10 Egyptian Dishes Every International Visitor Must Try (and Where to Find Them)

Koshari, ful medames, or hawawshi- Egyptian street food is a bold, flavourful journey through centuries of culinary tradition. From the bustling lanes of Cairo's Khan el-Khalili to the seafront stalls of Alexandria, every corner has something extraordinary. International visitors consistently rank Egypt's food culture among the most memorable parts of their trip.

Key Takeaways

• Must-Try Foods: Koshari, ful medames, hawawshi, shawarma, and om ali
• Top Food Hubs: Khan el-Khalili, Downtown Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor-Aswan
• Local Tip: Follow the crowds for fresher, more authentic food
• Seasonal Specialties: Look out for Ramadan treats, winter soups, and summer seafood
• Visa Application: Get your Egypt e-Visa beforehand to make entry quick and hassle-free

Planning a trip to Egypt? Pyramids and the Great Sphinx are not your only attractions! Egypt’s food scene beckons you, and you ought to answer that call!

Egyptian meals, right from breakfast to the end-of-the-day dessert, exhibit rich flavors and are a testament to what a great civilisation it has been for thousands of years. This means that your trip to Egypt will remain woefully incomplete if you focus on exploring ancient temples or walking along the Nile. The food around you is just as extraordinary as the monuments and demands a culinary tour just as extensive.

Intrigued? The very first step is to apply for a Tourist Visa on our online portal, follow the application steps, and get your visa approval in just a few days.

And now, pack your bags, because you are good to go!

Everyday Staples You Will Find Everywhere

This is a list of the primary food items you should try after landing in the Land of Pharaohs. The best part is that these food items are found on almost every street corner, so you wouldn’t have to travel far to taste these delectables.

Koshari

Considered as Egypt's national dish, this is a rather filling meal at a budget-friendly rate. Good news for vegans, for this is completely plant-based and is served on a bed of rice or brown lentils. The hearty blend of macaroni and chickpeas gets its flavor from a topping of spiced tomato sauce, crispy fried onions, and a sharp vinegar drizzle.

Our suggestion is that this is the first thing you eat after landing in Egypt! You are definitely going to find queues; consider that a good sign.

• Go to: Koshary Abou Tarek in Downtown Cairo.

Ful Medames

A good breakfast option, this dish consists of slow-cooked fava beans that are mashed afterwards and served with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice. The dish gets its basic flavors from spices like garlic and cumin. Served inside warm bread, you can have this with a side of boiled eggs and fresh vegetables.

• Go to: Any local foul cart in the early morning.
  Check the lanes around residential neighbourhoods in Cairo and Alexandria.

Ta'ameya

This is the Egyptian version of falafel and is made from fava beans. A greener and crunchier alternative to the original falafel, Ta’ameya is packed with fresh herbs. You can enjoy this dish with flatbread and make the experience all the more delicious with a portion of salad and tahini.

Have it for breakfast or as a go-to snack - the choice is yours!

• Go to: Street carts across Cairo, particularly in Giza and Old Cairo.
• Here’s a tip to remember: Order early because this dish sells out rather fast.

Street Food and Snacks Worth Stopping For

Maybe not your go-to snacks, but these are the dishes for which you may even have to make a detour. It’s going to be worth it, we promise!

Hawawshi

Meat lovers, rejoice! This is a dish consisting of spiced minced meat that is stuffed inside a bread pocket and baked or grilled until super crispy. You get the flavor from the juicy meat, and its boldness comes from the heavy seasoning of onions, chillies, and herbs.

If you want something deeply satisfying for your meat-loving tastebuds, this is what you are going to have!

• Go to: Street vendors and local bakeries in Cairo.

The area around Sayeda Zeinab is particularly well known for it.

Shawarma

No, Lebanon is not the only place to have shawarma. The Egyptian version has a distinctive taste that comes from a different kind of spice blend. You get to choose from chicken or beef, wrapped tightly in flatbread, which is loaded with pickles and fresh vegetables with a dollop of garlic sauce.

Want to eat shawarma the European way? Late-night shawarma is practically a tradition here!

• Go to: Talaat Harb Street in Downtown Cairo.

This place is sprawled with some of the best shawarma stalls.

Feteer Meshaltet

This pastry not only tastes good, but its real catch lies in the sheer craftsmanship of how it’s made. With multiple layers, this pastry can be both sweet or savory, depending on the filling you choose. Whether you order a honey or cream Feteer Meshaltet or a minced meat and cheese Feteer Meshaltet, make sure to stand in front of the shop and witness the baking procedure, a craft like no other.

• Go to: Specialist feteer stalls in Khan el-Khalili and around Ramses Square.

Pro tip: Stop at shops where vendors are rolling the dough by hand.

