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Cairo Travel Guide

Cairo, Egypt — Restaurants

Arabesque

This popular tourist haunt may be a bit pricey, yet the Oriental décor is stunning. A bubbling fountain, contemporary art exhibits and tapestries adorning the walls create a wonderful dining environment. The Egyptian-Middle Eastern food focuses mainly on grilled meats so stick to local dishes like bamia(stewed okra). Arabesque is popular for business lunches. Alcohol is served. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations essential.

Food Type
Local
Price
3
Style
Business
Address
6 Qasr el-Nil Street, Cairo
City
Cairo

Abu el-Sid

This unusual restaurant is a mix of heavy ottoman ornaments in a richly decorated haunt. The food too is a mix and the more unusual sounding dishes are most likely to be the best. Traditional home cooking like molokhiyya stew are favorites although the restaurant blends dishes from several backgrounds with a Lebanese flair. Rersvations are advisable.

Food Type
Mediterranean
Address
157 26th of July Street
City
Cairo
Website
www.abouelsid.com

Sequoia

This tent restaurant has become a popular relaxation spot with trendy locals and expats and for good reason. On the high banks of the Nile the restaurant has a commanding spot atop the city. Perfect to relax with flavored tobaccos and traditional Egyptian and Lebanese mezze food although there are other options for light western dining. More of a lounge during the day, the place becomes a club when the sun sets.

Food Type
Mediterranean
Price
3
Address
3 Abou Feda Street
City
Cairo

Cortigiano

Delicious food and an inviting, cosy atmosphere have made this restaurant one of Cairo's favorite eateries. Soft lighting and tasteful décor create the perfect atmosphere to dine on such dishes as creamy onion soup, veal cordon bleu stuffed with mushrooms and topped with cheese and tomatoes or thick crust pizzas loaded with toppings of your choice. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations essential.

Food Type
Italian
Price
4
Style
Romance
Address
44 Michel Bakhoum Street
City
Cairo

Al-Fanous

Colorful mosaic and carvings adorn the almost every inch of this Moroccan restaurant where Middle-Eastern pigeon meat, colloquially known as the squab,makes a name for itself in the pie pastilla, a semi-sweet Egyptian dish laced with spices and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. The chicken tagine, a stew made with dates served in a colonial ceramic dish comes highly recommended. Alcohol is not served. Reservations advisable.

Food Type
Moroccan
Price
4
Style
Romance
Address
Riyadh Tower, 5 Shara Wissa Wassef
City
Cairo

Bua Khao

With authentic ingredients flown in from Bangkok and a highly skilled Thai woman at the helm, it's no wonder the food at Bua Khao keeps guests coming back for more. Renowned for serving the best Thai food in Egypt, the massamanand penangcurries are to-die-for and the tom kar gai(chicken and coconut milk soup) is a great way to start things off. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations advisable.

Food Type
Thai
Price
2
Style
Trendy
Address
9 Road 151, Ma'adi
City
Cairo

The Revolving Restaurant Grand Hyatt

Towering above the city 41 floors high, diners can enjoy truly panoramic views of the city below as the scenery circles by. Besides taking in the Nile, the city and the pyramids an open kitchen in the center of the restaurant puts on a show serving up an eclectic range of multi-national menu choices. A slightly formal setting is perfect for romantic evenings and a reprieve from the congestion 41 floors below. Reservations are advised.

Food Type
International
Price
4
Address
Corniche El Nile
City
Cairo

The Fish Market

Gone are the days of traveling to Alexandria for good fresh fish. Nowadays, those looking for decent sea fare can book a table at the Fish Market, situated on the upper deck of a boat permanently moored on the west bank of the Nile. With no menu and just a display of some of the freshest fish Cairo has to offer, diners pay by weight and choose their own fish, shrimp, calamari, crabs and shellfish which is beautifully prepared by the kitchen as you like. Couple that with a slew of Middle Eastern salads and deliciously home baked bread and you have a recipe for success! Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations advisable.

Food Type
Seafood
Price
4
Style
Trendy
Address
26 Shara al-Nil, Giza (on the American Boat)
City
Cairo

Kandahar

Overlooking Maydan Sphinx and complete with exquisite woodwork detailing, the lavish dining area in Kandahar features authentic Indian furnishings. The food tastes as good as the restaurant looks - amazing! The Baingan Bharta(creamy smoked eggplant baked in a clay oven and perfect for dipping fluffy Naan bread in) is an absolute must and Murgh Tikka(spiced chicken kebabs marinated in yogurt) is a firm favorite. Service is excellent. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations advisable.

Food Type
Indian
Price
3
Style
Business
Address
3 Shara Gameat al-Dowal al-Arabiya, Mohandiseen
City
Cairo

Rotisserie Belvedere

Marble lines the floors, alabaster lamps adorn the walls and a piano tinkles in the background inviting diners to twirl across the marble dance floor. Couple that with an amazing panoramic view over the city and an inspired menu and you've got a winner. The mushroom and potato pyramids topped with tomato-mango chutney are delicious, but the classic meat and seafood grills take the cake. Desserts are mind blowing and it is advisable to leave a little room for something sweet. Reservations essential.

Food Type
International
Price
4
Style
Romance
Address
Nile Hilton, Maydan Tahrir
City
Cairo