Cairo is the sprawling capital of Egypt and one of the largest cities in Africa and the Arab world, home to roughly 21 million people. Straddling the Nile River, Cairo is a city of overwhelming contrasts — ancient pharaonic monuments stand alongside medieval Islamic architecture, Coptic Christian churches, and a bustling modern metropolis. The city serves as the gateway to the Giza Pyramids, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, and houses world-class museums including the Egyptian Museum and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. From the labyrinthine alleyways of Khan el-Khalili to the elegant Nile-side Corniche, Cairo overwhelms and enchants in equal measure.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Koshary Abou Tarek
The most famous koshary restaurant in Cairo and arguably in all of Egypt, Abu Tarek has been serving the beloved Egyptian staple — layers of pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, fried onions, and tangy tomato sauce — since 1950. A four-storey institution beloved by locals and tourists alike.
Known for: Koshary
16 Maarouf Street, Downtown Cairo
Felfela
A Downtown Cairo institution since the 1960s, Felfela serves home-style Egyptian cooking in a colourful, kitschy atmosphere complete with hanging cages and aquariums. Beloved by locals, politicians, and celebrities for its authentic mezze, grilled meats, and Egyptian specialties.
Known for: Full Egyptian mezze and grills
15 Hoda Sharawi Street, Downtown Cairo
Naguib Mahfouz Café
Named after Egypt's Nobel laureate and located deep in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, this elegantly decorated café-restaurant offers a refined setting for traditional Egyptian food and shisha in an area where the writer himself used to walk. The decorative mashrabiya screens and antique lanterns create a magical atmosphere.
Known for: Mezze and Egyptian classics in a historic setting
5 El Badestan Lane, Khan el-Khalili
Zitouni
The flagship Egyptian restaurant of the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Zitouni is widely considered one of the finest Egyptian dining experiences in Cairo. The menu celebrates Egyptian culinary heritage with refined presentations, using the freshest local ingredients. Spectacular Nile views complete the experience.
Known for: Contemporary Egyptian cuisine with Nile views
Four Seasons Nile Plaza, 1089 Corniche El Nil, Garden City
Sequoia
Sequoia is one of Cairo's most glamorous restaurants, set on a spectacular open-air wooden deck extending over the Nile at the northern tip of Zamalek. Perfect for a long leisurely meal, sunset drinks, or special celebrations. The diverse menu spans Lebanese, Mediterranean, and international dishes.
Known for: Open-air Nile dining
Northern tip of Zamalek Island, Zamalek
Abou El Sid
Abou El Sid recreates the atmosphere of a 1940s Egyptian home complete with antique furniture, sepia photographs, and mashrabiya screens. The menu is a celebration of Egyptian home cooking with grandmotherly dishes often overlooked by modern restaurants. One of Zamalek's most beloved restaurants.
Known for: Egyptian home cooking in nostalgic 1940s setting
157 26th of July Street, Zamalek
Karam El Sham
One of Cairo's most beloved Syrian restaurants, serving outstanding Levantine mezze, shawarma, and grills in a welcoming, family-friendly setting. The hommus and moutabal are particularly acclaimed, and the portions are enormous.
Known for: Levantine mezze and grills
22 Taha Hussein Street, Zamalek
El Fishawy Café
The oldest continuously operating café in Cairo, El Fishawy has been serving tea, coffee, and shisha in the heart of Khan el-Khalili for over 250 years (est. 1773). Writers, philosophers, and Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz were regulars. The mirrored walls and antique lanterns have barely changed.
Known for: Traditional tea, coffee, and shisha
Khan el-Khalili, Islamic Cairo
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
American
Black Iron Burger
Cairo's best-loved gourmet burger chain, serving high-quality beef burgers with creative toppings, crispy fries, and thick milkshakes. The short-rib burger and truffle fries are standout items. Popular with younger Cairenes.
Known for: Gourmet beef burgers
Multiple locations including Zamalek and Maadi
The Smokery
A popular American BBQ restaurant inside City Stars Mall, serving slow-smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, and loaded fries. A favourite among Cairo's younger crowd for its generously sized portions and bold flavours.
Known for: Smoked meats and craft burgers
City Stars Mall, Heliopolis
Lucille's
A long-running Cairo American diner with a devoted following, Lucille's is best known for enormous pancakes, loaded milkshakes, nachos, and generous portions of Tex-Mex. A welcome comfort-food destination for homesick expats and adventurous Cairenes.
Known for: Pancakes, milkshakes, and Tex-Mex
60 Sharia El Sudan, Mohandessin
Egyptian Street Food
Zamalek Sandwich Shop (Sandowich El Zamalek)
One of Zamalek's best-known street-food spots, this simple kiosk serves sizzling Egyptian sandwiches: liver with chili, kofta, falafel ta'ameya, and sausage, stuffed into fresh aish baladi bread. Counter seating and serious queues at lunch and dinner.
Known for: Egyptian sandwiches and liver
26th of July Street, Zamalek
Hawawshi El Malek
One of the best spots in Cairo to try hawawshi — minced spiced meat baked inside bread, Egypt's answer to a meat pastry. Piping hot from the oven with chili and onion, hawawshi is an Egyptian comfort food classic that every visitor should try.
