Feteer meshaltet is a flaky, layered pastry made by stretching and folding dough with ghee until it bakes into delicate, crisp layers. It can be sweet — with honey, cream or molasses — or savoury, filled with cheese, vegetables or meat. It is traditionally shared, and it is difficult to stop at one piece.

Where to try it

For an atmospheric outing, look for a traditional fatatri around Khan el-Khalili and Islamic Cairo, where pastry shops and ovens sit among the market lanes. Choose a busy bakery making the feteer to order, and ask what has just come out of the oven.

Find feteer bakeries around Khan el-Khalili

For a first taste, share a plain or cheese feteer, then finish with a sweet version drizzled with honey.