Cairo Restaurant Recommendations
Aug 17th, 2009, 08:08 AM
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Cairo Restaurant Recommendations
Does anyone have restaurant recommendations for Cairo? We will have a few meals by ourselves apart from our tour company. We are staying at the Cairo Marriott in Zamalek and would like tips on things close by.
Aug 19th, 2009, 05:27 AM
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I also have the exact same question! Am heading to Egypt in 3 weeks and was hoping that everyone who has been can offer me some restaurant recommendations. We are also staying at the Cairo Marriott in Zamalek.
So far, by reading the guide books, we've identified the following places for dinner - Abu Sid (Middle Eastern) in Zamalek and Moghul Room (Indian at the Mena House Oberoi in Giza). Both are highly recommended.
We have heard about 2 other places. One is the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe at the Khan e Khalil. Is it better to go there for lunch or dinner?
The other place Fodor's recommends is Barry's at Giza (Middle Eastern). Has anyone been? Also, Fodor's said you can watch the Sound & Light show from there - can you see the show as well as hear it? I ask because we are booked for the Sound & Light show one of the nights we are in Cairo and if we can see and hear just as well from Barry's, we can cancel the Sound & Light show and have dinner at Barry's instead - best of both worlds, that way.
Any other recommendations for Cairo? Really looking for typical Middle Eastern food - I believe there's a nice chain called Maison Thomas where we can always go if we get Western food cravings, but I doubt we will.
And does anyone have any recommendations for Luxor and Aswan? We are on a Nile cruise but in case we get sick of the boat food (hopefully not literally!) we might want to sneak off and check out places in town.
Thanks much!
So far, by reading the guide books, we've identified the following places for dinner - Abu Sid (Middle Eastern) in Zamalek and Moghul Room (Indian at the Mena House Oberoi in Giza). Both are highly recommended.
We have heard about 2 other places. One is the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe at the Khan e Khalil. Is it better to go there for lunch or dinner?
The other place Fodor's recommends is Barry's at Giza (Middle Eastern). Has anyone been? Also, Fodor's said you can watch the Sound & Light show from there - can you see the show as well as hear it? I ask because we are booked for the Sound & Light show one of the nights we are in Cairo and if we can see and hear just as well from Barry's, we can cancel the Sound & Light show and have dinner at Barry's instead - best of both worlds, that way.
Any other recommendations for Cairo? Really looking for typical Middle Eastern food - I believe there's a nice chain called Maison Thomas where we can always go if we get Western food cravings, but I doubt we will.
And does anyone have any recommendations for Luxor and Aswan? We are on a Nile cruise but in case we get sick of the boat food (hopefully not literally!) we might want to sneak off and check out places in town.
Thanks much!
Aug 19th, 2009, 12:31 PM
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Oh my, I have to jump in here and make some comments.
BB, you've listed all the main tourist restaurants. Here are my opinions of them -
Abu El Sid - definately worth a visit. The food is not fabulous, but you won't notice because the autmosphere is the reason you are there. It is wonderful. It is definately worth one night. The problem is getting a reservation.
The Mougal Room - Good, but over rated and too far away from town. There are just as good Indian food restaurants nearer to the city. One is in the Grand Hyatt Hotel. There is another, can't remember the name right now, but check with me later if you really care - it is in Sphinx Square just over the bridge into Mohandiseen from Zamalek. And if someone is in Heliopolis, the Karvin Hotel has a perfectly respectable Indian restaurant in it. All are less expensive than the Mena House restaurant.
Naguib Mafouz is great. Try the Khan Favorites from the Menu rather than the meat dishes. I think they are much better!
Dinner or lunch are fine. If you are coming soon, you will be here in Ramadan and they offer a big Iftar meal at sunset. You might enjoy that. Make reservations.
Barry's is the reason I felt I had to write. I've been there once and for autmosphere and proximity to the Sound and Light it is fine. Go there for beers, but not for dinner. I'm very sorry to have to say this, but I and everyone I have talked to that has been there (except for the guy that took me) feel the food is very mediocre and the service is CRAP! That is why I suggest beers only. They will have them, they should be cold and the staff can probably get one of those to your table in a reasonably decent time. I absolutely could not believe the service at this restaurant considering they are touted as being so good for tourists. Maybe I have higher expectations when I'm working with guests, but if a restaurant takes 30-60 minutes to do anything, it isn't good enough. If Barry wants to invite me back and send his driver to provide transport, I would give it another go, but from my experience, I can't suggest you eat there. Beers and Sound and Light are fine.
