Breakfast is often described as the most important meal of the day, and it comes in many different shapes, sizes, formats and flavours. From table-covering spreads and warming noodle soups to flaky pastries and strong coffee, here we take a look at how people begin their day around the world.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the world’s greatest breakfast dishes, counting down to the most delicious of all.

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each dish in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

The world's 38 tastiest breakfasts: ranked