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Dining

Cairo

Dining in Cairo

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DiningGuide was updated: July 23, 2025
Most travellers come to Cairo chasing history, not food, but don’t let that stop you. Between the pyramids and the traffic jams, the city hides plenty of places worth slowing down for, whether it’s a plastic bowl of koshari from a street cart or a quiet rooftop dinner by the Nile. Egyptian food is deeply regional, often homemade, and packed with flavour. You’ll also find no shortage of international options if that’s what you’re after. Cairo’s dining scene has changed a lot over the past decade. These days, it’s not unusual to find a family-run kitchen serving molokhiya right next to a sleek bistro with a tasting menu. Prices vary, service can be hit or miss, but when the food’s good, it’s really good.
Fasahet Somaya

Fasahet Somaya

Fasahet Somaya is a tiny, home-style eatery near the Egyptian Museum, where chef Somaya Al-Asyoty cooks whatever she finds fresh at the market that morning. There’s no fixed menu—just a short list that changes daily, with dishes like molokhiya, stuffed pigeon, or sometimes slow-cooked lamb with unexpected twists. The space is cosy and a little bohemian, with blue-and-white walls, a handful of tables, and an open kitchen where Somaya chats with guests while cooking. It truly feels more like eating in someone’s home than a restaurant. Fasahet Somaya only runs for two hours a night—doors open at 5 pm, and she’s usually sold out by 7 pm, so get there early.

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Koshary Abou Tarek

Koshary Abou Tarek

Koshary Abou Tarek is, perhaps, the most famous place for koshary, Egypt’s national dish. If you haven’t tried it before, koshary is a mix of rice, lentils and chickpeas, with macaroni and vermicelli noodles added in, all drenched in a tangy tomato sauce seasoned with lemon, vinegar, and chilli. The story goes back to the 1950s, when Abou Tarek started selling it from a humble street cart in downtown Cairo. These days, it’s loud, fast and a bit chaotic—but that’s part of the charm. Treat yourself to big, flavour-packed bowls in a no-frills, cafeteria-style space. A local staple and a bit of a tourist rite of passage, it’s ideal if you want something cheap, filling, and full of local character.

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Zitouni

Zitouni

Located at the Four Seasons Hotel, Zitouni serves up traditional Egyptian dishes in a sophisticated dining room overlooking the Nile, with a bit of Persian flair in the décor. The menu hits the staples — lentil soup, stuffed pigeon, lamb with okra, and molokhiya, a thick stew made from jute leaves. Save room for dessert — the selection is massive, and the kanafa is worth it. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but the food and views make it a solid choice if you want a proper Egyptian meal without roughing it.

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O's Pasta

O's Pasta

O’s Pasta is a compact, cosy Italian spot in Zamalek—just a few tables, but big on flavour. Chef-owner Omar Barazzi (a former journalist) runs the place himself, whipping up around twenty different pastas using fresh Siwa olive oil, house-made mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs. The menu mixes classics with inventive twists—from a creamy sun‑dried tomato pesto and seafood pasta to a coconut-infused ‘Lankan’ curry‑style dish. Portions are generous, the staff are friendly, and the place has a warm vibe with vintage wood furnishings and colourful walls.

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