Although you may be visiting Cairo for its rich cultural history, it is almost impossible to ignore the abundance of delicious food available.
Whether you want delicious, traditional Egyptian food, or simply Middle Eastern dishes, we got you covered. Here are our recommendations for the restaurants you need to go to before your trip in Cairo ends.
Zooba – best Egyptian street food
16 26 July St, Al Gabalayah, Zamalek, Giza Governorate, Egypt
So popular that it even expanded to New York City, if you want a quick and casual way to experience traditional Egyptian food, look no further than Zooba. Available in multiple districts throughout Cairo, by transforming well known Egyptian street food into gourmet meals, they offer a delicious variety of food that no one can turn down.
Naguib Mahfouz Café – most historical
5 El Baddistan Lane Khan el-Khalili, Cairo 11511 Egypt
Named after one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic literature, this café is home to some of the most authentic Egyptian cuisine in the country. Founded in 1989, the same year Mahfouz was given the Nobel Prize for Literature, it actually became one of the famed writer’s favorite spots. Furthermore, when evening strikes, you can enjoy the various singers performing classical songs.
Tabla Luna – best Latin American
Street 231, Maadi as Sarayat Al Gharbeyah, Maadi, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Although not traditional Egyptian food, Tabla Luna offers a mouthwatering selection of Latin American dishes and is rated as one of the best restaurants in all of Cairo. You can taste the diversity of the dishes in this restaurant, with courses from Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and Ecuador. With only the freshest of organic ingredients being used, Tabla Luna is a must try.
Taboula – best Lebanese salad
المستشار، 1 Latin America St شارع، محمود فهمي، Egypt
Taboula offers a variety of Middle Eastern dishes, accompanied with an authentic atmosphere filled with classic Arab melodies, with songs by Egypt’s Umm Kulthum and Lebanon’s Fairuz playing in the background. The restaurant is named after one of their more popular servings, taboula, which is Lebanese salad. Accompanied with their wide selections of wine, it is truly not to be missed.
Al Khal – most classical
Cairo Governorate 11737, Egypt
If you’re looking for an upscale restaurant that serves authentic Egyptian food, you’ve come to the right place. The atmosphere is undoubtedly classical, as the restaurant itself uses wood and fabrics printed with 18th-century Egyptian designs to create a culturally rich atmosphere. Main dishes vary from Egypt’s most famous dish, koshary, which is a unique blend of rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, fried onions, and tomato salsa, to other classic meals, such as lamb and stuffed pigeons.
