Middle Eastern Delights: Top 10 Best Places To Eat In Cairo, Egypt

1. Taste the Middle East at Al Khal Egyptian Restaurant

One of Cairo’s most popular food spots is the Al Khal Egyptian Restaurant, known for its great food, cleanliness, and friendly staff. The menu is varied with Arabic, Egyptian, and other Middle Eastern dishes. At a glance, the menu may seem like it’s aimed at meat lovers, but there are vegan-friendly options available as well.

Al Khal Egyptian Restaurant

Address: InterContinental Cairo Citystars, Omar Bin Khattab Street, Cairo 11511, Egypt

Website: Al Khal Egyptian Restaurant

2. Grab a quick bite at Koshary Abou Tarek Restaurant

Koshary Abou Tarek Restaurant is located near the Egyptian Museum, so it’s a great stop for hungry visitors to replenish their energies with some tasty food. It specializes in koshary, which is a popular Egyptian street food that consists of spiced tomato, rice, macaroni, and lentils. Koshary restaurants tend to have stripped down décor and are more casual in nature. Many folks prefer to eat outside or pick up their orders as they would at any take out.

Koshary Abou Tarek Restaurant

Address: Choppin ln, Champollion, Cairo 11511, Egypt

3. Enjoy perfectly cooked meat at The Grill Restaurant & Lounge

If you’ll be staying at the Semiramis hotel in Cairo, then you’ll have an excellent eatery right at your doorstep. This upmarket and contemporary restaurant is widely regarded as the finest steakhouse in Cairo. And while it may be a steakhouse, with some of the best wagyu choice cuts available, it also specializes in Mediterranean, French, and even vegetarian cuisine.

The Grill Restaurant & Lounge

Address: InterContinental Cairo Semiramis | Corniche El Nile Downtown, Cairo 11511, Egypt

Website: The Grill Restaurant & Lounge

4. Dine and party the night away at Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant

Lebanese restaurants are quite common in and around Cairo, and Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant is one of the most prominent ones. You’ll come for the quality food and excellent service, but you’ll stay longer than usual due to the belly dancing and live music. All in all, you’ll get a taste of Lebanon in Cairo, which is no bad thing.

Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant

Address: InterContinental Cairo Citystars, Omar Ibn El Khattab St., Heliopolis, Cairo 11511, Egypt

Website: Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant

5. Watch professional chefs prepare your food at Windows Restaurant

Windows Restaurant is located inside the Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars and caters predominantly to international patrons. Therefore, the menu features international, Mediterranean, and Egyptian dishes that are carefully prepared by a roster of professional chefs in front of the customers.

Windows Restaurant

Address: Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars, Aly Rashed St. Off Omar Ibn El Khattab St., Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt

Website: Windows Restaurant

6. Experience a meticulously prepared Arabic feast at Naguib Mahfouz Cafe Restaurant

The Naguib Mahfouz Café Restaurant has a very strong Arabic vibe and a laid-back atmosphere. The interior décor of the venue is filled with art dating back to the 1940s, and there are live musicians who play their trade with traditional Arabic instruments. It’s located near the Khan el Khalili bazaar, so it’s easy to find even though the restaurant is modestly-sized.

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe Restaurant

Address: 5 El Baddistan Lane, Khan el-Khalili, Cairo 11511, Egypt

Facebook: Naguib Mahfouz Cafe Restaurant

7. Discover the Far East at Mirai Restaurant

Mirai Restaurant is a traditional Japanese restaurant that specializes in Asian, Japanese, Thai and vegetarian cuisine. It’s a beautifully decorated establishment that overlooks the Nile River, resulting in a tranquil and romantic atmosphere. The restaurant tends to attract business people and families who enjoy the good food and friendly service.

Mirai Restaurant

Address: 53 Abu El Feda St, Zamalek, Cairo 11511, Egypt

8. Dig into some funky food at Zooba Restaurant

Zooba is a cool and funky restaurant that prepares food, which seems almost as if it’s home cooked even though it’s actually street food. They specialize in koshari, falafel, and hummus; customers can sit down and eat at the restaurant’s communal-style tables. Apart from Egyptian and Middle Eastern foods, Zooba also specializes in Mediterranean and International cuisine.

Zooba Restaurant

Address: 26th of July St, Zamalek, Intersection of 26th of July and Shagaret El Dor, Cairo 11511, Egypt

Website: Zooba Restaurant

9. Have fun at the Bellini Cocktail Lounge Restaurant

The Bellini Cocktail Lounge Restaurant is the perfect venue for wining, dining, and a bit of partying. Most locals and international visitors enjoy the salsa dancers and happy hour, with their favorite alcoholic beverages on tap. The attentive and friendly staffs ensure that visitors have an enjoyable time.

Bellini Cocktail Lounge Restaurant

Address: InterContinental Cairo Citystars, In Hotel - Lobby Level, Omar Ibn El Khattab St., Cairo, Egypt

Website: Bellini Cocktail Lounge Restaurant

10. Eat in the lap of luxury at Bab El Nil Restaurant

Another modern Middle Eastern venue that’s been making waves in Cairo is the Bab El Nil Restaurant. It’s expertly styled with eye-catching lighting and luxurious fittings that accentuate its upmarket flair. Fans of Middle Eastern, Lebanese, and Egyptian cuisine that enjoy some live singing together with their meals are going to be in for a treat.

Bab El Nil Restaurant

Address: Fairmont Nile City, Nile City Towers - 2005B, Corniche El Nil, Ramlet Beaulac, Cairo 2466, Egypt

Website: Bab El Nil Restaurant

Cairo is a city that caters to diverse tastes

Anyone visiting Cairo will want to try its local Egyptian and Middle Eastern cuisine. But that’s only the beginning of one’s culinary journey as there are many more flavors waiting to be discovered. Considering that, Cairo has many excellent eateries that specialize in dishes from most parts of the world - one will never run out of places to try something different.