Rock Star

Description:
Rock Star in Dokki is a baffling restaurant for all sorts of reasons. First up, it serves that famous combination of Indian and... Lebanese cuisine. Secondly, the name. There's no real reason to call it Rock Star, and it just seems to be an excuse to make use of the oversized wooden electric guitar someone had knocking about, and so decided to hang above the stairs and festoon with red fairy lights. Thirdly, the menu is littered with so many spelling mistakes that it's almost incomprehensible in places.

That said, if you do manage to navigate the menu, Rock Star offers some pretty decent food. The Indian is by far and away the better of the two. There isn't a huge selection, but there are your usual classics such as your biryanis, tandooris and daals, and a reasonable number of veggie sides.

The chicken jalfrezi is nicely spiced with good chicken and properly cooked vegetables, though it could do with being a bit saucier. The yellow daal is buttery and delicate (though not so mushy as it should be) and the breads and rice are both competently done. Beware the complimentary lime and chilli pickles you get to start, though: they taste great, but they do pack a punch.

The Lebanese... read more
Rock Star in Dokki is a baffling restaurant for all sorts of reasons. First up, it serves that famous combination of Indian and... Lebanese cuisine. Secondly, the name. There's no real reason to call it Rock Star, and it just seems to be an excuse to make use of the oversized wooden electric guitar someone had knocking about, and so decided to hang above the stairs and festoon with red fairy lights. Thirdly, the menu is littered with so many spelling mistakes that it's almost incomprehensible in places.

That said, if you do manage to navigate the menu, Rock Star offers some pretty decent food. The Indian is by far and away the better of the two. There isn't a huge selection, but there are your usual classics such as your biryanis, tandooris and daals, and a reasonable number of veggie sides.

The chicken jalfrezi is nicely spiced with good chicken and properly cooked vegetables, though it could do with being a bit saucier. The yellow daal is buttery and delicate (though not so mushy as it should be) and the breads and rice are both competently done. Beware the complimentary lime and chilli pickles you get to start, though: they taste great, but they do pack a punch.

The Lebanese menu at Rock Star is as expected: a small range of mezza, some Lebanese-style fettah and grills, with - rather bizarrely - some moussaka and mahshi thrown in. Sadly, it's all pretty much of a muchness, with overcooked cubes of lamb, falling apart kofta and soggy fries forming the backbone of the mixed grill.

Contact:
tel: +20 (0)2 3761 2114, +20 (0)2 3749 5656
Address:
48 Iran Street
Al Qahirah

Al Dahan

Al Dahan: Traditional Egyptian Grill in Mokattam

Name:

Al Dahan

Category

:

Restaurants


Address:

Mozayea Mall, ,Karim Benoona Street (off Street 9)


Area:
Mokattam

City:
Cairo , Egypt

Telephone:
0226673636 ,0120110176

Open:
12PM - 1AM


Dining out in Mokattam has not always been filled with an abundance of choice, especially when you’re with a large group of friends. However, the past year has witnessed a substantial growth in modern restaurants, the latest of which is Al Dahan.

Al Dahan is a large, air-conditioned and newly fitted, 90-seater restaurant located on the Suzanne Mubarak Road, midway along Street 9. It prides itself on serving the highest quality traditional Egyptian food.

Upon entering the restaurant, you are immediately attended to by the smartly dressed and ever smiling staff, who guides you through to the open, clean and spacious dining area. The decor is simple and tasteful; Oriental with a modern twist and plenty of marble and dark oak-wood finishing. The menu is simple and is in both Arabic and English, offering the usual suspects of grills, tagines, soups, salads and side dishes.

A waiter will attend to you within minutes of being seated and regardless of how many times you ask for a recommendation, he will almost certainly tell you everything ‘tastes excellent’.

This reviewer’s recommendation is to opt for the meat dishes over the chicken if you prefer fuller flavours but if you are after a lightly spiced meal, the half-grilled chicken with mixed rice and salad is a bargain at just 29LE. The rice is the thick, traditional kind, which is fluffy and moist, but you can also opt for the lighter basmati rice cooked with turmeric. Both can come plain or laced with veal liver or nuts. The chicken is grilled with a crispy outer skin and moist inside whilst lacking a little in salt.

Meals came out of the kitchen within ten to fifteen minutes and tasted fresh. The specialty is the fatta, served with lamb, veal or kawaraa’ (marrow), but if you’re feeling adventurous, we recommend the tagine meals, which may take slightly longer but come in a tempting variety including with molokheya, which tastes homemade and not at all overcooked, or with okra or orzo.

Portions are big, so be prepared; a kilo really does mean a kilo. This is where Al Dahan comes into its own. The kofta, ribs and tarb are marinated and cooked to perfection, arriving at your table fresh off the grill on a bed of diced carrot and greenery. A kilo will put you back between 100LE and 150LE, but the meat is definitely good value for money.

You will not be offered the customary free water but soft drinks are available at an average price, and the most expensive drink on the menu is Nescafé at just 7LE. Home delivery is available in surrounding areas including Nasr City and Maadi.

