A Morning in La Spezia: The Best Breakfast Spots

Breakfast in La Spezia follows the same rhythm as most Ligurian cities: a quick stop at the neighbourhood bar, a cornetto or a slice of focaccia, a cappuccino taken standing at the counter. It is unpretentious, fast, and genuinely good. Whether you are arriving by cruise ship, passing through on the way to Cinque Terre, or spending a couple of days in the city, starting the morning here is easy to do well.

What Is a Typical Italian Breakfast in La Spezia?

Most locals stand at the counter and order a cornetto — plain, filled with cream or jam — and a cappuccino or espresso. In Liguria, a slice of focaccia al olio is also common in the morning, brushed with olive oil and eaten warm. Sit-down breakfasts exist but are the exception. By mid-morning, bars shift to espresso and light snacks as the city moves toward the lunch hour.

Here are the best places to start your day in La Spezia.

1. Pasticceria Dolci Magie

Located on Corso Cavour, five minutes from the train station, Dolci Magie is known for its rows of vibrant pastry mignon — miniature millefoglie, doughnuts, and elaborately filled cornetti. It is a good first stop if you arrive early and want more than the standard bar selection. Arrive before 9am for the fullest choice.

2. C’est Bon

Piazza Saint Bon 1. Open from 6am daily, C’est Bon ranks consistently at the top of La Spezia breakfast lists, with freshly baked cornetti and good coffee. The service is quick and the atmosphere warm — a reliable choice if you are catching an early train toward Cinque Terre or heading inland later in the morning.

3. Bonjour Café

Piazza Cavour 24. Open from 4:45am Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays except the first of the month). Bonjour is best known for its stuffed focaccia — the Ligurian version of breakfast that is easy to underestimate and hard to stop eating. A good option if you prefer a slower start and a table in the square before exploring the waterfront.

4. Pasticceria Rossi

Via Vittorio Veneto 223. A historic bakery and tea room, closed on Mondays, open Tuesday to Saturday from 7am. Rossi is known for handmade pastries, shortbread biscuits with fresh fruit cream, and a quieter atmosphere than most bars in the centre. A good choice if you want to sit down properly and take your time.

5. Tiffany Breakfast

Via Vittorio Veneto 38. A well-regarded local bar known for its crema al caffè — an espresso foam with an ice cream-like texture that is worth ordering even if you do not usually take your coffee that way. Good cornetti, focaccia with ham and cheese, and lactose-free milk available. Fairly priced.

6. Maeli Café

Viale San Bartolomeo 20, close to the train station. Spacious and well-organised, with indoor and outdoor seating. Maeli does breakfast, lunch, aperitivo, and a tea room with homemade sweets — useful if you want to return later in the day. The coffee is consistently good and the service fast.

Visiting La Spezia or the Cinque Terre?
Escape the crowds with our truffle hunt & gourmet truffle lunch & tasting in Lunigiana — a perfect shore excursion from La Spezia.

Or go inland to watch a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy in the Parma Apennines — just over an hour from the coast.

7. Caffè Centrale

Piazza Giulio Beverini 14. Open from 7am, with outdoor seating in one of the city’s quieter squares. Good for a cappuccino and a brioche in the sun before the day gets busy. The square itself is pleasant and far enough from the main pedestrian flow to feel unhurried.

After Breakfast

The hills behind La Spezia offer wineries, small producers, and seasonal food experiences that make a natural continuation of the morning. For those wanting to combine the city with the surrounding countryside, our La Spezia food and wine experience covers both. For the afternoon, the beaches around La Spezia are all within easy reach of the centre. If you are arriving by ship, see our one-day excursion guide from La Spezia cruise port.