Date of publication 26/08/2019
Food around the world The breakfast club: What locals eat around the world
Wherever you wake up in the world, the first meal of the day offers a glimpse into local culture and a wide range of tastes.
Enticing aromas, exciting new flavors, perhaps paired with a glass of fresh juice: breakfast abroad is often the best moment of the day. With a bit of planning, that first meal can also be the most authentic, with traditional specialties served as they are and less adapted for tourists. So whether you’re spending a relaxed hour in your hotel bistro or a café on the plaza, or lounging on a poolside patio, step out of your usual routine and explore new flavors.
Miami
If you can imagine it, you can eat it in Miami, where a fusion of bold flavors creates a wide variety of sweet and savory options. For a classic, satisfying breakfast, head to Green Street Cafe in Coconut Grove for oversized pancakes. The banana version is the award-winning favorite, but cinnamon roll and red velvet are just as tempting. Fluffy omelets filled with goat cheese and spinach, along with Nutella French toast, are also on the menu. As you might expect in a city known for its Latin influence, Cuban-American flavors stand out, with croquetas and cafecito available everywhere.
For the full experience, Puerto Sagua has been a South Beach favorite since 1968. If you manage to finish the generous portions of papas rellenas, crispy potato croquettes stuffed with seasoned meat, medianoche sandwiches, made with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on sweet Cuban bread, and café con leche, you won’t need another meal all day. For a leisurely brunch, head to Pinch Kitchen on Biscayne Blvd, about 5 miles from the Iberostar Berkeley Hotel, for guava-stuffed French toast with whipped cream cheese or a local favorite, eggs in a basket. In this city, cocktails are just as much a part of brunch as the food, with mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Bellinis adding a relaxed vacation feel to the start of your day.
New York City
New York and breakfast go together like pancakes and maple syrup, and this is the place to enjoy plenty of both. There’s no better city to dive into the classic American breakfast of pancakes topped with syrup, bacon, sausages, fried eggs, hash browns, and toast.
But the morning offerings don’t stop there. New Yorkers love taking tradition and giving it a creative twist. For a fresh take on a classic, head to Little Park in Tribeca for coconut and spelt pancakes topped with roasted apple and cider syrup, or try their full brunch menu. At Le Coucou near Broadway, you’ll find dishes like ribeye steak with over-easy eggs, along with refined desserts such as Chiboust à la Vanille. Elsewhere in the city, innovation reaches even further.
At Okonomi in Williamsburg, Japanese cuisine gets a breakfast twist with a signature set of miso soup, a brown rice bowl, and a gently cooked onsen egg that has earned praise from food bloggers. And of course, it wouldn’t be New York without mentioning bagels. For breakfast on the go, locals in the know head to Absolute Bagels on the Upper West Side, where perfectly made bagels are filled with everything from smoked fish and cold cuts to sun-dried tomatoes and cream cheese.
Mexico
Breakfast in Mexico is a relaxed affair, enjoyed at a small family-run fonda, a restaurant, or a street stall. Portions are generous and will keep you going well into the afternoon. Flavor-wise, it’s all about bold, savory, and often spicy dishes. The most famous is huevos rancheros: sunny-side-up eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce and folded into a soft tortilla. This dish is found across the country, with each region offering its own variation. Lesser-known internationally are huevos motuleños, a similar dish that adds rich refried beans.
Chilaquiles are another hearty favorite. Fried tortilla strips are covered in salsa verde, made from blended green tomatoes and peppers, then topped with crema and shredded chicken. It’s a filling dish that might call for an early afternoon rest. Lighter options include cecina, air-dried meat often served in tortillas with onions and peppers. For a truly local touch, many dishes include nopales, cactus paddles that are cleaned and cooked, offering a fresh, slightly tangy flavor similar to green bell peppers or green beans
Spain
Compared to many countries, breakfast in Spain is simple and light. A traditional choice remains popular: most locals start the day with a café con leche and sugary churros, lightly fried dough sticks similar to donuts, sometimes served with hot chocolate for dipping.
Fresh orange juice is a staple in bars and cafés. Other options include fresh bread rolls with jam and pastries such as magdalenas, which resemble small muffins. Spaniards rarely eat eggs for breakfast, though a savory favorite, especially in the south and along the coast, is pan con tomate: bread drizzled with olive oil and topped with grated tomato and a touch of salt, simple yet full of flavor.
Morocco
Breakfast in Morocco is usually light, but no less flavorful. Street stalls, cafés, and restaurants across Marrakech and Agadir make it easy to find something to eat; just follow the scent of freshly baked bread. Bread is central to every meal, with varieties like harcha, a pan-fried semolina flatbread, and krachel rolls flavored with anise seeds and orange blossom water.
For those who prefer something sweet, beghrir semolina pancakes are a must. These small, spongy pancakes, similar to a flatter crumpet, are typically served with a syrup made from melted butter and honey. Simple ingredients come together beautifully in Morocco: a classic breakfast of fried eggs with a runny yolk, olives, soft cheese, and bread creates a dish that feels greater than the sum of its parts.
Traditional dishes worth trying include khlea, dried beef seasoned with local spices and served with over-easy eggs and flatbread. Perhaps the most unusual is bisara, a fava bean soup topped with olive oil and spices. To complete the experience, skip your usual coffee and opt for mint tea instead. Sweet, fresh, and aromatic, it’s the perfect way to start the day.
The Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech is an all-inclusive hotel in Marrakech that’s ideal for enjoying with family or friends. Its rooms evoke the atmosphere of One Thousand and One Nights, while its restaurants invite guests to experience the essence of Marrakech in every dish. The property also features 100,000 palm trees, multiple pools, and 10 tennis courts.
Hungary
Those with a hearty appetite will appreciate a traditional Hungarian breakfast, which is generous and often includes several courses. Expect freshly baked bread and pastries, cold cuts, and a hot dish of eggs and meat served with vegetables. Add to that Budapest’s thriving restaurant scene, and you have all the ingredients for a memorable breakfast. Scrambled eggs with potatoes, bacon, and traditional Hungarian sausage is one of the most classic options. Open-faced sandwiches topped with cream cheese, chicken liver pâté, or flavorful salami are also popular.
In Budapest, options go beyond Hungarian cuisine to include muesli with fruit compote and American-style breakfasts. Hungary is also known for its pastries, and a slice of strudel or a flaky walnut kifli paired with coffee is perfect for a sweeter start. One of the city’s standout breakfast spots is Stika on Dob Street, where eggs Benedict and flat whites are among the brunch favorites. Another must is Gerloczy Café near Ferenciek Tere, known for its traditional goose terrine.
FIONA McAUSLAN
Photography by Cordon Press and Balkányi László
