Egypt is renowned for its pyramids and historical relics, and its outsized influence in ancient history may not be top of mind as a dining destination. However, visitors should know that there’s stellar food with a huge multicultural mix of flavors. Here are five restaurants that show why Egypt should be on the stage as one of the world’s top dining destinations.
Zitouni
Located inside the Four Seasons Cairo First Residence, Zitouni offers a luxe all-day buffet option, but you can also sit down and order à la carte. Discover authentic Egyptian cuisine with stunning views of the Nile River. Try a gorgeously plated mezze platter with nine dips. Don’t miss the Egyptian fattah (a mix of rice, meat, crispy bread and garlic-tomato sauce), mezzeh (assorted small plates and dips) or maamoul with keshta (semolina pastry filled with clotted cream). Signature dishes include molokheya (a savory jute leaves stew often paired with crispy chicken) and Egyptian lentil soup.
Naguib Mahfouz Cafe
While touring Cairo’s famed Khan el-Khalili bazaar, you’ll find countless places to eat. This café, named after the Nobel Prize–winning Egyptian novelist and owned by luxury hotel magnates Oberoi, is also a shisha lounge. Expect solid traditional Egyptian fare at Naguib Mahfouz Cafe, including the molokhia soup (a variation of the jute leaf stew), stuffed pigeons (a delicacy often filled with rice or grains), and beloved fresh flatbread. Pair it with a strong Turkish coffee.
139 Pavilion
Located inside the Marriott Mena House Hotel, with most rooms overlooking the pyramids, the 139 Pavilion offers even closer views of the pyramids. These views make it one of the best restaurants in Egypt. Its buffet spread is epic, featuring a full international selection, as well as a wide range of Egyptian specialties at live cooking stations. Find a huge selection of mezze, pastries, and pickled vegetables. For dinner, an à la carte menu is also available.
Sun Boat IV
Feel like a pharaoh when dining at this floating restaurant, Sun Boat IV, an A&K Sanctuary, is an elegant Art Deco–inspired luxury riverboat that cruises between Aswan and Luxor on three- to seven-night itineraries. Breakfast and lunch are lavish buffet spreads featuring rotating options and a live cooking station serving delicacies such as roast veal. Be sure to try the award-winning chef’s specialty kushari (street food made of rice, lentils, chickpeas and fried onions topped with spicy tomato sauce). Dinners are four-course set menus featuring choices like veal medallions, Moroccan-style lamb, ribeye steak and pistachio & honey baklava.
Red Sea Diving Safari Marsa Shagra Village
Visitors to Egypt must take a dip in the gorgeous Red Sea. Take a short flight from Cairo to Marsa Alam to get to Red Sea Diving Safari Marsa Shagra Village, an oasis dedicated to scuba diving and one of Egypt’s PADI Eco Centers. Meals here are buffet-style, with a daily-changing soup that’s always a hit, plus kushari and kofta (grilled minced meat skewers), alongside international favorites. Look out for fresh molokheya and a wide variety of pastas, as well as fried potatoes. The huge dessert spread includes classics like baklava, fruit cakes and cakes. There’s also a smaller restaurant that serves à la carte with made-to-order pizzas.