For world food day, we have searched all around Cairo to come up with a guide to international cuisine for you to feast upon. We love food, we appreciate food, and sometimes we get bored of visiting the same places over and over again. This guide will help you explore new tastes and flavors from Mexican, Indian, Ethiopian to Italian and Spanish.
By: Aliaa Elsherbini
Mexican (Tex-Mex)
Through a journey of exploring, traveling, and cooking, Gracias came to be in its hype location at Capital Promenade. Gracias is the closest thing to a real Mexican joint and less of a Tex-Mex place as it serves soft corn tortillas, fresh guacamole, and fried Chimichangas. You can dine-in, order, or pick up at the drive-through.
Location: Capital Promenade, El Sheikh Zayed
Gringos Burritos is what Tex-Mex dreams are made of. There you can feast on saucy tacos, loaded nachos, and extra cheesy quesadillas.
Locations: Maadi, Galleria 40 in Sheikh Zayed, Zamalek and Point 90 Mall in New Cairo
Tortuga takes Mexican dishes and puts their twist on them to bring you a different Taco experience.
Location: 205 Degla Square, Maadi as Sarayat Al Gharbeyah, Maadi
The newest of them all, Bonita is a Mexican inspired restaurant serving trays of soft and hard-shelled tacos, nachos dipped in cheese, big plates of Fajitas, and churros for dessert. Their interiors are cool with neon signs all around and drawings on the walls.
Address: O1 Mall, Mohammed Nagib Axis, First New Cairo
Japanese
Located in Zamalek, Makino is the only place in Cairo that serves a variety of Ramen dishes. Not only that, it has an extensive menu that includes sushi, gyoza, and tofu. If you want to try real Japanese food, Makino is the place to go without a second of doubt.
Location: Building 21, Mohamed Mazhar Street, Zamalek
Raising the bar high, Kazoku, the high end contemporary Japanese restaurant, features two menus for dining and sushi plus drinks. Chose anything you want on the menu, and it’s guaranteed to please your taste buds.
Location: Swan Lake Compound 1st Settlement New، Cairo Governorate
It’s fancy, it’s spacious, and it serves some succulent Japanese dishes, including teppanyaki and well of course sushi. They have an all you can eat “sushi-boat”!
Location: InterContinental Citystars Hotel, Omar Ibn El Khattab Street, Nasr City
Hana
Hana is a Japanese and Korean restaurant perfect for a budget meal to slurp on a vast variety of Asian dishes.
Note: Their dumplings and Noodles are not to miss.
Location: Hassan Assem, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek, Cairo Governorate
CHO is where gourmet Japanese food is done right. Their plates are aesthetically pleasing as well as delicious, and they can be paired with a drink from their freshly made cocktails menu. They are constantly innovating their dishes, for you to keep going back for more.
Loctaion: 10 Hassan Sadek, El-Montaza, Heliopolis
Arigato is for the real sushi addicts as their raw creations are simply perfectly rolled with premium ingredients. And their miso soup is the right appetizer before a fresh plate of sushi.
Locations: Zamalek and Sheikh Zayed
Lebanese
The Lebanese Diner first opened in Zamalek, gaining success with its concept of cultivating the social experience of a modern diner with sandwiches and grills. They offer the necessary Lebanese delicate dishes in a friendly joint, and they have a breakfast menu too.
Caracas is a complete experience with Middle Eastern décor with a modern twist, food from all over the Levant, and locally sourced fresh beverages. In addition to their regular menu, they have a breakfast menu and healthy options such as quinoa tabbouleh. If you have never eaten there, you are missing a lot, and we urge you to try it.
Locations: Sheikh Zayed, Mohandessein, Maadi, and First New Cairo
Taboula presents exquisite Lebanese food in a family-friendly oriental setting. It is recommended to all locals as much as foreigners to try real Lebanese dishes and mezze.
Location: 1 Latin America Street, Garden City
The Lebanese Bakery (TLB) is your newest neighborhood bakery serving appetizing sweet and savory Lebanese baked goods. TLB brings to Cairo a farm-to-table experience with its carefully handpicked ingredients and toppings and freshly made dough. They have some amazing Manousheh!
Location: Sarayat El Maadi, Street 18, Maadi as Sarayat Al Gharbeyah, Maadi
Indian
Maharani
Tucked in a hub of international cuisine, Maharani is the perfect place for you to get introduced to all the Indian spices. The place is designed with Indian patterns and sculptors to set the mood as you walk in, then the food takes you through the rest of the journey.
Location: Le Pacha boat, Zamalek
Mixing between Indian and Chinese, Indish is an Asian experience in the heart of Arkan with a small menu offering only the essentials of each cuisine and perfecting each dish.
Location: Arkan Plaza
A very humble and affordable restaurant that hits all the right Indian flavors that can be hard to perfect. Big portions, good food with friendly staff makes for a great place to eat.
Address: 5 Fareek Awal Ali Amer, from Makram Ebeid, st, Nasr City
You can enjoy Indian food by the Pyramids at The Moghul Room located at the Mena House Hotel and offering a 5-star culinary experience. The curries there will transport you to somewhere in India.
Address: Mena House Hotel, Giza
Brought to you by the people behind Mori Sushi, Nuwa is your express ticket to Pan-Asian cuisine in a laid-back yet modern atmosphere.
Their Indian section is a modern twist of authentic dishes, and it just elevates their menu.
Location: Capital Promenade, Sheikh Zayed
Tao
Located at Dusit Thani, the award-winning restaurant Tao offers a multi-Asian culinary experience. They serve crafted cocktails with their Chinese, Japanese, and Indian Cuisine.
