Egypt is a majority-Muslim country: food is broadly halal, the adhan rises from hundreds of minarets and Cairo holds some of the oldest mosques in the world.
Mosques are everywhere, and malls, the airport and larger museums have prayer rooms. Many cafés will point you to the nearest masjid.
Friday timings
Jumu’ah is around midday. Big mosques close to tourists during prayer, and some shops in the old city open after the prayer.
Visiting a mosque
Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. Scarves or robes are usually lent at the door. Shoes off, and a small tip for the shoe keeper is customary.
Ramadan is not this month
November 2026 has normal daytime hours for restaurants and cafés.
Good to know
Halal by default
Local meat is halal. A few international restaurants and supermarkets sell pork for a Christian minority and visitors; it is clearly labelled.
Alcohol
Served in hotels, some restaurants and licensed bars. Most local Egyptian restaurants and cafés are alcohol-free.
Hotel restaurants
Licensed venues may cook with wine; ask if this matters to you.