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$ | Heliopolis |
This Heliopolis landmark, in business for over five decades, often has a line of people waiting to order Egyptian-style beef shawarma, made with a deliciously aromatic marinade and served in a pita or on soft white fino bread or fluffy bread rolls. Although there’s a small top-floor seating area, this is more of a grab-and-go restaurant.
13 Ibrahim Al Lakani St., El-Montaza, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Juicy, well-seasoned beef shawarma rolls
- Mango juice made with a secret recipe
- Homemade potato chips with the perfect crunch
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$ | Heliopolis |
Known for the blue-mosaic niche wall on its facade, this small but beloved branch of Mandarine Koueider is divided into two sections: one side sells Middle Eastern desserts generously stuffed with nuts, and the other sells ice cream in flavors like pistachio, raspberry, or mandarin. The malban bil eshta (Turkish delight filled with cream custard that's flavored with mastic) is a must-try.
5 Baghdad St., El-Montaza, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Fresh batches of ice cream prepared daily
- Often crowded (but don't let this deter you)
- Crisp kunafa (syrup-soaked pastry) with a creamy center
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$$ | Heliopolis |
Known for its relaxed vibe, Zööba offers Egyptian street food featuring modern twists (and slightly higher prices), all of it made with locally sourced ingredients. Be sure to try the ful (fava-bean stew) and ta’amiya (falafel) with pickled lemons, though the koshary (macaroni casserole) is also divine.
13 Baghdad St., El-Montaza, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Eclectic decor
- Vegetarian and vegan options
- Delicious rice with sujuk (fermented, spiced sausage)
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$$ | Downtown |
Founded in the 1930s, this quaint coffee shop has witnessed most of Downtown’s history and was once a favorite spot for its elites and celebrities. Today, people from all walks of life come to enjoy its coffee and desserts.
7 Emad Eddin St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Coffee, tea, and sweet treats
- Nostalgia-inducing vintage feel
- Lively spot for people-watching
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$$ | Heliopolis |
Flakey layers of fiteer pastry generously stuffed with your choice of sweet or savory fillings is what Abo Sherif is known for, and every order is made fresh on the spot—you can even watch the dough being flipped, stuffed, and placed in a brick oven. It’s customary to take your fiteer to the café across the street and enjoy it with black tea served with fresh mint leaves.
64 Damascus St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Crispy, well-balanced sweet kunafa fiteer
- Mixed-cheese fiteer oozing with melted goodness
- Unparalleled dough-flipping skills
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Old Cairo |
Unless you happen to walk in the opposite direction from the sites of Coptic Cairo, you’re not likely to stumble upon this little hole-in-the-wall kiosk, but it's been around for more than 85 years and is well known to many locals. The specialty is sweet couscous, which you can get with toppings like fresh cream or honey, though nothing beats having it the old-fashioned way—with powdered sugar and nuts.
70 Mari Gerges St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Fluffy couscous with a variety of sweet toppings
- A good assortment of Egyptian desserts
- Sells local Egyptian honey and olive oil
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$ | Downtown | Middle Eastern
30 Talaat Harb, Cairo, Cairo, 11111, Egypt
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$ | Mohandiseen |
When it comes to speedy service, McDonald's could learn a thing or two from the Saudis who own Al-Tazaj. They claim to get their produce from farm to grill in fewer than four hours, which is why (despite the fast-food joint look) this place turns out juicy grilled chicken—and little else. The birds are small, so you might want two; and while you're at it, ask for an extra container of the garlicky tahini to use as a dip.
13–14 Sour Nadi el-Zamalek, Cairo, Cairo, 12411, Egypt
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards, Reservations not accepted
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$ | Zamalek |
Batates & Zalabya is a major chain of street stalls that specializes in two snacks: batates (French fries), and, more notably, zalabya (Egyptian deep-fried dough balls). Although the classic zalabya is served with powdered sugar or sugar syrup, possible toppings here include hazelnut, chocolate, and caramel.
26 July St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Freshly fried zalabya with a variety of toppings
- Several quick sweet and savory snack options
- Practical on-the-go packaging
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$ | Rodah Island |
This 1930s neighborhood ice-cream shop is a great place to beat the heat, whether you opt for a scoop of chocolate or a fresh-fruit-flavored icy treat.
