I love food as much as the next person. I eat when I’m happy, sad, and basically whenever. But what makes this a problem is that I’m really, really indecisive. I don’t know what to eat most of the time and I spend hours and hours on Otlob, then end up ordering a big tasty from McDonald’s and cry. But guess what, most people are! To cure this indecisive disease, I’ve decided to hunt my favorite food bloggers down and ask them what their favorite Cairo restaurants are.
Ramy Soli
Al Khal – Nasr City
When it comes to oriental food, I’ll definitely recommend Al Khal at Intercontinental Citystars. Super friendly (not creepy friendly) staff, and the simplicity of the wooden pergola design that will bring the summer vibes to Cairo with eye-catchy curtains boasting exquisite prints gives the place a unique ambiance. Their Saturday brunch is a set menu but it’s more of a family-themed brunch, so expect loads of dishes on the table, from hawawshi (my personal favorite item), liver, sausage, and macaroni béchamel to mixed grill and more. Oh, did I mention that they have a molokheya station? Yes, you don’t want to miss your “shah2a”. Moms of Egypt should be worried because it’s a fierce competition!
Culina – Downtown Cairo
I’m not a big fan of open buffets, but Culina’s Friday Brunch at The Nile Ritz-Carlton was super impressive with its helpful staff, relaxing ambiance, and the fantastic variety of food. When I say variety I mean sushi, Indian, pasta, pizza, fresh seafood, huge variety of breads, salads, shawerma, paella, grilled section, all kinds of foie gras, and don’t get me started with the desserts paradise (their chocolate is a must-try). Everything you can think of was there and it was just perfectly executed.
Omar Shabrawy
Crave – Fifth Settlement, Sheikh Zayed, Maadi, Heliopolis, Zamalek
Every now and then we get a new trend when it comes to dining in Cairo. Whether it a new ‘in’ place or new dish making the rounds around town (like sushi back in 2006). I honestly find consistency is key when it comes to eating out. Crave is definitely one of those places that never get old, home of the shrimp konafa, and many other delightful starters. Don’t get me started on those hot and cold gooey desserts that make you leave with a guaranteed happy tummy. If I had to choose a favorite item off their menu, I’d definitely go with the salmon teriyaki dish, perfectly seasoned tender salmon with a side of glass noodles (another personal favorite), and best of all, it’s all dipped in sweet teriyaki sauce.
The Hungry Giraffe Eats
Sachi – Heliopolis
Kazoku – New Cairo
Sachi and Kazoku remain two of my ultimate favorite fine dining restaurants in Egypt. Their quality, and most importantly, consistency are the reasons I always recommend them to friends and family. The experience is highly elevated by the ambiance and decor, it’s simply unmatched by anything else here.
Cairo Munch
Garbi – Dokki
Garbi is our first greek experience, to our good fortune it really stood out with its beautifully presented dishes, delicious food, and good service.
Taste & Tell
Casper & Gambini’s – Maadi, 6th of October, Downtown Cairo, Nasr City, Fifth Settlement
When im hungry, I can’t risk it with any restaurant because I hate being disappointed. My first pick though goes to Casper & Gambini’s. I love everything on their menu, especially the salads, and of course the main dishes and burgers.
Tavolini – Zamalek
My second pick will be Tavolino! It’s a new Italian restobar, with great quality food and portions. The coziness of the place also deserves a thumbs up.
Sachi – Heliopolis
Their chateaubriand is amazing. Think silky butter and the flavorful herbs. Yum!
Mido Eats
The Lemon Tree & Co – Zamalek, Sahel
If I was to list all of the amazing places I have eaten at in Cairo, then I would unfortunately only be mentioning a total of three or four restaurants. But The Lemon Tree & Co. is exceptional in every way. The managing partners certified chefs, explaining why the food is quite perfect. The place has a strong sense of identity from the wood that is used to build the lounges’ furniture to the branded napkins on your plate. I recently visited the North Coast branch in Telal and I highly recommend the tea-smoked salmon.
Kazoku – New Cairo
Just when I thought that I will never live to see Japanese fusion cuisine done right in Cairo, Kazoku opened and saved us all! This place takes fine dining to the next level. Most items on the menu are very new to the Egyptian gastro-scene and are prepared at very high quality standards with garnishes that will make your eyes pop and your heart move. If you ever plan on going to Kazoku for dinner, make sure you try more than just their sushi and be sure to have an empty stomach and a full wallet.
Bite & Brag
Carlos – Zamalek
Located in the Le Pacha 1901 boat that’s docked on the Nile, people can choose to order from Carlos’ menu or can take their tastebuds on a journey with sushi from L’asiatique or spicy delicacies from Mahraja like its infamous butter chicken and garlic naan. One thing’s guaranteed: no matter which menu someone chooses to go with, they’ll end up going back for more! Carlo’s offers a wide range of fantastic dishes, but the one that takes the cake is its bestselling pigeon baked risotto. It is served in a tagine; the risotto is creamy, the pigeon is tender, and the flavors are unparalleled – much like the service and the view.
