This restaurant’s slogan is “Happiness is Homemade”, and if it is culinary bliss you seek, this is the place to head to. This cosy spot tucked away under Volume 1 Bookshop in Maadi is a gem for all foodies and some may even argue its one of the best restaurants in Maadi. European with a twist, almost everything is homemade and vegans will delight! Check out what we sampled below.

Type of cuisine: Experimental European with a lot of vegan options! You will find an assortment of soups, salads, starters, and a nice variety of pasta with interesting, flavor-packed sauces. Freshly made juices and yummy desserts round out the menu. Breakfast is also served daily, until noon.

Signature dishes: Crispy Beet & Apple Salad, Pink Cream & Vegetable Tagliatelle, and the Smoked Duck & Mushroom Duxelle Fettucine.

Dishes sampled: For starters, we tucked into the Hungarian Mushroom Chicken Soup, Crispy Beet & Apple Salad, and the Assorted Bruschette. The soup was rich and creamy, featuring ground chicken and mushroom with the consistency of a lentil soup – a perfect winter soup! The salad was big enough for two, and was packed with a ton of crunchy beet and green apple slices and complimented with some savory onion, citrusy orange and soft Italian cheese – we felt very healthy tucking into the massive portion, but would have been great to have some extra soft cheese to balance the crunch. A must-try and total hit at our table was the Assorted Bruschette with 3 different, intensely flavorful pairings: hummus and minced beets, spicy balsamic and herby mushrooms, and eggplant topped with chopped tomato.

For mains, we tried the Pink Cream & Vegetable Tagliatelle and the Shrimp & Mushroom Fettucine. The flavors of the sauces are nicely complimentary to the freshness of the homemade pasta, which is the real draw here. A lot of thought has been put into combining just the right ingredients as to not take away from the taste of the actual pasta itself. The portions are perfect for a satisfying meal, and don’t leave you feeling heavy and over-stuffed as pasta tends to do. Don’t miss out on the homemade Pink Lemonade with Mixed Berries, which is pureed on the premises. Served in a mason jar, drinking it makes you feel like a kid again!

To cap off the meal, we shared an extremely generous helping of the Honey Cake, which was light and fluffy and definitely big enough for two. Paired with coffee, this was the perfect ending to a delicious and filling meal. Certainly recommended!

Other menu options that appealed: We’ll be going back to try the Meatball Papardelle, Spicy Sausages & Cream Tagliatelle, and Fresh Arugula & Chicken Salad. The breakfast menu also looks delicious, featuring a variety of eggs, oats, and pastries.

Beverage options: Homemade juices, smoothies, and ice tea are their specialties.

Décor & Ambience: Modern, clean, and inviting with wood tables and comfy seating. An open kitchen invites you to see all the action behind-the-scenes, and nice soft music isn’t intrusive to your ability to converse with your table.

Clientele mix: A mix of families, couples on dates, and expats.

Price range: Considering the generous portions, homemade food, and location – this place is very moderate and won’t hurt your budget.

Opening hours: 8:30 am – 11 pm

Address: 17, Rd 216 – Degla, Maadi.

Tel: 01211691699 / 01152815101

Facebook/Instagram: TheWhiteOwl

Mix together two high-energy young entrepreneurs, a chef and a manager poached from one of Mayfair’s top restaurants, a great Sheikh Zayed location and you have the ingredients for something rather special and what may be considered one of the best restaurants in Sheikh Zayed.

Type of cuisine: Plenty of Italian plates with a twist, along with a range of globally inspired starters.

Signature dishes: While there are some dishes that have been singled out by the chef as signature items, we would say – just follow your instincts. All pasta is home-made, vegetables are sourced from a high quality supplier and personally selected piece by piece by the chef. Beef is either Argentinean or local, but again from a carefully chosen source, ensuring prime quality. The Chicken Ivy is one signature dish that we personally can recommend.

Dishes sampled: Not being in the mood for anything too substantial, we kicked off an early dinner with Shrimp Guacamole Bites. Large, succulent, perfectly pink prawns resting on a bed of tasty guacamole. The guacamole was the best we had tried in ages, freshly made, with just the right amount of fresh jalapeño pepper and finely chopped onion adding a zing to the smooth avocado. It tasted superb, and felt healthy and guilt-free.

The Ivy Chicken that followed was a treat for the palate; the chicken breasts had been grilled with carefully balanced seasoning, and were served with a generous amount of a creamy, spicy peanut sauce. The flavors came through in layers, the subtle kick of churrasco almost an afterthought after the smooth creaminess of the peanut base. Texture was important as well, the chicken was melt-in-the-mouth tender, and the crunch of roughly chopped peanuts in the accompanying sauce set off the complex mix of flavors. This dish is a ‘must try’.

