What does a typical breakfast look like in Montenegro? This is how we experienced it!
In Montenegro, breakfast is not just a meal – it is an introduction to the day, a story about tradition and taste. Each bite carries the warmth, smell, and richness of the product. In the morning, while the sun slowly illuminates the mountain tops or the blue sea, the Montenegrin table becomes a gathering place, where the celebration of simple but precious ingredients turns into a ritual.
When you visit this country and have breakfast in a restaurant or hotel, Montenegrin breakfast is always written on the menu. This is the first interesting fact we noticed, so we had to try it. The offer worldwide is always the typical one, in the form of a “buffet table” and that’s it, but in Montenegro, things are a little different.
Njeguši prosciutto, Photo: SvetlanaSF Depositphotos
The first thing on the table is bread – freshly baked, warm and ready to soak up every taste. It is accompanied by kajmak, a creamy milk spread that reminds of childhood and extended families gathered around the fire.
Its rich texture blends perfectly with the crispiness of priganice, small fried buns/fritters that are eaten in a savory version with Pljevlja cheese or in a sweet version with homemade honey or fruit jam. Their preparation is an art – the dough is gently shaped and lovingly fried until it becomes golden-brown.
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One of the most famous symbols of Montenegrin gastronomy is Njeguši prosciutto. It is a delicacy from the village of Njeguši, where pork leg is dried in the mountain air and smoked on wood. Its taste is intense and rich and perfectly complements cheese, olives, and homemade bread. Along with prosciutto, you can often find cicvara on the table – a creamy dish made from cornmeal, cream, and cheese, which warms the body and soul, especially on cold winter mornings.
Cicvara, Photo: Ivana Sokolović, CC BY 2.0
If the morning calls for something simple, egg dishes, such as a stew with fresh vegetables, are quick to prepare and provide a hearty meal. Every breakfast comes with the inevitable Turkish coffee – slowly brewed, with care and patience. Her scent fills the room, and the small cup in her hand is a symbol of a moment of peace before the start of the day.
For those on the go, burek – a thin dough pie filled with meat, cheese, or spinach – offers a practical solution. It may not have the ceremonial depth of a home breakfast, but every bite reminds me of the warmth of bakery ovens and the hardworking hands that prepare it. However, this type of breakfast is present throughout the region.
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What is truly interesting is that, be it breakfast or dinner, meals in Montenegro are more abundant than you will ever experience in any part of the Adria region. This abundance is not only quantity but also the wealth of taste, the attention paid to each ingredient, and the mentality of people whose hospitality, joy of sharing, and pride in local specialties is widely recognized.
Find out more about traditional Montenegrin cuisine…
Worth knowing! Which traditional dishes of Montenegrin regions you must try?
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The publication was created as a result of the joint work of the editorial staff.
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