Cairo’s restaurant scene is as diverse as its people, with cuisines from all over the world represented. Fine French fare, authentic Indian curries, and hearty Italian staples can all be found in establishments across the city. However, there are also plenty of opportunities for sampling traditional Egyptian food, with must-try dishes including koshary (also spelled kushari) and hawawshi. The former is a unique blend of rice, spaghetti, macaroni, and black lentils, topped with a spicy tomato sauce and sprinkled with fried onions and chickpeas. The latter is ground meat (usually beef or lamb) stuffed inside a pocket of traditional baladi bread. Both staples are equally delicious.
Traditional Egyptian restaurants are unlikely to serve alcohol even in Cairo, a relatively liberal city. Tea is a popular alternative, whether you prefer the black, mint, fenugreek, or crimson-colored hibiscus variety. Coffee is ubiquitous, as are exotic fruit juices and smoothies. More unfamiliar drinks to try include sahlab (a thick, milk-based beverage made with dried and crushed orchid tubers) and qamar al-din, a kind of stewed apricot juice particularly popular during Ramadan. If you find yourself craving a glass of wine or a cold Egyptian Stella beer, do not fret: Alcohol is served in most international restaurants and hotels, and can easily be found in the bars and nightclubs of Cairo’s Zamalek neighborhood.
Learn more about Cairo’s dining and drinking scenes with our guide to Cairo’s nightlife, as well as our full-length articles about the best restaurants in Cairo, the top traditional Egyptian foods, and Egypt’s best non-alcoholic drinks.