Other menu options that appealed: The pasta dishes all look inviting, as does the Porcini Mushroom Risotto. The Beef Fillet has been highly recommended, so would definitely be on our list. For an all-out splurge, we would try the Diablo Lobster Spaghetti, with chunks of lobster served on black squid ink pasta… as devilish as it sounds.

Beverage options: For us, the amazing signature cocktails created by Maria, a barista who really knows her stuff. Apart from that, you will find a full bar, including wine and beer, along with softer options and fresh juices. Something for every taste and preference.

Décor: Marble, leather and copper, edgy and chic with a slight Art Deco feel. Seating has been arranged between indoor and outdoor sections, with both high and standard tables. The leather and wood chairs give a very sophisticated feel to the striking metal and marble finishing.

Ambience: Cool, classy, clubby, and cosmopolitan. A place to see and be seen.

Clientele mix: The toned and the buffed, the influencers, and anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a very trendy setting.

Price range:  Slightly upper-end, but manageable according to how you order.

Opening hours: Sunday/Monday/Wednesday 7:00 pm to 12:00 am, with last food orders at 11:30 pm. Tuesday/Thursday/Friday see the music amp up and the club atmosphere going on until 3:00 am.

Watch out for news of the monthly Saturday brunch, starting at 1:00 pm to catch the sleepy heads who have just rolled out of bed.

Address: Guezira Plaza – Sheikh Zayed

Tel: 0128 2184083

Looking for a great brunch spot in New Cairo? Grapes has opened in Downtown Mall in Katameya, and it has a packed menu full of options to satisfy a variety of tastes, which puts them on the map for argueably one of the best brunch places in New Cairo. Check out what we sampled on our visit.

Concept: Café lounge

Type of cuisine: International

Dishes sampled: All Day Tray, Gourmet Breakfast, Taco Salad and Raspberry Yogurt Jar.

Downtown Mall Katameya is home to Grape’s second branch. A restaurant under the mixed concept of café and dining, great for a morning breakfast, a business lunch, or an evening catch-up with friends and family. Grapes Downtown Mall takes up a larger area than the Maadi one.

We came for a late breakfast that turned into a real brunch. We opted for two of their breakfast set menus: All Day Tray and Gourmet Breakfast. It is worth noting that the Breakfast menu is served all day long. So no rush to have your first meal of the day, especially on weekends. The All Day Tray comes with 2 scrambled eggs, 2 mini burgers, served on a bed of shredded lettuce, slices of white toast, butter and jam. The mini burgers were quite small but well spiced. The Gourmet Breakfast also serves two eggs, but poached, along with a coat of buttery hollandaise sauce. The eggs are served on a small watercress salad. The dish comes with slices of smoked turkey, Provençal potatoes and toast. The potatoes were extremely tasty and crunchy. All breakfast dishes are served with your choice of orange juice or American coffee. Also sampled was the Taco Salad. Luckily we shared the dish, as the portion was very generous. This Mexican traditional salad combines chicken, cheese, corn and lettuce. The ingredients were fresh, the tortilla flavorful and crunchy and the dressing just right. Our reviews are never complete without a sweet end. We finalized with their Raspberry Yogurt in a Jar. Frozen Yogurt served in a trendy mason jar.

Overall menu: Grapes has an extensive menu, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts. There are many salad options, a double page for appetizers, a kids’ menu, pizza, meat, seafood and chicken.

Other menu options that appealed: Hawaiian Salad and the Four Season Potatoes

Beverages: Fresh juices, smoothies, coffees

Décor: Grapes in Downtown Mall has two seating areas – both indoors and outdoors (under a pergola, which is very important as it serves shisha as well). Comfortable chairs and double sofas are arranged around the tables. Green and grape are the predominant colors, giving it the right vibe and perfectly matching the Grapes name.

Clientele mix: Mainly friends, couples and families on weekends

Price range: Reasonably priced

Working hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 am

Address: Downtown Mall Katameya  – New Cairo Branch (NEW)

Tel: +2 0127  0345667

Facebook and Instagram: grapesme

Coming up with excellent food and smooth, attentive service in one venue can be applauded. When it is consistent across 40 outlets in 10 cities you know that you are onto a winner. Our recent visit to the newly opened branch in Guezira Plaza ticked all the boxes of what we can consider one of the best restaurants in Sheikh Zayed.

Type of cuisine: The well-thought-out menu takes the best from various cuisines around the world. From breakfast and brunch, to soups, salads, starters, burgers and substantial main dishes, it caters to every taste, including a bunch of attractive healthy options. Add on sushi, pizza, pasta and scrumptious signature desserts with Michelin star- worthy presentation and an amazing coffee selection, what more could you want!

