FAQ
What is the national dish of Egypt?
Koshari, a bowl of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions, finished with garlic-vinegar and chili. It's vegan and sold everywhere.
Is Cairo good for vegetarians?
Surprisingly, yes. Koshari, ful, taameya, molokhia (in its vegetarian version), baba ghanoush, tahina and most sweets are all meat-free.
Is the food in Cairo halal?
Almost entirely, Egypt is Muslim-majority and the everyday food is halal by default. Pork and alcohol appear only at some Western, hotel and Nile-cruise venues.
What should I eat for breakfast in Cairo?
Ful medames (stewed fava beans) and taameya (fava-bean falafel), with baladi bread, eggs, tahina and pickles.
What sweets is Cairo known for?
Om Ali (warm bread-and-milk pudding), basbousa (semolina cake in syrup), kunafa (shredded-pastry dessert) and sweet feteer.
Cairo's everyday food is halal by default; the rare exceptions (pork, alcohol) are limited to some Western, hotel and Nile-cruise venues. Restaurant hours and details change, confirm on-site.