Cairo, Egypt has a lot to offer the historian and archaeologist, but what about the gourmand? Granted, it’s not the first city that springs to mind, however the flavors of the Middle East are best valued where the locals are warm, the wine is flowing, and the food keeps on coming.For the most part, eating out in this city isn’t terribly costly. For less than $50, you would likely get a 3 course meal. The alcohol would be charged separately and imported wines could be significantly more expensive than local varieties. 

Tipping is greatly encouraged (and is oftentimes expected). You will find a sizable number of local restaurants all throughout the city that offer local Middle Eastern cuisine at very inexpensive prices. Great dishes to try would be Ful Medames, Kushari, as well as Molokhia. Kebbe, koftas, and falafel are also popular choices. And no trip to the Middle East is complete without a taste of the local shawerma-shredded meat wrapped in thin pita bread and flavored with tahina. For the daring, hamaam is a national delicacy worth trying at least once.Visitors are encouraged to cautiously examine the seals on any bottled water bought from the restaurant to make sure high quality drinking water. 

In the event you happen to go to during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, you will notice an elevated amount of activity at local restaurants at 4.30 to 5.30 pm. This is the time when the Muslims break their fast and take in their first meal since the night before. Numerous nearby restaurants provide Middle Eastern favorites as “fast food” for those who can only manage a fast break or wish to grab something quickly for their families. Kanafeh and Atayef are unique sweet delicacies prepared exclusively during this festival. Rather like Easter eggs only being made throughout Easter. During Ramadan, special tents are erected around the streets, providing food to the poor or to passers-by.You will find, of course, the upscale restaurants at the international hotels that accommodate more sophisticated tastes. 

At the Four Seasons, Aqua provides a sushi bar, steakhouse, and numerous options for vegetarians. For a few fantastic views of the city, go to the Revolving Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The restaurant offers an excellent menu of French haute cuisine. Other restaurants in the hotel, such as those on the banks of the River Nile, offer a wide selection of cuisine, such as Japanese, Indian, and Italian. The city even has its own Hard Rock Café.There is no dearth of dining options in the bustling city of Cairo, which lies practically at the feet of the ancient pyramids. Visitors of nearly every age, budgets, and personal preferences will see their own little corner of paradise from everything that is on offer.