Location: Dusit Thani, Lakeview Cairo
Spanish
Pinchos is the only authentic Spanish restaurant in Egypt as it serves appetizers Tapas style and fruity drinks. But you wouldn’t feel like you’re in Spain without the ambiance, right? That’s why Pinchos holds live entertainment several nights a week and Karaoke Sundays.
Location: 58 Beirut Street, Heliopolis, Cairo Governorate 11341
Chinese
The years go by, and Peking remains one of the best and most known Chinese eateries in Egypt. Their flavors never disappoint, and their portion to price ratio is a plus. If you have never tried Chinese food before, we recommend you start at Peking.
Locations: Citywide
For a more fast-food option, always opt for Mr. Kong located at the new extension of Mall of Arabia. They won’t disappoint as they have fast service, the option to build your own noodles and their containers will make you feel like you’re in a scene of Friends the TV show eating at your New York City flat.
Location: New Food Hall, Mall of Arabia, Waslet Dahshur Rd, Giza
Operated by Chinese staff, Dragon House is hard to miss in Maadi with their big sign and red dragons hanging by the restaurant’s entrance.
Address: 32, Rd 7, Pearl Hotel, Maadi, Cairo Governorate 11728
A Pan-Asian high-end restaurant located at the Four Seasons’ First Nile Boat. For a unique experience of a taste of Japan, China, Thailand, and India visit Nairu.
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, 36 Nile St, Al Omraneyah Al Gharbeyah, Giza
Italian
With just 20 covers, Sapori Di Carlo invites you to try authentic Italian flavors by Executive Michelin Star Chef Carlo Adib in his Zamalek restaurant. It’s fresh, it’s Italian, and it’s delicious.
Location: 49 Mohamed Mazhar, Zamalek
Located at Lake View, Lexie’s by Baky Group is a modern Italian restaurant and bar perfect for big groups and nights out. Lexie’s often has live music playing for a unique dining experience with truly exceptional food.
Location: The Lake House, Dusit Thani, Road 90, Fifth Settlement
For a cozy yet fancy Italian experience, go straight to La Trattoria in Zamalek. Their chef Augusto Rosati brings creativity to Italy’s traditional cuisine. It is a calm place perfect for date night.
Location: Zamalek
Lucca at Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski
With a new menu, Lucca restaurant gets you to Italy and back in one meal. Pasta al dente, handmade focaccia, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy burrata, and premium meat cuts, Lucca serves everything Italian.
Address: Ring Rd, Second New Cairo
Located at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, as you guessed it, overlooking the Nile, Vivo transports you to Italy with their authentic Italian cuisine.
Location: Ismailia, Qasr El Nil, Cairo
Korean
For an authentic Korean culinary experience, visit Tomato in Degla Maadi. They make deliciously zesty Kimchi pizza, hand-rolled Kimbab, and hot bibimbap, in a cozy and homie venue.
Address: No.1 Nerco Commercial B/D st.232 Degla Maadi
Reviews call it the best Korean food in Egypt, and we cannot disagree. So head over to the cozy space to try their scrumptious appetizers, fried noodles, and jabchi. And if you don’t know what Jabchi or Kimchi is, then you need to discover these unusual flavors at Gaya.
Address: Street 231, Maadi as Sarayat Al Gharbeyah, Maadi
African
Samar Al-Nil
For an authentic Ethiopian experience with a big plate of food, head to Samar Al-Nil. You can either order from the menu or let the owner bring you an assortment of items to introduce you to the local Ethiopian cuisine.
Address: 20 El-Hassaniy Street, Cairo
Head to Zulu for South African food, drinks, and lots of music. The staff is incredibly friendly and are happy to recommend their best dishes to ensure a great dining experience in a young atmosphere. When there is no music playing, this bohemian basement turns into a chill and laid-back space, making it suitable for all your moods.
Address: 9 Street 100, Maadi
South American
Mezcal is where food meets elegance. Visit for a blend of South American flavors with a concentration on Peruvian creations such as a selection of Ceviches, guacamoles, and sushi. For a delicious and filling meal with a couple of drinks, visit Mezcal.
Address: Taha Hussein, Abu Al Feda, Zamalek
Tabla Luna offers a variety of Latin American dishes coming from Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. It’s the best place to get introduced to South American cuisine in a friendly and casual setting.
We recommend you leave some room for their dessert torta de tres leches.
Address: Street 231, Maadi as Sarayat Al Gharbeyah, Maadi
Inspired by everything Latin American, from the art, culture to the food, ESCA is located at the heart of Heliopolis serving a mixture of Latin dishes with an ambiance. This is where to go if you want to have a nice meal while enjoying good music and flowing drinks.
Address: 4 Al Badeya, Almazah, Heliopolis
Thai
The first Thai restaurant to open in Egypt, Bua Khao has been supplying Egyptians with Thai food for a decade. It makes it the perfect restaurant to try Thai cuisine for the first time as it is consistent, clean, and the food is tasty.
Address: Street 100, Maadi
For a Thai fine-dining experience, opt for Birdcage. There the chefs know how to get their flavors right. All dishes are served with a chic plating and presentation for you not to only feast your tummy, but also your eyes.
Address: Semiramis InterContinental Hotel, Corniche El Nile, Qasr El Nil, Cairo
For the perfect Pad Thai, visit Sabai Sabai. The food there will satisfy your Thai cravings as it is all done in the authentic traditional way with no modern or Egyptian-ized twist on it.
Address: El Gezira El Wosta, Youssef Kamel, Abu Al Feda, Zamalek and Galleria40
