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Best Food in Alexandria (2026)
Begin your culinary journey in the historic district of El-Mansheya, where street food stalls and century-old restaurants line the Corniche. For a classic Alexandria breakfast, hβ¦ π½οΈ Where to Start
Begin your culinary journey in the historic district of El-Mansheya, where street food stalls and century-old restaurants line the Corniche. For a classic Alexandria breakfast, head to Mohamed Ahmed Restaurant at 27 Saad Zaghloul Street, open daily from 7 AM to midnight. Their foul and falafel plates cost around 20-30 EGP, and the fuul medames is a must-try.
π₯ Seafood by the Sea
Alexandria's Mediterranean location means exceptional seafood, and Fish Market Restaurant at 26 El-Gaish Road offers the freshest catch with a view of the harbor. Prices range from 150 to 400 EGP per person, and the grilled sea bass with lemon butter is a local favorite. For a budget option, try the fried fish sandwiches at Gad on El-Gaish Road for about 40 EGP.
π₯ Street Food Staples
No visit is complete without sampling koshari, Egypt's national dish of rice, lentils, and pasta topped with tomato sauce and fried onions. Koshari El Tahrir at 4 El-Tahrir Street serves a generous bowl for 25 EGP, open 24 hours. Another iconic street snack is taameya (Egyptian falafel), best enjoyed at El-Sheikh Wafik in the Raml Station area, where a sandwich costs just 10 EGP.
π° Sweet Treats
For dessert, visit El Abd Bakery at 22 Saad Zaghloul Street, a historic patisserie known for its basbousa (semolina cake) and konafa (shredded pastry with cheese). Prices start at 15 EGP per piece. Alternatively, try the ice cream at Mandarine Khedr on El-Gaish Road, where unique flavors like mango and pistachio cost 20 EGP per scoop.
π² Hidden Neighborhood Gems
Venture into the residential neighborhood of Smouha for a taste of home-style Egyptian cooking at Abou El Sid, located at 39 El-Gaish Road. This restaurant serves hearty dishes like molokhia (jute leaf stew) and stuffed pigeon for around 100-200 EGP per person. For a more casual vibe, try the grilled chicken at El-Tabkha El-Masry in the same area, where a full meal costs under 100 EGP.
πΉ Drinks and Nightlife
End your day at the historic Cafe Delices on Saad Zaghloul Street, a French-style cafe that has been serving coffee and pastries since 1922. A cappuccino costs 30 EGP, and the outdoor seating is perfect for people-watching. For a stronger drink, head to the rooftop bar at the Steigenberger Cecil Hotel, where cocktails start at 150 EGP and the view of the Mediterranean is unbeatable.
π‘ Local Tips
Most restaurants in Alexandria add a 12% service charge to the bill, so check before tipping. Street food is generally safe, but stick to busy stalls with high turnover. For the freshest seafood, visit the fish market near El-Anfoushi early in the morning and have your catch cooked at a nearby restaurant for a small fee.
I've been going to Mohamed Ahmed for years and can confirm the fuul medames is still the best in the city, but their real secret is the fuul with sujuk (spicy beef sausage) they do as a special sometimes. It's not on the regular menu but if you ask they'll make it for you, comes to about 40 EGP and it's worth every piastre. Also worth noting that the queue at Koshari El Tahrir moves fast even when it looks long, so don't let the line scare you off.
the guide nailed it but one thing i'd add is the grilled liver sandwiches from the stalls near el-qayed ibrahim mosque after midnight. they're like 15 pounds each and they put this garlicky green sauce on them that's insane. also for a real local vibe skip the big seafood places and go to zephyrion near abu qir, it's a bit of a cab ride but the fried calamari there is the best i've had in alexandria and the prices are way cheaper than fish market
honestly the koshari at El Tahrir is solid but if you want the real deal go to Koshary El Sultan on Mostafa Kamel Street near the university. it's a tiny spot that's always packed with students and the portions are bigger for the same price. the secret is asking for extra crispy onions and a splash of garlic vinegar they keep under the counter
also for sweets i'd skip El Abd and hit up La Poire Patisserie on Fouad Street instead. their basbousa is more buttery and they have this cream-filled petit fours that cost like 5 pounds each. it's been around since the 50s and the old tile floors and wooden counters give it a real old alex vibe
one thing nobody mentions is the sahlab from the street carts near the train station in winter. it's this thick milk pudding with cinnamon and coconut, costs like 10 pounds and hits different when the sea breeze is cold. just make sure they're using real orchid root powder not cornstarch, the texture is way silkier
3 Days in Alexandria: Itinerary 2026
This 3-day itinerary groups attractions by neighborhood to minimize transit time. Alexandria's traffic can be heavy, so plan for 20-30 minute rides between districts. Start eaβ¦ πΊοΈ Overview and Tips
This 3-day itinerary groups attractions by neighborhood to minimize transit time. Alexandria's traffic can be heavy, so plan for 20-30 minute rides between districts. Start each day early to avoid the midday heat and crowds.
