Yehia El Alaily
A fine dining tasting menu right next to the Giza pyramids, tahini-drizzled kebabs at a century-old shop tucked in a historic alley, cocktails at a rooftop bar overlooking the Nile, and more of Cairo’s best meals
Cairo, the bustling, vibrant heart of Egypt, is a little-known food lover’s paradise. Famous for its ancient sites, the city boasts a culinary scene that’s as diverse and rich as its culture and history, driven by global trends and Egyptians themselves, who are eating out more than ever before.
The city’s food scene is a testament to its multicultural heritage, offering a variety of cuisines, from Japanese to Italian. Many local chefs are also taking inspiration from global foodways, applying new twists to the dishes they grew up eating and incorporating ingredients like miso and boba. As fine dining spots pop up around the districts of New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed, there’s a noticeable shift toward elevated, modern presentations, but local bakeries and family-run eateries are still thriving. Egyptians still crave the familiarity of baladi bread (traditional flatbread), the theatricality of feteer (flaky, layered, stuffed pastries), the warmth of molokhia (classic green mallow soup rich with umami), and the unctuous comfort of camel liver. Restaurants also remain social hubs, where food, culture, and neighborhood gossip intersect.
Whether you’re sampling street food staples like koshary and shawarma, indulging in a meal at one of the high-end restaurants led by world-renowned chefs, or exploring culinary gems in the city’s nooks and crannies, Cairo promises a gastronomic experience of historic proportions.
Laila Hassaballa and Mariam Nezar are the entrepreneurs behind Bellies En-Route, which they started in 2016 to take travelers on authentic food tours around the city they call home. Along with their team, they have collectively taken 5,000 travelers from over 50 countries on culinary experiences in downtown Cairo and Heliopolis. The duo aim to put Egypt on the international culinary map by offering experiences that break stereotypes and bring people together.
