- Sweet
- Yoghurt with honey, bougatsa
- Savoury
- Kalitsounia, eggs with staka
- Sides
- Rusks, olives, tomatoes, fruit
- Drink
- Greek coffee or mountain tea
Sweet start
Strained sheep's or cow's milk yoghurt with Cretan thyme honey and walnuts is the classic. Bougatsa with myzithra, especially in Chania, is eaten warm with a sprinkle of sugar.
Savoury plates
Eggs fried in staka, a rich butter-cream, are a mountain breakfast. Kalitsounia, rusks with tomato and cheese, olives, and fresh graviera or myzithra fill out the table.
Drinks
Greek coffee, freddo espresso in summer, or malotira, the Cretan mountain tea.
Where to find it
Bakeries open early for pies and bougatsa. Kafeneia in villages serve simple breakfasts. Hotels that are certified for Cretan cuisine include local products in their buffets.
Questions before you go
What is a typical Cretan breakfast?
Yoghurt with honey, cheese pies or bougatsa, rusks, olives, cheese and fruit.
What is staka?
A rich butter-cream from sheep's milk, often used to fry eggs.
What is malotira?
Cretan mountain tea, made from a local wild herb.
