Lonely PlanetOct 3, 2026
The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Egypt
Egyptian cuisine reflects the complex and varied cultural history of the nation itself. This is everything you need to know about what to eat and drink.
25 things in this story
- aish finoRestaurantbaguette-like bread for chopped liver
- Farag Abo KhaledRestaurantserves the best liver in Egypt
- Elsewhere
- ZööbaRestaurantCairo, Egyptmodern take on traditional Egyptian breakfast
- kushariFast foodEgyptmix of brown lentils, rice, pasta and chickpeas
- fuulRestaurantEgyptstewed fava beans, spiced with cumin
- ta'amiyyaRestaurantEgyptfava bean fritters, tossed with harissa raisin hot sauce
- fiteerRestaurantEgyptflaky, layered pastry made with samna
- molokhiyyaRestaurantEgyptbright green soup made from broth and finely chopped jute leaves
- mahshiFast foodEgyptstuffing of vegetables such as peppers, eggplants, zucchini
- karkadaiPlaceEgyptmade from hibiscus flowers
- sahlabPlaceEgyptcreamy drink made from milk, sugar and orchid tubers
- Om AliRestaurantEgyptEgyptian bread pudding made from puff pastry
- basbousaRestaurantEgyptsemolina cake soaked in sugar syrup
- Khufu’sRestaurantGiza, Egyptfamed for imaginative takes on classic Egyptian dishes
- aish baladiRestaurantEgyptpita-like bread, favored starch for Egyptian meals
- macarona béchamelRestaurantEgyptbaked pasta with ground meat and cheese sauce
- shawarmaRestaurantEgyptmeat cooked on a vertical spit
- tashaRestaurantEgyptsautéed mixture of garlic and ground coriander
- MahrousFast foodCairo, Egyptserves full plates of its famous fuul
- El Tabei El DomiatyRestaurantCairo, Egyptdoes a roaring trade in shawarma and ta'amiyya
- mashwiyatRestaurantEgyptumbrella term for all sorts of meats grilled over charcoal
- koftaRestaurantEgyptminced meat with garlic, spices and parsley
- hawashiRestaurantEgyptpita-style sandwich filled with spiced ground beef
- Andrea El MariouteyaRestaurantNew Giza, Egyptfabulous grilled chicken and quail kebabs
- Hawawshi El RabieRestaurantCairo, Egyptsample authentic hawashi
