Travel writing based on first-hand experience
Cairo is loud, sprawling, chaotic, and very, very good at feeding us. One minute we’re perched in a no-frills local joint with a bowl of steaming koshari, the next we’re stretching lunch into a slow, pyramid-view affair that suddenly feels far too glamorous for our budget. That’s the magic of eating in Egypt’s capital: the city does humble street food and special-occasion dining with equal confidence.
In this guide, we’re diving into where to eat in Cairo, from legendary institutions and cheap local favorites to stylish restaurants in Zamalek, Garden City, Downtown, and Giza.
More Egypt Travel Guides You’ll Actually Want to Click
➡️Still planning your Cairo adventure? These guides will help you figure out how to spend 3 days in Cairo, discover the best places to visit in Cairo, and uncover a few hidden gems in Cairo once you’ve eaten your body weight in koshari.
➡️If you’re organizing the bigger picture, don’t miss our practical Egypt travel tips, this easy 8 days in Egypt itinerary, and our fuller 14 days in Egypt itinerary for stitching Cairo into a longer trip.
➡️And if you’re in the mood for more city-specific planning, have a look at our guides to shopping in Cairo and nightlife in Cairo. Because obviously the day does not need to end after dinner.
Table of Contents
Where to eat in Cairo: 10 Restaurants Where We Can Eat Well and Cheaply
1. Koshary Abou Tarek, one of the best cheap eats in Cairo
Right in Downtown Cairo, this place is basically a landmark at this point. We’d go so far as to say it’s as much a Cairo experience as the Pyramids or the Egyptian Museum. Why? Because it’s an institution. And the wild part? They serve just one thing: koshari, Egypt’s beloved national dish.
But this is no sad one-note meal. It’s a glorious carb tower of macaroni, rice, lentils, tomato sauce, chickpeas, fried onions, and vermicelli all piled into one bowl. Chaos? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.
If you want to try proper koshari in Cairo, this is the spot. That’s why you’ll find a cheerful mix of locals and tourists all digging in together.
And then there’s the presentation. The waiter assembles it with a bit of theatrical flair, almost Salt Bae-style, which means yes, people film it, and yes, tips are definitely encouraged. The best part, though, is the price. A plate costs around 30 EGP (€1), which makes it one of the best-value meals in the city. And if you’ve got room for dessert, order the rice pudding. It’s ridiculously good.
2. Taboula, a highly recommended restaurant where we can eat well and cheaply in Cairo
If Lebanese food makes you weak at the knees like it does us, you’ll want to put Taboula high on your Cairo list. It’s in Garden City, one of the nicest areas to stay in Cairo thanks to its calmer feel and easy access to Downtown.
From the outside, it doesn’t exactly scream destination dining. It sits in a kind of basement and looks fairly modest. But once we step inside, the whole mood shifts. Suddenly it feels warm, polished, and quietly elegant, the kind of place that works just as well for a casual dinner as for something a bit more special.
And the food? Genuinely excellent. The menu is huge, so you won’t be short on options. We started with halloumi to share, then went for Chicken Fettah and Messhab Chicken as mains. For all of that, the bill came to 332 EGP (€10).
For the quality, that’s a steal. It’s easily one of the best restaurants for eating well without wrecking your budget in Cairo. Just one practical note: if you’re planning to go on a Friday night or over the weekend, booking ahead is a very good idea.
3. O’s Pasta
Staying in Zamalek, Cairo’s polished and rather fashionable island neighborhood? Then this Italian spot deserves a place on your radar. It’s one of the best places to eat well without spending too much, especially if you’re craving pasta after a few days of mezze, grills, and koshari.
Pasta is the star here, and they do it properly. There’s loads of choice, including vegetarian options, so even picky eaters should come away happy.
Prices are very fair too, with pasta dishes starting from around 218 EGP (€6). For the quality, that feels more than reasonable. Naturally, once you start adding toppings, the price climbs, but that’s the game. And if pasta isn’t calling your name, they also do very good salads and soups for even less.
4. Abou El Sid Restaurant, a great place to try Egyptian food in Cairo
Also in Zamalek, Abou El Sid is one of Cairo’s classic dining addresses, especially if you want to sample traditional Egyptian cuisine in a setting that feels memorable. The food is excellent, yes, but the décor is half the experience. The whole place is designed to look like an old Arabian palace, more specifically a recreation of a 1930s Cairene home.
It’s not quite as cheap as some of the other restaurants on this list, but it still feels affordable, particularly if you’re paying in euros. Main courses start at around 147 EGP (€4), though most of the dishes you’ll actually be tempted by sit above 220 EGP (€6.50).
And honestly, it’s worth it for the atmosphere alone. If you want to spend less, you can always order a koshari for under 80 EGP (€2). Their real specialty, though, is Egyptian pigeon. We didn’t summon the courage, but perhaps you’re braver than we were.
