Bellies En-Route

We had a 6-hour tour with Ahmed a few days ago; we loved the experience and all the food stops. Ahmed is a very experienced, patient and knowledgeable tour guide and historian. We loved how he wove the story of ancient Egypt with modern day Cairo and the food that the majority of Egyptians eat every day. Wherever we ate there were only locals around us, the food was fresh and delicious and the experience very authentic. Thank you Ahmed and the Bellies En-Route team. I cannot wait to visit Egypt again, and I am really hoping this time you add food tour for Zamalek, Islamic Cairo as well :)

We did the Food & Shopping tour, run by women, with a very young local guide who was not only patient but also very engaging and passionate about her country. She had a wonderful energy when sharing stories—both the good and the bad—and encouraged us to ask all kinds of questions. It was amazing to meet the new generation of Cairenes. She took us to so many charming places where we could see shopping done by local artisans, rather than big brands. The food everywhere was fantastic, though a bit abundant—by the end of the tour, we were less hungry and ended up eating less, which was a bit of a shame. Perhaps a suggestion would be to ask guests at the start about their hunger level—low, medium, or high—so everyone can choose accordingly and not feel guilty, either about asking for more food if they’re still hungry or leaving some behind. Another option could be to offer smaller portions with the possibility of a second serving. The only note regarding the food: we would have loved to try a local dish called Koshari (with pasta and rice), which we wouldn’t normally buy from the street, both for hygiene reasons and because the portions are usually very large. A small tasting portion would have been perfect. I especially loved visiting a local’s home—it was wonderful. It would have been even nicer if our host shared a bit more about life in Cairo, what she enjoys about it, and her personal perspective on the city’s lights and shadows.

The Bellies En-Route tour was an incredible food & cultural experience. In 4-5 hours spanning 7+ different stops, we ate some of the finest foods & delicacies that Egyptian cuisine has to offer. Our guide was immensely knowledgable and struck a perfect balance between culture & history + information about the food itself. Having been on food tours in countries such as Georgia and Mauritius, I can comfortably say this was the best of them all. If you’re planning a trip to Egypt and truly want to experience Cairo, this food tour is a must in your itinerary.

What can I say about Bellies en Route? We had the most brilliant time. The market tour was really informative and we were tasting foods as we went which brought it to life. It gave us a taste of Egyptian daily life that we would not have got to experience otherwise. Then to the offices for the cooking to begin. The building they’re in is a fantastic renovated French-style and the converted apartment is beautiful with high ceilings, spotlessly clean and the perfect place to have a lesson. There were 6 of us in total which meant we had a totally personalised experience. The women who were assisting were just amazing - the language differences were no barrier to us understanding what they were communicating (even without Doha or Mariam translating). We had step by step instructions on how to cook the food, with little tips along the way to personalise it or add a different dimension. We then sat down to a feast of the food that we cooked and more. Totally delicious and plentiful; when they say “come with an empty stomach” they mean it! What really made the whole tour were our wonderful hosts Doha and Mariam M. They were just so thoughtful and evidently beautiful souls. Honestly, by the time we left, I felt as though we were sitting chatting with old friends. The tour is supposed to take 2.5 hours but we ended up eating, drinking tea and talking for ages. Thank-you Doha and Mariam for really making our Cairo trip special. I can’t recommend Bellies en Route highly enough.

We arrived in Cairo a day before we were to connect with our country tour. At a friend's recommendation we booked a tour with Bellies. It was a GREAT decision. We SO enjoyed wandering the streets of the city with our knowledgeable guide, Sedra. She took us to some great food locations and we enjoyed sampling the different fares. It was a wonderful way to spend an evening and we definitely went back to our hotel full of great food and experiences.

I’ve experienced food tours in several cities around the world and Bellies en Route did not dissapoint! I had an amazing time! We had around 10stops, over approx 4hrs, tasting, discussing and enjoying downtown Cairo, it’s delicious food and learning the culture. Thank you Nada and thank you Bellies en Route, for this lovely experience.

Anytime we visit a country our first goal is food. Finding where the locals eat, what makes it special, where the ingredients are from... When you understand the food you understand the people. BelliesOnRoute helped us paint a picture of Egypt, all of its complexity and what makes it unique. BOR doesn't just offer a food tour, but they offer just as much as a culture tour, feeding you pieces of information which will leave you full long after you're home. If you want to get to know Cairo and it's people, and at the same time eat some of the best falafel you've ever had in your life, then this is the way to do it. Our tour guide Inas was brilliant, and she brought the streets to life, pointing out curiosities along the route, as well as fundamental knowledge about Cairo and what makes it unique. We felt safe and cared for at all times and couldn't ask for more from a guide. If you love food, and you love culture, then you'll love BelliesOnRoute ❤️

Did this the first day of my trip. Excellent introduction to Egyptian foods. Delightful narrative about the food and the small businesses where we stopped. HIGHLY recommend!