Egypt » Going Out

Islam is part of all aspects of daily life with many social conventions stemming from the teachings of the Koran, the Muslim holy book. Hospitality is a significant element, especially to visitors. Shaking hands is the normal greeting but male visitors should wait for a woman to offer her hand first.

Dress should always be conservative and women should cover upper arms and legs. This is particularly important when visiting religious buildings - when hair should also be covered - and conservative towns. Dress standards tends to be a little more relaxed in modern nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and bars in Cairo, Alexandria and other tourist resorts. Official or social functions and smart restaurants usually require more formal wear. Smoking is widespread.

Photography: Tourists are required to pay a fee if wishing to take photographs inside pyramids, tombs and museums. Ask permission when taking pictures of someone, especially women. Some traditionally-dressed locals demand money when they ‘pose’ outside historic sites, especially temples and pyramids.

Egyptian cuisine combines many of the best traditions of African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, and is both delicious and healthy. Fruit, such as dates and olives, picked from the trees combine with vegetables, meats and fresh fish, aromatic herbs and spices to create colourful and flavoursome dishes.

Typically, a meal will start with soup made from pulses or beans, onions, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables with a large helping of garlic or spices to give them a kick. Soup is served with flatbreads like pitta or aish (flatbread made with fenugreek seeds and maize flour). A dish of chicken, lamb or veal that has been slow-roasted with herbs or a fish stew accompanied by couscous or rice may follow.

Two of Egypt’s most popular dishes are ful medames and koshari, which are likely to appear on all menus whether in a top gourmet restaurant or a fast food eateries. It is made from spaghetti or macaroni, or sometimes rice, which is cooked together with pulses, garlic and tomatoes and topped with fried onions and herbs. Falafel, the spicy mashed bean or chickpea and herb patty delicacy that is found throughout the Middle East can be found everywhere and makes a tasty snack.

Meals in Egypt are almost always served with salad and dips, such as babaganoush made from pureed aubergine or fuul, which is a combination of fava beans, lemon and herbs. Desert is usually pastries filled with figs, dates and nuts, and drenched in honey, or a mahallabiyaa (rice pudding) made with rosewater and sprinkled with spice. Yoghurt and fruit, especially oranges, dates and figs, are often eaten as a dessert too.

Throughout Egypt there are both large hotel restaurants and smaller specialist ones in the main towns. If you prefer international cuisine, head to the larger hotels in Cairo and its environs, which boast kitchens serving top-quality dishes. In the centre of Cairo there are cheap ‘fast food’ cafes selling traditional food in simple surroundings. Although Egypt is a Muslim country, alcohol is available in cafe-style bars, hotels and many restaurants in larger towns, cities and resorts.

• Ful medames (fava beans topped with eggs)
• Babaganoush (pureed aubergines)
• Fuul (fava beans with lemon and herbs)
• Stuffed vine leaves.
• Temayya (falafel).
• Kebabs (meat on skewers).
• Koshari (rice, lentil, pasta and tomato dish).
• Mahallabiyaa (rice desert)

The most popular drinks in Egypt are tea, which is usually flavoured with mint or a delicate blend of herbs, and strong coffee. Fruit drinks are widely available, as are local delicacies like karkaday. Wine, spirits and beer is available in most restaurants and hotels.

• Kahwa (thick, strong coffee).
• Shay bil na'na' (mint tea).
• Karkaday (clear, bright red drink made from hibiscus flowers).
• Aswanli (dark beer made in Aswan).
• Zibib (alcoholic aniseed-flavoured drink).