Egyptian Food: What to Eat and What It Costs
Egyptian food is some of the most underrated cooking in the region — cheap, filling, mostly plant-based at its core, and full of flavor. A street-stall meal costs $2–4, a casual restaurant $6–15, a nice dinner out $15–30 per person. Don't miss koshari (the national dish), ful medames (stewed fava beans, the everyday breakfast), taameya (Egyptian-style falafel made from fava beans, not chickpeas), and molokhia (a garlicky green stew). Almost everything is naturally halal, and vegetarians eat especially well.
Egyptian food rarely gets the international spotlight, and that's genuinely a shame — it's hearty, cheap, built around lentils, beans, and bread, and full of flavor without needing to be complicated. Here's what to actually order, roughly what it costs, and how to eat safely.
Must-try dishes
| Dish | What it is | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| Koshari | Egypt's national dish — rice, lentils, macaroni, crispy onions, spiced tomato sauce | $1.50–3 |
| Ful medames | Stewed fava beans with olive oil, lemon, and cumin — the everyday breakfast | $1–3 |
| Taameya | Egyptian-style falafel, made from fava beans instead of chickpeas — crispier, greener inside | $1–2 per sandwich |
| Molokhia | A garlicky, green, stew-like soup made from jute leaves, usually served with rice or bread | $3–6 |
| Shawarma | Spit-roasted meat wrapped in flatbread — widely available and consistently good | $2–5 |
How to eat street food safely
- Look for a stall or small restaurant with a steady queue of locals and high turnover — a strong signal of fresh food and quality.
- Ease into unfamiliar street food gradually over your first day or two rather than trying everything at once, especially if your stomach isn't used to the local water and spice profile yet.
- Drink bottled water only, widely available and cheap — avoid tap water and be cautious with ice at very informal roadside stalls (fine at established restaurants and hotels).
Dietary needs
Vegetarians and vegans generally eat very well in Egypt — koshari, ful medames, taameya, and molokhia are all naturally plant-based staples, not niche substitutions. Confirm molokhia is made with vegetable stock (some versions use chicken broth) if you're strict vegan or vegetarian. Halal food is the default virtually everywhere, since the vast majority of the country is Muslim; alcohol is available at hotels, resorts, and some restaurants in tourist areas but not universally. Peanut and tree-nut allergies: nuts appear in some desserts and occasionally in stuffing/rice dishes — always ask.
Where to eat
- Local koshari chains (found in every major city) — cheap, fast, consistent, and a good introduction if you're easing in.
- Cairo's Khan el-Khalili area — street food stalls and small restaurants alongside the bazaar, best in the evening.
- Luxor's Corniche (the Nile-side promenade) — a good concentration of casual restaurants with river views for a reasonable price.
What it costs, all in
| Meal type | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Street food / koshari spot | $1.50–4 |
| Casual sit-down restaurant | $6–15 |
| Mid-range restaurant with drinks | $15–25 |
| Nice dinner at a hotel restaurant | $25–45 |