And NO, it isn't the same as being at the Sound & Light Show. It is nice, but you won't see everything and you don't hear it as well as if you are there. If you just want the "feel" that you saw the show, it will do that for you.
Luxor is still not known for food. If you crave a British breakfast or anything British, there are now loads of restaurants catering to the Brits. Other than that, nothing stands out - oh oh oh...except there is a good Indian place on one of the side streets near the St. George Sonesta. Look on the main street for signs.
Here is a web site for all the restaurants that deliver in Cairo and Alexandria. Play around on the site and you'll see all their menus. Maybe you'll find something interesting.
www.otlob.com
Bon Appetite
BB, you've listed all the main tourist restaurants. Here are my opinions of them -
Abu El Sid - definately worth a visit. The food is not fabulous, but you won't notice because the autmosphere is the reason you are there. It is wonderful. It is definately worth one night. The problem is getting a reservation.
The Mougal Room - Good, but over rated and too far away from town. There are just as good Indian food restaurants nearer to the city. One is in the Grand Hyatt Hotel. There is another, can't remember the name right now, but check with me later if you really care - it is in Sphinx Square just over the bridge into Mohandiseen from Zamalek. And if someone is in Heliopolis, the Karvin Hotel has a perfectly respectable Indian restaurant in it. All are less expensive than the Mena House restaurant.
Naguib Mafouz is great. Try the Khan Favorites from the Menu rather than the meat dishes. I think they are much better!
Dinner or lunch are fine. If you are coming soon, you will be here in Ramadan and they offer a big Iftar meal at sunset. You might enjoy that. Make reservations.
Barry's is the reason I felt I had to write. I've been there once and for autmosphere and proximity to the Sound and Light it is fine. Go there for beers, but not for dinner. I'm very sorry to have to say this, but I and everyone I have talked to that has been there (except for the guy that took me) feel the food is very mediocre and the service is CRAP! That is why I suggest beers only. They will have them, they should be cold and the staff can probably get one of those to your table in a reasonably decent time. I absolutely could not believe the service at this restaurant considering they are touted as being so good for tourists. Maybe I have higher expectations when I'm working with guests, but if a restaurant takes 30-60 minutes to do anything, it isn't good enough. If Barry wants to invite me back and send his driver to provide transport, I would give it another go, but from my experience, I can't suggest you eat there. Beers and Sound and Light are fine.
And NO, it isn't the same as being at the Sound & Light Show. It is nice, but you won't see everything and you don't hear it as well as if you are there. If you just want the "feel" that you saw the show, it will do that for you.
Luxor is still not known for food. If you crave a British breakfast or anything British, there are now loads of restaurants catering to the Brits. Other than that, nothing stands out - oh oh oh...except there is a good Indian place on one of the side streets near the St. George Sonesta. Look on the main street for signs.
Here is a web site for all the restaurants that deliver in Cairo and Alexandria. Play around on the site and you'll see all their menus. Maybe you'll find something interesting.
www.otlob.com
Bon Appetite
Aug 19th, 2009, 12:34 PM
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I forgot to mention to both of you a great Thai Restaurant in Zamalek. I think the name is The Thai Restaurant. It is off Mohamed Mohzar Street. You could actually walk to it pretty easy from the Marriott, but I'm hard pressed to give directions here. If anyone wants to go to it, tell me and I'll try to explain. Or you can invite me to go along and I'll show you the way! 
Aug 19th, 2009, 02:03 PM
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Thanks CC! I encountered you on the Frommer's board as well, I had posted the same question there. I am happy I got your response here!
Abu Sid is a definite then. We will ask our agent to make the rez now - we are a group of 8, and will have to book early from what you are saying.
Moghul Room - I hear you. However, my parents and family all really want to go - they had initially wanted to stay at the Mena House and I had dissuaded them based on the feedback we got about location, etc. But they still want to go see the hotel and we figured, may as well have dinner there.
Naguib Mahfouz - sounds great. Maybe we'll have dinner there instead of lunch.
