Egypt

What to eat in Cairo

Cairo’s food scene mixes bustling street stalls with upscale hotel restaurants, offering everything from humble bean dishes to refined Nile‑front meals. The city’s neighborhoods each have their own culinary character.

Local dishes to try

Koshari

A hearty mix of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas and tomato sauce, served in street stalls and cheap cafés all day.

Ful Medames

Slow‑cooked fava beans, often eaten for breakfast in local eateries and homes.

Ta'ameya

Egyptian falafel made from fava beans, popular at breakfast stalls and markets.

Shawarma

Thinly sliced marinated meat wrapped in pita, sold from street carts and fast‑food spots.

Molokhia

A green leafy soup served with rice or bread, common in family restaurants for lunch or dinner.

Fattah

Layers of rice, bread, and meat topped with tomato sauce, eaten on special occasions and in hotels.

Kunafa

Sweet cheese pastry soaked in syrup, found in cafés across Zamalek and downtown.

Egyptian Coffee

Strong, often spiced coffee served in traditional ahwa cafés throughout the city.

Where to eat

1
Al‑Moez Street (Downtown)
Try koshari and ful at the many street stalls lining the historic thoroughfare.
2
Zamalek
Offers a mix of upscale cafés and casual eateries serving shawarma, kunafa and international dishes.
3
Khan el‑Khalili Bazaar
Find ta'ameya, fresh juices and traditional sweets among the market’s winding alleys.