Pestle and Mortar

Pestle and Mortar: Charming New Restaurant in Mall of Arabia

Name:

Pestle and Mortar




Category

:

Restaurants


Address:

Mall of Arabia, #286 ground floor


Area:
6th of October City

City:
Cairo , Egypt

Telephone:
0101759081

Open:
10AM - 12AM

Cairo has more than enough restaurants, yet there seems to be a real lack of character and personality in the culture of dining. For all the honest efforts, good intentions and decent cuisine, menus often use the mantra of ‘the bigger the better’. Striking a balance is indeed hard, but the newly opened Pestle and Mortar in 6th of October City’s Mall of Arabia comes very close.

The sleek, modern interior is accented with modest purples, and the seating ranges from tables for two to larger group tables, as well as snug booths. The hot and sour shrimp soup (34.95LE) flattered to deceive on account of being crammed with too many mushrooms. This turned the soup into a solid brown, and it blunted the sharp sourness that you’d yearn for. The zesty coriander prawns (49.95LE) lived up to their name, and were complimented perfectly by the mysterious Mortar fusion sauce.


Other starters include a classic peanut chicken satay (35.95LE) and the Philly prawnafah (49.95LE), which consists of grilled shrimp baked in konafa, and is topped with cream cheese. The salads on offer are creative and alluring, and include the garden salad (28.95LE) of rocket, lettuce and mint along with almonds, orange segments and orange dressing.

Asian influences are much more evident in the mains sections, with chicken prepared teriyaki- and Hanoi-style (57.95LE and 65.95LE respectively). Stir-fried beef is sold by the weight, so 150g will set you back 69.95LE while 300g costs 119.95LE, and is on offer in a range of different marinades and preparations.

Our order of Angus prime beef fillet was cooked closer to rare than the ordered medium, but the meat itself was well-seasoned, tender and grew more delicious with every bite. Though the Thai coconut curry is suited to more of an acquired taste, the coconut milk was as creamy and plush as it looked on the large strips of chicken, but was lacking heavily on the hotness you’d except from the spicy green Thai sauce.

Drinks are plentiful and fresh, with the freshies (19.95LE) combining several peculiar but agreeable ingredients. The orange lime and mint drink is a phenomenal citrus treat, with the zucchini and cucumber-infused options also stealing the limelight.

Pestle and Mortar really comes into its own with the liquid nitrogen ice cream and sorbet, which are frozen instantly at your table using said nitrogen. More run-of-the mill, but no less impressive desserts are available, and the Belgian chocolate fondant is a must for chocolate lovers.

The staff are helpful, attentive and best of all, charming. They are happy to make recommendations based on your tastes, and they had something positive to say about every dish that they were asked about. The menu is vegan-friendly, with many of the dishes suitable for vegetarians. Healthy eating is championed by the restaurant, and all the bases for their sauces are fat-free and made of fresh vegetable stock.


Despite its shopping mall setting, Pestle and Mortar is one of those places that oozes the kind of attention to detail and commitment that give you piece of mind as you wait for your order.

River Boat

Description:
A panoramic view of the city across the Nile is just one of the many draws of this popular grill and seafood cafe on the roof of the moored Le Pacha boat. Live music and seating for over 300 guests make this rooftop venue a favorite for wedding parties who dance the night away on the polished hardwood floor. The quality and selection of Egyptian and Lebanese mezze dishes is good. Grilled dishes feature prominently, and fish lovers can pick their dinner from a display table showcasing the catch of the day. Alcohol is served.

Contact:
tel: +20 (0)2 2735 6730
fax: +20 (0)2 2737 3168
Address:
Le Pacha Boat, Saray El-Gezira Street
Le Pacha 1901
Cairo 11211

Cortigiano

Description:
Come early or make a reservation as good food and an equally delicious atmosphere have made this Italian restaurant a favorite among Cairenes. The subdued lighting and tasteful furnishings create a warm and inviting dining area. The service is top-notch. For a little extra intimacy, cozy up in the booths tucked away at the back. The servings here are big, so be forewarned. Choose from a wide selection of salads and soups. The creamy onion soup—a rich broth of onions and cream—is said to be the most popular and after one sip you'll know why. Entrees range from pasta and Italian specialties to seafood and a highly recommended veal cordon bleu, which is stuffed with mushrooms and topped with cheese and tomatoes. The pizzas here are fantastic—thick crusts and loaded with cheese and toppings. The iced cheesecake is fine, but the apple pie is uninspiring.

Contact:
tel: +20 (0)2 3337 4838, +20 (0)2 3336 0620
fax: +20 (0)2 3337 4838

Address:
44 Michel Bakhoum Street
Cairo

Grand Cafe

Description:
Set in an attractive garden overlooking an artificial lake, this branch of the popular Asian cafe is always buzzing with young Cairenes. The tables are scattered amongst trees and shrubs giving customers both pleasant surroundings and modicum of privacy. An in-house DJ spins Arabic pop tunes every night.
Contact:
tel: 20 2 451 2316
Address:
Merryland Gardens
near TGI Friday
Cairo

L'Aubergine

Description:
L'Auberine restaurant, on Zamalek, is a favourite hang-out of rich young Egyptians. Downstairs is a dimly lit, slightly cramped restaurant, that used to be the only purely vegetarian restaurant in Cairo. Nowadays, meat is also on the menu, although there is still a wide variety of half decent veggie fare. Prices are a little on the high side, and if the serving staff are not always that friendly, at least they are efficient.

