Eating in Egypt involves many Middle Eastern delights you're probably already familiar with, but there are others that are unique. While breads and bakes feature heavily, there's a whole lot of diversity to Egypt's cuisine, waiting for you to tuck right in.
What to eat in Egypt

Koshary
If you need to carb load when in Egypt, koshary is the way to go. This is one of Egypt's most well-known dishes, consisting of pasta, rice, lentils, garbanzo beans and fried onions, smothered in a tomato-based sauce. Throw on as much shatta (chilli sauce) and da'ka (garlic vinegar) you like, garnish with chickpeas and more crispy fried onions, and you're set for a memorable meal. It's sold at hole-in-the-wall eateries and street carts, and will fill you up for the day.

Ful medames
Simply known as ful (or foul, or ful mudammas, or a number of other spellings), this warm fava bean stew is a staple food in the northern cities of Cairo and Gizah, and is often served as part of a larger mezze throughout the day with babaganoush, hummus and labne, or by itself topped with parsley, chopped tomatoes or boiled eggs. It's had a long history – said to have been invented over 2500 years ago – and is often still eaten at breakfast as in years past.

Ta'ameya
What's a Middle Eastern country without a falafel? Luckily, Egypt has got you covered with their ta'ameya – a take on those crunchy and soft herby street food bites, but instead of using chickpeas as the main ingredient, the Egyptian version relies on dried fava beans to give them their signature texture. They're covered in coriander seeds, spices and sesame for extra crunch. Have it with stuffed in a pita with salad and tahini, and you'll be set for lunch.

Hawawshi
Stuff yourself full of hawawshi – a stuffed pita with spiced mince meat, onions, pepper, parsley and (sometimes) chillis. The original version is called baladi (a pita filled and then baked), but Alexandrian hawawshi differs slightly, with different spices added to the meat filling which is then placed between two circular layers of dough and baked until golden.

Hamam mahshi
Pigeon. Annoying bird or delicious ingredient? Egyptians have gone with the latter, stuffing the plumpest squab they can find with rice or freekah, onions, giblets, spices and nuts, then roasting it over charcoal or grilling it whole. Hamam mahshi is usually served on special occasions, but often appears on many restaurant menus, and when cooked well, is hearty, complex and delicious.

Molokhia
You'd think a green stew of only a few ingredients would be easy to get right, but no – knowing how to make a good molokhia is a skill hard to come by. Molokhia is the name of leafy greens known in English as mallow leaves, which are blitzed up and served as a thick stew, usually with a side of rice. The traditional form of this dish was served with rabbit, but nowadays you'll often find some chicken to accompany.

Fiteer baladi
Also known as, simply, fiteer, this is an Egyptian pastry layered with all kinds of stuffings, toppings and garnishes, and is super versatile as a savoury or sweet treat. Traditionally, fiteer is eaten with eshta (a type of clotted cream) or honey, but other variations feature meat, cheese, sugar, nuts, Nutella, fruit, or plain and unaccompanied. What's better than flaky, buttery bread, dressed like a pizza?

Om Ali
There's much folklore about the origins of this ubiquitous dessert, but most involve the death of Egypt's first – and last – Sultana, Shajar al-Durr. She became ruler after her husband, As-Salih Ayyub, died, and the story goes that she was then killed by her late husband's first wife who wanted her own son, Ali, to take over the throne. To celebrate, Om Ali ('Ali's mother') instructed her cooks to come up with the most delicious dessert they could – a pastry version of a bread and butter pudding, with nuts, coconut, raisins, honey and hot milk.
Vegetarian and vegan options in Egypt
Many of Egypt's culturally significant meals do revolve around meat, but vegetables are an important staple and a crucial ingredient in many dishes, particularly at the affordable end of the scale. Pulses and grains are prevalent across Egyptian cuisine, and vegetarian travellers can happily choose from all manner of lentil, fava bean and bread-based dishes – including the 'national dish', koshary. Vegan options are plentiful too, just be sure to check if breads are brushed with butter before grilling or those stuffed vine leaves are hiding minced meat inside.
Click to read more about food in Egypt
Click to read what to drink in Egypt
Our tours in Egypt
12 Days
From
1944
From Cairo, Alexandria and Aswan to the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, see the pharaohs,...
8 Days
From
1003
Visit Egypt and adventure along the River Nile through the land of the pharaohs, from...
9 Days
From
2338
From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples of Karnak and the bustling Khan al-Khalili...
19 Days
From
4014
This 19-day tour explores the best of Egypt and Jordan in Comfort, from Cairo to...
15 Days
From
2385
Take an adventure holiday through Egypt and Jordan. Visit Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza,...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
16 Days
From
4685
Discover Egypt and Jordan on a 16-day Premium adventure from Cairo to Amman, including...
15 Days
From
4325
Travel down the Nile from Cairo to Aswan, exploring Luxor, Alexandria and more along...
22 Days
From
6385
Discover the contrasts of modern and ancient Egypt and Jordan on this in-depth Premium...
22 Days
From
7952
Uncover the culture and history of the Middle East on a 22-day Premium journey through...
22 Days
From
2440
Jordan and Egypt on a 22-day adventure including Petra, Cairo, Wadi Rum, Aswan, Luxor,...
8 Days
From
1685
Travel Egypt on this adventure that visits Cairo, Aswan and Luxor. See pyramids, visit...
15 Days
From
1200
Explore Egypt in 15 days with an Intrepid tour to Cairo, the Nile, Aswan, Luxor and...
26 Days
From
7055
Embark on an immersive, 26-day journey through the diverse Middle East, from the icons...
9 Days
From
697
Take an immersive nine-day tour through Egypt. Kick off in Cairo, home to the Pyramids...
9 Days
From
1305
Follow in the footsteps of prophets on an adventure tour through Jordan and Egypt....
15 Days
From
1809
This is trip for the big names – Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones, Tutankhamen. Jordan...
22 Days
From
4535
Experience the best of the Middle East across Jordan, Egypt, Israel & Palestine....
19 Days
From
3045
Travel from Cairo to Tel Aviv, stopping at Aswan, Luxor, Cairo, Wadi Rum, Petra, Amman...
8 Days
From
1190
Decode the secrets of the Great Sphinx and more during this family adventure through...
8 Days
From
1449
Step back in time on an 8-day family Egyptian adventure through Cairo, Aswan and Luxor....
28 Days
From
8790
Deep dive into the Middle East on a 28-day Premium journey through Egypt, Jordan,...
15 Days
From
3020
Decode the secrets of the Great Sphinx and more during this family adventure through...