Cairo Restaurants

  1. Alpha Market

    Alpha Market ( M05C7; Sharia Abu al-Feda) has everything, including both local and imported foods.

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  2. Café Riche

    This Cairene institution was being renovated when we visited. Once the favoured drinking spot of Cairo's intelligentsia, in recent years it's been a reliable and atmospheric spot to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine.

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  3. El Sakya

    Dotted with big white umbrellas and jutting over the water, the terrace restaurant at the Grand Hyatt is a great place to take in a view of the Nile - and perhaps some local movie stars, as this is a popular place to schmooze. The menu draws from all the hotel's restaurants, so you can take your pick of Indian, Italian, American and more.

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  4. Five Bells

    This old-fashioned place has one of the few outdoor courtyards in Zamalek and is a pleasant spot for a summer dinner. Food is uninspired but quite edible international fare, with pastas, grills and fondue featuring on the menu. It's a bit pricey, but the cute cherub fountain compensates.

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  5. Hard Rock Café

    Like its twins around the globe, this concept café/nightclub serves up burgers, rock paraphernalia and T-shirts (you can buy fake ones in the Khan al-Khalili) to a young crowd. The Nile view is great.

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  7. La Piazza

    Part of a complex of restaurants under the collective title Four Corners, La Piazza is decorated to resemble a gazebo - think cane furniture, floral-motif stained glass and candy-cane colour scheme. It won't be to everyone's taste, but it's a good place for lunch and casual dinners, offering soups, club sandwiches, chicken Caesar salad and pastas. There are a number of vegetarian dishes. Wine and beer available.

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  8. Le Tabasco

    One of the city's most popular and glamorous bar/restaurants, Le Tabasco's menu is truly international, ranging from the Mediterranean to Mexico. Reservations are needed and be aware that the music gets loud later in the evening. There's also a branch of Abu el-Sid here.

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  9. Sangria

    Adjacent to the club Absolute and opposite the Conrad hotel, Sangria has great Nile views from its 1st-floor terrace (where the stylish scene is) and a large garden area, which often has a more casual crowd, including children. Hip music adds to the ambience - the place is as much a bar as a restaurant. There's a minimum charge of around £E50 , but that's not hard to meet when a Sakkara costs around £E23 , and the menu ranges from spring rolls to garlic mushrooms to penne alla vodka. You'll find it in Bulaq, just north of Downtown on the Nile.

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  10. Sequoia

    At the very northern tip of Zamalek, this sprawling Nileside lounge is a major scene, with art exhibits by Townhouse Gallery, low cushions for nursing a sheesha and everything from Egyptian-style mezze to sushi on the menu. Bring an extra layer - evenings directly on the water can be surprisingly cool. A Stella goes for around £E22 .

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