Alexandria is a port city, and its food shows it, with a coast-fresh seafood tradition alongside the everyday street dishes eaten across Egypt. This private half-day food tour takes you through the places locals actually eat, with a guide who talks through each dish and adapts the stops to your tastes. Visitors report sampling falafel made with fava beans, koshary, the rice, lentil and pasta dish topped with spiced tomato sauce, Alexandrian-style liver sandwiches, fried mixed meats, a baked sweet pie, ice cream and a tamarind drink, often across seven or eight stops. The tour lasts about four to five hours, includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, food and soft drinks, and is run for your group alone. Some guides weave in a few sights between bites, so you may pass a church, a synagogue or the Corniche on the way.
What the day looks like
You are collected from your hotel, and the guide plans a route through downtown and the older districts, where small eateries serve one dish very well. Stops are short and informal, with standing counters, tables on the pavement and plates to share. Because the tour is private, you can say whether you want more vegetarian dishes, fewer fried foods or extra sweets, and the guide adjusts the route. Come hungry, because the portions add up and it is easy to eat a full meal over the course of the tour.
What to know
The pace is relaxed, and a good guide chooses busy, popular stops where food turns over quickly, so trust their advice on what to try first. If you have allergies, say so at the start. Wear comfortable shoes, because the route involves walking between stops. Tipping the guide is customary, and alcohol is not part of the tour. Check the inclusions on the booking page when you choose your date, because small details such as drinks can differ between departures.
Why do it early in a trip: a food tour doubles as an orientation, so you learn the streets, the dishes and the customs of ordering before you eat on your own for the rest of your stay. It pairs well with an afternoon on the Corniche or a sunset at the Citadel.
If you prefer a sit-down seafood dinner, the best approach is to choose a busy fish restaurant, pick your fish by weight and agree the price before it is cooked. For travellers who like markets, snacks and conversation, this tour is the most enjoyable way to spend a morning or afternoon in Alexandria.
What to expect
The experience
A private half-day walk-and-eat tour through local eateries, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide.
Best time
Late morning or early afternoon, when the eateries are busy and the weather is gentler.
How long
About four to five hours.
Tips
Come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, mention allergies at the start and ask the guide to adjust stops to your tastes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and first-time visitors who want a guided introduction to Egyptian street food.
- Families
- Good for children who enjoy trying new foods, as the guide can adjust stops.
- Couples
- A relaxed, social way to spend a half day and learn the city through its flavours.
- Pair with
- A Corniche walk and sunset at the Citadel of Qaitbay.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What foods will I try?+
Typically falafel, koshary, liver sandwiches, fried mixed meats, a sweet baked pie, ice cream and a tamarind drink, though stops vary by guide and by your tastes.
How long does the tour last?+
About four to five hours, as a private half-day tour with hotel pickup and drop-off.
Can the tour suit dietary needs?+
Tell the guide at the start about allergies and preferences. Vegetarian choices are easy in Egyptian cooking, but check before you go.
Is it a group tour?+
It is private, so only your party joins, and the guide can set the pace to suit you.
Are drinks and tips included?+
Soft drinks and food are included. Tips are not, and alcohol is not part of the tour. Check the inclusions when you choose your date.
