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🍽️ Foundations of Egyptian Cuisine
Egyptian cuisine is built on legumes, grains, and vegetables — this is no accident, but the result of thousands of years of agricultural culture. Three dishes form the foundation of an Egyptian's daily diet: koshari (a mix of rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce), ful medames (stewed beans with garlic and lemon), and ta'ameya — the local version of falafel made from beans, not chickpeas.
Meat is present, but does not dominate. Kebab, kofta, and shawarma are more of a street celebration than daily food. Seafood is concentrated in Alexandria and at Red Sea resorts: there, fresh fish and shrimp are significantly cheaper than in Cairo.
- Koshari — national dish, served in specialized establishments
- Ful medames — breakfast of most Egyptians, available from early morning
- Molokhia — soup made from jute leaves, thick and distinctive in taste
- Umm Ali — dessert made from puff pastry with milk and nuts, similar to bread pudding
🥙 Street Food: What and Where to Buy
Street food in Egypt is a separate ecosystem. Cairo, Luxor, Aswan — in every city there are dozens of carts and tiny shops where food is prepared quickly and in large quantities. You should look for places with a line of locals: this is the best indicator of quality.
«If the cart is standing empty — go further. If it has a line of taxi drivers and workers — take it without hesitation.»
| Dish | Where to Buy | Price (rubles) |
|---|---|---|
| Koshari (large portion) | Koshari restaurant, street stand | 90–160 rubles (15–27 EGP) |
| Ta'ameya (falafel, 5 pieces) | Street shop | 45–90 rubles (8–15 EGP) |
| Shawarma (chicken) | Roadside kiosk | 120–200 rubles (20–34 EGP) |
| Freshly squeezed mango juice | Juice bar | 90–160 rubles (15–27 EGP) |
| Ful with bread | Morning stand | 40–80 rubles (7–13 EGP) |
🍴 Restaurants and Cafés: Formats and Prices
Egypt's restaurant market is divided into three segments. Local canteens without English signage — the cheapest option, lunch costs 350–600 rubles per person. Tourist restaurants near attractions — prices are inflated 2–3 times, quality is unstable. Middle-class establishments in residential areas — the optimal choice: a full dinner with a drink 700–1400 rubles.
| Format | Average Check per Person | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Street stand | 100–250 rubles | Cash only, change not always available |
| Local canteen | 350–600 rubles | Menu often only in Arabic |
| Middle-class café | 700–1400 rubles | Menu available in English |
| Tourist restaurant | 1500–3000 rubles | Prices like in Europe, quality worse |
⚠️ What Not to Eat and Drink
Tap water in Egypt is not drinking water — this is a fact without exceptions. Bottled water 1.5 liters costs 45–80 rubles in a store and 160–250 rubles in a tourist area. Ice in cafés is better not to order: it's unknown what water it was made from.
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables from the market — risk of intestinal infections
- Dairy products at street stalls without refrigeration
- Seafood in Cairo — freshness is questionable, better to buy only by the sea
- Tap water and ice in questionable establishments
📋 Practical Tips
MIR cards do not work in Egypt — bring cash in euros or dollars and exchange them for Egyptian pounds (EGP) at exchange offices or banks upon arrival. Exchange offices at the airport offer worse rates than in the city, but the difference is not critical for small amounts.
Tips (baksheesh) in restaurants — an unspoken norm: 10–15% of the bill. If the service is poor — you can not leave it, there will be no conflict.
For stable internet without roaming surprises, it's convenient to use eSIM — for example, through e7m.ru from 207₽, it connects before departure and works from the first minute in the country.
- Best time for markets and street food — morning and late evening
- Bargaining in tourist cafés is appropriate, especially for drinks and desserts
- Google Translate app with camera helps read menus in Arabic
- During Ramadan, many establishments are closed during the day, operating hours shift to evening