The Best Places to Eat Kushari in Cairo
When discussing the most popular dishes in Egypt, kushari will often be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s a mix of rice, spaghetti, small round macaroni, vermicelli, fried onions, black lentils and hummus, topped with thick tomato sauce, garlic and vinegar sauce, and chilli sauce. With so much going into it, putting it together is practically an artform. Here are some of the best places to get your kushari in Cairo.
El Tahrir
Koshary El Tahrir has the biggest franchise in Egypt, with more than 15 branches in Cairo alone, including Maadi, Moqattam, Downtown, Nasr City, Heliopolis and Mohandessin. You’ll find plates of all sizes there, and the prices range from EGP10 for the small ones to EGP55 for the family sizes.
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Abou Tarek
Located in Downtown’s Champollion street, Abou Tarek restaurant is one of the oldest and most famous kushari spots in Cairo, attracting both locals and tourists. This huge building consists of five floors and is always crowded, but the waiters are professional and the service is good. Customers say it’s the best kushari in town, and the experience is totally worth it!
Sayed Hanafi
One of the finest kushari places in Cairo. Said Hanafi has nine branches, the most famous of them being the one located in Downtown. The prices range between EGP7 for the small sizes to EGP20 for larger ones.
Zooba
If you’re a lover of Egyptian street food, then this is your place. In its five Cairo branches, Zooba serves a variety of high-quality dishes, from foul and taameya to kushari. As for the prices, it’s more expensive than other kushari sellers in Cairo, so you can expect to pay around EGP20 for the small sizes.
El Embrator
El Embrator can be found in a four-floor building in Sayeda Zainab, where you can sit and see the mosque while eating. It’s also crowded most of the time, but it’s well managed, with friendly waiters and good service. El Embrator also has six other branches, and you’ll be expected to pay around EGP10–20.
Tom and Basal
This seller has many branches in Cairo’s neighborhoods, so you should be able to find one easily enough. It mainly serves pizza and pies, as well as kushari, and it’s said to be particularly generous when it comes to extra toppings. As for the prices, the small portions cost approximately EGP9, while the large ones are EGP18–20.
Asaad, As Sahel, Cairo Governorate, Egypt, +20 16405
Cairo Kitchen
If you’re a big fan of Egyptian cuisine, then this place should be perfect for you. With two branches in Zamalek and Maadi, the restaurant’s menu offers a variety of traditional homemade dishes served in a contemporary setting. As for kushari, the prices range between EGP14 for small plates to EGP72 for family-sized ones.
El Khedewy
Located in Shobra El Kheima, one of the most crowded neighborhoods in Cairo, El Khedewy has tried to add some creativity to its kushari. So as well as the normal version of the dish, you’ll find several variations, including oven-baked kushari. Expect to pay around EGP10.
In Front Of Shoubra El Khaymah Metro Station, Shoubra El Khaymah, +2 02 46030159
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