Where to shop in Egypt — supermarkets vs local markets?

Among chain stores, Carrefour got the best feedback: good prices, solid selection, and card payment was accepted. If you want a supermarket rather than a local market, this was the most successful option mentioned.

Payment rules vary by supermarket: at the grocery store in Senzo, only Egyptian pounds were accepted, so shoppers with US dollars could not buy anything. Mango Market reportedly accepts both dollars and pounds, while Gomla takes only local currency, but neither store was rated highly.

Bestway supermarket is a convenient stop for groceries and supplies — works well as a return-trip errand, for example after renting a car, with bags delivered straight to the hotel.

Large hypermarket-style malls are generally disappointing — overpriced and with a poor selection, similar to a generic big-box store. A round-trip taxi ride of about 12 km with waiting time cost around 800 EGP.

The local market in the city center, catering to Egyptians rather than tourists, is the best place to shop. Prices are much lower than in malls, but bargaining is essential.