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Restaurants in Cairo

Dining in Cairo should take advantage of unique, plentiful, and very cheap quality restaurants serving Egyptian favourites. By sitting down in the neighbourhood café and enjoying some light eats and sweet drinks travellers can easily immerse themselves into local dining and social culture.

Yet, any one cuisine can get tired and the new best restaurants in Cairo have an eclectic international focus. Previously restricted to hotel restaurants, sashimi to cheeseburgers are now prepared by top chefs in trendy venues. Even local food is now getting a facelift.

To peruse the trendiest restaurants in Cairo, Zamalek is the dining hotspot. Inversely, the areas about downtown and near Khan al-Khalili are great for cheap and local haunts.

In Cairo it is considered unclean to eat with the left hand, and remember that alcohol is often not served unless at a hotel restaurant. During Ramadan, when Muslims fast during the day, many restaurants are closed and, again, travellers should head to a hotel restaurant.

Arabesque

$$$$$ | Local

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

Abu el-Sid

Mediterranean

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 favourites although the restaurant blends dishes from several backgrounds with a Lebanese flair. Rersvations are advisable.

Address: 157 26th of July Street
Telephone: +20 2 735 9640

Sequoia

$$$$$ | Mediterranean

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 flavoured 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.

Address: 3 Abou Feda Street
Telephone: +20 2 735 0014

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

Bua Khao

$$$$$ | Thai

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

The Revolving Restaurant Grand Hyatt

$$$$$ | International

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 centre 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.

Address: Corniche El Nile
E-mail: cairo.grand@hyatt.com
Telephone: +20 2 2365 1234

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

Kandahar

$$$$$ | Indian

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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