When it comes to food in Egypt, you really should be well prepared, as there is plenty to tempt you! And don’t forget you’re staying in Cairo, which has an enormous amount of restaurants on offer, for all the pocket sizes and palates.
Whether you’re going for a traditional tasty Kushari (macaroni, lentils, chick peas) or a fine dining experience at an expensive restaurant facing the Nile, you really have huge selection to choose from! Still, you should be aware that ingredients are often low quality and it is highly recommended to dine at the most visited restaurants. As for alcoholic drinks, you will not find them in the cheaper restaurants, neither in some of the more expensive outlets.
Most of the budget eating is concentrated downtown, while for higher quality you should look in the more affluent parts of Cairo, such as Zamalek or Mohandesin.
Don’t miss the Kushari Tahrir, an outlet chain that specializes in (and in fact only serves) Kushari. If you are visiting the Islamic Cairo, make a stop to taste the delicious foul (bean paste) at al-Gahsh, a budget restaurant situated opposite to Seidna Zeinab mosque.
The medium and upper price range places offer a limited choice of traditional Egyptian food. Still, one of the most visited restaurants by travellers is the most authentic Egyptian place in Cairo – Abou el Sid, serving elegant traditional food, accompanied by old Egyptian music. Make sure you reserve in advance, as this restaurant is the spot for both locals and tourists. Looking for a fine dining place to splurge? You will find the top notch restaurants in Cairo most often based in the five stars hotels or the Nile boats. Still, for a more casual atmosphere and more reasonable prices, dine at La Bodega in Zamalek – excellent food, great service and even a choice of drinks, which can be difficult to find in Cairo.
For a delightful dash of Italian food, go for Maison Thomas in Zamalek, which is also one of the only restaurants serving pork dishes, a rarity in Cairo. Tempted by the stylish Lebanese food? You’ll always find one of the Dar-al-Qamar chain spots at hand.
After a delicious dinner, there’s nothing more delightful than relaxing with a drink and a sheesha (narguile) in one of the open air places along the Nile.
