong coffee or tea. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this splendid time of the day in Greece.
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