Mirai – Zamalek
In the sea of Asian restaurants in Cairo, Mirai takes the prize for the most underrated. Also located on the Nile, it sits between Left Bank and Sequoia. While its sushi is just as good as any other, the teppanyaki Mirai offers is in a league of its own. The teppanyaki set menu offers miso soup served with tofu, a chicken salad with an exquisite peanut dressing, a main dish of either meat or chicken, and rice and/or noodles. Being a devoted carnivore, I am ruthless when it comes to meat – which I prefer to eat as rare as possible. Surprisingly, Mirai’s meat teppanyaki has never disappointed! They offer meat that literally melts in the mouth, and the spices the meat is thoroughly marinated in makes one true assurance: there will be no leftovers!
The Smokery – New Cairo
While the Smokery doesn’t offer drool worthy food by the Nile, it does offer Kattameya Height’s golf course as a serene view. There is not one meal or dish that The Smokery offers that falls short of a 10/10! Their (relatively) newly introduced breakfast menu is by far the best that Egypt has to offer. Poached eggs that give a show of yolk porn, creamed spinach that give Popeye a run for his muscles, and French toast that would make the most devoted Parisienne jealous! With the freshest salmon and best cuts of steak in town, their chef truly knows his way with a piece of fish, and knows how to cook a big piece of steak! And speaking of those jealous Parisiennes, those who miss out on Smokery’s creme brûlée have never really been to The Smokery.
The Food Review
Backfire Hangouts – New Cairo
My go-to place for American style burgers is definitely Backfire Hangouts which in no time became my favourite spot. The decent variety of burgers along with their remarkably good pizza is definitely a bonus when you have a large group splitting over the ‘burger or pizza’ lunch. My favourite burger there is the mechanic burger topped with bacon, fried onion rings and cheese…loads of cheese. Tip: ask for extra cheese to get a burger similar to the one in the picture along with crispy wedges.
The Batter Half & Co – Zamalek, Fifth Settlement
The dessert heaven in town has got to be The Batter Half, maintaining the high quality and the originality makes it my favourite place. I recommend there their red velvet which is balanced to perfection. Before leaving the place make sure to take one of their chocolate heaven cups. This cup is the reason why I now find people getting married to food a little bit sane.
Karim Petsadsis
Kazlak – Maadi
Kazlak in my opinion needs a more exposure as it deserves to be on top of the list when it comes to dining options in Cairo. Definitely one of the hidden gems in Maadi with a very unique menu and presentation techniques that will just blow your mind away ! A wide variety of items to choose from to serve every taste out there. My favorite items to order there are definitely the coffee butter sirloin steak, smoked wings and the onion soup.
Ravish – Heliopolis
Ravish is the black horse when it comes to burgers, I love how simple their menu is and how well they execute their recipes. All they need to work on is the consistency of their burgers and I’m pretty sure they can easily be the best burger place in Egypt. I always order the smoky bacon burger when I go there, unlike what most might think, I actually love their tempura battered onion rings.
h
Hungry Egyptian
Kazoku – New Cairo
Sachi (by the Sea) – Heliopolis, Sahel
We find it impossible to choose between Sachi or Kazoku or even Ayman Baky’s newest baby Sachi by the Sea. We love all three! They’re certainly all very different from each other but they also have a lot in common – like an impeccable service, great food quality, super creative drinks and amazing interiors. We really do believe Baky and his fabulous team are changing the fine dinning scene in Egypt. If you pass by Kazoku, make sure to try their sliders and their soft shell crab roll. If you’re in Heliopolis and have the chance to have dinner at Sachi, order the tuna tartare and salmon sashimi. And since it’s Sahel season and Sachi by the Sea is killing it, you should try the grilled octopus and lobster pasta.
Hady ElHady
The Grill – Downtown Cairo
You haven’t had a proper dinner until you try The Grill’s 6-course dinner with their out of this world dishes that could only be described as heavenly. From oven-baked beef wellington with duck liver mousse to their French duck breast and roasted rabbit loin glazed with pearl onion and pumpkin puree, it’ll take you on a culinary experience that you don’t want to come back from. They also like to experiment with their dishes like their forest mushroom tea and lobster cappuccino soups that might sound weird and unfamiliar but will definitely take you places. Also it’s notable to mention that the restaurant view is absolutely unbelievable which is perfect for a date or any special occasion.
Foodista Egypt
Lan Yuan – Maadi
This place is literally a hole in the wall, it’s very low-key but this hidden gem serves some of the best Asian dishes we have ever had. Their crispy balls and spring rolls are just perfect and their Mongolian beef is just super tender and full of flavor. The stir fried beef noodles are probably one of the most authentic noodles in Cairo.
La Tratorria – Zamalek
This classy restaurant is your definition of a refined dining experience with a laid-back feel to it. They’ve got some pretty impressive Italian dishes. The polenta frita is a brilliant creation by the chef, basically crispy polenta fries served with house-made honey mustard sauce. The vitello tonnato is out of this world. The filleto di manzo gorgonzola is just brilliant, with its succulent beef fillets topped with melting gorgonzola, and we order ours with a side of their super creamy risotto.
WE SAID THIS: Let us know what your favorite restaurant in the comments section.
Found in a box of bananas from the Philippines on the River Nile at an early age, Kurt is born to a Filipino mother and an Egyptian father which means emotionally he is completely screwed. Kurt is a bubbling cauldron of masculinity aside from his girly hair, camp voice and passion for One Direction.