Egypt’s capital city of Cairo is a culinary gem waiting to be discovered by adventurous foodies. With a rich culinary heritage spanning thousands of years, Cairo offers an incredible array of dining experiences – from humble street food stalls dishing up traditional specialities to upscale restaurants serving gourmet Egyptian fare with a modern twist. If you’re planning a trip to explore Cairo’s incredible culinary offerings, flying with Egyptair UAE makes it convenient with direct routes from the UAE. Let’s have a look at the culinary scenario in Cairo:
Street Food Delights
No culinary tour of Cairo would be complete without sampling the city’s vibrant and diverse street food scene. The best way to experience it is on a guided street food tour with a local expert who can show you the most authentic vendors and specialities.
One highlight is koshari, Egypt’s beloved national dish. This hearty, comforting blend of macaroni, spaghetti, rice, lentils, and chickpeas is topped with a zesty tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. It’s cheap, filling, and quintessentially Egyptian. Another must-try is taamiya, Egypt’s version of falafel made with nutrient-packed fava beans instead of chickpeas, which gives them a lighter, fresher texture.
For fun variety, get some sougok (Egyptian beef sausages) and muyyet salata, a vinegar-based mix of vegetables and herbs that acts as a palate cleanser between bites of richer foods. Be sure to save room for dessert like kunafa, a syrup-soaked pastry made with shredded phyllo and cheese, or basbousa, a sweet semolina cake drenched in aromatic syrup. Wash it all down with Arabic coffee lightly roasted with cardamom for an authentic flavour punch.
Classic Egyptian Dishes
After working up an appetite exploring Cairo’s ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza, refuel at one of the city’s beloved traditional eateries serving iconic Egyptian fare. Abou El Sid is a stunning re-creation of a 1930s Cairene home, complete with arabesque decor, serving classics like succulent grilled pigeon cooked until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
About Tarek, endorsed by the late Anthony Bourdain himself, is considered the go-to spot for the best version of Cairo’s national dish, koshari. The lively Zööba cafes aim to elevate classic Egyptian street foods into creative, visually appealing presentations without sacrificing the authentic flavours.
For an atmospheric experience, head to Felfela, an eclectic eatery in an alleyway near the Egyptian Museum decorated in a quirky, thrift store style. While falafel and baba ghanouj are delicious, the unexpected standout is an excellent, creamy rice pudding. Or make a pit stop at the centuries-old Khan El-Khalili bazaar and recharge at the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe with fresh juice amidst stunning Islamic geometric tile patterns and mirrors.
Contemporary Egyptian Dining
While honouring the past, Cairo’s culinary talents are also embracing new interpretations of age-old Egyptian flavours with contemporary techniques and presentations. At the trendy Kebabgy, perched along the banks of the Nile, savour succulent grilled pigeon and deceptively simple but flavour-packed fresh tomato salads.
For a splurge, the elegant 1902 restaurant at the Old Cataract Hotel offers refined spins on classics like molokheya, the signature stew made with finely chopped greens and garlic, all enjoyed with views overlooking the iconic Nile River. Over in the Hilton’s Makino restaurant, experience authentic Japanese fare like sushi and yakitori imbued with exotic Egyptian twists using spices like dukkah, a nutty, aromatic blend.
Even American favourites get an Egyptian accent – Lucille’s serves what Time Magazine dubbed the “world’s best burger” alongside creative spins on classic fries and milkshakes infusing local ingredients like honey and pistachios.
Carb-Loading Egyptian Style
Grains and breads are at the heart of Egyptian cuisine, with ancient roots. Aish baladi is the iconic whole wheat flatbread that has graced Egyptian tables for nearly 6,000 years. At the chic, trendy Simond’s Bakery, French pastries meet New York deli fare, allowing you to load up on croissants or bagels.
For dessert bliss not to be missed, try the roz bil laban, an Egyptian-style rice pudding infused with vanilla, coconut and nuts, at the historic El Malky shop that’s been slinging sweets since 1917. At the hotspot Granita, dig into decadent toffee date cake in the lush garden courtyard of an unexpected locale – an Anglican cathedral.
Feteer, a multi-layered, flaky buttery pastry akin to a laminated brioche, makes an amazing breakfast treat at understated local gems like Ratios Bakery in Maadi. These iconic, carb-loaded delicacies showcase Egypt’s ancient mastery of bread-making.
Conclusion
Whether you crave authentic street snacks, innovative Egyptian cuisine, or heritage recipes prepared with traditional techniques, Cairo delivers an outstanding variety of flavours and dining experiences for culinary adventurers. With delicious surprises waiting around every corner of this ancient metropolis, Egypt’s capital has all the makings of the world’s next big food destination – if more travellers heed the call to this underrated but deeply satisfying cuisine.