The real action at L'Aubergine, though, is in the bar upstairs. Even more cramped and dingy than the restaurant, the bar is the province of the younger Cairo jet set, but has a great atmosphere. It actually feels like being in a Western style bar, especially since you have to pay at the bar for each drink you buy, which is unusual in Egypt.

There is live music at L'Aubergine each week, and it's also a popular place to watch the football. Don't expect to get a seat though, and warm your vocal chords up thoroughly before entering: you're going to have to shout to be heard!

Contact:

tel: +20 (0)2 20 27380080

Address:

5a Sayed El Bakry Street

Cairo 12151

Roy's Country Kitchen

Description:
This 24-hour theme diner, in the Cairo Marriott Hotel, could easily pass for an Oklahoma prairie kitchen. It cooks up traditional American fare and has one of the best all-you-can-eat deals in town. The brick and light wood accents make for a warm and homely atmosphere. Brass pots, pasta jars and preserves fill the shelves, and someone has taken a lot of effort to loot vintage street signs to decorate the walls. Wooden tables and chairs fill the dining area, and the staff sport baggy overalls and tortured grins. The salad bar here is fantastic, but other dishes can be hit or miss. Perennial favorites include baked catfish, biscuits and gravy, and okra gumbo just like momma used to make. If you're really hungry, be sure to check out the all-you-can-eat American country barbecue.


Contact:
tel: +20 (0)2 2728 3000 (Hotel)
fax: +20 2 728 3001 (Hotel)
Address:
16, Saray el-Gezirah Street
Cairo Marriott Hotel
Cairo 11211

Mojo Lounge & Bar

User Review:
Indulge in our Mediterranean Cuisine at Mojo's Zamalek over looking the best view along the Cairo Nile.
Nile View - Taxi Service - Parking - WiFi
The description was provided by nile user

Contact:
tel: +20102223999
Address:
4 Sarayat El Gezira St.
Zamalek
Cairo

Abou Shakra

Description:
A Cairo landmark, this fancy kebab house has been serving locals for over 50 years. There are other branches in Heliopolis and Mohandiseen. This conservative Muslim restaurant is done up in marble and alabaster. Seating is a little tight and the staff can be slow, but customers are always guaranteed an authentic Egyptian experience. The main specialty here is kebabs, with prices calculated per kilo of meat and a host of salads and dips to choose from. Pigeon, chicken and specialty beef dishes are also on the menu. The Egyptian desserts served here are heavenly, with top honors going to the Om Ali (flakey dough with raisins and nuts soaked in sugar and milk).
Contact:
tel: 20 (0)2 2531 6111, +20 (0)2 3531 6222
fax: +20 (0)2 2531 6222

Address:
69 Kasr El Einy Street
Cairo

Scarabee

Description:
One of Cairo's oldest and most famous dinner cruises, this is a splendid way to see the Nile and city skyline at its best. Few restaurants can compete with the romantic setting of dinner on a Nile cruise ship. The M/S Scarabee, managed by Sofitel, is smaller than other river cruise ships but certainly no less elegant. Nightly entertainment includes live music and a belly-dancer. Enjoy a drink on the top deck before indulging in the international buffet. There is a choice selection of grilled meats, chicken and fish, plus many delicious vegetarian dishes. Cruises last two hours.

Contact:
tel: +20 (0)2 2794 3444, +20 (0)2 2794 3198
Address:
Corniche el-Nil Street
Cairo 11511

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe

Description:
Situated in the heart of Khan Al Khalili, this ornate Oriental restaurant is named after the Nobel prize-winning Egyptian novelist. The menu includes the usual Lebanese mezzes as well as a good selection of classic Egyptian cooking including mousa'aa (the local version of Greek mousaaka without the cheese) and molokhiya (a slimy vegetable not dissimilar to spinach) and rabbit stew.


Contact:
tel: +20 (0)2 2590 3788
fax: +20 (0)2 25912346

Address:
5 El Badistan Lane
Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Cairo 11211

Al Ahwa Café

Description:
Al Ahwa Café in Dokki is a chilled out restaurant/café popular with groups of locals, especially students.

Al Ahwa's menu includes pretty standard Western style sandwiches, salads, pastas and pizzas, but is quite good for Egyptian and Lebanese food. You can choose from a wide selection of hot and cold mezze dishes, as well as classics such as koshary (an Egyptian carbohdrate bomb made up of pasta, lentils, fried onions and a tomato sauce) and fattah (sort of like an Arabic Biryani).

Their feteers (Egyptian pancakes) are particularly good - make sure you try their sweet versions, especially the nutella one! Al Ahwa doesn't serve alcohol, but it does have a selection of fresh juices, and the double Turkish coffee is divine. Shisha pipes are also available to smoke, and al Ahwa is a great place to while away the afternoon playing some of the board games on offer. There's even a Playstation!