Barry's - thanks so much for the tip - both on the restaurant and the S&L show. So-so food and crap service - non, merci! We may just skip Barry's altogether, our days in Cairo are pretty full already.
Thai food - sounds good but we get pretty good Thai food here so may skip that.
Luxor and Aswan - guess it's the boat food for us!
A question - is the revolving restaurant at the Cairo Hyatt any good? Most revolving restaurants in my experience have mediocre food. How is it? We'd like to see the views from there for sure.
Thanks again. I really appreciate your insight. If my mom and aunts get into trouble haggling at the Khan, I may have to call you for emergency back-up! And congratulations by the way on being one of the highly recommended tour guides in Cairo - much deserved, I'm sure!
Abu Sid is a definite then. We will ask our agent to make the rez now - we are a group of 8, and will have to book early from what you are saying.
Moghul Room - I hear you. However, my parents and family all really want to go - they had initially wanted to stay at the Mena House and I had dissuaded them based on the feedback we got about location, etc. But they still want to go see the hotel and we figured, may as well have dinner there.
Naguib Mahfouz - sounds great. Maybe we'll have dinner there instead of lunch.
Barry's - thanks so much for the tip - both on the restaurant and the S&L show. So-so food and crap service - non, merci! We may just skip Barry's altogether, our days in Cairo are pretty full already.
Thai food - sounds good but we get pretty good Thai food here so may skip that.
Luxor and Aswan - guess it's the boat food for us!
A question - is the revolving restaurant at the Cairo Hyatt any good? Most revolving restaurants in my experience have mediocre food. How is it? We'd like to see the views from there for sure.
Thanks again. I really appreciate your insight. If my mom and aunts get into trouble haggling at the Khan, I may have to call you for emergency back-up! And congratulations by the way on being one of the highly recommended tour guides in Cairo - much deserved, I'm sure!
Aug 20th, 2009, 08:26 AM
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Thank CC for the tips! Your current and past posts have been a big help getting ready for our trip.
How far of a cab ride is Naguib Mahfouz Cafe from the Marriott? Is it easy to get a cab ride back to the Marriott after dinner?
Also, what is the typical meal time in Cairo (during Ramadan)? We land around 6pm on a flight and will go to the Marriott hotel to check in and then out for dinner somewhere. Would Naguib Mahfouz be a good option that night or should we try some place closer like Abu El Sid and then go to go there another night?
How far of a cab ride is Naguib Mahfouz Cafe from the Marriott? Is it easy to get a cab ride back to the Marriott after dinner?
Also, what is the typical meal time in Cairo (during Ramadan)? We land around 6pm on a flight and will go to the Marriott hotel to check in and then out for dinner somewhere. Would Naguib Mahfouz be a good option that night or should we try some place closer like Abu El Sid and then go to go there another night?
Aug 20th, 2009, 04:09 PM
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Hi Newlyweds,
There is a nice restaurant inside the Al-Azhar Park called the Citadel View. I highly recommend you visit this park just before sunset and have dinner at the Citadel View. The view is very nice here. You can see the Mohammud Ali Mosque and Cairo lit up at night. The service and food are also excellent.
We also ate at a floating restaurant called the Fish Market restaurant. You chose your own fish from the fish stand and they will prepare it for you the way you want (grilled or fried). It's nice to have the view of the Nile. The restaurant is located on the Nile Street close to the Four Seasons Hotel.
There are also other floating restaurants which are also recommended but we did not personally try them such as Le Pacha, with various restaurants. It's located 100 meters south of the Marriott Hotel.
Another popular place is called Nile City in Zamalek, a large floating complex with several outlets, good variety.
I guess you can ask your hotel concierge to give the taxi driver directions for these restaurant.
But don't miss the Citadel View restaurant and the Al-Azhar Park. This place is very special and romantic for newlyweds.
Have a great trip.
We love Egypt and hope to be able to return someday. I have posted our trip report.
There is a nice restaurant inside the Al-Azhar Park called the Citadel View. I highly recommend you visit this park just before sunset and have dinner at the Citadel View. The view is very nice here. You can see the Mohammud Ali Mosque and Cairo lit up at night. The service and food are also excellent.
