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.
Address: 6 Qasr el-Nil Street, Cairo
Telephone: (0)2 574 8677
Like a fine red wine, Justine has improved with age. Leather
armchairs and luxurious décor set the scene while executive
chef, Vincent Guillou from Brittany, loves to show off his talents
by preparing something seasonal. The à la carte menu is
inspiring and guests will feel in the lap of luxury as the wait
staff float around attending faultlessly to every whim. Open daily
for lunch and dinner. Reservations essential.
Address: 4 Shara Hassan Sabri, Zamalek
Telephone: (0)2 341 2961
The Fat Black Pussycat |
$$$$$ | International |
Complete with bar and restaurant sections, the Fat Black
Pussycat is a great choice for dining in Cairo. The half-Croatian
owner serves some of the most highly recommended pizzas and on
occasion, guests can get their toes tapping (or even shake a leg)
to live music while dining on some other tasty fare off the
constantly changing 100-item menu of small dishes from around the
world. The theme nights exploring cuisines of different countries
are also not to be missed! Alcohol served. Reservations
advisable.
Address: 32 Shara Jeddah, Mohandiseen
Telephone: (0)2 361 6888
Cortigiano |
$$$$$ | Italian |
Delicious food and an inviting, cosy atmosphere have made this
restaurant one of Cairo's favourite eateries. Soft lighting and
tasteful décor create the perfect atmosphere to dine on such
dishes as creamy onion soup, veal cordon bleu stuffed with
mushrooms and topped with cheese and tomatoes or thick crust pizzas
loaded with toppings of your choice. Open daily for lunch and
dinner. Reservations essential.
Address: 44 Michel Bakhoum Street
Telephone: (0)2 336 0620
Al-Fanous |
$$$$$ | Moroccan |
Colourful mosaic and carvings adorn the almost every inch of
this Moroccan restaurant where Middle-Eastern pigeon meat,
colloquially known as the
squab, makes a name for itself in
the pie
pastilla, a semi-sweet Egyptian dish laced with
spices and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. The chicken
tagine, a stew made with dates served in a colonial ceramic
dish comes highly recommended. Alcohol is not served. Reservations
advisable.
Address: Riyadh Tower, 5 Shara Wissa Wassef
Telephone: (0)2 570 1226
With authentic ingredients flown in from Bangkok and a highly
skilled Thai woman at the helm, it's no wonder the food at Bua Khao
keeps guests coming back for more. Renowned for serving the best
Thai food in Egypt, the
massaman and
penang curries
are to-die-for and the
tom kar gai (chicken and coconut milk
soup) is a great way to start things off. Open daily for lunch and
dinner. Reservations advisable.
Address: 9 Road 151, Ma'adi
Telephone: (0)2 350 0126
Aubergine |
$$$$$ | Vegetarian |
This laid-back predominantly vegetarian restaurant is a rare
find, with a light and airy Mediterranean-style ground floor while
the upstairs is slightly darker and more intimate. With a
constantly changing and inventive menu, guests won't find
themselves disappointed or bored with the dishes. Recommendations
include the baked avocado, mushroom, and eggplant lasagne, and the
pan-fried halloumi cheese with grilled cherry tomatoes. Alcohol is
served. Reservations advisable.
Address: 5 Shara Sayed al-Bakry, Zamalek
Telephone: (0)2 340 6550
The Fish Market |
$$$$$ | Seafood |
Gone are the days of travelling to Alexandria for good fresh
fish. Nowadays, those looking for decent sea fare can book a table
at the Fish Market, situated on the upper deck of a boat
permanently moored on the west bank of the Nile. With no menu and
just a display of some of the freshest fish Cairo has to offer,
diners pay by weight and choose their own fish, shrimp, calamari,
crabs and shellfish which is beautifully prepared by the kitchen as
you like. Couple that with a slew of Middle Eastern salads and
deliciously home baked bread and you have a recipe for success!
Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations advisable.
Address: 26 Shara al-Nil, Giza (on the American Boat)
Telephone: (0)2 570 9694
Overlooking Maydan Sphinx and complete with exquisite woodwork
detailing, the lavish dining area in Kandahar features authentic
Indian furnishings. The food tastes as good as the restaurant looks
- amazing! The
Baingan Bharta (creamy smoked eggplant baked
in a clay oven and perfect for dipping fluffy Naan bread in) is an
absolute must and
Murgh Tikka (spiced chicken kebabs
marinated in yoghurt) is a firm favourite. Service is excellent.
Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations advisable.
Address: 3 Shara Gameat al-Dowal al-Arabiya, Mohandiseen
Telephone: (0)2 303 0615
Rotisserie Belvedere |
$$$$$ | International |
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.
Address: Nile Hilton, Maydan Tahrir
Telephone: (0)2 578 0444
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