Cultural context, traditional Italian breakfast is quick, a cornetto (sweet pastry) and espresso at the bar, usually eaten standing. Sit down adds surcharge. Brunch is modern import, most popular weekends 11am to 3pm. Romans traditionally eat savoury breakfast with pizza bianca or pizza rossa from bakeries. Prices in euros first, GBP estimate in brackets using €1 equals roughly £0.85. Updated October 2025.
For traditional Italian breakfast try Casa Manfredi (€3 to 5 cornetto and coffee at bar) or Pasticceria Regoli for maritozzo con panna. Weekend brunch seekers should book Coromandel near Piazza Navona (€15 to 20) or Babington's Tea Room at Spanish Steps for English breakfast (€25 to 35). Barnum Café offers French style croissants and specialty coffee. Most weekend brunch spots fill by noon, arrive early or reserve ahead. Planning your full day of eating? Our budget lunch guide covers affordable options after your morning coffee.
These breakfast spots will fuel your morning perfectly. But what about lunch, dinner, aperitivo, and late-night gelato? Our Rome Essentials guide plans your entire food journey from breakfast through bedtime with 20+ restaurants, timing tips, and a ready-made 3-day itinerary.
Get Your Complete Rome Food Plan, £6.99What do Italians eat for breakfast?
Italians eat a quick breakfast of cornetto (sweet croissant) and cappuccino or espresso, standing at a bar. The meal is typically finished in 5-10 minutes before 10am.
How much is breakfast in Rome?
Traditional Italian breakfast at a bar costs €2-4 total (cornetto and coffee). Sitting adds 50-100% surcharge. Weekend brunch at restaurants like Coromandel or Babington's runs €15-35.
Can I get American breakfast in Rome?
Yes, Coromandel serves pancakes and eggs Benedict (€15-20), Babington's Tea Room offers full English breakfast (€25-35), and Barnum Café has avocado toast and scrambled eggs (€8-15).
Why is sitting more expensive than standing in Italian cafes?
Italian bars charge a "tavola" (table) surcharge for sitting, which can double the price. Standing at the counter is the local way to have coffee and costs significantly less.
Italians eat cornetto (sweet croissant) and espresso or cappuccino at the bar, standing. Sitting adds surcharge. Many Romans prefer savoury option, pizza bianca (white focaccia) or pizza rossa (focaccia with tomato) from local bakeries. Breakfast is quick, 5 to 10 minutes maximum, eaten before 10am.
Coromandel near Piazza Navona serves pancakes, eggs Benedict, and French toast (€15 to 20). Babington's Tea Room offers full English breakfast at Spanish Steps (€25 to 35). Barnum Café has scrambled eggs and avocado toast (€8 to 15). Book ahead for weekend brunch at all locations.
Stand at bar for espresso and cornetto (€2 to 4 total). Pasticceria Regoli maritozzo with coffee €4 to 6. Faro specialty coffee and pastry €5 to 8. Casa Manfredi bar service €3 to 5. Local bakeries offer pizza bianca for €2 to 3. Avoid sitting, always more expensive.
Where to eat lunch after your morning coffee
Evening drinks and snacks in a charming neighborhood
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