30 Roda St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Elaborate ice cream cakes
- Unique Egyptian flavors like mastic
- Evening people-watching spot
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$$ | Islamic Cairo North |
Popular with locals and tourists alike, Fatatry El Hussein (also known as Egyptian Pancake House) specializes in fiteer, Egypt's flaky pastry served with your choice of sweet or savory fillings. For one heavenly bite after another, try the mixed-cheese version; dessert options such as custard or cream and honey will surely satisfy your sweet tooth.
123 al-Azhar St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Fresh-from-the-oven fiteer
- Extensive list of savory and sweet fillings
- Fast, friendly service
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$$ | Islamic Cairo South |
Options at this local street-food favorite range from ful (fava bean stew) or ta'amiya (Egyptian-style felafel) sandwiches to beef or chicken shawarma wraps. Most customers order food to go, but seating is available if you need to take a break.
125 al-Azhar St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Inexpensive options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike
- Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Fast, efficient service
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$$$ | Zamalek |
Seek refuge from Cairo's crowded streets with bite to eat and a drink (alcoholic or not) at this café set in the gardens next to the restored Gezira Palace. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it serves everything from soups, salads, and sandwiches to pizzas and pastas.
16 Saray El Gezirah St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Charming outdoor setting
- Freshly baked local bread
- A menu with something for everyone
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$ | The Citadel |
As its name suggests, this restaurant specializes in koshary, the street-food favorite that generally consists of macaroni, rice, lentils, and chickpeas topped with a spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. Sit outside, facing a busy intersection, so you can watch life unfold while you eat.
9 Ali Basha St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- A place to satisfy koshary cravings 24/7
- Oven-baked pasta casseroles and tajines
- Delicious rice pudding
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$$ | Downtown |
Conveniently situated a street-crossing away from the Egyptian Museum, La Poire was established in 1975 as a French pastry shop but has expanded its menu to include a variety of savory quick bites and an ever-growing selection of sweet treats.
2 Al Bustan St., Qasr El-Nil, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Sunny (but air-conditioned) setting
- Busy at lunchtime (but the line moves quickly)
- International menu including salads and sandwiches
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$$$ | Zamalek |
This eatery on the 11th floor of the President Hotel has several comfortable seating areas and is the perfect place to grab a quick coffee or a relaxed dinner with drinks. You can also enjoy a delicious lunch here, though reservations are a good idea.
22 Taha Hussein St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Stylish design and modern vibe
- Gluten-free and vegetarian options
- Stunning sunset views of Zamalek
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$ | Downtown |
Latif Wassily is a traditional Egyptian forn (bakery)—one of the oldest in Downtown. Grab-and-go baked goods include croissants that are generously filled with cheese and breadsticks that are liberally sprinkled with sesame and nigella seeds.
8 El-Mahdi St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Items are baked fresh all day
- Date-stuffed biscuits sold by weight
- Charming facade that transports you to another era
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$$ | Heliopolis |
Favored by locals, Le Chantilly is the perfect place to unwind with a cup of coffee and fresh pastries, seated indoors at a wooden table covered with a checkered tablecloth or in the charming outdoor area.
11 Baghdad St., El-Montaza, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- The aroma of freshly baked pastries
- Cozy vintage interior
- Sunny outdoor seating
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$$ | Garden City |
Ful (fava-bean stew) carts and restaurants are a common sight in Cairo, but the customers here hail from all over the world thanks to the many nearby embassies and to the freshness and flavor of its offerings. To create the stew, which is served primarily at breakfast but also makes a filling lunch, the beans are slow-cooked in a large metal jug and then mashed and served with tahini and a flavorful oil.
6 Dr. Mohamed Fawzy St., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Known For
- Vegetarian-friendly feast of ful, salad, pickles, chips, and eggs
- Buzzing 24/7 Cairo street-food experience
- Pricier than the average ful cart but still very affordable
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$$ | Islamic Cairo North | Middle Eastern
This air-conditioned, upscale coffee shop is the perfect refuge from the clamor of the Khan. Have a drink, a light lunch, or—at the adjoining restaurant—a proper meal. To get here, face the Sayyidna al-Husayn Mosque and turn left into the passage that begins at the level of the minaret. Follow this through a couple of archways; the café is on the right.
5 al-Badestan La., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt