Georgie’s Guidebook - Zamalek & Garden City
Food scene
Crimson Cairo
16 كمال الطويلGreat views, ambience and drinks but make a reservation first!
Wonderful for breakfast lunch and dinner. A secret gem of Zamalek. The place doesn't have an exterior sign, so follow the map to the spot. One of my favorites.
Granita Cairo
Wonderful for breakfast lunch and dinner. A secret gem of Zamalek. The place doesn't have an exterior sign, so follow the map to the spot. One of my favorites.
Clean street food for good prices. Nice atmosphere, but it's a small place. Try the falafel.
26 locals recommend
Zööba
16 26 July StClean street food for good prices. Nice atmosphere, but it's a small place. Try the falafel.
Aperitivo
Date night or romantic dinner spot...
Their grilled dishes are excellent. Also great views. Uber is the easiest way to get there.
Seekh Mashwy Restaurant - سيخ مشوي
106 Nile StreetTheir grilled dishes are excellent. Also great views. Uber is the easiest way to get there.
The Tap West
26th of July CorridorWhere my friends and I go for wings and sangria in Cairo
30 NORTH | ICONIA
16 Mohammed ThakebInside the Iconia building, great for breakfast or coffee
9 Pyramids Lounge
LUUMA
Newly opened but great Nile views and food...The schnitzel and pizza are popular choices
Great place in Zamalek for home-style Egyptian food (if you can find it) tucked away behind Maison Thomas in Zamalek
39 locals recommend
Abou El Sid Restaurant
157 26th of July CorridorGreat place in Zamalek for home-style Egyptian food (if you can find it) tucked away behind Maison Thomas in Zamalek
Secret fine dining spot on the 2nd floor of a residential building on 26th July Zamalek - next to Maison Thomas & Drinkies
great Italian menu with other international options as well. Try thier sangria as well 😋
7 locals recommend
Aperitivo
Secret fine dining spot on the 2nd floor of a residential building on 26th July Zamalek - next to Maison Thomas & Drinkies
great Italian menu with other international options as well. Try thier sangria as well 😋
Olivo Pizzeria & Bar
18 Taha HusseinGreat for pizza and sangria...nice outdoor seating area.
Maison Thomas | Zamalek
157 26 July StA Zamalek classic for pizza...open 24 hours
Next door to Cake Cafe and in front of Beano's... also a great Zamalek nook for coffee/tea, dessert and people watching
Holm Cafe
Next door to Cake Cafe and in front of Beano's... also a great Zamalek nook for coffee/tea, dessert and people watching
Multiple restaurants and coffee shops inside...across the street from St Mary's church. Try 30 North for breakfast, coffee or a workspace
ICONIA Zamalek
Multiple restaurants and coffee shops inside...across the street from St Mary's church. Try 30 North for breakfast, coffee or a workspace
Taboula
محمود فهميA favorite of Garden City expats. Great Lebanese food, beer and wine
Quaint and cool Garden City cafe/coffee shop that also sells local handicrafts
10 locals recommend
Falak Book Store
7 Gamal Al Din Abou Al MahasenQuaint and cool Garden City cafe/coffee shop that also sells local handicrafts
New spot that recently opened in Garden City, August 2023. Very cool interior and garden. Great place to go for coffee or to work from or to go chat...they have a menu but only tried a few things which were ok
Patrimoine Du Caire
New spot that recently opened in Garden City, August 2023. Very cool interior and garden. Great place to go for coffee or to work from or to go chat...they have a menu but only tried a few things which were ok
Cool cafe in downtown - nice decor and crowd, not my favorite menu, but good to check out
14 locals recommend
Eish + Malh
20 AdlyCool cafe in downtown - nice decor and crowd, not my favorite menu, but good to check out
Beano's Cafe
Great for breakfast, people watching and a workspace
Cake Cafe
Coffee & Dessert 😋
Great spot for breakfast brunch or an evening snack. The area around the restaurant, called El Korba, is also a great area to roam and explore
Paul Bakeries
15 BaghdadGreat spot for breakfast brunch or an evening snack. The area around the restaurant, called El Korba, is also a great area to roam and explore
Sightseeing
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Al HaramNeeds no introduction...
