Egypt Food and Dining Guide, What to Eat and How to Eat Safely
Ashraf Fares • February 16, 2026
Food shapes your travel experience. In Egypt, meals reflect history, region, and daily life. You need clear strategies to eat well and avoid health issues. This guide gives direct, practical steps.
Understanding Egyptian Meals
- Breakfast often includes ful medames, eggs, bread, and tea.
- Lunch is the main meal of the day. Many restaurants serve lunch between 1 pm and 4 pm.
- Dinner is lighter for some families, later for others, often after 8 pm.
- Bread accompanies almost every meal. You use it to scoop food.
- Tea follows meals. Coffee is strong and served in small cups.
You should adjust your schedule to local meal times. Tourist restaurants operate longer hours, but local kitchens may close between lunch and dinner.
What to eat
Koshari
- Mix of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas, tomato sauce, and fried onions.
- Widely available in Cairo and other cities.
- Costs between 1 and 3 USD at local shops.
- High in carbohydrates. Eat moderate portions before walking tours.
Ful Medames
- Slow-cooked fava beans with oil, lemon, and garlic.
- Common breakfast dish.
- Protein-rich and filling.
- Available in street stalls and small cafes.
Taameya
- The Egyptian version of falafel is made from fava beans.
- Fried fresh in front of you at many stalls.
- Cheap and widely available.
- Eat hot to reduce food safety risk.
Grilled Meats
- Kofta and kebab are served with rice or bread.
- Choose busy restaurants with visible grills.
- Prices range from 5 to 12 USD depending on location.
Molokhia
- Green leafy stew served with rice or bread.
- Often prepared at home-style restaurants.
- Ask about ingredients if you have dietary restrictions.
Seafood
- Fresh along the Mediterranean in Alexandria.
- Inspect the fish display before ordering.
- Confirm the price per kilogram before cooking.
Street Food Strategy
Street food offers flavor and low prices. You must select carefully.
- Choose stalls with high customer turnover.
- Watch food preparation. Fresh cooking reduces risk.
- Avoid raw toppings sitting in the open air.
- Pay in small bills to simplify transactions.
- Avoid food left in direct sunlight.
Water and Drinks
- Drink bottled water only. Check the seal before opening.
- Avoid tap water for brushing teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Skip ice unless made from filtered water.
- Try hibiscus tea and mint tea in clean cafes.
- Sugarcane juice is popular. Drink from reputable vendors.
- for long periods.
Essential Egyptian Dishes
Authentic Flavors of the Nile
Koshari
كشري
Egypt's national street food — a hearty mix of rice, lentils, pasta, chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.
Ful Medames
فول مدمس
Slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with olive oil, lemon, and garlic. A protein-rich breakfast staple enjoyed across Egypt for centuries.
Grilled Meats
مشاوي
Succulent kofta and kebab grilled to perfection over open flames, served with fresh bread, rice, and traditional Egyptian salads.
Fresh Seafood
مأكولات بحرية
Mediterranean catches from Alexandria's coast — grilled fish, calamari, and shrimp prepared with Egyptian spices and served with tahini.
Budget Planning for Food
- Street breakfast costs 1 to 3 USD.
- Casual restaurant meal costs 5 to 10 USD.
- Mid-range restaurants cost 10 to 20 USD per person.
- Upscale hotel dining costs 20 USD or more.
- Tipping ranges from 5 to 10 percent in restaurants.
Carry small bills for tips and quick payments.
Restaurant Selection
- Check recent reviews before choosing.
- Inspect the cleanliness at the entrance and tables.
- Look for visible food preparation areas.
- Avoid empty restaurants during peak hours.
- Ask hotel staff for trusted recommendations.
Dining Price Guide
Street Food vs Restaurant Dining in Egypt
Street Food
$1-3
Authentic local flavors at unbeatable prices
- Koshari bowl
- Ful medames
- Taameya (falafel)
- Fresh bread
Casual Dining
$5-10
Local restaurants with comfortable seating
- Grilled kofta plate
- Chicken shawarma
- Molokhia with rice
- Fresh juice
Mid-Range
$10-20
Quality restaurants with varied menus
- Mixed grill platter
- Fresh seafood
- Egyptian mezze
- Nile-view dining
Upscale
$20+
Fine dining with premium service
- Hotel restaurants
- Premium steaks
- International cuisine
- Rooftop venues
Average Meal Cost Comparison
Street Breakfast
Casual Lunch
Mid-Range Dinner
Upscale Experience
💡 Budget Tip
Mix your dining experiences: Start with street food breakfast ($2), enjoy a casual lunch ($7), and save upscale dining for special evenings. This approach gives you authentic local flavors while managing your budget effectively. Remember to add 5-10% for tips at restaurants.
Hygiene Practices for You
- Wash your hands before meals.
- Carry hand sanitizer for markets and food stalls.
- Peel fruits yourself.
- Avoid unpasteurized dairy unless you trust the source.
- Stop eating immediately if the food tastes unusual.
🍴 Safe Street Food Guide
How to Identify Clean, Safe Food Stalls in Egypt
Visual Safety Guide
✓ SAFE
High Customer Turnover
Long lines of locals mean fresh food and reliable quality. Popular stalls sell out and replenish throughout the day.
✓ SAFE
Visible Fresh Cooking
Watch your food being prepared in front of you. Grilled or fried to order ensures freshness and proper cooking temperature.
✗ AVOID
Pre-cooked Food Sitting Out
Avoid food that's been sitting for extended periods. No way to know how long it's been there or at what temperature.
✗ AVOID
Uncovered Food Display
Raw toppings and ingredients exposed to dust, flies, and direct sunlight compromise food safety.
✓ CHOOSE THESE STALLS
- Long queue of locals waiting
- Food grilled or fried fresh when you order
- Clean workspace with organized ingredients
- Vendor handles money and food separately
- Covered food display protecting from insects
- Active turnover throughout the day
✗ AVOID THESE STALLS
- Empty stall with no customers
- Pre-cooked food sitting out for hours
- Raw toppings exposed to open air
- Dirty cooking surfaces or utensils
- Food left in direct sunlight
- Vendor touching food after handling money
Dietary Restrictions
- Vegetarian options are widely available. Ful, taameya, koshari suit plant-based diets.
- Vegan travelers must confirm that no butter or yogurt is used in any dishes.
- Gluten-free options are limited. Bread is central to most meals.
- Communicate allergies clearly. Write them in Arabic for clarity.
💧 Safe Water Check
How to Verify Your Bottled Water is Safe in Egypt
Visual Safety Comparison
✓ SAFE TO DRINK
Unbroken plastic seal around the cap.
The tamper-evident band is intact and will "crack" when you first twist the cap. Clear water, professional label, no damage to bottle.
✗ DO NOT DRINK
Broken, torn, or missing seal.
Cap appears pre-opened or seal is damaged. May indicate refilled bottle with tap water. Always reject bottles with compromised seals.
⚠️ The plastic safety seal is your #1 indicator. Never drink water without an intact, unbroken seal.
Step-by-Step Safety Checks
1
Inspect the Seal
Look for the plastic safety band around the cap. It should be completely intact with no tears, breaks, or gaps. This seal breaks only when you first open the bottle.
2
Check the Cap
The cap should be firmly attached and require effort to twist. Listen for the distinctive "crack" sound when the tamper-evident band breaks on first opening.
3
Examine the Bottle
Look for any punctures, leaks, or physical damage. The water should be crystal clear with no cloudiness or particles floating inside.
4
Verify the Label
Check that the label looks professional, is properly attached, and shows brand information clearly. Faded or poorly printed labels are warning signs.
5
Buy from Reliable Sources
Purchase water from hotels, supermarkets, pharmacies, or established shops. Avoid vendors with questionable storage conditions.
6
When in Doubt, Skip It
If anything seems off—weird smell, damaged packaging, suspicious seal—choose a different bottle. Your health is worth the caution.
Quick Reference Guide
✓ Safe Signs
- Seal is completely unbroken and intact
- Cap "cracks" when you first open it
- Crystal clear, clean water
- Professional, intact label
- No bottle damage or punctures
- Purchased from reputable vendor
✗ Warning Signs
- Broken, torn, or missing seal
- Cap appears pre-opened
- Cloudy or discolored water
- Damaged or punctured bottle
- Faded or suspicious label
- Questionable storage conditions
Dining Etiquette
- Greet staff when entering small restaurants.
- Wait to be seated in formal restaurants.
- Eat with the right hand if you eat bread traditionally.
- Do not waste bread. It holds cultural value.
- Pay at the counter in small eateries. Ask for the bill in larger restaurants.
Food During Tours
- Eat light before desert excursions. Heavy meals increase fatigue in the heat.
- Pack energy bars and nuts for long site visits.
- Confirm meal inclusion on Nile cruises or organized tours.
- Drink water before and after meals in hot climates.
Avoiding Common Problems
Traveler's stomach issues are common. Reduce risk with discipline.
- Do not mix heavy street food with large hotel buffets in one day.
- Limit the use of raw vegetables in areas with an uncertain water supply.
- Space meals evenly to avoid digestive strain.
- Rest if symptoms begin. Seek medical help if symptoms persist.
- Keep oral rehydration salts in your bag.
City Specific Tips
Cairo
- Koshari shops offer fast, filling meals between museum visits.
- Khan el Khalili has many cafes. Inspect seating and cleanliness.
Luxor
- Eat before visiting the Valley of the Kings. Heat reduces appetite later.
- Choose restaurants along the Nile with steady local traffic.
Aswan
- Nubian restaurants serve home-style dishes. Ask about spice levels.
- Drink extra water due to higher temperatures.
Alexandria
- Focus on seafood restaurants near the Corniche.
- Confirm fish freshness before ordering.
Food Safety Kit for Your Bag
- Hand sanitizer.
- Wet wipes.
- Oral rehydration salts.
- Basic stomach medication.
- Reusable water bottle.
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