EgyptFood and Drink

Egyptian cuisine is a diverse, rich, and healthful one that reflects its evolution at the intersection of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa. This means that dishes such as falafel, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, and kebabs are common on menus in Egypt. A heavy reliance on the vegetables, fruits and legumes grown in the Nile Delta make the country a paradise for vegans and vegetarians, although meat and dairy lovers will also appreciate its poultry, lamb and cheeses. It’s all generously flavoured with spices such as cumin, coriander, chili and cinnamon, many of which were also used by cooks in ancient Egypt.

What is Egypt’s traditional cuisine?

Freshness and simplicity are hallmarks of the Egyptian table, which is rarely without eish baladi, a local type of pita bread. It often accompanies such mainstay dishes as ful medames (mashed stewed fava beans) or molokhia (a bright green stew made with minced jute leaves) and is used to scoop up spreads such as hummus (made from mashed chickpeas), tahini (ground sesame seeds) or baba ghanoush (mashed eggplant). Pita or rolls are also used to wrap up shawarma, the thinly shaved slices of grilled meat (traditionally lamb, but also chicken or beef) that are staples of Cairo’s vibrant street-food scene. Another popular grilled-meat dish is kofta: ground beef or lamb that has been mixed with spices, garlic and onions, rolled into a ball or log shape and then skewered and grilled. Along the country’s coasts (including the Nile), fresh seafood and seafood dishes such as sayadiya (an aromatic, paella-like fish and rice mixture) hold pride of place. Egypt’s national dish and another popular street food is koshari or kushari, a hearty mix of pasta, rice, lentils and chickpeas topped with tomato sauce.

What is the dining etiquette in Egypt?

Whether you’re eating in a restaurant or in a private home, avoid using the left hand when handling communal food, as it’s associated with hygiene purposes. In both settings, taking a second helping of food is considered a compliment to the chef, but leave a small amount of food on your plate once you’ve finished eating. Always wash your hands before the meal and sometimes between courses (individual water bowls are often provided at place settings for this purpose). Muslims do not eat pork for religious reasons, so don’t expect to find it on menus. During Ramadan, when most Muslims fast during the day, be discreet when drinking or eating in public until the sun goes down.

What is the drinking etiquette in Egypt?

Tea (both black and herbal) is Egypt’s national drink, which can be taken many times throughout the day in any of the country’s many coffee and tea houses. As a Muslim majority nation, the country doesn’t drink much alcohol, so make sure you are in a designated bar, nightclub or private residence when consuming wine, beer or spirits and never drink alcohol in the street. If you do imbibe, do not do so in excess and avoid drinking brands of hard liquor you aren’t familiar with. Never offer alcohol to someone who is Muslim; even if the intention is friendly, it’s considered rude to do so.

Does Egypt cater to dietary restrictions?

Egyptian menus are heavy on fruits, vegetables and legumes, so vegetarians, vegans and those with food restrictions based on health reasons will have plenty of options to feast on. Many ingredients and dishes throughout Egypt (especially meats) are also halal. However, a lot of Egyptian food includes gluten, bread being a staple. It is therefore a good idea to pack plenty of gluten-free snacks in your luggage to supplement the food if options become limited, especially outside of Cairo. The guides or translators that accompany many visitors to Egypt can help communicate needs.

What do meals typically cost in Egypt?

It is not an exaggeration to say that you can eat like royalty for pennies in Egypt, where a meal in even a higher-end local restaurant can run as low as 200 Egyptian pounds (just over four U.S. dollars) per person. A meal at a mid-range restaurant might cost anywhere from 50 to 150 Egyptian pounds a person, while a falafel sandwich from a takeaway establishment will cost 35 Egyptian pounds. The best value lies in Egyptian street food, which is delicious, good-quality and particularly inexpensive in Cairo. From koshari to kebab, the range is also impressive, encompassing many of Egypt’s must-try traditional foods for as little as three to five U.S. dollars per order.