You can choose between sitting at normal tables, or lounging around amongst cushions on the floor, Arabic style.
Contact:
tel: +20 (0)2 3761 8485, +20 (0)16 1995 150
Address:
5 Amr Street, off Messaha Square
Cairo

Lai Thai

Description:
Lai Thai is a Thai food restaurant located at the Four Seasons Cairo at The First Residence. The ambience at the restaurant is absolutely exquisite with Asian artifacts all over the restaurant, decorated ceilings, wooden furnishings and a fantastic view of the Nile. The food served here is authentic Thai, and can get pretty spicy. Try out the satay ruam, kaeng khiew wan neua and the som tam malakaw. Vegetarians can sample the Pad Pak Ruam Mit which is mixed seasonal vegetables in soy sauce. Save room for some dessert with choices like ice cream ruam and kloy tod which is a blend of fried banana and vanilla ice cream.

Touts Express

Description:
Touts express is a simple restaurant and juice bar situated near the hotels of Dokki. It's nothing fancy - just plastic chairs and tables in a plain room. You can get various kebabs, shwarmas and pasta dishes to eat in or take away.

Touts express has a wide selection of fresh juices, and staff are happy to recommend a combo: nine times out of ten, they'll recommend their "viagra juice" - a surprisingly palatable mix of dates and gargir (a kind of Egyptian rocket)!

Touts express also serves shisha (Egyptian water pipes), and is very popular with locals at night: they order their food and eat it sitting outside in their cars, or in the nearby square.

Egyptian pancake house

Description:
The Egyptian Pancake House is situated in on the edge Khan al-Khalili bazaar, and is a good place to eat in the area.

Egyptian pancakes (sometimes referred to as pizzas or pies) are actually known as feteers, and are sort of like a pizza topping stuffed inside a crepe. They are a perfect quick and tasty filler.

The Egyptian Pancake House offers various savoury and sweet feteers, and the best thing to do is to take a selection, and share. They aren't the best in Cairo, but they are authentic, and compared to a lot of the overpriced rubbish served up in the bazaar area, if you do need to eat, this is a good bet.

The spicy sausage feteer is particularly good, as is the honey, nuts and cream. Watch how the chef makes the pastry, slapping it on the counter and swinging it around his head to stretch the dough.

At the Egyptian Pancake House, you eat your feteers sitting at plastic tables and chairs balanced on the busy pavement, with a stream of vendors and the occasional tour bus parading past. This organised chaos, so typical of Cairo, is a big part of the fun!

Pomodoro

Description:
Walk towards Abdeen Palace from Midan Tahrir in Downtown, and as you reach the end of Tahrir Street you will no longer be smelling traffic fumes, but fish!

Welcome to Pomodoro, Downtown Cairo's worst kept secret. Pomodoro is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant which serves pasta. Only pasta. Dishes come in two sizes (15 LE or 20 LE), and you can get your pasta with seafood, shrimp, chicken, beef, or vegetables.

The portion sizes at Pomodoro are huge (think carefuly before ordering a 20!), and generous with the animal. This is isn't sophisticated al dente Italian pasta here, these dishes come laden with thick, spicy tomato sauce and are heavy, oily, and sometimes excessively salty. But they taste great, and are brilliant comfort food.

The only problem with Pomodoro, and in fact part of the charm, is that it's tiny, yet super-popular. There are only two rickety wooden tables in the restaurant, and a few plastic tables and chairs out on the street, literally next to the parked cars. This is true street level dining! Because Pomodoro is so popular, you'll often have to wait to be seated, and your food can take ages to come (sometimes over an hour). It's far better to call in advance... read more
Walk towards Abdeen Palace from Midan Tahrir in Downtown, and as you reach the end of Tahrir Street you will no longer be smelling traffic fumes, but fish!

Welcome to Pomodoro, Downtown Cairo's worst kept secret. Pomodoro is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant which serves pasta. Only pasta. Dishes come in two sizes (15 LE or 20 LE), and you can get your pasta with seafood, shrimp, chicken, beef, or vegetables.

The portion sizes at Pomodoro are huge (think carefuly before ordering a 20!), and generous with the animal. This is isn't sophisticated al dente Italian pasta here, these dishes come laden with thick, spicy tomato sauce and are heavy, oily, and sometimes excessively salty. But they taste great, and are brilliant comfort food.

The only problem with Pomodoro, and in fact part of the charm, is that it's tiny, yet super-popular. There are only two rickety wooden tables in the restaurant, and a few plastic tables and chairs out on the street, literally next to the parked cars. This is true street level dining! Because Pomodoro is so popular, you'll often have to wait to be seated, and your food can take ages to come (sometimes over an hour). It's far better to call in advance and place an order, and turn up when it's ready. You'll need a little Arabic to order, though.

The other quirk of Pomodoro is that they don't serve drinks at all! But there's a grocery store and a juice stall just next door, so you can grab something to drink from there.

Pomodoro

Description:
Walk towards Abdeen Palace from Midan Tahrir in Downtown, and as you reach the end of Tahrir Street you will no longer be smelling traffic fumes, but fish!

