Abou Tarek for kochary, 16 Maarouf - Shamplion Street. This is for "real" Egyptian food, not trendy or imported... it's very affordable!

Farfela is also good.

Andrea in Giza, specializes in roast chicken. Very good and very reasonable prices.

Posted Dec 05, 2010

You must go to Felfela Restaurant    15 Sharia Hoda Shaarawi St., Cairo

All the taxis know where it is and it is GREAT!  Egyptian food, not expensive and great atmosphere.  There are two, one is stand-up take-out the other is the one you want, a sit down.

We had one dish that came in a small copper pot that it was baked in.  We went back several times as the food and ambiance is real Egypt!  Go there or be sorry!

Posted Dec 06, 2010

i'll second abou tarek and felfela. and if you're in zamalek, check for a modernist-looking place on 26 july st, on the gezira side of the street, which has tons of great stuff and super cheap. no idea of the name (it's been a long time), but it's got two floors; you can sit upstairs and look out over the street.

and this is an obvious one, but if you're in giza it's really worth it to stop for a drink at the mena house. 

Posted Dec 07, 2010

Hi - I stayed on Zamalek last Dec/Jan.  went to La Bodega (157 26th of July St ).  Have you been?  It's on the 2nd fl of what looks like a residential building.  Had dinner in the restaurant once, but there is a bar/lounge across the hall that was cool.  Note: this is not as mod as Sequoia but the crowd was good. 

Posted Dec 03, 2010

If you're hankering for food from back home, there's a French place that serves great pizza!

Posted Dec 13, 2010

Depends what type of cuisine you are looking for and what price range. My own preference is to eat "local" as much as possible instead of imitation foreign. The Ahlein Restaurant in the Heliopolis Marriott is pricey but good. Otherwise, try Andea on 59-60 Mariontiya Canal in Giza where the kebabs are super and the chicken to die for; There are also a few branches of the Abu Shakra restaurant which specializes in kebabs and salads. The one we went to was at 17 Gamet El Arabia Street in Mohandeseen but there is another branch in Heliopolis too.

Posted Dec 15, 2010

There is the best falaffel place on the edge of the Khan al-Khalili Market on the north edge of the market near the older mosque totally incredible. People are yelling for their sandwich as it's so busy and totally worth it. There is always a line and no name.

Posted Dec 15, 2010

In Giza - Felfela & Christos (for seafood).

Posted Dec 16, 2010

I agree- Felfela in Giza.  Also, in Zamalek, try Abu Sid.  Try the pigeon!

Posted Dec 17, 2010

Hi, Amy.

Maison Thomas has really good pizza and even pork pepperoni (it's run by Copts). It's on 26th of July street in Zamalek.  Abu Sid is pricey Egyptian food, but really good...just off of 26th of July street in Zamalek.  For fine dining, it sounds cheesy, but go to the revolving restaurant at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Garden City along the corniche.

Shane

www.backpackertees.com

Posted Dec 20, 2010

Its a little out of your requested regions but the AL Azhar Park is a great place to spend a few hours wandering around (just before sunset is best as there are great perches to look out across surrounding neighborhoods) and eating. There's an upscale but very tasty restaurant in the castle-looking building at the top of the hill. Also a Le Notre for sweets and coffee. Down by the lake there's a couple less expensive places that are more cafeteria-like. The gardens are very well tended, beautiful fountains and lots of great people watching opportunities. Taxis do come and go but its a good idea to ask yours to wait as there's no guarantee there will always be one waiting. Gate price to get in is about 30LE. If you have your own car, 10LE for parking.

Posted Oct 05, 2012

Get out of Zamalek and 6th of October for eating! Go to Dokki, Downtown, etc. In Zamalek you can try this one restaurant near Taha Hussein Street. I believe it is a bit pricy, but so is Sequoia. It's called "Seven Bells" or something like that... I forget the exact name.

Posted Oct 07, 2012