Sobhy Kaber has a long and lauded history in Cairo. The restaurant opened its doors in 1996 after Kaber gained prominence on the streets of Cairo selling grilled liver sandwiches. Kaber himself never learned to read or write, but the man sure knows how to cook. Today, his massive multistorey restaurant seats thousands of diners a day with long wait times that are worth it. The OG Egyptian street food restaurant offers easy, affordable eats (on paper plates) in a very casual setting that’s crowded with locals.

In Riyadh, you get the same delicious Egyptian street food, but things are a little more elevated. There’s silverware, for one.

The space draws inspiration from its Cairo origins in a tasteful way, with contemporary elements of Egyptian interior architecture like a large wood-carved accent wall, touches of embroidery and traditional furniture.

Sobhy Kaber’s menu is a testament to the diversity of Egyptian cuisine, offering an array of traditional dishes that showcase the country’s rich cultural tapestry. From stuffed cabbage leaves to juicy kebabs and fragrant tagines, each as authentic as it gets.

Order the famous bright green molokheya, best enjoyed with roasted chicken and white rice. First-time diners might not immediately understand what they’re eating. Essentially it’s soupy, garlicky minced jute leaves (tastes way better than it sounds). If you’re lucky and the restaurant isn’t too busy, the chef will come out and finish preparing your molokeya tableside with a very dramatic and sizzling pour.

Meat-lovers will live for the hawashi, a thick Egyptian pita bread stuffed with minced meat, onions, parsley and pepper, baked in the oven until crispy on the outside and soft and tender in the centre.

Servers are friendly and knowledgeable about the cuisine (being Egyptian helps) and will make recommendations to first-time diners.

If you’ve not been to Cairo, Sobhy Kaber offers a great introduction to Egyptian culture through its food food, without the overwhelmingly large crowd and long wait times.