Bab El-Sharq

Bab El‑Sharq is an elegant restaurant inside the Nile Ritz‑Carlton offering classic Middle Eastern dishes in a dimly lit, wood-accented setting that opens out onto garden views of the Egyptian Museum. Indulge in mezze, charcoal-grilled meats, and richer plates like shrimp‑stuffed pigeon, with desserts like knafeh or mastic ice cream to finish. Evenings fill out with live music, belly dancing, and shisha, making it more of a night out than just dinner.

• Web:

  www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/cairz-the-nile-ritz-carlton-cairo/dining

• Address:

  Nile Corniche, Ismailia, Qasr El Nil, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 12 77233582

• Opening hours:

  Sat–Thu 5pm–1:30am, Fri 6pm–1:30am

Birdcage

Inside the luxurious Semiramis InterContinental, Birdcage offers some of the best Thai food in Cairo, with dishes like Tom Yum (hot and sour shrimp soup), Pad Thai, Gaeng Keow Wan (chicken in green curry), among other Thai staples — all in an opulent setting, with an open kitchen and attentive service.

• Address:

  Corniche El Nile, Qasr Ad Dobarah, Qasr El Nil, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 27988000

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–midnight

• More info:

  Semiramis InterContinental Hotel

Fasahet Somaya

Fasahet Somaya is a tiny, home-style eatery near the Egyptian Museum, where chef Somaya Al-Asyoty cooks whatever she finds fresh at the market that morning. There’s no fixed menu—just a short list that changes daily, with dishes like molokhiya, stuffed pigeon, or sometimes slow-cooked lamb with unexpected twists. The space is cosy and a little bohemian, with blue-and-white walls, a handful of tables, and an open kitchen where Somaya chats with guests while cooking. It truly feels more like eating in someone’s home than a restaurant. Fasahet Somaya only runs for two hours a night—doors open at 5 pm, and she’s usually sold out by 7 pm, so get there early.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/fasahetsomaya

• Address:

  59 Al Falki, Bab Al Louq, Abdeen, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 10 01741767

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Fri. 5pm–7pm, Sat closed

Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant

Found inside the InterContinental Cairo Citystars, Fayruz offers a traditional Lebanese dining experience. The menu features classic dishes like mezze, mixed grills, and freshly baked bread, complemented by live music and belly dancing in the evenings.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/fayruzrestaurant

• Address:

  Omar Ibn El-Khattab, Masaken Al Mohandesin, Nasr City, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 24800009

• Opening hours:

  Daily 1pm–1am

Khufu's Restaurant

Khufu’s is a modern Egyptian fine dining restaurant boasting what’s probably the closest seat to the Great Pyramid you’ll ever get. You’re paying as much for the setting as the food—yes, it’s touristy, but done thoughtfully. Chefs take familiar Egyptian street dishes and rework them into cleaner, more refined versions, all while the oldest wonder of the world looms just metres away.

• Web:

  https://khufus.com/khufus/

• E-mail:

  reservations@khufus.com

• Address:

  Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Giza

• Phone:

  +20 10 80058888

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–4pm

Koshary Abou Tarek

Koshary Abou Tarek is, perhaps, the most famous place for koshary, Egypt’s national dish. If you haven’t tried it before, koshary is a mix of rice, lentils and chickpeas, with macaroni and vermicelli noodles added in, all drenched in a tangy tomato sauce seasoned with lemon, vinegar, and chilli. The story goes back to the 1950s, when Abou Tarek started selling it from a humble street cart in downtown Cairo. These days, it’s loud, fast and a bit chaotic—but that’s part of the charm. Treat yourself to big, flavour-packed bowls in a no-frills, cafeteria-style space. A local staple and a bit of a tourist rite of passage, it’s ideal if you want something cheap, filling, and full of local character.

• Web:

  www.koshary-aboutarek.com

• Address:

  Marouf, Qasr El Nil, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 25775935

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–midnight

Carlton Roof Garden

Perched on the top floor of the vintage Carlton Hotel in Downtown Cairo, this rooftop bar offers a sweeping view of the High Court of Justice building lit up at night. It’s a laid-back spot with local beer, wine, and shisha on offer, plus some food usually delivered from the Thai restaurant below.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/carlton.downtown.cairo

• Address:

  21, 26 July Street, Oraby, Al Azbakeya, Cairo

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–1am

Crimson Bar & Grill

Crimson Bar & Grill sits on a rooftop in Zamalek by the Nile, offering one of the best elevated views in the neighbourhood. The menu draws on Italian and Mediterranean influences, featuring seafood pasta, risotto, and fried calamari, which are complemented by local beers, wines, and their signature cocktails. Views at sunset make it a popular spot to unwind after a day exploring Cairo.

