The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Cairo Food Week is back with its third edition, beginning on September 25th, and it’s shaping up to be one of the city’s most exciting cultural highlights of the year. Far from being a typical food festival, the event draws chefs, writers, and cultural figures from around the globe to explore the many layers of the Egyptian table, its traditions, its stories, and its future.

What Awaits This Year

The program stretches far beyond tastings. Expect citywide collaborations, special menus at some of your favourite restaurants, and experiences that invite people to see food not only as a meal but as a way of connecting communities. Exhibitions and pop-up activations will appear across Cairo, offering fresh ways to engage with Egyptian cuisine and its place within a broader global conversation.

Spotlight at the Grand Egyptian Museum

On Friday, September 26th, Cairo Food Week joins forces with the Grand Egyptian Museum for CFW Conversations x GEM Talks. This one-day event will bring together chefs, historians, and tastemakers for a series of talks and panel discussions that address pressing questions facing the culinary world.

The lineup includes global storyteller Nadir Nahdi in conversation with Icon Award winner Omar Shihab, celebrated restaurateur and cookbook author Asma Khan, chef Karim Abdelrahman, and archaeobotanist Mennat-Allah El Dorry. Together, they’ll explore the challenges of preserving culinary heritage in an era dominated by fleeting digital trends. This edition of CFW Conversations is presented in collaboration with GEM Experience and powered by ValU, with podcasts produced by The Podcast Productions (TPP).

Dolato’s Mini Pyramids Collection

Among this year’s highlights is the launch of Dolato’s Mini Pyramids Collection, where the brand’s signature gelato pops take the iconic triangular form of Khufu’s pyramid. The collection celebrates Egypt’s culinary heritage with five ancient ingredients that embody the depth of the country’s natural resources and food traditions.

To mark the launch, Cairo Food Week invited London-based Yemeni content creator Nadir Nahdi to develop a special content series spotlighting the historical significance of these ingredients. The collection will debut at both the ‘King’s Feast’ Gala and CFW Conversations x GEM Talks before becoming available at Dolato’s flagship location by the Pyramid of Khufu.

Evenings that Celebrate Community

Cairo Food Week isn’t just about flavours, it’s about the people and places that bring a city to life. In collaboration with M Squared Developments, the festival will host a unique evening led by creative director Qais Malhas and hosted by Hourig Mekhtigian at Tchaï and Tamara Haus. This gathering pays tribute to the community-focused nature of city centres, where food, art, and conversation intertwine to create shared experiences.

Why It Matters

At its heart, Cairo Food Week is a celebration of culture through food. It highlights Egypt’s culinary identity, its depth, diversity, and ability to adapt and inspire. By placing Egyptian cuisine in conversation with international perspectives, the festival highlights both the uniqueness of our traditions and their role in shaping global dining culture.

Don’t Miss It

With its combination of talks, collaborations, exhibitions, and unforgettable meals, Cairo Food Week promises something truly special for the city. Whether you want to learn, taste, or simply enjoy the energy that comes when people gather around food, this is one event that deserves a spot on your calendar.