We also ate at a floating restaurant called the Fish Market restaurant. You chose your own fish from the fish stand and they will prepare it for you the way you want (grilled or fried). It's nice to have the view of the Nile. The restaurant is located on the Nile Street close to the Four Seasons Hotel.
There are also other floating restaurants which are also recommended but we did not personally try them such as Le Pacha, with various restaurants. It's located 100 meters south of the Marriott Hotel.
Another popular place is called Nile City in Zamalek, a large floating complex with several outlets, good variety.
I guess you can ask your hotel concierge to give the taxi driver directions for these restaurant.
But don't miss the Citadel View restaurant and the Al-Azhar Park. This place is very special and romantic for newlyweds.
Have a great trip.
We love Egypt and hope to be able to return someday. I have posted our trip report.
Aug 20th, 2009, 06:01 PM
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Debbie - is the Fish Market restaurant that HappyMom32 mentioned the same (like same owners) as the one on the Nile in Ma'adi? You know -near TGIFridays?
If so - it was one of our fav places. I don't eat fish (or any seafood), but I filled up on rice and grilled eggplant (aubergine) and DH and our sons LOVED the fish. We probably went there several times during the year - and always when we had family/friends visiting.
If so - it was one of our fav places. I don't eat fish (or any seafood), but I filled up on rice and grilled eggplant (aubergine) and DH and our sons LOVED the fish. We probably went there several times during the year - and always when we had family/friends visiting.
Aug 21st, 2009, 01:36 PM
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Hey Guys,
Grcxx3 - yes, she is talking about the Fish Market - same as the one in Maadi. It is most famous in Alexandria on the sea, but they recently opened a new one near me in Heliopolis too.
FYI - you don't have to have the fish grilled or fried. Instead a very good Egyptian way of cooking fish is what they call Sangary (pronounced like it looks). It is baked with special spices on it along with onions and tomatoes. It is the best this way. A good large SeaBass will feed the whole group if you compliment it with some Jumbo Shrimp and Calamarie. Those only come grilled or fried, I think.
I agree about the Citadel View area in Al Ahzar. The restaurant I think Happy Mom is talking about is Studio Misr. There are loads of branches of that too - one of them is on the Nile City Boat that was mentioned. Studio Misr serves Egyptian food and is pretty good food. The view there is really nice. I take clients to the restaurant upstairs frequently for lunch. The food is more international upstairs, but I find the service better. The service downstairs isn't as bad as Barry's by any means, but it isn't as good as up stairs. When I'm giving a tour and people are paying me for my time, I find it unfair to take them to a restaurant where service is bad and we wait too long to be waited on. I have high standards for my clients and the restaurants need to meet them too - that is why I'm pretty picky.
I haven't heard anything good about the revolving restaurant at the Hyatt. It is the only restaurant in town that I know has a dress code that is pretty fancy. I haven't gone to it though - and know it is over priced. I think they charge LE40 for Lentil Soup. Grcxx3 can tell you what Lentil Soup should sell for.
Feel free to call me for emergency back up if you need help at the market. Don't leave the city feeling frustrated with the Market. I can get you through it easily and find everything you need at good prices. Now I'm spamming, aren't I? I better shut up.
Cab ride from Marriott to Naguib Mafouz? Depends on what night of the week it is. If it is in Ramadan, then if it is after sunset, but not much after sunset, you could get there in 10 minutes, but I actually think it might be worth doing another night. The first night you can do something around Zamalek much easier. The Marriott actually has great food. I choose the JW Steakhouse for my b'day dinner every year. They have a good messa arrangement or Pizza out in the back garden restaurant too.
Iftar (the Breaking of the Fast - Breakfast - get it?) which you are referring to as Dinner I guess, is going to take place about 7 p.m. for awhile this Ramadan. If you land at 6, you should take your time getting out of the airport and then traffic will vanish at 7 p.m. for you to get to the Marriott in no time at all. You will be free to go to any restaurant for your meal any time after that then.
Putting this all together, I recommend some of you make reservations at Naguib Mafouz for Iftar one night when you are here. It is great to share the Breaking of the Fast with the Muslims that have fasted all day. One of my guides refers to this as the "dancing of the forks". Enjoy.
Long post, but so many questions to answer!
Grcxx3 - yes, she is talking about the Fish Market - same as the one in Maadi. It is most famous in Alexandria on the sea, but they recently opened a new one near me in Heliopolis too.
