🇪🇬 Egyptian Arabic, Masri

Egypt Prices

Complete Egypt Food, Drinks & Travel Budget Guide

SEE DISHES & PRICES

ONE PERSON · EGP + USD

Daily Food Budget for One Traveler in Egypt

Budget / Street Food 150 - 300 EGP $3 - $6

Ful carts, neighborhood koshari shops, liver and hawawshi spots, and traditional cafés.

Mid-Range 500 - 1000 EGP $10 - $20

Established grill restaurants, Nile dining venues, and polished Egyptian restaurants in Downtown Cairo or Zamalek.

Luxury / Fine Dining 2000 - 4500+ EGP $40 - $90+

Five-star hotel restaurants and upscale dining in Sheikh Zayed, New Cairo and premium districts.

ICONIC FOOD SHORTLIST · 9 DISHES

9 Iconic Egyptian Dishes Every Food Traveler Should Know

A focused shortlist of the nine dishes this destination is best known for. Each card helps travelers recognize the food, understand the ingredients and compare a practical local price range. One dish from each destination also rotates into the DAILY homepage.

9 Iconic Dishes

Koshari

كشري

Pronunciation: Ko-sha-ry
What it is: Koshari is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Rice, pasta, brown lentils, chickpeas, crispy onions, garlicky tomato sauce, vinegar-cumin daqqa and chili sauce.
Taste: A satisfying mix of crisp and soft textures with tangy garlic, vinegar and heat.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 20 - 50 EGP · about $0.40 - $1
Serving: Serves 1
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Ful Medames

فول مدمس

Pronunciation: Fool Mu-dam-mas
What it is: Ful Medames is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Slow-cooked fava beans, olive oil, lemon, cumin, garlic and optional tomato, parsley or tahini.
Taste: Earthy, creamy, lemony and deeply savory.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 25 - 80 EGP · about $0.50 - $1.60
Serving: Serves 1
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Taameya (Egyptian Falafel)

طعمية

Pronunciation: Ta-a-mey-ya
What it is: Taameya (Egyptian Falafel) is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Split fava-bean batter with leeks, cilantro and garlic, fried and served in baladi bread with salad and tahini.
Taste: Extremely crisp with a vivid green, herbaceous center.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 7 - 15 EGP · about $0.15 - $0.30
Serving: Serves 1
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Molokhia with Chicken or Rabbit

ملوخية بالفراخ أو الأرانب

Pronunciation: Mo-lo-khey-ya
What it is: Molokhia with Chicken or Rabbit is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Fresh chopped molokhia leaves, rabbit or chicken broth, garlic and dried coriander sizzled in ghee.
Taste: Uniquely silky and creamy, with rich garlic and coriander flavor.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 80 - 180 EGP · about $1.60 - $3.60
Serving: Serves 1 - 2
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Egyptian Fatta

فتة مصرية

Pronunciation: Fat-ta
What it is: Egyptian Fatta is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Toasted baladi bread with ghee, white rice, meat broth, garlic-vinegar tomato sauce and beef or lamb.
Taste: Rich, tangy and festive, combining crisp bread, rice and garlicky sauce.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 120 - 250 EGP · about $2.40 - $5
Serving: Serves 1 - 2
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Hawawshi

حواوشي

Pronunciation: Ha-waw-shi
What it is: Hawawshi is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Egyptian baladi bread stuffed with minced meat, onion, chili and lamb fat, brushed with ghee and baked.
Taste: Crisp bread soaked with meat juices around a hot, well-spiced filling.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 40 - 90 EGP · about $0.80 - $1.80
Serving: Serves 1
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Mahshi (Stuffed Vegetables)

محشي مشكل

Pronunciation: Mah-shi
What it is: Mahshi (Stuffed Vegetables) is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers and grape leaves stuffed with rice, dill, parsley, cilantro and tomato.
Taste: Tender and herbaceous, with a gentle tomato tang from the cooking broth.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 60 - 130 EGP · about $1.20 - $2.60
Serving: Serves 1 - 2
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Feteer Meshaltet

فطير مشلتت

Pronunciation: F-teer M-shal-tet
What it is: Feteer Meshaltet is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Flour, water and plenty of ghee and cream, stretched into very thin layers and baked.
Taste: Flaky and crisp outside, soft and deeply buttery inside.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 70 - 160 EGP · about $1.40 - $3.20
Serving: Serves 2 - 3
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

Umm Ali

أم علي

Pronunciation: Om A-li
What it is: Umm Ali is a recognized 9 iconic egyptian dishes food item in the ArabicFoodGuide Egypt collection. Use the ingredients, taste, serving and price fields below to identify it before ordering.
Ingredients: Flaky pastry or roqaq, hot milk, sugar, cream, nuts and raisins, baked until bubbling.
Taste: Warm, extremely creamy and soft, with a pleasant nutty crunch.
When to eat it: Availability and meal timing vary by city and venue. Ask the restaurant or café when this item is normally served.
Price: 35 - 80 EGP · about $0.70 - $1.60
Serving: Serves 1
Traveler tip: Confirm the portion size, current local price and any ingredient changes before ordering.

