Egypt, the land of the pharaohs and pyramids might seem like a haven for meat eaters but the opposite is true. Meat is available but is very expensive and therefore not consumed every day. Vegetarian dishes form most of the daily diet and have done so, throughout history because natural irrigation from the river Nile and Delta encourage easy growth of vegetable and fruit crops. Around the coastal resorts, fish is the main trend but all across the country, the staple and cheap food of bread accompanies most vegetarian meals. Used like a spoon, it will sweep the dish clean or pick up soups and stews. If you have been to other neighbouring countries like Jordan or Turkey, you will most definitely spot similarities in some dishes.
Seven Vegetarian Dishes to Try in Egypt
Ful Medames is widely available because it is one of the most common meals eaten. Consisting of pureed fava beans mixed with oil, garlic, and lemon juice, eat it on its own or as an accompaniment.
Falafel is not really an
Egyptian dish but more Middle Eastern. Mashed chickpeas or fava beans are formed into a ball before being deep-fried. Eaten on their own or as an appetizer, they are also served as a patty within pita bread covered with sliced vegetables and sauces.
Tabouleh is a simple salad containing a variety of vegetables, sprinkled with a drizzling of olive oil and light spices. Eaten on its own or as an accompaniment, it will appear on most restaurant menus. Normally eaten as a starter,
Duqqa is mixed herbs, nuts, and spices. The most commonly used nut is hazelnut. If you are eating on a budget, supermarkets also sell this Duqqa in packets. As in most Middle Eastern countries,
vegetables stuffed with rice are widely common. Zucchini or Aubergines are a popular choice, but check with the waiter to ensure there is no meat in it. If you are looking for a dessert, try the
fresh dates. Grown locally, they are juicy and full of taste. As well as being sold plain, they are also stuffed with hazelnuts, cashews, or almonds. Another dessert that will also be suitable for vegans is
Halawa, a mix of sesame seed, sugar, vanilla and ground pistachio nuts.
Further Reading
Experience all of these foods on one of our
tours across Egypt, visiting historical sites and experiencing the culture. Read more about
Egypt in general. 
