Totally Cairo
What to Eat in Cairo
Egyptian food is hearty, largely plant-and-grain based at its everyday core, and best eaten where Cairenes actually eat it — not necessarily where the menus are in English.
Koshary
Egypt's unofficial national dish: a filling mix of rice, lentils, chickpeas and short pasta, topped with a spiced tomato sauce, crispy fried onions and a garlic-vinegar sauce added to taste. It's cheap, everywhere, and a genuinely good introduction to Egyptian food culture — dedicated koshary shops (rather than general restaurants) usually do it best.
Ful and taameya
Ful medames — slow-cooked fava beans, usually mashed with oil, lemon and spices — is Egypt's everyday breakfast staple, often eaten with bread. Taameya is Egypt's version of falafel, made with fava beans rather than chickpeas, giving it a distinct green interior and flavor from the Levantine version most visitors know. Both are inexpensive, widely available from small local spots, and worth seeking out over hotel breakfast buffets.
Street food and juice stands
Grilled meats (kofta, kebab), stuffed vegetables (mahshi), and molokhia (a garlicky green stew) round out the everyday Egyptian table. Fresh juice stands, serving sugarcane juice, mango or strawberry juice depending on season, are a common and refreshing stop in the heat. As with street food anywhere, favor busy stalls with high turnover.
Where to eat
Zamalek has Cairo's densest concentration of well-regarded restaurants spanning Egyptian and international food (see our Zamalek guide), while Downtown and the streets around Khan el-Khalili are better for cheap, high-turnover local spots. Wherever you are, a busy, locally patronized restaurant is usually a better sign than an empty one with a multilingual menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of Egypt?
Koshary is generally considered Egypt's signature dish — a mix of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy onions.
Is street food in Cairo safe to eat?
Generally yes at busy, high-turnover stalls — the same commonsense rule applies as anywhere: go where locals are actively eating, and food is being cooked fresh in front of you rather than sitting out.
What should vegetarians eat in Cairo?
Egyptian everyday food is naturally vegetarian-friendly at its core — koshary, ful medames, taameya and molokhia (check if made with meat stock) are all widely available staples.