DAILY FOOD PLAN

Suggested Daily Food Plan for One Traveler in Egypt

Traditional Egyptian Breakfast

What to eat: Ful medames with hot oil or tahini, three hot taameya, eggs cooked in ghee, aged cheese with tomato, fresh baladi bread, salad and mint tea.

Cost for one person: 35 - 75 EGP (about $0.70 - $1.50) per person.

Lunch

What to eat: Okra casserole with meat or half a roast chicken, vermicelli rice, molokhia with garlic, orzo soup, salad, tahini and bread.

Cost for one person: 120 - 250 EGP (about $2.40 - $5) per person.

Afternoon Snack

What to eat: Warm Om Ali or basbousa with nuts, plus koshary-style tea at a café or fresh sugarcane juice.

Cost for one person: 40 - 80 EGP (about $0.80 - $1.60) per person.

Dinner

What to eat: A large koshari with daqqa and chili plus a crisp hawawshi, or Alexandrian liver and sausage sandwiches.

Cost for one person: 50 - 110 EGP (about $1 - $2.20) per person.

LOCAL CAFÉ CULTURE

Egyptian Café Culture

Traditional ahwa cafés and modern cafés are both central to everyday street life in Egypt.

1. Egyptian Coffee Types

Egyptian / Turkish Coffee: The classic coffee prepared in a small cezve. Order it by sweetness:
- Sada: no sugar.
- Ala riha: very lightly sweetened, about half a spoon.
- Mazboot: medium sugar, about one spoon.
- Ziyada: extra sweet, two spoons or more.
- Mano: between mazboot and ziyada.
- Price: 15 - 35 EGP (about $0.30 - $0.70).
French Coffee: Coffee cooked with milk instead of water. Price: 25 - 50 EGP.

2. Tea & Hot Café Drinks

Koshary Tea: Loose Egyptian tea brewed directly in the glass with boiling water, sugar to taste and often fresh mint. Price: 10 - 20 EGP (about $0.20 - $0.40).
Boiled Tea Pot: Tea boiled directly with water for a stronger, heavier cup. Price: 15 - 25 EGP.
Sahlab with Nuts: Thick winter drink made from sahlab powder and milk, topped with coconut, raisins and peanuts. Price: 25 - 50 EGP (about $0.50 - $1).
Herbal Teas: Anise, mint or fenugreek infusions, commonly enjoyed warm and soothing. Price: 10 - 20 EGP.

3. Fresh Juices & Cold Drinks

Sugarcane Juice: A fast, iconic drink from neighborhood juice shops. Price: 10 - 20 EGP.
Fruit Cocktail: Fresh fruit such as banana, apple and strawberry in thick mango-guava juice, sometimes topped with cream. Price: 30 - 60 EGP (about $0.60 - $1.20).
Egyptian Sobia: A cold, creamy drink made with milk, coconut, ground rice and sugar. Price: 15 - 30 EGP.
Bottled Water: Small: 7 - 12 EGP | Large: 12 - 20 EGP.

BEYOND THE DISH LIST

What Travelers Should Know Before Eating Out

Use the detailed dish guide above for names, prices and serving size, then check the practical guides below for restaurant etiquette, market habits and common traveler questions.

Restaurant EtiquetteShared dishes, right-hand dining, hospitality, coffee and tea customs.Food & Market GuidesStreet food, cafés, ordering context and destination-specific traveler advice.Diet & Allergy GuidanceRecipes vary and cross-contact may occur. Confirm directly with the restaurant.Travel ResourcesFree planning guidance for food budgets, ordering, dietary needs and local dining habits.

CONTINUE THE SAME TRIP

After the food: speak a little, understand a little more.

Use the companion guide only when it answers the next question in your trip.

01 · LANGUAGE

Order and travel with the right Arabic

Save practical Egyptian Arabic for restaurants, taxis, markets, greetings and everyday travel.

Continue on EasyArabicNow → 02 · CULTURE

Understand the culture around the table

Explore the hospitality, social rhythms and customs that give Egyptian food culture its wider context.

Continue on DailyWorldCulture →

KEEP EXPLORING

Go Deeper Into Local Food Culture

Continue with destination-specific articles, dining etiquette, street-food guides and practical travel resources.

READ FOOD GUIDES