Pharaohs, Koshary & Café Conversations: Downtown Cairo Slowly

Hours and openings change often — double-check each spot is still open before you head out.

The day, stop by stop

1. 1
   9:00 AM 150 min

   The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

   Begin beneath lofty ceilings in Cairo’s historic antiquities museum. Rather than chasing every room, linger over sculpture, painted coffins and the building’s beautifully old-fashioned atmosphere.

   Meret Basha Street, Tahrir Square, Downtown, Cairo, Egypt

   Directions
2. 2
   12:00 PM 45 min

   Abou Tarek

   A cheerful, high-turnover institution devoted to koshary: rice, pasta, lentils and chickpeas crowned with crisp onions. Add the vinegary garlic dressing and chilli gradually.

   16 Maarouf Street, Downtown, Cairo, Egypt

   Directions
3. 3
   1:15 PM 90 min

   Café Riche

   Trade street noise for dark wood, old photographs and a café with deep literary and political associations. Order coffee or tea and let the afternoon move at conversation speed.

   17 Talaat Harb Street, Downtown, Cairo, Egypt

   Directions
4. 4
   4:00 PM 75 min

   Felfela

   Finish at the sit-down restaurant rather than its nearby takeaway counterpart. The leafy, characterful interior suits a leisurely spread of Egyptian dips, vegetables and crisp taameya.

   15 Hoda Shaarawy Street, Downtown, Cairo, Egypt

   Directions