Food Guide in Cairo

Egyptian Cuisine & Dining

Must-Try Dishes:

• Koshari: Egypt's national dish - layers of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, topped with tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. Filling, vegetarian, and delicious. Try at Abou Tarek (famous koshari chain).
• Ful Medames: Slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil, lemon, and garlic. Traditional breakfast served with bread (aish baladi).
• Ta'ameya (Egyptian Falafel): Made from fava beans (not chickpeas like elsewhere). Crispy outside, green inside. Breakfast staple.
• Mahshi: Vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, peppers, grape leaves) stuffed with herbed rice mixture.
• Molokhia: Green soup made from jute leaves, served with rice or bread and chicken/rabbit. Distinctive flavor - love it or hate it.
• Hawawshi: Spiced minced meat stuffed in baladi bread and baked. Egyptian street food favorite.
• Shawarma: Thinly sliced meat (chicken or beef) in pita with tahini, vegetables.
• Kebda (Liver): Fried liver sandwich, popular street food. Try at El Shabrawy restaurant.
• Kofta & Kebab: Grilled ground meat skewers or meat chunks, served with rice, bread, and salads.
• Feteer: Flaky layered pastry, served sweet or savory. Egyptian 'pizza'.

Desserts & Sweets:

• Om Ali: Warm bread pudding with milk, nuts, and raisins. Egyptian comfort dessert.
• Basbousa: Semolina cake soaked in sweet syrup.
• Konafa (Kunafa): Shredded phyllo pastry filled with cream or nuts, soaked in syrup.
• Baklava: Layered phyllo with nuts and honey.

Beverages:

• Karkade: Hibiscus tea, served hot or cold. Refreshing and tart.
• Sobia: Sweet coconut milk drink.
• Sahlab: Hot creamy drink made from orchid root powder, topped with nuts and cinnamon. Winter favorite.
• Sugarcane Juice: Freshly pressed, sweet and refreshing.
• Turkish Coffee: Strong, thick coffee served in small cups.
• Mint Tea (Shai bi Na'na): Sweet tea with fresh mint.

Where to Eat:

• Street Food: Koshari shops, falafel stands, juice vendors - cheap, authentic, delicious. Look for busy stalls (high turnover = fresh food).
• Local Restaurants: Abou Tarek (koshari), Felfela (Egyptian cuisine), Zooba (modern Egyptian street food), Kazaz (grilled meats).
• Historic Cafes: Fishawi Cafe (Khan el-Khalili - oldest cafe), El Fishawy, Naguib Mahfouz Cafe.
• Fine Dining: Sequoia (Mediterranean, Nile views), Osmanly (Ottoman cuisine at Kempinski), Crimson (Four Seasons).
• International: Zamalek offers Italian, French, Asian restaurants.

Dining Tips:

• Tap Water: Avoid drinking tap water. Stick to bottled water (confirm seal is intact).
• Street Food Safety: Choose busy vendors with high turnover. Avoid pre-cut fruit.
• Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants. Small bills (5-20 EGP) for basic service.
• Eating Hours: Lunch 1-3pm, Dinner 7-11pm. Egyptians dine late.
• Ramadan: Most restaurants closed during daylight fasting hours. Hotels and tourist areas remain open.
• Vegetarian Options: Abundant - koshari, ful, ta'ameya, mahshi, salads.
• Spice Levels: Egyptian food is generally mild. Request 'harr' (spicy) if desired.