• Sequoia

    A vast terrace at the tip of the island, where shisha is smoked with your feet above the Nile.

    CairoNorthern tip of Zamalek

    €€€ High endNile view
  • A row of chrome beer taps on a pub counter in the evening.

    The Tap

    The Cairo pub where matches are watched, with a beer list that is wide for the country.

    CairoMaadi and other districts

    €€€ High endAlcohol served
  • The cafés of Korba

    Heliopolis's neo-Moorish arcades, their terraces and their patisseries.

    CairoHeliopolis

    €€ Mid-rangeHistoric venue
  • The specialty coffee wave

    In five years, Cairo has gone from instant coffee to single-origin filter — and the roasters are Egyptian.

    CairoZamalek, Maadi, Tagamoa

    €€ Mid-rangeTerrace
  • A hand plucks the strings of an oud, above the carved rosettes of its soundboard.

    The ahwas of Mohamed Ali street

    Off the beaten track

    The street of instrument makers and wedding musicians, and its waiting cafés.

    CairoMohamed Ali street, Cairo

    BudgetWhere locals go
  • Golden croissants and a chocolate pastry crowded together on a tray.

    The Bakery Shop

    The chain bakery that put fiteer and croissants on the same counter.

    CairoAll across Cairo

    BudgetBest in the morning
  • A pastry salon with a carved ceiling and chandeliers

    Cairo's oriental pastry shops

    Konafa, basbousa, om ali: Egyptian sweets sold by weight, all night.

    CairoAll over Cairo

    BudgetFamily-friendly
  • A cane press, painted rollers and stalks at the ready

    The sugarcane juice stalls

    Cane pressed in front of you, for the price of a coin.

    CairoAll over Cairo

    BudgetVegan options