13 of the best restaurants in Cairo

Brian Corvers

Brian has been part of the Le Petit Chef team since day 1. As Vice President Marketing, he always initiates new projects to further develop and enrich the show.

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is home to 10 Million people. Located near the Nile delta, home of the Giza pyramid complex and the historic center, which was awarded as a World Heritage Site. Cairo is big, in many ways: Historical, population wise, but also with food choices. The city offers great street foods, fusion foods and many traditional restaurants. We list the 13 must-visit restaurants in Cairo.

Tip #1: Abou Tarek

On the corner of Maarouf and Champollion street, you find Abou Tarek. The place is a hotspot for Koshary, the national dish of Egypt. The mix of pasta, fried rice, brown lentils, vermicelli, topped with sauces, chickpeas and fried onion, is their bestseller.

It all started with a food cart, at the very same street corner. Today it’s a buzzing restaurant, a magnet for customers from all over the cities. Also, companies order their employees lunch with Abou Tarek.

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Tip #2: Felfela

Felfela is a great eatery for enjoying original Egyptian cuisine in a fine dining ambience. The restaurant opened the doors in 1959 and is since then family owned and operated by the Zaghloul family.

The highly awarded place, with a beautiful, authentic interior, is considered a signature in Downtown Cairo and a must-visit during a trip. It caters to all kinds of dietary restrictions and is a family friendly restaurant.

Tip #3: Granita

Granita is definitely a place to relax, cool down, to enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious food. Named after the popular semi-frozen dessert, it’s a great hangout locals appreciate. The colorful café on the Grounds of All Saints Cathedral in Zamalek offers Egyptian and International eats.

All Day Breakfasts, a good variety of sandwiches and regional plates are offered. Daily fresh dessert options are displayed.

Tip #4: Lucille’s

Since 1995, Lucille’s is the place where locals go, when they don’t wanna eat Egyptian food. Lucille’s serves International dishes, pasta, steaks, burgers, and they are also famous for their fluffy pancakes with maple syrup.

The restaurant has two locations, one in New Cairo and one in Sakanat. Don’t miss out on the burgers, Lucille’s got many rewards for their juicy beef burgers with fluffy buns and great condiments.

New Cairo: Daily: 11 am – 10 pm
Sakanat: Daily: 8 am – 12 am
New Cairo: Banks Center Street, New Cairo 1, Cairo Governorate 4730114
Sakanat: 54 Rd 9 Maadi, Cairo Governorate 4212011
+201 2248 24845 (New Cairo)
+201 0929 15000 (Sakanat)
contactus@lucillesrestaurants.com

Tip #5: Makino

Locals talk about Makino as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Cairo. The interior of the Japanese eatery focuses on light neutral colors and wood, the Nile view from the restaurant and the riverside terrace is beautiful.

So is the plating of the eatery, located on the base of the Hilton Zamalek residence. A professional Japanese chef is prepping the raw sushi, but also grilled Japanese delicacies.

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Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: Andrea Mariouteya

Andrea Mariouteya is the real Cairo restaurant experience. The eatery has been family owned and operated since 1958. Famous for their chicken and the view. It’s hard to beat a dinner with a pyramid view. This is why the spot is usually busy and very attractive for tourists.

But also locals appreciate the food. The restaurant is a BBQ spot and famous for their grilled chicken and quail, but also for the generous mezze variations.

Tip #7: Pier 88 Nile River

Cairo loves Pier 88 Nile River for their Italian cuisine, their pastries, and the ambience. Executive chefs Mostafa Seif, Artem Vasilevich and Ahmed Agha, all of them award-winning food experts, creating classic dishes with a modern twist.

The high-end eatery with Nile River view requires reservation and promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Tip #8: Fasahet Somaya

Egyptian cuisine without a fuss, this is the best way to describe Fasahet Somaya. The cozy eatery in Downtown Cairo is a place where guests should feel comfortable, almost like in their home space.

Somaya Al-Asyoty is running the home-style eatery without a menu. The chef goes daily to the markets and cooks up what she can find. Every day, Al-Asyoty is writing a new menu on the board. Fresh ingredients and surprises. The restaurant only opens for two hours.

Tip #9: What The Crust

What the crust is a small, family-owned restaurant and not hard to guess, it’s all about the crust – pizza crust! Owners Dareen and Helmy are pizza enthusiasts and popularized the Neapolitan pizza in the Arabian world. They won several awards for their efforts and work.

In the meantime, What The Crust pizza is served in three different locations. Fresh and locally sourced ingredients are important to the company. Every pizza type has its own story.

Maadi: Daily: 3 pm – 11 pm
The Drive: Daily: 4 pm – 2 am
Lakehouse: Daily: 12 pm – 12 am
Maadi: 275 Mokarrar Street Ezbet Fahmy El Basatin Cairo
The Drive: The Drive by Waterway New Cairo 3 Cairo
Lakehouse: Lakehouse The Club, By Dusit Thani Hotel S Teseen New Cairo 3 Cairo
+201 00576 4631 (Maadi)
+201 01599 6039 (The Drive)
+ 201 03314 4388 (Lakehouse)
hello@WhatTheCrust.com

Tip #10: Birdcage

Birdcage presents the spirit and flavors of Thailand in an award-winning, authentic setting. On the second floor of the Semiramis InterContinental Hotel Cairo, the Thai eatery offers not only a joy for the taste buds, but also for the eyes.

Surrounded by exotic water decors, luxury table settings, the restaurant is definitely worth a visit. The authentic Thai food, is beautifully plated and cooked by chef Naron Butsriphoom and his team.

Tip #11: Sachi Heliopolis

Fusion kitchen with Mediterranean and Asian flavors, this is Sachi. Elegant presentation, a twist on traditions and premium ingredients are on the menu of the eatery in the center of Cairo. Chef Ashour Desouki is cooking and prepping a wide variety of flavors.

Established in 2014, the restaurant operates in the meantime three locations, one of them in Cairo. It won the award for the Best Restaurant in Egypt by the World’s 50 best Restaurants.

Tip #12: Osmanly Restaurant

If you’re looking for traditional Turkish cuisine in Cairo, Osmanly Restaurant is your place to eat! Dine like a sultan in an unforgettable fine dining experience.

Try their signature dish Hünkar Beğendi – mouthwatering braised beef tenderloin on a bed of creamy roasted eggplant purée – and discover more exotic flavours.

Tip #13: Bab El Sharq

Looking at the Egyptian Museum during the meal – that’s something you can do this at Bab El-Sharq. The outdoor restaurant offers traditional cuisine in a unique atmosphere every day.

Meat, fish or vegetarian dishes are on the menu. Flavored shisha, live entertainment and broadcasts of major sporting events are also on offer. The oriental setting transports you into a fairy tale from a thousand and one nights.

Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!