What Croatians Eat for Breakfast: A Vegetarian’s Nightmare!

Platter with spek, homemade sausage and cheese/Photo credit IG @marijanamarosevic

​What do people eat for breakfast in Croatia? Croatians like a hearty meal to start the day, and having spent many breakfasts with my in-laws and my husband's extended family in Croatia, I’m here to give you the inside info.

Croatians don’t generally do a big sweet breakfast, instead they prefer a hearty, savory meal in the morning. If you want to eat like a local, you can say goodbye to pancakes, French toast and sugary cereal, and hello to cured meats, cheeses, fresh bread and strong coffee! 

Read on to find out exactly what you can expect when you join a Croatian family for breakfast!

Smoked bacon

There must be an array of meat. Nothing like starting your day with the meat sweats. 

1. Let’s start with Spek (cured or smoked bacon). You cut off the skin, but leave the fat on, then slice it thinly and enjoy. There should be at least as much fat as meat, so don’t cut off too much of the white. 

*Raw onion is also commonly cut up and eaten with spek!

I’m not particularly fond of spek, but every Croatian I know seems to love it. My father in law cures his own, he’s very proud of it, and my inlaws put it in everything. Their motto is “A meal isn’t a meal without a little spek.”

Example (this literally happened yesterday): we had turkey for Christmas dinner, and my father in law said, "Hmmm, malo je suha, trebao sam staviti malo speka unutra da bi bila socnije i ukusnije." 

Translation: Hmmm, [the turkey] it's a little dry, I should have put a little spek in it to make it juicier and tastier.

​2. Some kind of homemade sausage is usually the second type of meat that’s included at the breakfast table (there is also usually some smooth chicken sausage like “Poli” for children). 

ABC cream cheese

3. You can’t have a Croatian breakfast without cheese. There is typically one or more types of “hard” cheese, and often a spreadable cheese, too (most popular is “ABC” cream cheese, it beats any other cream cheese brand I’ve ever tried).

4. Fresh bread is a staple for every meal, and that includes breakfast. Croatians would never even think of buying bagged/sliced bread - it must be fresh from the bakery that morning. 

Seljacki Kruh (village bread) is my personal favorite, although there are 20 different types of bread to choose from at many local bakeries. 

5. Pate spread on fresh bread is another breakfast staple that you’ll find on many Croatian tables (for breakfast or dinner).

"Jaje na oko" - Sunny side up

6. Eggs can also be considered a common part of a Croatian breakfast spread. There is no particular style of egg that is more traditional than the next, anything from scrambled to over-easy and sunny side up are typical.

Palenta with yoghurt/Photo credit IG @nesto_slatko_by_katarina

7. If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, palenta (cornmeal) and yoghurt is very typical (but only the natural, unsweetened, unflavored yoghurt). 

You cook the polenta with water to the consistency of a very thick oatmeal, and then pour yoghurt on top, or on the side.  

I’ve grown to love this meal, although at first I will admit, it was a little bland and not my favorite.

Turkish coffee/Photo credit IG @nina.knep

8. Last but not least, a Croatian breakfast isn’t complete without a strong cup of Turkish coffee. Some friends and family of mine from North America call it tar because it’s so strong, but it really gets your day started with a boost!

There is a special pot used to perfect this brew, where you must let coffee rise/boil up 3 times before you serve it. I believe it strengthens the coffee each time it rises. 

The coffee is then poured into your cup (along with the grounds that sink to the bottom like sand). Magically you don’t really ever get a mouthful as you sip your coffee (unless you really push your luck with the last few drops).

If you don’t have time for a full breakfast, most Croatians will grab a quick pastry from the bakery on the go. 

There you have it, a traditional Croatian breakfast with all of the basics covered. You’ll be able to find a bowl of fruit and granola at a nearby hotel, but if you’re eating with a local family, now you know what to expect!

Sarah Cosic
Royal Croatian Tours - Specializing in custom made, luxury trips throughout Croatia. We offer exclusive experiences all over the country, and we’re passionate about providing you exceptional service that goes above and beyond for your tailor made vacation! 

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​If you’re interested in reading a few of our other posts about Croatia:

• 25 Strange Things Croatians Do (And Would Never Do)!
• Croatian Culture, Etiquette & Social Norms: A Complete Guide!
• My Kids Don't Speak English: Raising Bilinguals is Tough!
• 15 Places in Croatia You've Probably Never Heard Of!
• 50 Insanely Spectacular Photos of Croatia: Start Packing!
• Croatia’s Best 20 Beaches: Sandy, Pebbly & Hidden Gems​
• Is Croatia Safe? Read Our 20 Useful Safety Tips for Tourists
• 5 Reasons Croatian Grannies are Cuter than Kittens
• 8 Reasons You Should Never Swim in the Adriatic
• Top 10 Day Trips From Zagreb, Within 1hr Drive
• ​Croatian Money: KN or EURO, Exchanging $, and Daily Costs
• How I Learned to Speak Croatian as an Adult (in 7 Steps)
• Driving in Croatia (A Helpful Guide With Practical Tips)
• 38 Local Tips & Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Croatia
• Travel to Croatia With a Toddler or Baby (From Experience!)
• Tipping in Croatia: A Complete Guide With Suggested Amounts!