A Morning Feast: The Traditional Azerbaijani Breakfast
Food & Cuisine

A Morning Feast: The Traditional Azerbaijani Breakfast

📅December 25, 2025

A Morning Feast: The Traditional Azerbaijani Breakfast

Forget the sad continental breakfast at your hotel. In Azerbaijan, breakfast is a celebration.

A traditional Azerbaijani breakfast table is a colorful spread of fresh cheese, warm bread, honey, jams, eggs, and—of course—endless cups of tea. It's designed to fuel you for the day and bring the family together.

Let's explore what makes an Azerbaijani breakfast special and where to find the best one in Baku.

The Essential Components

1. Pomidor-Yumurta (Tomato and Eggs)

The star of the show. Scrambled eggs cooked with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, and herbs. Sometimes onions are added for extra flavor.

Variations:

  • With sausage (sucuk): For meat lovers.
  • Plain: Just eggs and tomatoes.

Where to Try: Qaynana Restaurant in the Old City is famous for this dish.

2. Tandir Bread

Freshly baked in a clay oven (tandir), this bread is crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. It's still warm when it arrives at your table.

How to Eat: Tear off a piece, spread it with butter or cheese, and enjoy.

Where to Buy: Sehrli Tendir in Icherisheher bakes it fresh every morning.

3. Cheese (Pendir)

Azerbaijani breakfast always includes fresh white cheese—similar to feta but creamier and less salty.

Types:

  • Beyaz Pendir: White cheese, mild.
  • Tulum Pendir: Aged in goatskin, stronger flavor.

Pairing: Cheese + fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, tarragon) + warm bread = perfection.

4. Qaymaq (Clotted Cream)

Thick, rich cream made from buffalo or cow's milk. It's spreadable and slightly sweet.

How to Eat: Spread on bread with honey or jam.

Fun Fact: Qaymaq is also used in desserts and served with pakhlava.

5. Honey and Jams

  • Honey: Usually from the mountains (Guba, Gabala). Varieties include acacia, chestnut, and wildflower.
  • Jams: Cherry, fig, quince, and rose petal are popular.

Traditional Style: Take a spoonful of jam, hold it on your tongue, and sip tea through it.

6. Olives and Vegetables

A small plate of:

  • Black and green olives
  • Sliced cucumbers
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Fresh herbs (cilantro, dill, basil, tarragon)

7. Tea (Çay)

No Azerbaijani breakfast is complete without tea. Served in armudu glasses, strong and black, with sugar cubes on the side.

Regional Breakfast Specialties

Sheki-Style Breakfast

Includes piti (lamb and chickpea stew) served in the morning. Yes, stew for breakfast!

Lankaran-Style Breakfast

Features lavangi (stuffed fish or chicken with walnuts and herbs) and fresh citrus fruits.

Village Breakfast

Simpler but incredibly fresh: homemade bread, fresh milk, butter, and eggs straight from the chicken.

Where to Have the Best Breakfast in Baku

1. Qaynana (Mother-in-Law)

  • Location: Old City
  • Specialty: Pomidor-Yumurta, fresh bread, homemade jams.
  • Vibe: Rustic, traditional.
  • Price: 10-15 AZN per person.

2. Sehrli Tendir

  • Location: Old City
  • Specialty: Fresh tandir bread baked on-site.
  • Vibe: Casual, bakery-style.
  • Price: 5-10 AZN.

3. Firuze

  • Location: Old City
  • Specialty: Full traditional breakfast spread.
  • Vibe: Upscale traditional.
  • Price: 15-20 AZN.

4. Art Garden

  • Location: Nizami Street
  • Specialty: Modern take on traditional breakfast.
  • Vibe: Garden setting, elegant.
  • Price: 20-30 AZN.

5. Local Bakeries

  • Grab fresh bread, cheese, and tea from any neighborhood bakery for a budget breakfast (3-5 AZN).

Breakfast Etiquette

1. Take Your Time

Azerbaijani breakfast is not a grab-and-go affair. It's meant to be savored, ideally with family or friends.

2. Try Everything

The table will be loaded with small dishes. Sample a bit of everything.

3. Bread is Sacred

Never throw away bread. If you drop a piece, pick it up and kiss it (a sign of respect).

4. Tea is Endless

Your tea glass will be refilled constantly. If you're done, place a spoon across the top.

DIY Azerbaijani Breakfast at Home

Can't make it to Baku? Here's how to recreate the experience:

Shopping List:

  • Fresh tomatoes and bell peppers
  • Eggs
  • Feta cheese (substitute for Azerbaijani white cheese)
  • Fresh herbs (cilantro, dill, basil)
  • Good bread (or pita)
  • Honey and jam
  • Black tea

Simple Recipe: Pomidor-Yumurta

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan.
  2. Add diced tomatoes and peppers. Cook until soft.
  3. Crack in 3-4 eggs. Scramble gently.
  4. Add salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
  5. Serve with warm bread and tea.

Conclusion

An Azerbaijani breakfast is more than a meal—it's a ritual that connects you to the land, the culture, and the people.

So skip the hotel buffet, find a local spot, and start your day the Azerbaijani way: with fresh bread, strong tea, and good company.

Next up in our series: Street Food of Baku: Gutab, Doner, and More