Signature dishes: Although every dish can be counted on to please, Casper & Gambini’s is famed for its Smoked Salmon on Home-Baked Pumpernickel, Grilled Salmon on Black Squid Ink Pasta, the C&G Club sandwich, the Teriyaki Chicken Burger, and a decadent Chocolate Cake.

Dishes sampled: Our first thoughts went to the thirst-quenching mojito-style coolers, one a lemon-kiwi combination and the other ginger based. They were perfect for beating the heat of a late summer day. Our lunch kicked off with a platter of Smoked Salmon on Pumpernickel. Cream cheese, capers, salad, a squeeze of lemon and rose pink swirls of salmon on a soft and unexpectedly light slice of aromatic bread – all so fresh and appetizing that it went down in a flash.

The Salmon on Black Squid Ink Pasta intrigued us, so we shared that next. The pasta was packed with flavor, the sauce offered up a sticky, sweetness with overtones of the sea, and provided a perfect base for the large portion of grilled salmon. Sharing being the best way of indulging our senses to the max, we went on to one of the signature dishes, a Chicken Roulade with the creamiest mashed potatoes we have encountered for quite a while. Served with a rich demi–glace sauce on the side, it was comfort food at its best. The chicken was moist and tender, the flavors of the stuffing well balanced, and the presentation was a visual treat.

There was no way we were going to forgo dessert, and the Molten Chocolate Tart and Raspberry Twist again met C&G’s impeccable standards. My dining companion loved the unctuous texture of the Raspberry Twist, with its shards of white chocolate and crunchy base set off by the slightly sharp flavor of fresh raspberries, while I was won over by the Chocolate Tart with its sinfully gooey center. The delicate pastry base was so light and melt-in-the-mouth, it could compete against the top pâtisseries of Europe, bravo chef!

Other menu options that appealed: The pasta and risotto selection are great, and the signature burgers would be tempting as well.

Beverage options: A superb range, from the ‘must try’ coolers to both hot and cold coffee options, teas and juices.

Décor: Fresh neutral tones, with a variety of comfortable seating options, both indoor and outdoor.

Ambience: Relaxing, with ambient lounge music playing at a discreet level. The staff is attentive without being obtrusive, making it a great place to catch up with friends and chat.

Clientele mix: Popular with people working in adjacent offices and companies, plus shoppers and members of the local community. We noticed a few people enjoying a working lunch break as well.

Price range: Moderate overall, with higher-end items being a little pricier. But, given the exceptional attention to detail in the presentation and the quality of the ingredients, it is good value for money.

Take-away is available, and also delivery to adjacent offices. Sheikh Zayed delivery is arranged from the branch in Mall of Arabia.

Opening hours: 10:00 am – 11:45 pm.

Address: Guezira Plaza, Sheikh Zayed

Website: http://www.casperandgambinis.com/

Facebook page: CasperandGambinisWorldwide

Instagram: Casperand GambinisEg

We chose to sit outdoors by the Nile with a relaxing ambiance, light music with a friendly staff and positive vibes to enjoying this restaurant aiming to be one of the best Italian restaurants in Cairo.

Type of cuisine: Italian with a modern twist.

Signature Dishes: A selection of pizza, pasta, risotto.

Dishes Sampled: Fresh pizza with a special crust, topped with imported tomatoes, giving it an authentic Italian flavor. Freshly made pasta, cooked al dente, with a rich tomato basil sauce. Bruschetta topped with cherry tomatoes, basil, and authentic olive oil.

Dessert: Torta Di Ricotta E Pere – Ricotta and Pear Cake, a traditional delicacy from Amalfi.

Other menu options that appealed:  A modern take on Mushroom Risotto

Beverage Options: Imported Italian wine at an affordable price, soft drinks, coffee and tea.

Decor: Simple, modern and elegant with a black and wood theme.

Ambiance: Entering from the lobby, Casa Mia occupies a spacious indoor area, with outdoors seating by the Nile accompanied by a gentle breeze.

Clientele mix: Hotel guests, groups of young people.

Price Range: Moderate

Opening hours: Lunch to midnight

Address: Sofitel El Gezirah.

Chef Carlo Bio: 

Raised in southern Italy, Chef Carlo learned how to cook at home. While working in F&B, Chef Carlo was intimidated by the kitchen and how it works. It was a tight ship, keeping consistency as a key. Chef Carlo was inspired by his brother who worked as a chef and whom he worked alongside until he realized that was the career he wanted to pursue. He was looking for a job that would allow him to explore the world and so he became a chef. Chef Carlo has lived in Ramallah, Shanghai, Philippines and other distant locations. Cairo is his most recent stop, which he finds very exciting as he keeps memories from everywhere he goes.