FYI - you don't have to have the fish grilled or fried. Instead a very good Egyptian way of cooking fish is what they call Sangary (pronounced like it looks). It is baked with special spices on it along with onions and tomatoes. It is the best this way. A good large SeaBass will feed the whole group if you compliment it with some Jumbo Shrimp and Calamarie. Those only come grilled or fried, I think.
I agree about the Citadel View area in Al Ahzar. The restaurant I think Happy Mom is talking about is Studio Misr. There are loads of branches of that too - one of them is on the Nile City Boat that was mentioned. Studio Misr serves Egyptian food and is pretty good food. The view there is really nice. I take clients to the restaurant upstairs frequently for lunch. The food is more international upstairs, but I find the service better. The service downstairs isn't as bad as Barry's by any means, but it isn't as good as up stairs. When I'm giving a tour and people are paying me for my time, I find it unfair to take them to a restaurant where service is bad and we wait too long to be waited on. I have high standards for my clients and the restaurants need to meet them too - that is why I'm pretty picky.
I haven't heard anything good about the revolving restaurant at the Hyatt. It is the only restaurant in town that I know has a dress code that is pretty fancy. I haven't gone to it though - and know it is over priced. I think they charge LE40 for Lentil Soup. Grcxx3 can tell you what Lentil Soup should sell for.
Feel free to call me for emergency back up if you need help at the market. Don't leave the city feeling frustrated with the Market. I can get you through it easily and find everything you need at good prices. Now I'm spamming, aren't I? I better shut up.
Cab ride from Marriott to Naguib Mafouz? Depends on what night of the week it is. If it is in Ramadan, then if it is after sunset, but not much after sunset, you could get there in 10 minutes, but I actually think it might be worth doing another night. The first night you can do something around Zamalek much easier. The Marriott actually has great food. I choose the JW Steakhouse for my b'day dinner every year. They have a good messa arrangement or Pizza out in the back garden restaurant too.
Iftar (the Breaking of the Fast - Breakfast - get it?) which you are referring to as Dinner I guess, is going to take place about 7 p.m. for awhile this Ramadan. If you land at 6, you should take your time getting out of the airport and then traffic will vanish at 7 p.m. for you to get to the Marriott in no time at all. You will be free to go to any restaurant for your meal any time after that then.
Putting this all together, I recommend some of you make reservations at Naguib Mafouz for Iftar one night when you are here. It is great to share the Breaking of the Fast with the Muslims that have fasted all day. One of my guides refers to this as the "dancing of the forks". Enjoy.
Long post, but so many questions to answer!
But I know my friends have always gotten it for MUCH less than 40LE!
Aug 23rd, 2009, 04:47 AM
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Hi newleyweds and baby bear. I visited Egypt in January and thoroughly enjoyed Abu El Sid. I also ate at one of the floating restaurants - Le Pacha where we dined in the Egyptian restaurant. I would recommend that you try both places.
Have a great time - I loved Egypt!
Have a great time - I loved Egypt!
Aug 30th, 2009, 08:16 AM
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The food at Abou el Sid was atrocious. Not just bad, but atrocious. Plus, the indifferent service attitude made the experience even more underwhelming. Better was Taboula in Garden City, though our second experience was not as fantastic as the first. My advice is to order appetizers and then have them come back for your entree order. Speaking frankly, and we have been in Cairo three times for a total of over 3 months, Cairo is not a foodie destination. There are occasional bright spots, but if you're going for a culinary experience, prepare to be disappointed. One thing I would recommend would be The Egyptian Pancake house in the Khan. Fatir is the name of this "pancake" and it is the best "unique" thing that we have eaten here. I do not believe you can find this in other cusines. I have searched high and low for a recipe with no luck. They have both savory and sweet fatirs. The cheese one at The Egyptian Pancake house is exceptional, and the sweet one with powdered sugar or honey is fantastic. As far as Lebanese restaurants go, we had a great meal a couple of years ago at the Lebanese restaurant at the Fairmount in Heliopolis. It is quite out of the way from Zamalek, however, but depending on your flight home, you could possibly stop there on your way back to the airport. Truly, I just don't think that Egyptians care that much about food since I have never seen the evidence in their restaurants. We had a good Italian meal at La Trattoria in Zamalek. That restaurant, as well as one in Mohandeseen called Sharwood, are owned by Omar Sharif's son. Believe it or not there is a pretty good Korean Restaurant in Zamalet right near the aformentioned Thai restaurant. Also the Peking Restaurant in Zamalek isn't half bad -- better than when we were there last year.