Seafood and Nile Specialties

Going to Egypt and not getting a taste of the seafood is nothing short of blasphemy!

Sayadeya

Originating from Alexandria, Sayadeya is a white fish dish that is slow-cooked and served on a base of caramelised onions and a lightly spiced rice that absorbs all the cooking juices. If you are craving a comforting fish meal, this is what you should have.

• Go to: Alexandria, where there are some excellent seafood restaurants along the Corniche, particularly around the Anfushi neighbourhood.

Grilled Calamari (Calamari Mashwi)

This is basically the Egyptian version of grilled calamari. If you are craving for seafood that tastes extraordinary yet is light, Mashwi is what you order. Charcoal grilled and then served with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon, and sprinkled with herbs.

Fresh, light, and perfectly charred!

• Go to: Fish market restaurants in Alexandria's Anfushi district.

Close to the Mediterranean, the catch in these restaurants is brought in daily.

Desserts and Sweet Bites

Completing a culinary journey without desserts? NO WAY!

Om Ali

This is a dessert that is served everywhere in Egypt and is arguably the most loved. Bread pudding made with puff pastry, milk, cream, sugar, and served hot - sounds mouth-watering, right? Om Ali is topped with nuts and coconut and is baked until golden on the outside yet soft on the inside.

For reference, you can think of it as the Egyptian answer to bread-and-butter pudding, but way better and richer.

• Go to: Traditional cafés and dessert shops across Cairo.

A particular suggestion would be Felfela Restaurant in Downtown Cairo.

Basbousa

If you have a sweet tooth and can tolerate intensely sweet things, this is for you. A soft semolina cake soaked in sugar syrup and often topped with almonds or coconut, Basbousa’s dense and moist texture is going to blow your mind away.

Street vendors sell it in small squares throughout the day.

• Go to: Any sweet shop or bakery across Egypt.

If you need guidance, start from the shops around Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo.

Now that you have a list of the top 10 food items to try when visiting Egypt, getting an idea about the food hubs will also help. Take a look at the table below:

Also, here’s giving you an idea for keeping a budget expectation.

Seasonal and Regional Food Variations to Remember

This is something to keep track of, since the time you are planning for the trip will have something special to add to your culinary journey. 

Visiting During Ramadan?

Dishes to have: Fattah (lamb and rice in rich broth) and qatayef (stuffed sweet pancakes), but available only after sunset

Visiting in Winter?

Dishes to have: Warm lentil soup (shorbat ads) that is sold from carts across the city

Visiting in Summer?

Dishes to have: Chilled tamarind juice (tamr hindi) and liquorice drink (irq sous) are sold on almost every street corner

Visiting the Alexandria Coast?

Dishes to have: Fresh grilled sea bass and red mullet, especially caught in the summer fishing season

How to Have a Satisfying Culinary Journey in Egypt

Here’s our suggestion to find the best food, avoid crowds, and experience an ultimate and authentic Egyptian cuisine.

• Follow the crowd: Busy stalls usually have fresher food and faster turnover than empty vendors
• Eat breakfast like a local: Try ful, ta'ameya, and aish baladi before 9 am for a classic Egyptian start of the day
• Drink what locals drink: Pair meals with yogurt-based drinks or fresh sugarcane juice; do not drink iced beverages from unknown sources
• Confirm prices first: You MUST ask for prices before ordering, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Luxor and Khan el-Khalili
• Explore beyond Cairo: Egypt has so much to offer; you get Alexandria's seafood, Aswan's Nubian cuisine, and Luxor's street grills - each offering distinctive flavors

Ready to Go on a Culinary Journey to Egypt?

The best part of planning a trip to Egypt is that the food comes not as a side note to the pyramids and the Nile but as a star that has made a place of its own just as strong. Every meal you have (even the ones not mentioned in this list!) will be a memory worth making.

So, get going! Gather all important documents and apply for the Tourist Visa. It’s quick, hassle-free, and most importantly, you get the visa approval in just a few days. And then, Egypt’s cuisine awaits you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Carry Cash or Credit Cards Will Do?

Local eateries and small street vendors usually prefer cash, so it is recommended that you carry enough Egyptian pounds to sustain your culinary journey throughout the day.

Will I Be Able to Find English Menus Anywhere in Egypt?

Tourist-heavy areas like Alexandria or Cairo will have restaurants with English menus, but if you are visiting local stalls or small eateries in other areas, you have to learn certain Arabic words to communicate. Or at the very least, you can point at the food items and place an order.

Do I Tip at Restaurants or at Local Food Stalls?

It is a welcome gesture. Tipping is going to be appreciated in restaurants, and local street vendors are going to expect you to tip in return for good service.

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