Welcome to Pomodoro, Downtown Cairo's worst kept secret. Pomodoro is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant which serves pasta. Only pasta. Dishes come in two sizes (15 LE or 20 LE), and you can get your pasta with seafood, shrimp, chicken, beef, or vegetables.

The portion sizes at Pomodoro are huge (think carefuly before ordering a 20!), and generous with the animal. This is isn't sophisticated al dente Italian pasta here, these dishes come laden with thick, spicy tomato sauce and are heavy, oily, and sometimes excessively salty. But they taste great, and are brilliant comfort food.

The only problem with Pomodoro, and in fact part of the charm, is that it's tiny, yet super-popular. There are only two rickety wooden tables in the restaurant, and a few plastic tables and chairs out on the street, literally next to the parked cars. This is true street level dining! Because Pomodoro is so popular, you'll often have to wait to be seated, and your food can take ages to come (sometimes over an hour). It's far better to call in advance... read more
Walk towards Abdeen Palace from Midan Tahrir in Downtown, and as you reach the end of Tahrir Street you will no longer be smelling traffic fumes, but fish!

Welcome to Pomodoro, Downtown Cairo's worst kept secret. Pomodoro is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant which serves pasta. Only pasta. Dishes come in two sizes (15 LE or 20 LE), and you can get your pasta with seafood, shrimp, chicken, beef, or vegetables.

The portion sizes at Pomodoro are huge (think carefuly before ordering a 20!), and generous with the animal. This is isn't sophisticated al dente Italian pasta here, these dishes come laden with thick, spicy tomato sauce and are heavy, oily, and sometimes excessively salty. But they taste great, and are brilliant comfort food.

The only problem with Pomodoro, and in fact part of the charm, is that it's tiny, yet super-popular. There are only two rickety wooden tables in the restaurant, and a few plastic tables and chairs out on the street, literally next to the parked cars. This is true street level dining! Because Pomodoro is so popular, you'll often have to wait to be seated, and your food can take ages to come (sometimes over an hour). It's far better to call in advance and place an order, and turn up when it's ready. You'll need a little Arabic to order, though.

The other quirk of Pomodoro is that they don't serve drinks at all! But there's a grocery store and a juice stall just next door, so you can grab something to drink from there.

Steak Out

Description:
Steak Out, on the border of Dokki and Mohandiseen, offers a huge range of steak, chicken and veal dishes, with an almost bewildering array of sauces and sides. You can also get sea food, salads and sandwiches, and the portions are huge.

Steak Out gets very busy, but feels quite intimate, and is furnished in a classy, minimalist style, complete with plants and water feature. The service in Steak Out is excellent, and the food cooked to your requirements. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and very polite. No alcohol is served. This is a great place to come for good western style dining.

Abou el Sid

Description:
Abou el Sid, located on Zamalek, offers excellent, authentic Egyptian cuisine in very atmospheric surroundings. Décor is traditional Arabesque, heavy on the mashrabiyya wooden panelling, but the atmosphere is lively and down to earth. A word of warning though - the staff can be incredibly rude, and the service isn't always great.

Don't let this put you off though, because Abou el Sid is an excellent place to share a selection of mouth-watering mezzes, and offers a wide range of traditional Egyptian mains. Try the Rabbit with Molokheiya for a real taste of rural Egypt, their old-school fish Sayadeya, or opt for Egypt's national dish, Koshary (a mix of pasta, lentils, fried onions and tomato sauce). Abou el Sid also serves a range of alcohol, and Egyptian water pipes (shishas).

Abou el Sid gets very busy, so it's advisable to book in advance. If you can't get a table, L'Aubergine and La Bodega are near by, or you could try the Abou el Sid branches in Mohandiseen, Maadi or City Stars.

Zizo's

Description:
Zizo's, situated opposite one of the north gates (Bab al Futuh) of Islamic Cairo, is one of the city's best kept secrets.

Founded by colourful owner Abdel-Aziz Mustafa Hamzah (aka Zizo) in the 60's, Zizo's specialises in spicy sogoq (beef sausage) sandwiches, Alexandria style. The sandwiches are incredibly tasty, and dirt cheap, though be warned that they have quite a kick. Zizo's is also renowned for the quality of its offal, and the brains are particularly well regarded. For dessert, grab a halawa bil eshta sandwich (halawa is a sweet made of sesame paste and sugar, and eshta is cream) for the ultimate sugar rush!

Zizo himself still runs this tiny, spit and sawdust-type restaurant, as well as making the amazing pickles that accompany his food. He's a very friendly character, that loves to welcome and chat with his guests.

Zizo's is very near Khan el Khalili, so is the perfect place to refuel after a spot of shopping, perhaps before heading to the nearby cities of the dead.

Farahat

Description:
Farahat is an unassuming, spit and sawdust Egyptian grill tucked away in an alley near Khan al-Khalili. Whilst their kofta and kebab are good, the real reason to visit Farahat is for the pigeon.

Pigeons have been eaten in Egypt since Pharaonic times, and are still specially raised in coups across the country. The pigeons at Farahat are gorgeous: fat and juicy, flavoursome, and stuffed with cracked wheat. There's really no other way to eat them than to rip the bird apart and suck the flesh off the bones - but don't worry, everyone else is doing the same thing!

