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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Somaya (Food Tour - City)

Cairo, Egypt

USD
$65-$115 per person

Cairo Walking Food Tour with a Nile Felucca Ride

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Somaya (Food Tour - City)

Somaya is a graduate of Cairo University who spent several years working for a travel company, where she discovered her passion for meeting people from around the world and sharing Egypt's rich culture and history. Today, she welcomes travelers for authentic in-home meals, hands-on cooking classes, and immersive food tours in Cairo, giving travelers a deeper appreciation of Egyptian cuisine and culinary traditions. On your food tour, you can expect a guided walk through downtown Cairo, fascinating insights into local culture, tastings of iconic dishes, and memorable conversations that offer a genuine glimpse into everyday life in the city.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food Tour: (1-25 guests) Experience the flavors, history, and culture of Egypt on this immersive 3-hour Cairo food tour with your local host, Somaya. Enjoy authentic Egyptian street food, a guided walking tour of downtown Cairo, and a traditional felucca ride on the Nile River.

Your tour begins at the iconic Abu Tarek restaurant, widely regarded as the best place in Cairo to try koshary, Egypt's beloved national dish. As you enjoy this hearty local favorite, Somaya shares stories about its origins and significance in Egyptian cuisine. After your meal, stroll through the historic streets of downtown Cairo, where Somaya brings the city's fascinating past to life. Discover the history behind its architecture while gaining insights into Cairo's culture and everyday life. Along the way, stop for a refreshing serving of locally made fruit ice cream, with seasonal favorites like mango and strawberry. Next, take a short taxi ride (approximately 10 minutes) to the Nile River, where you'll board a traditional felucca for a relaxing 30-60 minute sail. As you drift along the Nile, Somaya points out notable landmarks and shares fascinating stories and insights while you sample a selection of traditional Egyptian desserts, including kahk (powdered sugar cookies), oras bel agwa (date-filled pastries), and local biscuits.

If you're searching for unique things to do in Cairo, Somaya's food tour offers the perfect blend of delicious local food, fascinating history, cultural storytelling, and scenic views of the Nile. It's an ideal experience for food lovers, first-time visitors, and anyone looking to explore Cairo through the eyes of a local.

Notes:
1. You will take a taxi from the city center to the dock, for your boat ride. If there are more than six participants, Somaya will arrange a Toyota Hiace for this transfer.
2. The experience ends after the boat tour, and you need to make your way back to the hotel on your own.

Languages spoken: English, Arabic and Turkish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Koshary
  • Local ice cream
  • Sampling of Egyptian desserts
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Somaya’s family home and loved meeting the family! We loved spending time with them - they were so hospitable and welcoming. They all speak good English (except for her mother who speaks basic English but with the support of her kids communicates very easily). The food was great and we enjoyed the cooking experience - they provide such an amazing cultural experience. One thing to note is that there is no AC in the living room and kitchen so dress in light clothing during the hot months.

Aziz and Mahmoud, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (56)
What an amazing experience. We went to their home and shared stories, philosophies, and laughs. That was the appetizer. Preparing dinner was fun and delicious. But that wasn’t the main course. The desert was heart-felt sharing of cultures and religions. Myself, wife, and friends will share stories of this experience for the rest of our lives. A piece of our hearts will remain in Cairo with these beautiful women.
- martin June 23, 2026
We spent the most amazing evening with these beautiful sisters. We laughed hard and learned so much about the Egyptian culture and the food was amazing. It is a night I will never forget. Thank you so much Somalia, Somalia, and Maram. We hope our paths cross again. Insha Allah
- lori June 22, 2026
I enjoyed an evening exchanging stories, learning how to use delicious local ingredients and a delicious meal with Somaya and her sisters. They generously shared their home, talents and enthusiasm for egyptian culture! I often participate in a cooking class when traveling—it is a great way to visit with local people and fellow travelers. Somaya’s class and dinner was tops!
- mary May 12, 2026
Our family of four had been genuinely exited about cooking with Somaya and experiencing cuisine firsthand, and from the very first moment, we felt completely at home. Somaya welcomed us with open arms, together with her two wonderful sisters, Sohalia and Maram. Their warmth, smiles and kindness immediately made us feel like part of the family. Before we even started cooking, we all sat together and enjoined the most delicious home made cold red rose drink - just what we needed to relax and recharged after our overnight flight. As we talked, the sisters shared stories about their family and live, past, present and future. It felt so natural and heartfelt, like sitting around the table with old friends rather than people we had just met. Then came the moment we were all waiting for and we headed to the kitchen and started cooking! I asked Somaya in advance if she could show us the Egyptian version of shakshuka, and we were amazed. It turned out to be completely different from Mediterranean versions we knew, and delicious. Only later did we learn that the sisters actually von a Travel Spoon competition for their Egyptian shakshuka - which came as no surprise after testing it. The entire experience was filled with laugher, stories, learning, and amazing food, The two hours passes far too quickly, and suddenly it was time to say goodbye, even though none of us really wanted to. We truly hope to stay in touch with these three incredible women. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough to anyone who wants not only to cook wonderful food, but also connect with beautiful people and learn Egyptian culture in the most genuine and joyful way. An unforgettable memory for our family! Thank you Somaya, Sohaila and Maram! Best of luck!
- barry April 19, 2026
We were welcomed to Somaya, Sohaila and their mother's apartment in central Cairo with a hibiscus drink and had a lovely chat and laugh with them before being shown round their apartment and having a delicious Koshary meal and mint tea. We didn't have time to visit the market with them, or help with the cooking, but have got the recipe and lots of happy memories. They are all very happy ladies and it was an honour to be with them for those
- jane February 27, 2026
Read More

Somaya (Food Tour - City)