Known for: Hawawshi (spiced meat-stuffed bread)
Al-Ahram Street, Giza
Koshari El Tahrir
One of several renowned koshary stalls clustered around Tahrir Square, serving the quintessential Egyptian dish of mixed pasta, lentils, rice, and crispy onions with two sauces. Standing-room only, maximum authenticity.
Known for: Koshary
Tahrir Square surrounds, Downtown Cairo
Egyptian Grills
Andrea El Mariouteya
A Cairo institution for over 50 years, Andrea serves the city's most celebrated grilled chicken and kofta in a vast, lively open-air garden setting. Always packed with Cairene families on weekends. The grilled chicken (half or whole) marinated in Egyptian spices is legendary.
Known for: Grilled chicken and Egyptian meats
El Mariouteya Road, Giza (near Giza Zoo)
Al-Omda
A highly regarded Egyptian grill restaurant in Mohandessin, Al-Omda is celebrated for its perfectly spiced kofta and lamb kebabs, served with rice, salads, and fresh bread. A great place to eat like a Cairene local.
Known for: Egyptian kofta, kebab, and grills
6 Shehab Street, Mohandessin
Italian
Dido's Al Dente
A long-standing Zamalek favourite for Italian food, Dido's Al Dente serves reliable homemade pasta, risotto, and thin-crust pizza in a cosy trattoria atmosphere. A go-to for Italian food lovers in Cairo.
Known for: Homemade pasta and Italian classics
23 Ismail Mohammed Street, Zamalek
Maison Thomas
A Zamalek institution since 1922, Maison Thomas is Cairo's oldest surviving European-style café-restaurant. Famous for its thin-crust pizza and Italian-style sandwiches, served with cold beer or wine in a casual tiled interior that has barely changed in decades.
Known for: Thin-crust pizza and Italian sandwiches
157 26th of July Street, Zamalek
Pan
Tamarai
A chic pan-Asian lounge-restaurant on the upper floors of the Nile City Towers, Tamarai combines Japanese, Chinese, and Thai flavours in an elegant open-plan space with stunning Nile views. Popular with Cairo's wealthy young professionals for birthdays and celebrations.
Known for: High-end Asian cuisine with Nile views
Nile City Towers, Corniche El Nil, Bulaq
Sabaya
An upscale Levantine restaurant at the Fairmont Nile City, Sabaya is celebrated for its outstanding mezze spread, exceptional Arabic bread from the open kitchen, and generously portioned mixed grills. The live oud music on weekends adds to the convivial atmosphere.
Known for: Levantine mezze and grills
Fairmont Nile City, Corniche El Nil, Bulaq
Seafood
Zamalek Fish Market
A Cairo seafood institution operating since 1960, the Fish Market lets you choose your fish and seafood from large display counters by weight, then have it grilled or fried to order. An authentic, bustling experience beloved by Cairenes.
Known for: Fresh fish and seafood by weight
26 Al-Nil Street, Agouza
Al-Tabei Al-Domyati
A beloved Downtown seafood institution serving Damietta-style Egyptian fish dishes, freshly grilled calamari, and shrimp in a no-frills but packed setting. Extremely popular with Downtown office workers at lunchtime.
Known for: Damietta-style fish and Egyptian seafood
31 Orabi Street, Downtown Cairo
Contemporary Café
Ovio
A popular Maadi café-restaurant serving quality brunch dishes, light salads, and gourmet sandwiches in a relaxed, plant-filled setting. Very popular with Maadi's expat community and young Cairene professionals for weekend brunch.
Known for: Brunch, salads, and gourmet sandwiches
2 Al Malak El Afdal Street, Maadi
Contemporary Egyptian
Makani
A popular contemporary restaurant in Mohandessin that gives traditional Egyptian dishes a modern makeover, using quality local ingredients. Bright, stylish décor and a cool Cairene crowd make this a hip spot for lunch or dinner.
Known for: Modern takes on Egyptian classics
4 Lebanon Square, Mohandessin
Continental Egyptian
Estoril
A Downtown legend since 1947, Estoril is a bar-restaurant that serves simple but satisfying continental-Egyptian food and cold Stella beer in a retro atmosphere beloved by Cairo's artistic and literary community.
Known for: Egyptian-European cooking in an old-school atmosphere
12 Talaat Harb Street, Downtown Cairo
Egyptian
Café Riche
One of Cairo's most storied cafés, Café Riche opened in 1908 and became the meeting point of Egypt's intellectual, artistic, and revolutionary elite. Naguib Mahfouz, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Egypt's leading writers frequented its tables. The wood-panelled interior and belle époque décor are largely unchanged. Serves simple Egyptian and continental café food with cold beer.
Known for: Coffee, mezze, and historic atmosphere
17 Talaat Harb Street, Downtown Cairo
Egyptian And Oriental Pastries
El-Abd Patisserie
A Downtown Cairo institution for Oriental sweets — konafa, basbousa, baklava, and Egyptian-style cakes that Cairenes have bought for weddings, Eid celebrations, and everyday indulgence for generations. The display counters are piled high with glistening, syrup-soaked confections.
