Suez Canal
The top spot in town for shish tawooq (marinated chicken grilled on skewers), Egyptian-style liver and pretty much every other kind of meat you can stick…
Must-see restaurants in Egypt
Port Said
This cosy bistro, with comfy cane chairs and attentive staff, has been Port Said's main pasta and pizza joint for decades. It's comfort food done right,…
Alexandria
This branch of the popular Alexandria seafood institution serves up great fish dishes in an air-conditioned dining room, but the original restaurant is…
Sharm El Sheikh
Sala Thai is where we like to head for an extra-special treat in Sharm: sumptuous feasting on fiery curries and delicately spiced noodle dishes, personal…
Alexandria
This unusually tidy place serves good, filling kushari (a mix of noodles, rice, black lentils, fried onions and tomato sauce). Don't forget to douse your…
Dahab
A slice of the subcontinent complete with direct beach access and sun-loungers. All mains are served with rice, salad, raita, and pappadams, making for a…
Siwa Oasis
On the roof of the hotel of the same name, this might just be the most romantic dining spot in the oases. Moodily lit in the evenings, it’s practically…
Cairo
This soothing, wood-panelled space is a favourite with wealthy Cairenes. Grilled foods don’t have the proper char, but other preparations, such as whole…
Dahab
This place adds flair to its seafood selection with some inspired menu choices. Great service, comfy sofas to lounge on, stylish lanterns and twinkly…
Abu Simbel
A simple but reliable place serving breakfast for early arrivals, and simple, local cuisine in a lovely garden or boldly painted rooms inside. It’s a good…
Cairo
Delicious ice cream to cool you down on a hot day. For the young (and young at heart) there are fun flavours like banana milk and butterscotch, while…
Luxor
An excellent addition to the east bank dining scene is this authentic Thai. It's a tiny place tucked away east of Sharia Khalid Ibn Al Walid, but worth…
Siwa Oasis
Roasted on a hand-turned spit over coals in an old oil drum, the chickens at Abo Ayman are the juiciest in Siwa. They’re well seasoned, and served with…
Alexandria
Very pleasant seaside terrace at the edge of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, serving excellent coffees and good salads and sandwiches, as well as desserts. A…
Western Desert
Yep. It's a crêperie in Al Kharga. And the crêpes are rather good too. Choose from a plethora of ingredients (from chocolate to sausage and everything in…
Siwa Oasis
This popular hang-out, in a palm grove opposite Shali Lodge, has shady tables and plenty of tea and games on hand for those who just want to while away…
Cairo
In an alley off Sharia Al Azhar, this place is legendary for its pigeon, available stuffed or grilled. It doesn’t look like much – just plastic chairs…
Northern Nile Valley
Excellent Egyptian and international pastries and ice cream in an offshoot of an upmarket Cairo patisserie. The kunafa (vermicelli-like pastry over a…
Alexandria
Visiting this old-fashioned taverna is like stepping back in time. We love the intimate atmosphere, complete with chequered tablecloths, friendly service…
Western Desert
Owner Said is on to a good thing here: grilling up a nightly meat-centric feast to a dedicated following of hungry locals. The shish kebab is the thing to…
Cairo
Roast, stuffed pigeon is the star of the show here – just tell the waiter how many birds you want, and they arrive crisp and hot, along with salad and all…
Western Desert
Samir's is the most atmospheric choice of Farafra's admittedly few dining options. Set meals of grilled meat and chicken are the same as the other…
Northern Nile Valley
Some of the best fuul (fava bean paste) and ta’amiyya (falafel) in town from this takeaway beside the old Palace Hotel. Grab a bag-full and sit in the…
Western Desert
If you're pining for a change from grilled meat and salad, make a beeline for this little place that rustles up some of the best fiteer (Egyptian flaky…
Northern Nile Valley
A popular, no-nonsense, reliable kebab and grill restaurant for when you need a meat fix, El Khalil is something of a legend in Minya. Kebabs (LE250 a…
Western Desert
On the main road into town is Ahmed Hamdy’s popular place serving delicious chicken, kebabs, vegetables and a few other small dishes inside or on the…
Cairo
A cafe selling sushi and pasta shouldn't work, right? But Makani does. The sushi, though, is the pick of the menu (which also includes sandwiches), with a…
Aswan
Popular restaurant with locals for its large quantities of succulent kofta and kebabs, and a mean stuffed pigeon if you need extra strength. Sister…
Sharm El Sheikh
Thanks to a great slice of beach out front (home to one of Sharm's best snorkelling spots), lovely views from the terrace, and decent pasta and pizza on…
Cairo
Favoured by families and ladies who lunch, this cafe is a relaxed spot for coffee and cake. The menu is European sandwiches plus salads, omelettes, pasta…
Mediterranean Coast
Locals swear that this is the best restaurant in town. In a clean and cool 1st-floor room, it serves kofta (mincemeat and spices grilled on a skewer) or…
Western Desert
This busy joint gets the thumbs up from Al Kharga locals for serving simple but tasty Egyptian feasts of grilled meats, salads, rice and vegetable dishes…
Bahariya Oasis
Big and clean, Rashed serves set multicourse meals that revolve around the usual meaty grill options. Head east for about 400m from the tourist…
Cairo
Middle Eastern food made the Syrian way. Simply the best place in Heliopolis for shawarma and ta'amiyya (Egyptian variant of falafel). Look for the light…
Cairo
This is our go-to branch of Egypt's favourite fast-food restaurant for shawarma because they always seem to taste better here. It's also usually less…
Cairo
This small high-end supermarket has excellent fresh produce, bakery and deli sections, and stocks plenty of international products. It also makes its own…
Mediterranean Coast
This simple restaurant does a roaring trade in grilled chicken and kebabs. Follow your nose at the intersection with Sharia Alexandria and you can’t miss…
Mediterranean Coast
The best fuul (fava bean paste) and falafel joint in town, this is the spot vegetarians – or anyone looking to fill up cheaply – should seek out.
Aswan
Nasr Ad Din Abduh Es Sitar runs this beautifully restored Nubian house as a cafe-restaurant and Nubian crafts centre. Henna tattoos are also available.
Aswan
Popular Egyptian restaurant serving all the classics, including delicious stuffed pigeon, spread over various restaurant rooms in a side alley.