Either way, this is one of the best places in Cairo to try classic Egyptian food in a beautiful setting.
5. CaiRoma, a good option for Italian food in Cairo
Still in the mood for Italian? Near Tahrir Square, CaiRoma is another solid choice. The big draw here, apart from the food, is the lovely patio where you can sit down and pretend, for a moment, that Cairo traffic does not exist.
They serve a wide range of pizzas and pasta dishes, and the prices are still very reasonable. To give you an idea, our pizza cost 250 EGP (€7), while the fettuccine ai funghi came to 210 EGP (€6).
All in all, we had a very good experience here. The food was satisfying, the service was kind, and the portions were generous. Even if you’re not ravenous, one pizza is big enough to share. For a tasty and affordable meal near the center, this is a strong choice.
6. Oldish Restaurant & Cafe
Close to the Egyptian Museum and Tahrir Square, Oldish is one of those places that feels like a lucky find. Breakfast may be its main thing, but you can happily come here for lunch or dinner too.
One of its biggest charms is the interior courtyard, which offers a rare little pocket of calm away from the noise and rush of central Cairo. After a long day dodging traffic and crossing streets with your life flashing before your eyes, that kind of peace feels almost luxurious.
The restaurant is very tourist-friendly and easy to navigate, but it doesn’t feel soulless. The atmosphere is pleasant, the portions are generous, and the prices are kind to your wallet. The menu mixes Egyptian staples with international dishes, so it works well if you want some variety. Most plates cost less than 200 EGP (€5.90), which makes this another excellent choice for eating well and cheaply in Cairo.
7. Felfela
Also near the Egyptian Museum, Felfela is one of Cairo’s iconic old-school restaurants. It first opened in 1959, and it still manages to charm both visitors and locals with its classic dishes and atmospheric setting.
As the name hints, falafel, or taamia, is the big thing here. So if you’re craving one of Egypt’s most loved street-food staples, this is a very good place to start. But the menu goes well beyond that. You’ll also find kebabs, fattah, Egyptian pigeon, and a selection of other Egyptian dishes, plus a few international options.
It’s not the absolute cheapest place in Cairo, but it’s far from overpriced. For two people, you’re usually looking at around €15 to €20 for a meal. Given the history, the atmosphere, and the quality, that feels pretty fair.
8. 9 Pyramids Lounge, the best restaurant in Cairo with views of the pyramids
At some point in Cairo, we all end up at the Pyramids. It’s inevitable. And if you’re spending a full morning or day at Giza, lunch with a view sounds like a very smart move.
That’s where 9 Pyramids Lounge comes in. It sits inside the Giza Pyramids complex, and the views are the main event. They are spectacular. Properly spectacular.
Do yourself a favor and book ahead. Seriously. We didn’t, and ended up waiting two hours for an outdoor table with pyramid views. Learn from our mistakes.
The menu has a decent range of dishes, though this is not one of the cheap restaurants in Cairo. We paid 1180 EGP (€35) for two mains and two drinks. The food is good, but not jaw-dropping. Let’s be honest: you’re paying for the location. And in this case, the location earns it.
9. Zööba Zamalek
Zööba is another excellent option in Zamalek, and one with a fun backstory. Thanks to the vision of its founder, what began as an Egyptian street-food concept has expanded internationally, reaching places like Saudi Arabia and the United States.
There are several Zööba branches in Cairo, but the Zamalek one is the one we’d recommend most. Here, you can try Egyptian street-food favorites in a casual, stylish, and friendly setting without spending much at all.
To give you an idea, a koshari costs a little over 50 EGP (€1.50), while hawawshi, another Egyptian classic, is around 80 EGP (€2). For a quick, tasty, and affordable meal, this place absolutely delivers.
10. 139 Pavilion, a beautiful restaurant in Cairo for special occasions
And finally, we’re ending with something a little more polished. 139 Pavilion is not cheap by Cairo standards, but for a special lunch or a romantic dinner, it’s hard to beat.
Set inside the Marriott Mena House, the restaurant has incredible views of the Pyramids of Giza. Yes, again, the pyramids. Cairo does love a dramatic dining backdrop. But here, it really works. Add a beautiful pool, manicured gardens, and a calm, elegant atmosphere, and the whole experience feels genuinely special.
The menu is broad and leans international. It’s definitely pricier than the rest of this list, but for what you get, we didn’t think it felt unreasonable. We paid 2300 EGP (€70) for lunch for two, including two mains, two drinks, and dessert.
It’s very important to reserve in advance and ask for a table by the pool. Lunchtime is usually a bit less hectic than dinner, which can make the whole experience even nicer. For a memorable meal in Cairo, this is one of the city’s standout spots.
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