Known for: Oriental sweets, konafa, and basbousa
31 Talaat Harb Street, Downtown Cairo
European
Trianon
A Downtown Cairo institution since 1919, Trianon is an elegant European-style café and pâtisserie beloved for its pastries, cakes, and continental sandwiches. The belle époque interior transports visitors to a more genteel era of Cairo.
Known for: Pastries, cakes, and light meals
112 Qasr el-Nil Street, Downtown Cairo
French
La Gourmandise
Cairo's best French bakery and pâtisserie, La Gourmandise serves authentic croissants, pain au chocolat, quiches, and French-style salads in a pleasant café setting. A welcome change of pace from Egyptian food, and an excellent breakfast or brunch stop.
Known for: Croissants, quiches, and French pastries
23 Jeddah Street, Mohandessin
Fusion
Fusion
A Rhoda Island restaurant blending international techniques with Egyptian ingredients, offering creative dishes in an elegant riverside setting. A favourite with Cairo's food-forward diners looking for something beyond traditional Egyptian or standard international fare.
Known for: International fusion with Egyptian touches
2A Roda Island Street, Rhoda Island
Greek
The Greek Club (Sylvia)
Situated in the historic Greek Community building in Downtown Cairo, the Greek Club serves excellent Mediterranean food in an atmospheric old-world setting. Popular with expats and Cairo's cultural community for its quality seafood and fish dishes.
Known for: Grilled fish and Mediterranean mezze
2 Mahmoud Bassiouni Street, Downtown Cairo
International
Nile Maxim
One of Cairo's most famous dinner cruise boats, the Nile Maxim offers a memorable evening on the Nile with a multi-course buffet, live Egyptian music, and belly dancing entertainment. A popular choice for special occasions and first-time visitors wanting to experience the Nile at night.
Known for: Dinner cruise with live entertainment
Corniche El Nil, Downtown Cairo (near Four Seasons)
International Buffet
Mövenpick El Gezira Restaurant
The Sofitel Gezirah's Friday brunch buffet is one of Cairo's most popular social occasions, drawing Cairene families, expats, and visitors for a lavish spread of Egyptian, Lebanese, and international dishes with Nile views.
Known for: Friday brunch buffet with Nile views
Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah, Zamalek
Japanese
Kazoku
One of Cairo's best Japanese restaurants, Kazoku offers high-quality sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, and ramen in an elegant setting. Popular with the Cairene upper-middle class and expat community for its reliable quality.
Known for: Sushi and Japanese cuisine
5 El Saraya El Kobra Street, Garden City
Mediterranean
La Bodega
A sophisticated European-style bar and tapas restaurant above the famous Abou El Sid, La Bodega is one of Zamalek's most beloved night-out destinations, offering an excellent drinks list, tapas, and a lively late-night atmosphere.
Known for: Tapas, cocktails, and wines
157 26th of July Street, Zamalek (above Abou El Sid)
Modern Egyptian Street Food
Zooba
A Cairo-born fast-casual chain that has reinvented Egyptian street food classics with quality ingredients and modern presentation. Ful, koshary, and ta'ameya are given contemporary makeovers in a bright, welcoming setting. Popular with young Cairenes and visitors wanting Egyptian street food in a comfortable setting.
Known for: Elevated Egyptian street food classics
Multiple locations; 22 Brazil Street, Zamalek
Moroccan
Mamounia Lounge
Set within the legendary Marriott Mena House, the Mamounia Lounge serves the finest Moroccan and North African cuisine in Cairo. The lamb tagine with prunes, chicken pastilla, and handmade bastilla pastries are extraordinary. Views of the illuminated Pyramids through the garden make it unforgettable.
Known for: Tagines and Moroccan pastilla
Marriott Mena House, Pyramids Road, Giza
Thai
Bua Khao
One of Cairo's few genuinely authentic Thai restaurants, Bua Khao has a loyal following among expats and Cairenes for its proper pad thai, green curries, and tom kha soups. Modest décor but outstanding food for Cairo's Southeast Asian dining scene.
Known for: Authentic Thai curries and noodles
9 Syria Street, Mohandessin
Traditional Egyptian
Om El Dounia
A beloved Downtown eatery known for its generous Egyptian breakfast spreads: ful, falafel, eggs, cheese, and fresh bread. Also serves Egyptian lunches and mezze throughout the day at extremely affordable prices.
Known for: Egyptian breakfast and traditional dishes
13 Talaat Harb Street, Downtown Cairo
Turkish
Osmanly
One of Cairo's finest hotel restaurants, Osmanly celebrates the Ottoman culinary heritage of Egypt with outstanding lamb dishes, rich mezze, and elegant Turkish-inspired desserts. The décor is lavish and the service impeccable.
Known for: Ottoman lamb and Turkish mezze
Kempinski Nile Hotel, 12 Ahmed Ragheb Street, Garden City
Food tours & tastings in Cairo
Eat your way through Cairo with a guide.
Browse food experiences in CairoWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |