Croatian Breakfasts: 9 Ways To Start Your Day!

Posted in   Uncategorized   Updated on May 21, 2023    By Jelena Samaržija  

I love BREAKFAST and if I had my way I have a meat Burek and a load of chocolate croissants from the local "Pekana" (bakery) to kick start my day!

However, I do actually value my health so really try to stick on the healthy side of Croatian breakfasts!

I know, it's super hard sometimes! 

Whilst we could go over all of the different foods worth checking out in the country, we'll focus primarily on breakfast dishes that are meant to start anyone's day. 

This will range from more familiar and modern foods, like cereal and oatmeal, to more traditional options like Polenta.

You can start with the simpler and more familiar options, to begin with, then, after you've had a chance to check out some of the things Croatia has to offer, you may want to investigate some of the more traditional and unique options that the country has to offer.

breakfast in croatia

Top 9 Croatia Breakfast Ideas

Starting off, we're going to check out 5 relatively universal breakfast options. If you're making your first trek to Croatia, and are a bit uncertain about how the foods will taste, these are a great first step, with many being almost indistinguishable from what you get back home outside of an alteration here or there.

These options are also going to be really easy to put together, so you can have them made and eaten quickly before getting ready to start your day exploring the town or region.

1. Cereal 

Good old tried and true cereal. There's a reason why this is number one in the introductory breakfast ideas. Simply put, you aren't going to get any easier than a bowl of cornflake or chocolate cereal.

breakfast croatia

Where there is a bit of wiggle room, however, is what type of dairy you want to take with it.

For some, they do the usual milk, while others actually will eat their cereal with yogurt!

I've never tried (or even thought to try) cereal with yogurt, so I'll definitely be trying that soon.

2. Oatmeal

Outside of cereal, oatmeal is pretty much a close second when it comes to universally known.

It's a quick meal to throw together, while its included fruits, nuts, and yogurt all give it a slight sense of identity amongst the different oatmeal options out there.

3. Pastries

This is myDEPARTMENT! Another super, super simple, and easy dish that you can pick up quickly from the multitude of bakeries, pastries are a more modern breakfast item that was meant to accommodate the younger generation and their fast-paced lives. 

And, like many other countries that support pastries, Croatia has put together some truly amazing options, all of which really give you that distinct Euro feel.

If you've been to most other European countries, many of these pastries will either directly relate to something back home or bear a strong resemblance and similarity.

The Croats are particular fans of pastries like the kifla, perec, kajzerica, pletenica, slanci, or butter-made croissants.

Another great option is croissants filled with either chocolate or jam. Yes please! 

kroasan pekarna novalja

Read this next: Places to Eat in Novalja

For those that want a pastry option for times that aren't strictly breakfast-related, there are many alternatives that include salt as an ingredient, like ones mixed with cheese or pizza.

4. White Coffee w/ Bread

The name may sound a bit odd, but it's only because most people usually don't refer to coffee as being "white". It's also more of a traditional breakfast dish and is meant to be done when you're on the go and need something quick and simple.

A white coffee & bread breakfast is a coffee that is made alongside a generous amount of milk or cream. This gives it a light brown ("white") color compared to standard black coffee, which is generally just coffee and water.

Once the coffee is made, several pieces of fresh bread are torn and put inside of it to soak.

This gives the coffee a distinct taste and texture. I've tried it the other day, and I have to say that it isn't like any other type of coffee out there - especially if the bread is fresh and buttery!

5. Cheese & Cream Spread

Last on the introductory list is another super simple and straightforward dish, a cheese & cream spread.

This is quite traditional for the Croatian people and a favorite amongst the generations due to its simplicity and rich taste. They can be made right at home for the highest quality, though they can also be picked up at most shops and markets.

The spread is made from sour cream and fresh cow cheese. Once put together, simply add a bit of salt and a slice of bread to spread it on, and you're very much good to go.

For the more adventurous types out there, you can also include a slice of ham or kulen to the mix.

On the other hand, you could also throw on a few slices of tomato or some other vegetables for a quick dish that tastes amazing and is really addictive.

Traditional Croatia Breakfasts

Next up on the list are 5 dishes that are a bit more on the traditional side. Still, they all bear a strikingly modern take on breakfast, each of which is open to a bit of tweaking based on your personal preferences.