Sep 1st, 2009, 06:37 AM
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roxlet23 - You and I are on the same page about Abou el Sid, but I have to admit I like the atmosphere and most tourists find it fantastic. The food is mediocre at best, but if you haven't found really good Egyptian food to compare it to, then you wouldn't know.
For your next experience though - you need to try Kosheri if you have not yet. If you have not had it at Hind in Heliopolis, then you haven't had it yet. Hind is generally voted BEST KOSHERI in any of those sorts of contests that cities have now and then.
And for the truely best Egyptian food - I think you need to get down and dirty with the Egyptians at their favorite spots, NOT at the 5* places like Abu el Sid.
For your next experience though - you need to try Kosheri if you have not yet. If you have not had it at Hind in Heliopolis, then you haven't had it yet. Hind is generally voted BEST KOSHERI in any of those sorts of contests that cities have now and then.
And for the truely best Egyptian food - I think you need to get down and dirty with the Egyptians at their favorite spots, NOT at the 5* places like Abu el Sid.
Sep 11th, 2009, 03:40 PM
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I think the original posters have already departed so I am adding this for others.
If staying at the Marriott in Zamalek, you don't have to go far for great Egyptian food, the Egyptian Nights restaurant in the garden at the Marriott Hotel serves superlative Egyptian/Middle Eastern food (the traditional flatbread is patted out and baked it in a traditional oven right in front of youe eyes, and served absolutely fresh).
(The Cairo Marriott is a wonderful hotel)
By the way, I agree with roxlet23 - Cairo is not a great restaurant destination. Abu Sid has terrible food and even worse service. I have seldom been to a place which was so hyped and yet so disappointing.
We had lunch (pizza) at Maison Thomas - pretty indifferent.
For a light lunch, The Bakery (also in the Marriott) is much better.
Something that hasn't been touched on - when making plans to go to dinner in a cab in Cairo, you need to take the Cairo traffic into consideration. It is quite possible to get stuck in traffic for a long, long time - both coming and going to a restaurant. You need to ask yourselves if this is what you want to do after presumably a long day of sight-seeing.
In Luxor - the El Hussein restaurant on Karnak Street, north of the Karnak Temple (they have a website) has excellent Egyptian food. The Tudor Rose restaurant near the St. Joseph hotel serves food geared towards the British tourist tastes more than Egyptian, but it's okay and the prices reasonable. (Unlike Cairo, there is no traffic problem in Luxor, and it is such a small town that many destinations are easy to walk to or a very quick taxi ride from a central location).
If staying at the Marriott in Zamalek, you don't have to go far for great Egyptian food, the Egyptian Nights restaurant in the garden at the Marriott Hotel serves superlative Egyptian/Middle Eastern food (the traditional flatbread is patted out and baked it in a traditional oven right in front of youe eyes, and served absolutely fresh).
(The Cairo Marriott is a wonderful hotel)
By the way, I agree with roxlet23 - Cairo is not a great restaurant destination. Abu Sid has terrible food and even worse service. I have seldom been to a place which was so hyped and yet so disappointing.
We had lunch (pizza) at Maison Thomas - pretty indifferent.
For a light lunch, The Bakery (also in the Marriott) is much better.
Something that hasn't been touched on - when making plans to go to dinner in a cab in Cairo, you need to take the Cairo traffic into consideration. It is quite possible to get stuck in traffic for a long, long time - both coming and going to a restaurant. You need to ask yourselves if this is what you want to do after presumably a long day of sight-seeing.
In Luxor - the El Hussein restaurant on Karnak Street, north of the Karnak Temple (they have a website) has excellent Egyptian food. The Tudor Rose restaurant near the St. Joseph hotel serves food geared towards the British tourist tastes more than Egyptian, but it's okay and the prices reasonable. (Unlike Cairo, there is no traffic problem in Luxor, and it is such a small town that many destinations are easy to walk to or a very quick taxi ride from a central location).
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