egypt’s Food, Nightlife & Shopping
The cool of the night
As well as Egypt’s varied nightlife options, the cooler evening hours are the perfect time to enjoy some Egyptian cuisine or indulge in a little light haggling in the shops and markets
Food
Aromatic spices, freshly-fried falafel from street vendors, warm flat bread straight out of the oven, tasty tagines cooked in heavy clay pots and jewel-coloured fruits make Egyptian cuisine a feast for all the senses. A mouth-watering blend of Middle East and Mediterranean cuisine, small mezze dishes are a great way to sample colourful salads, dips and hot dishes and make a meal in themselves. Kebabs are a popular way to cook meat, fish is plentiful, particularly on the coast, and bean stew is a national dish. Egyptians have a sweet tooth and honey-soaked desserts are delicious. Bags of plump dates and nuts, sold in shops and markets everywhere, make perfect sightseeing snacks. As a predominantly Muslim country alcohol isn’t served in small local restaurants but is readily available in
bars, restaurants and hotels. The local beer, Stella, is a good buy and look out for refreshing freshly-squeezed juices sweetened with sugar water. Orange and carrot is particularly good.
Nightlife
When the sun goes down Egyptian bars, restaurants and clubs burst into life with a varied entertainment scene stretching into the early hours. From sophisticated piano bars, a performance at the Cairo Opera House, a sumptuous sunset dinner on a Nile river boat or a lively yacht party cruise on the Red Sea coast there’s something for all tastes. The big hotels list local night-time events and stage their own entertainment for guests who prefer to stay in. Typical evenings feature exotic belly dances or the dizzying spectacle of a whirling dervish. Traditional Nubian
folkloric groups and dancers perform on river cruises and fancy dress parties are also popular. For those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of seaside resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh there are exciting desert trips to Bedouin camps for an informal meal followed by music and dancing under the twinkling stars.
Shopping
Nothing beats an Egyptian shopping trip for brilliant bargains and soaking up the atmosphere. Designer boutiques, famous-name brands and malls abound in tourist destinations but for a colourful and authentic
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