Best of Cairo
Where locals eat in Cairo
Start with Abou Haidar in Roxy, Heliopolis for beef or sujuk shawarma bun, chips, mango juice, Abou El Sid in Zamalek for molokheya, sharqiseya and El Fishawy in Khan el-Khalili for mint tea, coffee, shisha. Here are all 10, with what to get at each.
- Abou HaidarRoxy, Heliopolis · street-food
Get: Beef or sujuk shawarma bun, chips, mango juice
Long-running Heliopolis spot known for Lebanese grills and mezze, popular for casual family dinners.
- Abou El SidZamalek · sit-down
Get: Molokheya, sharqiseya
Popular Zamalek institution for traditional Egyptian home cooking, known for molokhia, stuffed pigeon and old-Cairo decor.
- El FishawyKhan el-Khalili · cafe
Get: Mint tea, coffee, shisha
Legendary century-old coffeehouse deep in Khan el-Khalili, known for mint tea, shisha and nonstop bazaar atmosphere.
Koshary El TahrirDowntown · kosharyGet: Koshari, large, with hot sauce
A Cairo chain with a loyal following for its koshari. No-frills Downtown counter serving Cairo's beloved koshary, the layered rice, lentil and pasta dish with spicy tomato sauce.
- Abdullah BashandyDowntown (Munira) · Egyptian grill
Get: Ta'ameya, kebda or ful sandwiches, two at a time
Old-school Downtown Cairo grill house known for kebab and kofta, simple decor and generations of loyal regulars.
- Al Hussein FeteerSayedna Al Hussein, Old Cairo · feteer pastry
Get: Feteer pie or pizza with beef, chicken, sausage or cheese
Old Cairo spot near Sayedna Al Hussein known for feteer meshaltet, the flaky Egyptian pastry served sweet or savory.
- Andrea MariouteyaNew Giza (moved from the Mariouteya canal) · grilled chicken
Get: Grilled chicken and meats, Egyptian mezze
Famous Cairo grilled chicken restaurant, now in New Giza, known for charcoal chicken, fresh bread and outdoor garden seating.
- Kebdet El PrinceImbaba · liver sandwiches
Get: Kebda (liver), molokhia, mezze and bread
Humble Imbaba street stall beloved for sizzling beef liver sandwiches, a Cairo late-night favorite for decades.
- Maison ThomasZamalek · pizza, sandwiches
Get: Thin-crust pizza
Long-running Zamalek institution famous for Beirut-style pizza and French-leaning sandwiches, a late-night Cairo classic since the 1970s.
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What are the local restaurants in Cairo?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Abou Haidar (Roxy, Heliopolis), Abou El Sid (Zamalek) and El Fishawy (Khan el-Khalili). All 10 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Abou Haidar, get beef or sujuk shawarma bun, chips, mango juice. At Abou El Sid, get molokheya, sharqiseya. At El Fishawy, get mint tea, coffee, shisha. At Koshary El Tahrir, get koshari, large, with hot sauce.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Cairo?
Most of these are in Zamalek. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Cairo: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Cairo
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.