The best part about staying in a hotel isn’t the comfy beds—it’s the free breakfast! But what is a continental breakfast, and how did it get its name?
Here’s Why Hotel Breakfasts Are Called “Continental”
Updated on Apr. 25, 2025
There are a lot of great things about staying in hotels—not having to make your bed, getting fresh towels every day and waking up in a new place, to name a few. But our favorite thing of all might be getting ready and heading down to the lobby for a free breakfast. More often than not, this free food is what’s known as a “continental breakfast,” a fancy-sounding name that elevates the offerings. But what is a continental breakfast, exactly?
Reader’s Digest spoke to chef Maricel Gentile, the owner of Maricel’s Kitchen and a 30-year veteran of the food-service industry. Gentile, who has worked at several New York City hotels, fills us in on what a continental breakfast is and where the term originated. Keep reading to learn more.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more food, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
What is a continental breakfast?
Continental breakfast is a standard term throughout the hotel industry, Gentile says, and while the items often vary by geography, “in general, it is referring to a light breakfast that consists of pastries, breads/toast with butter and jams, cereals, fruit, juices and of course, coffee and tea.”
The continental part refers to continental Europe, which includes France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. “These countries generally were areas where people liked to eat carb-centric, light breakfasts that were quick and on-the-go,” Gentile explains. “Supposedly, hotels in Europe started using the term continental as a marketing phrase, to distinguish their breakfast as elegant, fast and light for those coming from those areas, as well as businessmen who did not have time for a long meal.”
In developing the continental breakfast, hotels were trying to separate their offerings from the bigger, heartier breakfasts traditionally served in England, Germany and Austria, which featured foods like eggs, beans, sausage and ham. As Gentile says of the marketing campaign (and the name): “It worked, and it stuck.”
What foods are typically served at a continental breakfast?
“There may be some variations in America, Europe and Asia, but at its core, every continental breakfast will be the same,” Gentile says. In the U.S., you’ll typically find the following foods:
- Pastries like muffins, croissants and doughnuts
- Breads for toast, including white, wheat, sourdough and raisin
- Bagels
- Cold cereals
- Instant oatmeal
- Yogurt cups
- Packaged breakfast bars
- Fresh fruit, like bananas, apples, melon and grapes
- Hot and cold drinks, including coffee, tea and juices
How is a continental breakfast different from other breakfast types?
The defining characteristic of a continental breakfast is that every food item can be easily taken to go, whether you’re headed to an event, business meeting or the first stop on your vacation itinerary. That differs from table service and a breakfast buffet, which traditionally offer hot foods and a fuller menu.
If you’re traveling within the U.S., besides the continental breakfast, you can often get typical American breakfast offerings like eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes and French toast. Gentile says this breakfast is also found in hotels around the world. “I have also seen more vegetarian and vegan offerings, more options for plant-based sausage and gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives,” she adds.
Of course, not all hotels offer a hot breakfast, especially budget accommodations, but many, if not most, will provide something for their guests to munch on in the morning. “I believe today’s most successful hotels are listening closely to what guests truly need—convenience, variety and breakfast options that feel both nourishing and globally inspired,” Gentile says.
What are the breakfasts like in other countries?
It’s one thing to expect a cup of coffee and a piece of toast if you’re staying stateside. But if you’re lucky enough to travel internationally, you’ll find many other types of breakfasts that are popular around the world. These include:
- English breakfast: Eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, toast and tea
- Japanese breakfast: Grilled fish, miso soup, steamed rice, pickles and tomago (a sweet egg dish)
- Chinese breakfast: Congee rice porridge, steamed buns, dumplings and tea eggs
- Indian breakfast: Rice, lentils, flatbreads, chutney, curry and chai tea
- Brazilian breakfast: Breads, cheese, ham, granola and coffee
- German breakfast: Breads, cheese, sliced meats, sausage, potatoes and muesli
- Mexican breakfast: Eggs, beans, tortillas and salsa
- Swiss breakfast: Muesli, yogurt, fruit, and tea or coffee
What hotel chains offer free continental breakfasts?
Continental breakfasts are great because they offer grab-and-go options to suit any travel schedule. But the other reason we love them? They’re free! (Or included in the price of the hotel room, to be specific.) If you’re traveling, here are some of the big hotel chains that offer a free continental breakfast to travelers:
- Best Western
- Choice Hotels (Cambria, Radisson, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn)
- Drury Hotels (Drury Inn & Suites, Drury Plaza Hotel, Pear Tree Inn)
- Hilton (Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Homewood Suites, Waldorf Astoria)
- Hyatt (Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Studios)
- International Hotels Group (Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, Intercontinental)
- Marriott (Sheraton, Westin, Delta Hotels, Fairfield, Renaissance, Courtyard, Four Points, Springhill Suites, St. Regis, Ritz Carlton)
- Wyndham (La Quinta, Howard Johnson)
About the expert
|
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on what a continental breakfast is, Alyssa Sybertz tapped her experience as a longtime food and health reporter and the author of The OMAD Diet: Intermittent Fasting with One Meal a Day to Burn Fat and Lose Weight to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers.Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Maricel Gentile, chef, owner of Maricel’s Kitchen and author of Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook; email interview, April 2025
- AFAR: “This Is What Breakfast Looks Like Around the World”