βοΈ Day 1: Downtown and Corniche
Begin at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (El Shatby, open 10am-7pm, admission 70 EGP). Stroll along the Corniche to the Citadel of Qaitbay (open 9am-5pm, 60 EGP). End the evening with seafood dinner at Fish Market restaurant on the Corniche.
ποΈ Day 2: Ancient and Greco-Roman
Visit the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (open 9am-5pm, 80 EGP) and Pompey's Pillar (nearby, same hours, 50 EGP). In the afternoon, explore the Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el Dikka, open 9am-5pm, 60 EGP). Lunch at Mohamed Ahmed restaurant for classic Egyptian street food.
π Day 3: El Raml and Montaza
Start at the El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque in the Anfoushi district (free entry). Then head to the Royal Jewelry Museum (27 Fawzy Moaz St., open 9am-4pm, 100 EGP). Spend the late afternoon at Montaza Palace Gardens (free entry, palace closed for renovation).
π Getting Around
Use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem for convenience; a 15-minute ride costs around 30-50 EGP. The tram network is cheap (2 EGP) but slow and crowded. For the Corniche, walking is pleasant in the evening.
π½οΈ Where to Eat
For authentic koshari, try Koshary El Tahrir (Corniche, 20-40 EGP). Seafood lovers should head to Samakmak (Stanley Bridge, 200-400 EGP per person). For dessert, visit El Qobtan (ice cream, 15-30 EGP per scoop).
π‘ Local Prices 2026
Entrance fees range from 50 to 100 EGP per site. A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs 150-300 EGP per person. Taxi rides within the city center are 20-50 EGP. Carry small bills for tips and street vendors.
π Best Evening Spots
Watch sunset from the Citadel of Qaitbay or the Stanley Bridge area. For a relaxed evening, walk along the Corniche from the Bibliotheca to the El-Selsela area. Cafes like Cafe Trianon (Saad Zaghloul) offer traditional drinks and a view.
the timing tip about the bibliotheca is spot on, i'd also say skip the audio guide there, it's pretty dry and the exhibits are well-labeled in english anyway. for day 2, if you're into old cemeteries, the catacombs are actually part of a larger necropolis area, you can walk around the above-ground ruins for free and it's kind of haunting in a good way. one thing nobody mentions is that mohamed ahmed has two locations right near each other, the one on safeya zaghloul street is the original and usually less crowded than the one on the corniche. for montaza, bring a picnic if the weather's nice, there's a little cafe by the beach but it's overpriced and the snacks are meh
good breakdown, the only thing i'd swap is day 1 dinner - fish market is touristy and overpriced, walk 5 mins to samakmak instead, same seafood but half the price and the grilled prawns are unreal. also for day 3, if montaza gardens are too crowded just go to the nearby royal yacht club area, it's quieter and you get the same sea view without the families blasting music
honestly this is a solid itinerary, covers all the main spots without overdoing it. one thing i'd add is to hit the bibliotheca early on day 1, like right when it opens at 10, because it gets packed with school groups by noon and the quiet halls are way better without the noise
if you have time on day 2, the catacombs are cool but the lighting is terrible for photos, so bring a phone with good low-light mode. also the roman amphitheatre is tiny, you can see everything in 20 minutes, so don't rush lunch at mohamed ahmed - their fuul and taameya are legit the best in town, costs like 50 egp for a full meal
for day 3, the royal jewelry museum is a hidden gem, the building itself is gorgeous. but heads up montaza gardens are huge, you can walk for an hour easy, and there's a nice beach area on the far side if you want to dip your feet. also skip the tram unless you're feeling adventurous, it's a 2 egp adventure but you'll prob get lost
one thing missing is el qobtan ice cream at night, that spot on the corniche is perfect after dinner, get the mango flavor it's insane. overall this plan works, just be ready for the traffic to eat up your time between districts