The food at Farahat comes served with rice, bread, and salads such as tahina, baba ghanoush, and mixed salad. You also get an oily soup served in a glass to begin with. Although there's a nominal charge for the salads, Farahat is pretty good value, with a pigeon costing 25 LE.

Unsurprisingly, the restaurant gets very busy, and since it's effectively just a few plastic chairs and table stuffed into an alley, you often have to wait to be seated. It's well worth it!

Farahat is a great place to take a break from exploring the markets and monuments of Islamic Cairo. Al-Azhar Mosque and the Wikalet al-Ghouri (home to the... read more
Farahat is an unassuming, spit and sawdust Egyptian grill tucked away in an alley near Khan al-Khalili. Whilst their kofta and kebab are good, the real reason to visit Farahat is for the pigeon.

Pigeons have been eaten in Egypt since Pharaonic times, and are still specially raised in coups across the country. The pigeons at Farahat are gorgeous: fat and juicy, flavoursome, and stuffed with cracked wheat. There's really no other way to eat them than to rip the bird apart and suck the flesh off the bones - but don't worry, everyone else is doing the same thing!

The food at Farahat comes served with rice, bread, and salads such as tahina, baba ghanoush, and mixed salad. You also get an oily soup served in a glass to begin with. Although there's a nominal charge for the salads, Farahat is pretty good value, with a pigeon costing 25 LE.

Unsurprisingly, the restaurant gets very busy, and since it's effectively just a few plastic chairs and table stuffed into an alley, you often have to wait to be seated. It's well worth it!

Farahat is a great place to take a break from exploring the markets and monuments of Islamic Cairo. Al-Azhar Mosque and the Wikalet al-Ghouri (home to the Sufi dancing show) are just across the street, and it's easy from here to head south towards Bab Zwayla, or north towards Bab al-Futuh.hide

The Yemen Restaurant

Description:
The Yemen Restaurant, in Dokki, is like a no-frills diner for traditional Yemeni food. It's popular with expats and students as well as locals, and while it's often busy it's rarely full. There are a few gorgeous pictures of Yemen on the walls, a TV, and a bunch of simple tables covered with large sheets of paper. Why the paper as tablecloth? Because eating Yemeni food can get messy!

Each meal at the Yemen Restaurant starts with a complimentary bowl of hot, oily chicken stock soup, and comes with a mixed salad and a spicy, slightly watery tomato salsa. You can choose from dishes such as Mandi (mutton or chicken with rice), Fahsa (mutton stew), Haneed (a broiled slab of mutton) or a whole fish.

The food is heavy but extremely tasty, and most of the meat comes still on the bone so you need to tear it apart with your hands. Just discard the gristle and bones on the table - it'll all be crumpled up in the paper tablecloth at the end of the meal.

The Mandi is the house speciality at the Yemen Restaurant, and is particularly good. Also make sure to try the beans with egg, which have been cooked together in a metal pot to make a kind of pasta bake (without the pasta). The fish is... read more
The Yemen Restaurant, in Dokki, is like a no-frills diner for traditional Yemeni food. It's popular with expats and students as well as locals, and while it's often busy it's rarely full. There are a few gorgeous pictures of Yemen on the walls, a TV, and a bunch of simple tables covered with large sheets of paper. Why the paper as tablecloth? Because eating Yemeni food can get messy!

Each meal at the Yemen Restaurant starts with a complimentary bowl of hot, oily chicken stock soup, and comes with a mixed salad and a spicy, slightly watery tomato salsa. You can choose from dishes such as Mandi (mutton or chicken with rice), Fahsa (mutton stew), Haneed (a broiled slab of mutton) or a whole fish.

The food is heavy but extremely tasty, and most of the meat comes still on the bone so you need to tear it apart with your hands. Just discard the gristle and bones on the table - it'll all be crumpled up in the paper tablecloth at the end of the meal.

The Mandi is the house speciality at the Yemen Restaurant, and is particularly good. Also make sure to try the beans with egg, which have been cooked together in a metal pot to make a kind of pasta bake (without the pasta). The fish is also excellent, and the bread is divine, a little bit like super-sized parathas. The best thing to do is to buy a selection of dishes and share, though be warned the portions are pretty big.

Service at the Yemen restaurant is also good: friendly and reasonably efficient, though you often have to remind them about the drinks for some reason! (No alcohol served.) If you have over-ordered, which is easily done, the staff will wrap your food up for you to go.

Taboula

Description:
Taboula is a fancy Lebanese restaurant tucked away down a leafy side street in Garden City. Although quite large, the tables are packed together, and the restaurant can feel quite stuffy. It is nicely decorated though, and feels quite classy.

Taboula specialises in Lebanese food, which means lots of tasty mezze and grills. The food can be a bit hit and miss: some of the mezze in particular are delicious, whereas others are merely average. The classics, such as hummus and tabouleh, are very good, but the mussels leave a lot to be desired. The Fattah dishes are particularly good. Alcohol and shisha pipes are both served at Taboula, and it is a pleasant enough space to enjoy a lingering meal, but the staff are not always that friendly.

