Egyptian breakfast morning

Before temples, eat — ful medames, taameya, fresh bread, and tea sweet enough to polite-smile at. Breakfast is Egypt's first museum of daily life.

Street carts and neighborhood cafés serve faster than hotel buffets and taste more honest. Watch bread pulled from ovens; note how locals balance standing eat with conversation.

What to try

• Ful with oil, cumin, and optional egg
• Taameya (Egyptian falafel) in baladi bread
• Mish or cheese with tomatoes
• Shai — black tea, often strong and sweet