Most of these dishes are really easy to make while also sharing much of the Croatian culture in how they are made as well as how they taste.

6. Burek & Yogurt

While there are a lot of breakfast dishes here that could win the top spot for "best Croatian breakfast", burek is easily one the better bets out there.

Put simply, the dish is pretty much a stretch dough pie that is filled in with minced meat. It's a bit on the oily and greasy side, but it's also a fan-favorite due to its crispy and juicy texture and amazing taste.

The burek dish is also quite versatile, able to be eaten with a side of yogurt or changed entirely by altering what it's filled with. If instead of meat, it is filled with cheese, it's called "sirnica". You can also try filling it with apples, spinach greens, vegetables, or potatoes, all of which have their own unique and textured taste worth trying.

7. Frittata w/ Asparagus

Meant to be a super simple dish to prepare, frittatas are a delicious and healthy meal that many Croats naturally put together when they want an egg-based breakfast.

As with the frittatas most people are used to, these are made primarily from eggs, though they can be supplemented with mushrooms, onions, asparagus, or prosciutto.

It is eaten most often in Istria, though it is quite common among the other regions as well.

Frittatas are an extremely healthy and high-quality meal, enriched with vitamins (such as vitamins A, E, and K), while its inclusion of mushrooms and asparagus is known for their high nutrition density as well.

8. Meats

If there was one thing Croatia would be known for, it would be its national parks and countless surrounding islands.

If there was another thing they were known for, it would be their variety of different meat products.

Things like kulen, ham, or prosciutto are all meat products naturally made throughout the country and almost always going to be found along most breakfast tables.

Many of the aforementioned meat options can be either spicy or salty and are produced from many different animals, namely cow, and pig.

They are a great addition when it comes to eating with fresh bread and pastries, though it is also a delicious inclusion all on their own.

Outside of the freshly produced meat cuts, Croats are also known to be fans of canned meat products and can enjoy them throughout the day, whether in the morning or at night adding in more milk, while those that want it on the denser side will add more chocolate.

9. Polenta w/ Cream 

Meant as a particularly traditional breakfast style, polenta was something often found in every home out along the countryside. It was prepared every morning before heading off for a long day of working the field.

And, while it isn't quite as common today, polenta is still something that many Croatian families find themselves enjoying throughout the country.

Polenta is a type of porridge that uses corn flour as its base.

For those in the U.S., it bears a striking resemblance to grits.

Polenta is meant to be served warm and is usually eaten by itself or when paired with yogurt or cream. If you are interested in an added bit of crunch, you can also add a bit of bacon to the mix.

coffee kava

Breakfast in Croatia: History

In Croatia's past, each part of the country used to engage in very different breakfast meals with one another. 

For example, Croats that lived on the continent would primarily enjoy things like cornbread or polenta or kavovina (a coffee alternative). This was in stark contrast to the people living in Dalmatia, who bread with jam or butter or anchovies, or in Istria, who would largely enjoy frittatas with asparagus.

In modern times, however, there has been a bit of a shift throughout the country. Croats today have adapted their breakfasts for an easier and lighter lifestyle.

This has resulted in almost all of the different parts of the country enjoying different things like coffee and cereal and bread with an assortment of different spreads.

As a result of this "evolution of the times", Croatia has an incredibly varied and versatile number of foods available, many of which crisscross the country. 

croatia english breakfast

Yes, you can even find an English Breakfast in Novalja!

Croatian Breakfasts: Summary

As you can see, if there's one thing that Croatia does well, it's its rich and decadent breakfast ideas. While many of their breakfast foods are more familiar overall, there are just as many that many visitors may find unique.

When visiting an outside country, one of the best and most effective ways to broaden your mind and perspective surrounding culture is by trying the foods.

The good news is that Croatian foods are as delicious as they are numerous. 

If you plan to visit soon, spend the first day or two trying out some of the more familiar options before progressively looking at the more unique ideas.

Not only will you be happy for trying new foods, but you'll probably find yourself inspirited to take these ideas back home with you!

Cheers and happy traveling.

About the author

Jelena is a Novalja Local. She is an expert in local tourism as she worked for a tourist agency for over a decade, received her tourist guide license, and also organized tours all over Croatia. Local cuisine is her forte as both of her parents are renowned chefs who specialize in Dalmatian food.


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