Would you like to know how to make a real Greek breakfast? Choose between creamy yogurt, honey, nuts, homemade cookies, soft-boiled eggs, cheese, warm bread, and, of course, Greek coffee.

If you love our Greek Breakfast feast, you will love our Eggs And Fries, Eggs Kayanas, or a Green Shakshuka!

A soft boiled egg in an egg cup, broken on top with a slice of bread in the yolk, surrounded by cheese, strawberries and breads.

What is a Greek breakfast?

The truth is there are few Greeks who have breakfast every day. Most prefer to drink a quick coffee and nibble on a toast or a Greek-style bagel-koulouri at work.
They do, however, honor breakfast when on vacation or on a special occasion.

A typical Greek breakfast is definitely on the menu when Greeks are on a summer holiday on the islands, at their summer home, or hosting guests. This would include a (double) Greek coffee, a boiled egg (preferably soft-boiled—although it is a matter of preference), yogurt with honey and walnuts, the season’s fruit, bread with graviera cheese, or a slice with butter and jam.

Here is how to make a Greek breakfast feast

Overhead view of a tables with Greek breakfast items.

Graviera cheese. Graviera is the Greek version of Gruyere. It is a cheese found in many areas of Greece. My preference is the Cretan graviera for its mildly sweet and nutty flavor.

Anthotyros cheese. This soft white cheese is perfect with a drizzle of honey and some nuts, it is almost like a dessert! Substitute with fresh ricotta cheese.

Eggs. My aunt calls them brain food. A soft-boiled egg on an egg cup is perfect, but a hard-boiled egg has its place as well. Occasionally we might enjoy a loaded omelette for breakfast, especially on vacation. And it will be made with whole eggs and never with egg whites.

Fruit. Strawberries, figs, peaches, pears and apples, grapes, kiwi, or anything seasonal.

A bowl with yogurt, honey and nuts surrounded by strawberries , slices of cheese and a boiled egg.

Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts. This is a classic combination Greeks also enjoy as a dessert. Adding a couple of slices of fruit is a must. Make your own Greek yogurt following our simple delicious recipe!

Koulourakia. A small platter with Greek cookies-koulourakia will always be on a proper breakfast table in Greece. Especially at Easter time, families bake a few batches, but koulourakia are always available, whether they are homebaked or from a bakery. We especially enjoy dipping them in our coffee before devouring them!

Bread. Warm crusty bread is unbeatable when dipped into the yolk of a soft-boiled egg. And a thick slice of toasted bread with butter and honey is a no-brainer! Greeks also enjoy friganies/thin wheat rusks with butter and honey or jam.

Butter. Greeks mostly use butter when making desserts, making a simple omelette, or spreading over delicious rusks or bread with a dollop of honey or jam.

Jam. My favorite jam is always strawberry. My mom used to make orange jam; my Cretan aunt always brought us jars with prickly pears jam. Yours can be anything you fancy having!

Tsoureki bread. The Greek version of brioche is less sweet, soft, and delicious. This bread is very popular during Easter and Christmas but can be enjoyed yearly. Bakeries always have loaves of tsoureki as well as tsoureki rolls. A slice of tsoureki with butter and honey is a real treat! Our recipe of tsoureki is a real winner.

A bowl with hazelnut spread Merenda, surrounded by slices of tsoureki, strawberries and greek cookies. — Greek **Merenda** is part of everyone’s childhood in Greece, especially kids of the 70s and 80s.

Hazelnut spread. Did you know there is a Greek version of hazelnut spread called Merenda? A thick slice of white rustic bread with a thick layer of Merenda is part of everyone’s childhood in Greece, especially kids of the 70s and 80s. The name is Italian, it is the afternoon snack eaten by children between 3 and 5 and has nothing to do with chocolate or hazelnuts. Greek Merenda has earned his rightful place in our Greek breakfast feast! You can find it in Greek grocery stores or online. Feel free to substitute with Nutella.

What to drink with a Greek breakfast

Coffee. It is always a must. Greeks love coffee; whether it is traditional Greek coffee, an espresso, a frappe, or a drip. My favorite is a double Greek coffee for breakfast.

Tea. Greeks adore their coffee but also like tea. The herbal Greek mountain tea is perfect for breakfast. Enjoy it with honey or plain to get all the health benefits. Other herbal teas can be chamomile or Louiza (Lemon Verbena). Teas like English Breakfast, Earl Grey, etc, are also popular.

Freshly squeezed orange juice. A glass of fresh orange juice is a perfect companion to a Greek breakfast.

Variations and additions

When visiting Chania in Crete, our first stop is to Iordanis shop for a breakfast bougatsa. Our recipe for a Cretan bougatsa is very close to the real thing, so we also enjoy it at home.
Add a plate with kalitsounia, the savory hand pies to the table.
For a lazy summer brunch, add a bowl of sweet cherry tomatoes next to the cheese, sliced cucumbers, and Greek olives, with some olive oil to drizzle and dip the bread. Use our fabulous recipe and make Greek pita bread.
Our fig and feta toast is perfect as a late summer breakfast or snack.