There is a take-away and delivery service as well.

If you fancy a more cheap and cheerful Middle Eastern dining experience, check out nearby Abou Shakra.

Cedars Restaurant

Description:
Cedars restaurant in Mohandiseen offers up good quality Lebanese food in relaxed surroundings. It's very popular with locals, and always busy, though you can sometimes find a quiet(ish) corner.

Cedars has a great range of mezzes - the artichoke hearts, hummus with meat, sogoq (spicy Arabian sausages), and vine leaves are particularly good. Mains include a typical range of grills and sandwiches, and lots of offal. Their halloumi sandwich is wonderful, as is the fattah.

Cedars doesn't serve alcohol, though they have a wide range of delicious seasonal juices - the watermelon is particularly good if you catch it.

Cedars is famous for its shisha pipes (the Egyptian water pipe), and with loads of waiting staff, the service is excellent. They also have a patio you can dine on.

Felfela

Description:
Beloved of tourists and locals alike, Felfela is a Cairo fast food institution. On the right as you head up Talaat Harb street towards the midan, Felfela is a simple, brightly coloured and brightly lit restaurant that offers a whole range of Egyptian street food classics.

You can get koshary (with or without meat), chicken or beef shawerma, different types of taamiya and felafel sandwiches, all sorts of fuul... simply name your staple!

Although it's a bit more expensive than the proper dive restaurants offering this food, Felfela is still cheap, and reassuringly hygienic.

The way it works is easy: you order and pay at the cash desk, and the staff will give you a ticket. (Felfela has menus in English, and the staff speak English too.) You take your ticket to the appropriate part of the restaurant (the staff will tell you where to go if you aren't sure), and swap it for some food!

You can either eat amongst the other customers, standing up at the waist-height counters, or take your food to go. Either way, it's delicious!

Felfela is set right amongst the action of Downtown Cairo. Afterwards, why not head to the nearby Stella Bar, Horeya, or Odeon Palace Bar, and grab yourself... read more
Beloved of tourists and locals alike, Felfela is a Cairo fast food institution. On the right as you head up Talaat Harb street towards the midan, Felfela is a simple, brightly coloured and brightly lit restaurant that offers a whole range of Egyptian street food classics.

You can get koshary (with or without meat), chicken or beef shawerma, different types of taamiya and felafel sandwiches, all sorts of fuul... simply name your staple!

Although it's a bit more expensive than the proper dive restaurants offering this food, Felfela is still cheap, and reassuringly hygienic.

The way it works is easy: you order and pay at the cash desk, and the staff will give you a ticket. (Felfela has menus in English, and the staff speak English too.) You take your ticket to the appropriate part of the restaurant (the staff will tell you where to go if you aren't sure), and swap it for some food!

You can either eat amongst the other customers, standing up at the waist-height counters, or take your food to go. Either way, it's delicious!

Felfela is set right amongst the action of Downtown Cairo. Afterwards, why not head to the nearby Stella Bar, Horeya, or Odeon Palace Bar, and grab yourself a local beer to wash your food down!

There is also a proper sit down version of the restaurant just around the corner on Hoda Sharaawy Street.hide
© NileGuide2011

La Bodega

Description:
La Bodega restaurant is on 26th July street, Zamalek. With its quality Mediterranean food, expensive drinks and classy surrounds, it's long been a mainstay of the dining and nightlife scene. Enter through the street level doorway that still has a sign for the Balmoral, and either climb the stairs or take the old-school ornate iron lift to the first floor.

La Bodega bistro has a restrained atmosphere of efficiency and sophistication, with dark wood furniture, subdued lighting, and classical paintings adorning the walls. The menu is Mediterranean with a French bias, and La Bodega is renowned for its steaks. Although the food is expensive, it is good quality, and the service is excellent. The restaurant also offers a wide range of set menus that are great value, though you have to arrive early in the evening to qualify.

You don't have to eat in the La Bodega bistro. Many people choose to head around the corner and prop up the huge, copper plated bar. You'll often find groups of professional expats and Egyptians here, catching up over a cocktail or a glass of wine. The serving staff are very knowledgeable, and can make a good range of cocktails. You can even find Caipirinha, though... read more
La Bodega restaurant is on 26th July street, Zamalek. With its quality Mediterranean food, expensive drinks and classy surrounds, it's long been a mainstay of the dining and nightlife scene. Enter through the street level doorway that still has a sign for the Balmoral, and either climb the stairs or take the old-school ornate iron lift to the first floor.

La Bodega bistro has a restrained atmosphere of efficiency and sophistication, with dark wood furniture, subdued lighting, and classical paintings adorning the walls. The menu is Mediterranean with a French bias, and La Bodega is renowned for its steaks. Although the food is expensive, it is good quality, and the service is excellent. The restaurant also offers a wide range of set menus that are great value, though you have to arrive early in the evening to qualify.

You don't have to eat in the La Bodega bistro. Many people choose to head around the corner and prop up the huge, copper plated bar. You'll often find groups of professional expats and Egyptians here, catching up over a cocktail or a glass of wine. The serving staff are very knowledgeable, and can make a good range of cocktails. You can even find Caipirinha, though don't expect it to taste like it does in Brazil!

