Egypt Food and Drink
Egyptian cuisine is simple, filling and rooted in everyday life. Meals are built around legumes, vegetables, rice and flatbread, making the food both affordable and widely accessible. Street food plays a major role in daily dining, particularly in cities, where stalls and small eateries serve freshly prepared dishes at all hours. Flavours tend to be earthy rather than spicy, with garlic, cumin and herbs used more for depth than heat.
Eating out in Egypt ranges from basic local cafés to international restaurants in larger cities and resort areas. Traditional establishments are informal, and meals are often shared. In tourist centres, international cuisine is widely available, though local dishes usually offer better value and freshness. Bottled water is recommended, and fresh fruit juices are widely consumed and generally safe in reputable establishments.
Specialities
Ful medames: A national staple made from slow-cooked fava beans, typically seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and cumin. It is eaten at any time of day, particularly for breakfast, and is often served with baladi bread and eggs.
Koshary: One of Egypt's most popular street foods, this filling dish combines rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas, topped with a spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. It is vegetarian, inexpensive and widely available across the country.
Taameya: Egypt's version of falafel, made from crushed fava beans rather than chickpeas. It is usually deep-fried and served in flatbread with salad, pickles and tahini sauce.
Molokhia: A traditional green soup made from finely chopped molokhia leaves, cooked with garlic and coriander. It is commonly served with rice or bread and accompanied by chicken, rabbit or fish.
Hawawshi: Spiced minced meat baked inside flatbread, often cooked in ovens or over open flames. It is a popular street food and takeaway option, particularly in urban areas.
Baladi bread: A wholemeal flatbread that accompanies almost every meal. It is used to scoop food and sauces and often replaces cutlery in informal dining settings.
Things to know
Alcohol is legal in Egypt but regulated. Foreign visitors can purchase and consume alcohol at licensed venues, including hotels, resort bars, certain restaurants and specialised liquor shops. Availability is widespread in tourist areas such as Cairo, Alexandria and the Red Sea resorts, but limited or non-existent in smaller towns and more conservative regions. Public drinking is discouraged, and alcohol is rarely consumed openly outside licensed premises. Prices are higher than in many neighbouring countries, and imported brands can be expensive, though locally produced beer and spirits are more affordable.
Tipping
Tipping in Egypt, commonly referred to as baksheesh, is an established part of daily life rather than a reward for exceptional service. In restaurants, a service charge is often included in the bill, particularly in tourist-oriented establishments and hotels. Even when this is the case, it is customary to leave a small additional tip if service has been satisfactory. In more informal local eateries, rounding up the bill is generally sufficient.
Drinking age
21.
