Bellies En-Route

Bellies En-Route was founded in 2016 by Laila Hassaballa and Mariam Nezar, who met while studying graphic design at the German University in Cairo. It is widely described as the first food tour company in Egypt, and it was set up by two women at a time when culinary tourism barely existed in the country. Their aim is to show visitors the everyday food of Cairo, the dishes that locals actually eat, rather than hotel buffets.

The main experience is the Downtown Cairo Food Tour, a walking introduction to Egyptian cuisine that moves from street food stalls to casual local restaurants. Typical tastings on Cairo food walks include ful, ta'ameya, baladi bread, koshari, fresh sugar cane juice and sweets, and the guides explain how and when each dish is eaten. The company also runs a Women of Egypt Food and Shopping Tour, visiting businesses run by women, and Family Archives, a heritage cooking experience built around a family's culinary legacy. Earlier tours have also covered the suburb of Heliopolis.

The tours suit first-time visitors who are curious about food but unsure what to order, solo travellers looking for company, and couples or friends who enjoy eating their way through a city. Groups are kept small, at around seven or eight people, so the guides can manage busy pavements and answer questions. Vegetarians do well, as much Egyptian street food is plant-based, but mention any allergies or dietary needs when you book.

Bookings and payments are made online through the company's website, where each tour lists its dates and meeting details. Food tours of this kind typically last several hours and involve a fair amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes, come hungry and bring water. Booking ahead is wise in the busy season from October to April, as places are limited.

Downtown tours start within easy reach of Tahrir Square and the metro, so they combine well with a morning at the Egyptian Museum. After the tour, the historic cafés of Talaat Harb Street, such as Café Riche and Groppi, are good places to rest and digest. The company's social media accounts are also a useful source of ideas for where to eat during the rest of your stay.