La Bodega is a classy place, so it's best to dress up before you go. A word of warning, the "welcoming" staff in the marble lobby who check your reservation can be incredibly rude, and will often refuse entry to groups of single men.

If you fancy something a little less pretentious, Deals and L'Aubergine are just around the corner, as is Aboul Sid if you are looking for classy Egyptian cuisine.hide

Tornado

Description:
Ultra hip hang-out for the fashion-conscious youth - arrive by 9p or plan to wait outside. The restaurant is loosely partitioned into sections: cushioned benches and low tables in the front, regular tables and chairs in the middle, and comfy sofas nestled around a big-screen TV in the back. The best seats, however, are the tables and handful of cozy alcoves in the rear outdoor enclosure beneath a wooden lattice. Arabic music videos blare on monitors throughout, and the clamor rises throughout the night as more and more people arrive.

Al Rubayyat

Description:
Al Rubayyat is a continental restaurant located at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel in Cairo. The interiors are grand with Arabesque arches, Mashrabia screens and illuminated by typical Islamic ornate brass lanterns. The food served at Al Rubayyat is continental with a lot of delicacies on offer. Live folkloric music and dancing bands entertain guests and add to the whole dining experience.

Café Heliopolis

Description:
Situated right in the center of the Fairmont Towers Heliopolis, this cafe serves a wide variety of refreshments. If you're looking for the regular coffee and croissant routine, this place is just right; however, it has an impressive lists of ice cream on its menu. The one screaming out for attention being the one made from camel-milk. An outdoor pizza bar serves a variety of yummy pizzas, fish and chips and burgers.

Simonds

Description:
This is a small but popular coffee shop frequented by journalists, expats and students. There is another branch downtown. Cramped and crowded, there are just a handful of high stools for sitting on here. Find a sliver of space at the counter and chat with other customers. The display cases of pastries and sweets can be very tempting. It is purported to serve (although perhaps not justifiably) one of the best cappuccinos in Cairo. It also offers juices, teas and a good selection of fresh pastry and sweets.

Cafe de Paris

Description:
Slap bang in the middle of the basement of a shopping mall, the cafe offers Internet access and a relaxed atmosphere to meet friends for a light meal.

Kunst Gallery and Café

Kunst Gallery & Cafe is a Unique Place for Art and Artists to compile their Interests in Designing or Creating Piece of art, Beside you can enjoy Drinking coffee and chill out on the wonderful music of the world most famous composers.

Bon Appetit

Description:
This fledgling Egyptian restaurant chain consists of popular coffee and sandwich shops offering a quick, tasty alternative in the fast-food market. Small, clean tables are neatly spaced in the bright dining area. Couples tend to stick close to the large glass windows, while groups huddle at the bigger tables in the middle. The menu includes a variety of simple appetizers, pasta, grilled meats, fish kebabs and sandwiches - including a club sandwich that's worth a try. They also offer meal deals, for those who just want the standard combo: sandwich, drink and fries.

Groppi's

Description:
Part of a famous Cairo chain, this branch is notable for its garden terrace and deli. During World War II, the patio was a popular retreat where British officers enjoyed their afternoon tea; Egyptians and lower-ranking officers were not allowed in. The paneled interior looks much as it must have done in the 1940s. Elderly couples frequent the dining area while a mixed crowd relax in the shaded garden. The seats are uncomfortable and the service slow, but it is easy to imagine how it once was. Tea, coffee and juices can be ordered along with desserts; the baklava is superb. The deli sells cold cuts, pastas and jams.

Samadi

Description:
Established over 10 years ago, this is one of Cairo's most famous pastry shops. It offers a terrific selection of delicious (but fattening) Oriental pastries. Clean and modern, this super place is popular with all ages thanks to its fab food. There is a wide range of Oriental pastries including basbousa, baklawa and konafa. The yummy ice cream "bouza", available in several flavors, is a particular favorite in Cairo. Prices are pretty reasonable with a kilo of basbousa, and one ice cream scoop. There are also several "diet" items especially for the health-conscious. No alcohol.

Al-Fishawi Coffee Shop

Description

Located in the heart of Khan al-Khalili, al-Fishawi is Egypt's most famous, and most exciting coffee shop. Al-Fishawi has been open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for hundreds of years, and used to be a favourite haunt of artists and writers such as Nobel prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz.

The so-called "cafe of mirrors" extends along the side of one of Khan al-Khalili's narrow alleyways, and has a gorgeous, carved wood (mashrabia) interior. These days, the sheer volume of people visiting al-Fishawi means rickety wooden tables and chairs spill out in to the alley itself, with the effervescent waiters fighting a constant battle to squeeze the extra bodies in somewhere. The atmosphere is chaotic, with a heady mix of tourists, locals, shop-keepers and trinket-sellers variously drinking, shouting, and pushing their way through the throng.

Al-Fishawi serves the standard range of sodas, juices and hot drinks, as well as various flavours of shisha (water pipe). It's a great place to take a break from shopping in Khan al-Khalili - though don't expect it to be relaxing!

COFFEE LAWIEN

COFFEE LAWIEN