The UK And World’s Favourite Breakfast Dishes Revealed
With breakfast often seen as one of the most important meals of the day, due to the mental and physical benefits that are associated with regular breakfast a new fascinating map story is revealing every country’s number one breakfast item.
The travel experts at hotel chain Premier Inn have analysed global Google search data for more than 150 popular breakfast foods, in order to reveal which breakfast items are most popular around the world.
Globally, the açaí bowl comes out on top with more than 31 million annual searches, with simit, a sesame-crusted bread ring popularised in Turkey following in second place. Croissants take third place overall, and also rank as the UK’s favourite morning treat.
To celebrate the ‘most important meal of the day’, Premier Inn analysed Google search data for over 150 different breakfast items across every country and all US states, to reveal the most popular breakfasts around the world.
Wake-up routines may vary across the globe, but one thing unites us all: breakfast. Whether it’s a buttery pastry with coffee in Paris, a steaming bowl of congee in Hong Kong, or an açaí bowl on a Californian beach, our first meal of the day reflects culture, comfort, and tradition.
From timeless classics to unexpected local favourites, the new Premier Inn study reveals which breakfasts people crave most around the world.
Every Country’s Favourite Breakfast
Globally, the açaí bowl comes out on top with more than 31 million annual searches. The Brazilian superfood dish, which consists of which consists of a smoothie made with frozen açaí and fruit topped with granola and berries, has become the ultimate Instagram breakfast, from Sydney’s beaches to New York cafés.
In second place is simit, Turkey’s sesame-crusted bread ring, searched for nearly 27 million times a year. Crisp on the outside and chewy inside, it’s often enjoyed with tea and shows that simple, breakfast staples still resonate worldwide.
The croissant takes third place with over 22 million searches, cementing its standing as global breakfast icon, while Japan’s onigiri rice balls rank fourth, attracting nearly 19 million searches. Once a convenience store snack, they’re now a global trend well beyond Japan.
| Rank | Breakfast | Annual search volume |
| 1 | Açaí bowl | 31,047,700 |
| 2 | Simit | 26,764,630 |
| 3 | Croissant | 22,401,530 |
| 4 | Onigiri | 18,691,030 |
| 5 | Chipa | 14,206,770 |
| 6 | Bruschetta | 14,103,990 |
| 7 | Boiled eggs | 10,967,660 |
| 8 | Cereal | 10,095,060 |
| 9 | Congee | 9,706,360 |
| 10 | Pupusa | 9,177,770 |
Croissants Take The Top Spot for Brits
The Full English breakfast has been a long-standing tradition in the UK for decades, but Premier Inn’s new data shows that British breakfast tastes have definitely diversified. The croissant has taken the crown in England, Scotland and Wales, showing a growing taste for continental classics, and easy ‘on the go’ options. Northern Ireland meanwhile is embracing the açaí bowl, a Brazilian import that feels worlds away from the local classics.
From pastries to fruit and continental options, it’s clear that Brits are keen to embrace flavour and diversity in their morning meals – though classics like a full fry-up still hold a soft spot as a weekend luxury.
Europe Serves Up Surprises
Across Europe, plenty of results go against expectation. In Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, American-style pancakes dominate, particularly in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. These thick, fluffy stacks are usually served with syrup, fruit, or jam, and area a sweeter, more indulgent option than traditional rye breads and porridges.
Spain opts for the arepa, a cornmeal patty more often associated with Latin America, typically griddled and filled with cheese or meat. France, home of the croissant, instead searches most for boiled eggs, proving that simplicity sometimes wins.
Elsewhere, savoury flavours are winners at breakfast time. Bruschetta, toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes and olive oil, is the breakfast of choice in Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. Albania sticks to the savoury byrek, a hearty pastry filled with cheese or spinach, often sold by street vendors as a filling, on-the-go option.
Portugal and Monaco lean into sweet however, with the pastel de nata, a custard tart encased in crisp pastry, taking top spot in both countries.
North and South America Lean Into Their Diverse Cultural Influences
In the United States, 30 states favour the açaí bowl, a shock result in a country better known for pancake and waffle breakfasts.
In Texas, Maryland and Virginia, pupusas, El Salvador’s stuffed corn tortillas, is the most popular breakfast choice. These thick corn tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese, or pork reflect the beautiful influence of Salvadoran communities across America.
In New England, spanakopita, the Greek spinach-and-feta pastry, tops searches in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This Greek spinach-and-feta pastry reflects New England’s strong Greek American communities, many of whom opened diners throughout the 20th century and made spanakopita as American as apple pie. Missouri stands out with the kolache, a Czech pastry filled with fruit, cheese, or sausage, while North Dakota favours lefse, a Scandinavian potato flatbread.
The southwest shows its Mexican roots, with chilaquiles, tortilla chips simmered in salsa and topped with cheese and eggs, ranking first for breakfast in New Mexico.
The croissant leads in Canada, Haiti, and the Caribbean, while arepas, cornmeal patties filled with cheese or meat, top searches in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and beyond.
In South America, Brazil’s cheesy pão de queijo reigns supreme, while Argentina is obsessed with alfajores, dulce de leche sandwich biscuits. Uruguay opts for comforting arroz con leche, a sweet rice pudding flavoured with cinnamon.
Africa and Asia Embrace Local Cuisines
Africa’s breakfast choices span from the traditional to the unexpected. In the north, Morocco and Western Sahara favour the baghrir, or “thousand-hole pancake”, while Tunisia opts for kesra, a semolina flatbread. Egypt sticks with its national staple of falafel, while Algeria prefers mhadjeb, a stuffed semolina crêpe.
Elsewhere, cereal leads in countries such as Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso, while sweeter options like brioché are popular in Rwanda and Mayotte. More surprising results include bruschetta in Cape Verde and eggs benedict in the Seychelles.
Asia’s mornings are equally diverse. Congee is a clear favourite in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao, while cháo, a similar rice porridge, tops searches in Vietnam. The croissant has spread widely here too, ranking first in places as varied as Brunei, Bhutan, the Philippines and Oman.
Oceania Goes Cool and Classic
In Australia, the açaí bowl, a chilled blend of frozen açaí berries and fruit topped with granola and fresh fruit, has become a coastal café classic, especially popular on hot mornings. Neighbouring New Zealand sticks with the croissant as its top breakfast choice. Simpler staples are popular on the rest of the continent, with porridge leading in Pacific Islands and boiled eggs ranking top in New Caledonia.
A Premier Inn spokesperson commented:
“Breakfast is more than just the first meal of the day, it’s a snapshot of culture, history, and comfort. However, what stands out is how people are moving away from what we might think of as their traditional choices. In the UK, the croissant has edged ahead as our most searched-for breakfast, though the Full English remains a much-loved classic, while Northern Ireland now leans towards the health-focused açaí bowl. In the US, more than half of the states favour açaí bowls too, a surprising twist for a country so strongly associated with classic diner breakfasts. And in Scotland, bruschetta has even beaten porridge and fry-ups to the top spot.
“These results show how global tastes travel and take root in unexpected places. And while the dishes themselves may differ, the role of breakfast as a source of comfort and connection is universal. Whether you’re travelling abroad or staying closer to home, there’s nothing quite like starting the day with something that feels just right.”