Restaurants in Cairo

In the middle of the sprawling market streets, this traditional coffee shop is named after Egypt's Nobel prize-winning novelist, who set many of his works in this area. Traditional musicians play most evenings; try for a table in the front section. It serves traditional Egyptian cuisine but you could just come for a juice and fabulous Om Ali, the national’s beloved dessert - a rich pudding made from sweet bread, dried fruit, nuts and cream.

The view of the sunset from the Grand Hyatt’s 40th floor cocktail lounge is surpassed only by the restaurant a floor above, with Cairo spread out at your feet like a tapestry of light. Suitable for a romantic intimate dinner for two, with tables set around a central platform, the restaurant offers inspiring French haute cuisine.

Thought to be Egypt’s finest Indian restaurant, and located in the Mena House Oberoi hotel overlooking the Pyramids, the cuisine is North Indian, with kebabs and rich, creamy curries a speciality. Décor is traditional Indian, with classical musicians playing nightly.

If you're looking for delicious authentic Egyptian food and a spectacular view of the Nile, Zitouni is the place to go. Found within the Cairo Four Seasons Hotel, this traditional and elegantly decorated restaurant offers a range of local specialties from mezzes to grilled dishes, with an impressive seafood buffet on Thursdays and a spectacular Egyptian brunch on Fridays. And the best thing is, it's open 24-hours a day, so you can always satisfy your cravings for Egyptian cuisine.

The legendary Café Riche traces its origins back to 1908. For years, it was favoured by literary stars and cultural movers, before falling into decline in later life. The café and restaurant was reopened in 2000 and thanks to a painstaking restoration it has successfully recovered its previous glory. The coffee is good, as are the platters of grilled meats. But most of all, Café Riche is worth a visit for its rich history.

It’s not renowned for culinary excellence, but the location and chic décor can’t be beaten. Join Cairo’s young fashionable crowd, sink into white sofas, choose meze or even sushi, as the breeze from the Nile cools your brow. There’s even a menu of fruity sheesha pipes. Unbeatable on summer nights. Minimum charge at weekends; reservations essential.

This busy, unpretentious restaurant is located on a huge boat on the Nile, spread over two floors, with fish delivered directly from the port of Alexandria. Choose from the catch of the day laid out on ice slabs, with prices per kilo clearly marked, from red mullet to sea bass and Alaskan King crab, which will then be grilled or fried. Good value set meals. Reservations recommended.

The best place to sample the traditional dish koshary – a mix of rice, lentils, pasta and fried onions – this is the place for an informal fill up where diners eat on tin plates. For those chasing the real Cairene experience, it’s filled with locals, too.

Those looking for more down-to-earth dining without sinking to the poor quality of some of the city’s street food should try Felfela. Despite being in the heart of endlessly bustling downtown, the restaurant provides a tranquil respite from its surroundings. Make sure you try koshary, a traditional dish made up of rice, chickpeas, lentils, and tomatoes, which is fried in onion and garlic, and delicious.

If you’re crying out for a slice of pizza or a thick sandwich of cold cuts, this Italian-style bistro chain is a real institution. Good for kids and party goers, it’s open 24 hours, and as good for a full evening meal as a coffee and slab of chocolate cake.