$65-$115 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $115 $75 $65
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $115 $75 $65
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
 9:30am-12:30pm 2:00pm-5:00pm

Meet Somaya (Food Tour - City)

Somaya is a graduate of Cairo University who spent several years working for a travel company, where she discovered her passion for meeting people from around the world and sharing Egypt's rich culture and history. Today, she welcomes travelers for authentic in-home meals, hands-on cooking classes, and immersive food tours in Cairo, giving travelers a deeper appreciation of Egyptian cuisine and culinary traditions. On your food tour, you can expect a guided walk through downtown Cairo, fascinating insights into local culture, tastings of iconic dishes, and memorable conversations that offer a genuine glimpse into everyday life in the city.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Food Tour: (1-25 guests) Experience the flavors, history, and culture of Egypt on this immersive 3-hour Cairo food tour with your local host, Somaya. Enjoy authentic Egyptian street food, a guided walking tour of downtown Cairo, and a traditional felucca ride on the Nile River.

Your tour begins at the iconic Abu Tarek restaurant, widely regarded as the best place in Cairo to try koshary, Egypt's beloved national dish. As you enjoy this hearty local favorite, Somaya shares stories about its origins and significance in Egyptian cuisine. After your meal, stroll through the historic streets of downtown Cairo, where Somaya brings the city's fascinating past to life. Discover the history behind its architecture while gaining insights into Cairo's culture and everyday life. Along the way, stop for a refreshing serving of locally made fruit ice cream, with seasonal favorites like mango and strawberry. Next, take a short taxi ride (approximately 10 minutes) to the Nile River, where you'll board a traditional felucca for a relaxing 30-60 minute sail. As you drift along the Nile, Somaya points out notable landmarks and shares fascinating stories and insights while you sample a selection of traditional Egyptian desserts, including kahk (powdered sugar cookies), oras bel agwa (date-filled pastries), and local biscuits.

If you're searching for unique things to do in Cairo, Somaya's food tour offers the perfect blend of delicious local food, fascinating history, cultural storytelling, and scenic views of the Nile. It's an ideal experience for food lovers, first-time visitors, and anyone looking to explore Cairo through the eyes of a local.

Notes:
1. You will take a taxi from the city center to the dock, for your boat ride. If there are more than six participants, Somaya will arrange a Toyota Hiace for this transfer.
2. The experience ends after the boat tour, and you need to make your way back to the hotel on your own.

Languages spoken: English, Arabic and Turkish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Koshary
  • Local ice cream
  • Sampling of Egyptian desserts
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Somaya’s family home and loved meeting the family! We loved spending time with them - they were so hospitable and welcoming. They all speak good English (except for her mother who speaks basic English but with the support of her kids communicates very easily). The food was great and we enjoyed the cooking experience - they provide such an amazing cultural experience. One thing to note is that there is no AC in the living room and kitchen so dress in light clothing during the hot months.

Aziz and Mahmoud, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (56)
What an amazing experience. We went to their home and shared stories, philosophies, and laughs. That was the appetizer. Preparing dinner was fun and delicious. But that wasn’t the main course. The desert was heart-felt sharing of cultures and religions. Myself, wife, and friends will share stories of this experience for the rest of our lives. A piece of our hearts will remain in Cairo with these beautiful women.
- martin June 23, 2026
We spent the most amazing evening with these beautiful sisters. We laughed hard and learned so much about the Egyptian culture and the food was amazing. It is a night I will never forget. Thank you so much Somalia, Somalia, and Maram. We hope our paths cross again. Insha Allah
- lori June 22, 2026
I enjoyed an evening exchanging stories, learning how to use delicious local ingredients and a delicious meal with Somaya and her sisters. They generously shared their home, talents and enthusiasm for egyptian culture! I often participate in a cooking class when traveling—it is a great way to visit with local people and fellow travelers. Somaya’s class and dinner was tops!
- mary May 12, 2026
Our family of four had been genuinely exited about cooking with Somaya and experiencing cuisine firsthand, and from the very first moment, we felt completely at home. Somaya welcomed us with open arms, together with her two wonderful sisters, Sohalia and Maram. Their warmth, smiles and kindness immediately made us feel like part of the family. Before we even started cooking, we all sat together and enjoined the most delicious home made cold red rose drink - just what we needed to relax and recharged after our overnight flight. As we talked, the sisters shared stories about their family and live, past, present and future. It felt so natural and heartfelt, like sitting around the table with old friends rather than people we had just met. Then came the moment we were all waiting for and we headed to the kitchen and started cooking! I asked Somaya in advance if she could show us the Egyptian version of shakshuka, and we were amazed. It turned out to be completely different from Mediterranean versions we knew, and delicious. Only later did we learn that the sisters actually von a Travel Spoon competition for their Egyptian shakshuka - which came as no surprise after testing it. The entire experience was filled with laugher, stories, learning, and amazing food, The two hours passes far too quickly, and suddenly it was time to say goodbye, even though none of us really wanted to. We truly hope to stay in touch with these three incredible women. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough to anyone who wants not only to cook wonderful food, but also connect with beautiful people and learn Egyptian culture in the most genuine and joyful way. An unforgettable memory for our family! Thank you Somaya, Sohaila and Maram! Best of luck!
- barry April 19, 2026
We were welcomed to Somaya, Sohaila and their mother's apartment in central Cairo with a hibiscus drink and had a lovely chat and laugh with them before being shown round their apartment and having a delicious Koshary meal and mint tea. We didn't have time to visit the market with them, or help with the cooking, but have got the recipe and lots of happy memories. They are all very happy ladies and it was an honour to be with them for those
- jane February 27, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $115 $75 $65
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Food Tour
 $115 $75 $65
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Food Tour
 9:30am-12:30pm 2:00pm-5:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 24 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 24 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 24 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.