“Eat your iron” - a simple phrase that becomes every parent’s motto as soon as their kids turn six and lasts up to a lifetime (depending on how devoted to their iron the child in question is). It’s not bad advice - we do need our iron - what made the phrase so scarring is its delivery. More accurately, its delivery in bowls upon bowls of spinach, or worse, taro, whenever our parents suspected a weakness in us. It isn’t until you’re on the brink of adulthood that you learn, one way or another, that you can get your iron in much more delicious ways.

Ways that involve no traumatic greens (except for the occasional hot pepper). Ways that come fried, grilled, and seasoned to perfection. In fact, ways that mostly come wedged in a heavenly loaf of traditional fino bread, shyly waiting to rejuvenate you both spiritually and physically: kebda sandwiches.

Whether you’ve got a mandatory check-up coming up and a point to prove, or you’re a health guru with a knack for the delicious, or you’re simply a true-to-form who can’t go too long without a good kebda sandwich, this guide is for you. Read along to find out about the best 13 spots to get your kebda sandwiches across Cairo, Alexandria, and El Gouna.

Kebdet El Fallah

Attarin, Alexandria

In recent years, Kebdet El Fallah has become a better-known representative of Alexandria than the Great Lighthouse - a feat that can be attributed to the comforting effect of the sight of the spot’s piling kebda sandwich trays. El Fallah is a landmark of the kebda sandwich in Egypt, and a pioneer in the world of ‘eskandarani’ kebda.

Samy

Bahary, Alexandria

Now, just because El Fallah is notoriously good doesn’t mean that’s where ‘eskandarani’ kebda ends; Samy is a destination for families and friends who are on the lookout for a nice kebda spot that doesn’t have them seated on rickety chairs in an alley.

Farag Abu Khaled

Bahary, Alexandria

A spinoff from Abu Khaled’s butcher shop, Farag Abu Khaled’s speciality lies in the quality of their meats: liver from Farag is nearly guaranteed to be delicious and nutritious. Plus, their classic outdoor seating area about 7 steps from the sea is not to miss.

Saleh Fattouh

Branches all over Alexandria

Perhaps an unfamiliar name to the non-Alexandria-savvy, Saleh Fattouh is a restaurant chain that rose to fame in the suburban confines of a neighbourhood sports club in Alexandria. Before long, though, it had spread across the whole city, popularising its delicious, made-in-front-of-you, clean sandwiches all around.

El Refaay

Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo

A culinary landmark of old Cairo, El Refaay is your go-to for Egyptian dinner in the Sayeda Zeinab, and their liver is impeccable. After all, a long day of historical sightseeing could only be made complete by the sight of traditional Egyptian cuisine at its best.

Sobhy Kaber

Shoubra, Cairo

Boasting years of experience and unwavering support from the Cairene carnivore community, Sobhy Kaber is an easy go-to when in need of kufta and molokheya alongside your shish taouk.

El Berens

Imbaba, Cairo

Your experience of Cairo is simply incomplete if you’ve never visited kebda landmark El Berens. With its slightly kitschy, try-hard interior, its in-the-street outdoor seating on chairs that look like they just finished their shift in a ‘mouled’, and its service workers that feel more like family - El Berens is Egyptian dining at its finest.

Baladi

Dusit Thani, New Cairo

Countless suitors have fallen victim to the challenge of wining and dining a truly Egyptian girl. I mean, there comes a point where the Italian and Asian just won’t cut it, and she’ll end up craving something a little bit closer to home (think Donia Samir Ghanem craving kebda in X Large). There’s no need to forego luxury at that point, just head to Dusit Thani’s Baladi.

Baladi Awi

Sodic West Hub, Sheikh Zayed

Exhausted after a long day of shopping at Sodic? Baladi Awi’s kebda sandwiches with a modern twist exist to wash away the try-on wounds you’ve accumulated all day. Simple, quick, and easy kebda on the go.

Kufta

Nasr City, Cairo

Now, it’s of course understandable that some people will worry about their health while dining out in the spots mentioned above. How reliable is their meat? How fresh is their bread? We can’t say these are questions we’re prone to asking, but we do understand why you might. Kufta, a sandwich spot in bustling Nasr City, bakes its bread from scratch and uses high-quality liver for a unique and worry-free kebda experience.

Kamba

Branches all over Cairo & El Mansoura

Kamba’s kebda is simple, classic, and easy to get. The pop-up restaurant offers you the same taste of the Old Cairo kebda, without having to go through the hassle of the trip to Imbaba or Sayeda Zeinab. You might want to go to El Mansoura though.

Kan Zaman

Downtown, El Gouna

If you thought fried chicken was great, you’ve clearly never experienced a feast of kebda sandwiches after a good party. Kan Zaman is El Gouna’s best spot for Egyptian cuisine, including fire kebda.