Cities Where Street Food is Better Than Any Michelin Restaurant

31. Cairo, Egypt: Ancient Flavors for Modern Times

Cairo’s streets pulse with the aroma of ancient recipes, offering some of the most satisfying and affordable street food on earth. The undisputed king is koshary, a hearty and carb-heavy comfort dish layering rice, lentils, pasta, and chickpeas, topped with a spicy tomato sauce, garlic vinegar, and crispy fried onions. Another staple is ful medames, slow-cooked fava beans often served in pita with olive oil and spices. Don’t miss ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel, made with fava beans instead of chickpeas), fresh, warm pita bread from local bakeries, and sweet, strong Egyptian coffee from street vendors.