Shawarma is one of the most popular fast foods in the region and has been around for centuries. If you are a tourist visiting Cairo, Egypt, then you have to try it. After we tell you what is a shawerma, we will introduce you to the top 15 Shawerma restaurants in Cairo and guide you where to eat the best Shawarma in Egypt.
What is a shawarma sandwich?
Shawarma is a sandwich made with chicken or meat, which is roasted and sliced off a spit, served on various kinds of bread, and topped with vegetables and sauces.
The meat is usually lamb or chicken that’s cooked on a rotating vertical spit. The word “shawarma” comes from the Turkish word which means “to turn”. It was introduced to Egypt by Turkish immigrants in the late 19th century and has since become popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
1. Abu Mazen
Abu Mazen is located in Heliopolis, a suburb of Cairo. It’s one of the most popular shawarma restaurants in Egypt and it’s been open since 1978! After that, it opened many branches all around Cairo.
The restaurant serves delicious chicken and beef shawarma sandwiches with french fries and pickles on top. You can either eat there or get your food to go–it’s up to you! The prices are reasonable, but if money isn’t an issue for you then why not splurge on something nicer?
There are many different kinds of meat available including lamb, beef, and chicken so everyone is sure to find something that suits their tastes perfectly!
2. Al Agha
Al Agha is a restaurant that serves various kinds of shawarma and other kinds of food. Al Agha has many branches but the most famous one is located on the first floor of the shopping mall in front of the Egyptian Museum.
The food at this place is delicious, particularly their chicken shawarma sandwich or plate. The service can be slow at times but we recommend you to go there anyway because it’s worth it! It also has a seating area where you can enjoy plates and a good service.
3. Abou Ammar El Soury
This shawarma restaurant is located in Heliopolis, a district of Cairo that is known for its wide range of restaurants and food joints. It offers a variety of dishes from the Egyptian cuisine. The restaurant has been operating since 1991 and has gained popularity thanks to its delicious food and friendly service staff who will make sure you have an enjoyable time at their establishment! If you’re looking for something different than your usual shawarma joint this place might be worth checking out!
4. Abou Haidar
This place is the big cheese of shawarma in Cairo, so you’d best believe it has some serious street cred. It’s located in Roxy Heliopolis, and if you’re not a tourist but still want to try some of this delicious food, then this is the place for you!
5. Caizo
This is a shawarma restaurant in Cairo that was opened in 1983. It’s located in El Giza, which is not too far from the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza but it has many other branches. They offer the Egyptian Shawerma which is served in a different bread than the Syrian one in most restaurants. It’s also affordable and it opens in some malls which can be good on the hot days of the summer.
6. Abou Anas
If you’re looking for a shawarma restaurant that serves up some of the best chicken and beef shawarma in Cairo, look no further than this place. Located right by Tahrir Square, Abou Anas has been serving up authentic Egyptian food since 1987, making it one of the oldest restaurants on this list!
The menu here is simple: they have chicken or beef shawarma sandwiches on pita bread with french fries (you can also get both as part of their combo meal) as well as kofta (skewered meatballs), falafel and salads for vegetarians or those who want something lighter than meat-heavy meals like kebabs. You can also order drinks such as juices or soft drinks from their extensive menu so don’t forget about those when deciding what dish(es) to get!
7. Semsema
Semsema is a famous restaurant in Cairo that serves authentic Egyptian food. The restaurant has been around since 1980, so they have managed to retain their loyal customers over the years. The place is always packed with people, which shows how much people love it!
Semsema’s shawarma comes with pita bread and hummus on the side. You can choose between chicken or beef as your main ingredient for your shawarma wrap, we recommend going with chicken because it tastes better than beef here! Also, make sure you order some falafel balls while you’re at it, they’re delicious!
8. Shawarma El Reem
Shawarma El Reem is located in Cairo’s downtown area, near Tahrir Square. The restaurant serves shawarma sandwiches and platters for you to enjoy on-site or take away.
The menu features a variety of shawarma dishes including chicken and beef options as well as vegetarian options such as falafel or hummus sandwiches. There are also several side dishes available such as french fries with cheese sauce and grilled mushrooms with cheese sauce.
9. Shawarma Street
Shawarma Street is located in Zamalek, just a few meters away from the Nile River. The menu includes shawarma sandwiches and other Mediterranean dishes like hummus, falafel, and baklava (a traditional phyllo pastry).
The atmosphere at Shawarma Street is casual yet stylish, perfect for families with children who want something different than fast food chains but still want something affordable that tastes great! If you’d like to enjoy some fun activities while eating your meal then head over here because there are also arcade games available inside this restaurant so don’t forget about them when deciding where should go today 🙂
10. Neama
Neama is a small and cozy place to eat shawarma, located on the corner of 26th July Street and Abdel Moniem Riad Street (opposite Al-Azhar University). The restaurant has an outdoor area where you can eat under the shade of trees or inside their air-conditioned dining room. They serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods at reasonable prices. You can also order your food online using the online food ordering apps.
11. kazaz restaurant
Kazaz Restaurant is located in Mohandiseen and offers an extensive menu of shawarma dishes. The restaurant also offers a variety of other Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus and falafel.
Specialties at Kazaz include chicken shawarma wraps with tahini sauce are very famous and tasty, beef kebab sandwiches with french fries come next, kofta sandwiches and falafel wraps are also available.
12. Ibn Alsham
Ibn Alsham is one of Cairo’s most popular shawarma restaurants. It’s located in a prime location, right next to Heliopolis Square and only a few minutes away from Cairo University. It’s also close enough to downtown that you can easily walk there through Shuhadaa Street or Salah Salem Road.
The food here is delicious, with juicy chicken and beef kebabs served alongside fresh falafel balls and French fries with mayonnaise sauce. There are many different kinds of shawarma on their menu: beef or chicken, cheese can be added as an extra option. The sandwich comes with freshly baked bread topped off with garlic sauce (or hummus) for dipping into afterward! You won’t be disappointed!
13. Abu Ramiz
If you’re looking for a local restaurant that serves a variety of shawarma dishes, Abu Ramiz is the place to go. The restaurant has been serving the people of Cairo for decades and is well-known for its authentic Egyptian cuisine and friendly service.
The menu at Abu Ramiz offers everything from chicken shawarma to beef shawarma, as well as vegetarian options such as falafel and eggplant (or “moussaka”). You can also choose between rice or French fries as your side dish! There are many different kinds of sauces available too–including tahini sauce (made with sesame paste), garlic sauce, and hot sauce–so don’t forget to ask your server which ones they recommend pairing with which meat options on their menu!
14. Belal Restaurant
Located in Cairo’s Giza neighborhood, Belal Restaurant is a great choice for anyone looking to experience authentic Egyptian cuisine. The menu is simple and the prices are reasonable, but their specialty is shawarma–and they do it well! You can get your shawarma with either beef or chicken meat and enjoy some tasty fries on the side. It’s enough food for two people to share or one hungry person who wants leftovers later in the day.
15. Gad restaurant
Gad Restaurant is a chain of restaurants that specializes in Egyptian food. It has three locations in Cairo and one in Giza. The first Gad restaurant opened its doors back in 1965 and since then it’s grown to become one of Egypt’s most famous shawarma chains, with two branches located on Nasr City’s main street, one near Heliopolis Square (close to Heliopolis Mall), and another location near Pyramids Road in Giza.
The restaurant is known for its shawarma and kofta dishes as well as other traditional Egyptian favorites like ful medames (fava beans stewed with garlic), tahini sauce, and stuffed grape leaves (dolma).