• Web:

  www.crimsoncairo.com

• Address:

  Kamal Al Tawil, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 12 75055555

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–2am

OPIA Lounge & Bar

OPIA Lounge & Bar sits high above Cairo on the 36th floor of the Ramses Hilton, with a panoramic view that stretches across the city and the Nile. The mood strikes a balance between sleek and atmospheric, with signature cocktails that nod to local flavours, sushi next to lamb chops, and a music lineup that shifts from DJs to live sax and the occasional belly dancer.

• Web:

  https://opiacairo.com

• Address:

  1115 Nile Corniche, Floor 36th, Cairo

Outdoors

Outdoors is a lively nightclub in Zamalek where you can grab a bite, sip a drink, and take in the river views. It’s known for pairing dinner with live entertainment—bands, DJs, and the occasional belly dance show—all set against the Nile after dark.

• Web:

  https://maximrestaurants.com/our-restaurants/outdoors

• Address:

  Nile Maxim Boat, Saraya El Gezira, Omar Al Khayam, Zamalek, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 12 23213906

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10pm–5am

Pub 28

Pub 28 sits quietly on a side street in Zamalek and has been around since the 1970s, with a loyal local following. Inside, it’s snug and dim—just familiar faces and the occasional curious newcomers. The menu sticks to simple international dishes alongside local favourites, the drinks list is straightforward (cold beer, wine, cocktails), and there’s live music now and then.

• Address:

  28 Shagaret Al Dor, Abu Al Feda, Zamalek, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 27350972

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–2am

Beano's Cafe

Beano’s Cafe helped usher in modern coffee culture to Cairo and still stands out for its friendly service, spacious interiors, and consistently good coffee. Expect all the classics plus local favourites like the salted caramel latte, along with fresh juices, smoothies, and light bites ranging from pastries and sandwiches to salads and avocado toast.

• Address:

  8 Al Sheikh Al Marsafi Street, Zamalek, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 33001887

• Opening hours:

  Sat–Thu 8am–midnight, Fri 7am–midnight

El Abd

El Abd is a beloved Cairo institution, offering a mix of traditional Middle Eastern and European-style pastries since 1952. The shop is always buzzing—a testament to its popularity and quality. Their selection is vast, from croissants and gateaux to classic Egyptian sweets like basbousa and knafeh. For ice cream lovers, El Abd’s gelato—especially the pistachio and mango—rivals some of the best in Italy.

• Web:

  https://elabdfoods.com/home

• Address:

  25 Talaat Harb, Bab Al Louq, Qasr El Nil, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 21600102

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am-midnight

Khan El Khalili Restaurant & Naguib Mahfouz Cafe

Tucked inside the bustling Khan El Khalili bazaar, Naguib Mahfouz Café offers a quiet, old-world escape from the crowds. Named after Egypt’s Nobel Prize-winning author—whose portraits still hang on the walls—the café-restaurant serves classic Egyptian fare in a richly decorated space full of arches, brass lanterns, and traditional charm. There's live oud music most evenings, tea and shisha on offer, and staff in galabeyas keeping things moving.

• Address:

  Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi, El-Gamaleya, El Gamaliya, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 25903788

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–midnight

Mandarine Koueider

Mandarine Koueider is a well-known chain, which has been around since 1923, famous for authentic Egyptian sweets and pastries. This one in Zamalek is stocked with all kinds of traditional treats like baklava, basbousa, and knafeh, alongside cakes and chocolates. It's more of a takeaway spot than a sit-down café—there’s limited space to eat inside, so most people grab their goodies to go.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/mandarine_koueider

• Address:

  17 Shagaret Al Dor, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek, Giza

• Phone:

  +20 2 27355010

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–11pm

Saudi Coffee Baiz

Saudi Coffee Baiz brings a genuine slice of Saudi culture to Cairo’s café scene. Sitting right by the Nile in Zamalek, it’s a relaxed spot to sip rich, flavourful Saudi coffee and soak up a warm, welcoming atmosphere with clear nods to Saudi heritage in the decor. It’s open from morning until late, so you can drop in whenever the mood strikes.

• Web:

  https://baizcoffee.com

• E-mail:

  info@baizcoffee.com

• Address:

  Boulaq Num.1, Bulaq, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 11 49005008

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9:30am–3am

Simonds

Simonds is an old-school café, established in 1898, and still going strong more than a century later. Known for its classic charm and wide selection of sweets, it’s a go-to spot for everything from Danish pastries and French gateaux to syrup-drenched basbousa and baklava. And we can't forget the cappuccino—it’s one of the best in town.

• Web:

  www.simonds1898.com

• Address:

  112 26th of July Corridor, Omar Al Khayam, Zamalek, Cairo

• Phone:

  +20 2 7359436