Khan Al-Khalili
Tahrir Square
Cairo Opera House
Opera SquareCatch a performance if you can
A new museum that now houses many mummies and artifacts
24 locals recommend
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Al Fostat StreetA new museum that now houses many mummies and artifacts
The Egyptian Museum
El-Tahrir SquareA must visit while in Cairo
City/town information
Faiyum
Ain Sokhna
Nice beach area about 1.5-2 hours from Cairo
About 2-3 hours from Cairo. Go to La Hacienda for Kite Surfing and stay at Fade Hotel for a weekend
6 locals recommend
Ras Sedr
About 2-3 hours from Cairo. Go to La Hacienda for Kite Surfing and stay at Fade Hotel for a weekend
Dahab
Nightlife
Great menu, ambience and views. Try the chateaubriand for 2. Or the pasta Giovani.
Pier is pricey, but it's a nice spot for a date or a night out.
41 locals recommend
Pier 88 Cairo
Great menu, ambience and views. Try the chateaubriand for 2. Or the pasta Giovani.
Pier is pricey, but it's a nice spot for a date or a night out.
Nice bar for a night out. Make reservations in advance. Pricey by Egyptian standards.
8 locals recommend
SASS Restaurant / Bar
Nice bar for a night out. Make reservations in advance. Pricey by Egyptian standards.
They generally have good live music and/or DJs and the food is good as well
8 locals recommend
Cairo Jazz Club 610
They generally have good live music and/or DJs and the food is good as well
The have 2 branches, one in Mohendeseen, 10 minutes from Zamalek and a bigger venue in Sheikh Zayed, 30 minutes from Zamalek. Both have good shows and food
67 locals recommend
Cairo Jazz Club
197 26th of July CorridorThe have 2 branches, one in Mohendeseen, 10 minutes from Zamalek and a bigger venue in Sheikh Zayed, 30 minutes from Zamalek. Both have good shows and food
Lovely views and live jazz on certain nights of the week. Great spot for a date or just a relaxing evening
Jazz Bar
12 Ahmed RaghebLovely views and live jazz on certain nights of the week. Great spot for a date or just a relaxing evening
Small pub in Zamalek that is popular with expats and locals alike. Good food and laid back atmosphere. Nice spot to have a casual glass of wine, beer or sangria
42 locals recommend
Pub 28
28 Shagaret Al DorSmall pub in Zamalek that is popular with expats and locals alike. Good food and laid back atmosphere. Nice spot to have a casual glass of wine, beer or sangria
Escobar Restaurant - Egypt
Good drinks, amazing 360 city views - in Garden City
Great date place. Hidden gem. Go inside the residential building at the location, go up the stairs and voila
7 locals recommend
Aperitivo
Great date place. Hidden gem. Go inside the residential building at the location, go up the stairs and voila
Top floor of the Ritz Carlton in Tahrir...Best 360° view of Cairo. On a clear day you can see the pyramids and the Nile is right below you.
Nox
Top floor of the Ritz Carlton in Tahrir...Best 360° view of Cairo. On a clear day you can see the pyramids and the Nile is right below you.
Activities
Country club in the heart of Zamalek which has gyms, pools, tennis, golf, classes, restaurants... everything. Entry is 150 EGP for day use. But a member usually needs to bring you in, so let me know if this is in your plans
10 locals recommend
Gezira Sporting Club
GSCCountry club in the heart of Zamalek which has gyms, pools, tennis, golf, classes, restaurants... everything. Entry is 150 EGP for day use. But a member usually needs to bring you in, so let me know if this is in your plans
Lovely and memorable dinner cruise on the Nile...I reccommend taking it in the evening for a different view of Cairo. great for groups
Cafelluca zamalek مركب كافيلوكة الزمالك
Umm KolsomLovely and memorable dinner cruise on the Nile...I reccommend taking it in the evening for a different view of Cairo. great for groups
On The Mat
شارع شجرة الدرYoga studio on the first floor of my Morsaleen street apartment
Mudra Yoga Studio
شارع سيد البكريZamalek yoga studio
Nūn Center
4 Shafeek MansourYoga, massages and occasional farmers markets
Groceries
Seoudi Supermarket
15 Mohammed MaraashlyCentrally located Zamalek supermarket
Gourmet Egypt - Zamalek
3 Brazil StAlfa Market
El-Malek El-FadlOscar Signature Zamalek
Convenient supermarket on 26th July street