Cairo Archives | Our Voyage

Africa January 2, 2023

Transportation in Cairo: How to get around in the capital of Egypt

This post is full of tips about transportation in Cairo. The chaotic vibe of the city is very present also in the traffic. So, if you’re traveling to Egypt and still don’t know how to get around the city, don’t miss any of these tips. Especially how to leave and arrive at Cairo’s airport.

How to get to and from the airport in Cairo:

Cairo International Airport is the main international airport of Cairo. As well as the largest airport in Egypt. Most of the flights coming from other countries will arrive at this airport. With the exception of some European and Middle Eastern flights that arrive directly at the seaside in Egypt, such as Sharm El Sheik and Hurghada’s airport.

Located 22 km from the city center, it can take from 30 minutes to more than an hour to reach it by car. This is because the traffic in the city is very intense. That’s why we recommend always leaving early to catch your flight, especially if it’s during the day.

The terminals are all connected but can be quite a walk to move from one to another. So make sure you warn your driver which terminal you will depart from. The best way to get there, as well as to leave the airport, is to get a private car.

Taking a taxi can be quite tricky as they will try to negotiate a fixed price for the trip. And be aware, because Egyptians can negotiate for hours, and most probably you will still pay more than calling a car by an App. In Egypt Uber works well, but there is also Careem. This local App can have cheaper rates most of the time.

Ways of Transport in Cairo:

Buses

Regular line buses are extremely precarious. Poorly signposted, dirty, and without air conditioning. However, they are extremely cheap. I recommend using it only if you speak Arabic or are in the company of an Egyptian. However, more recently some lines called Smart Bus were implemented.

Smart Bus lines cost around 15 EGP a trip and the ticket can be purchased directly from the driver. The buses are new and air-conditioned. Identifying them is quite easy compared to other buses that circulate. In addition, they have a sign indicating the destination. I recommend downloading Google Maps to check the routes in real time.

Check out the best travel apps you need on your phone here!

Subway

Cairo’s metro connects some of the city’s main points. It’s very efficient and easy to use. I recommend it for the low cost, in addition to avoiding traffic. However, some very tourist spots do not have lines nearby. For example, in Giza, the stations are very far from the pyramids complex.

To walk around the center and the historic part of the city, some of the main metro stations are Sadat, which connects two lines and has an exit to Tahrir Square. The Mubarak station is close to Cairo’s train station and the Mar Girgis, which leads to the Coptic area of Cairo, close to several churches.

Microbus

A very common transport on the streets of Cairo is the minibusses. These vans are privately operated by the drivers, but the price is almost standard across all of them. Despite being heavily used by Egyptians, I don’t recommend using them unless you’re accompanied by a local.

A safer option, but also economical, is to use the vans operated by Uber and Swvl. Both companies have applications in which they sell tickets according to the distance to be traveled. In the app, you can follow the route, check the address where the van will pick you up, and the closest stop to your destination. Payment is made directly in the app.

Taxi

Taxis are available in any city in Egypt. However, be careful as many drivers don’t turn on the meter and charge what they want for the ride (especially if you look like a foreigner). In places like the airport, many taxi drivers charge a fixed price as we mentioned.

I recommend using apps like Uber instead of taxis. The price is nearly always lower than the taxi, and you can follow the route. There is also the local version of Uber, the Careem app. Sometimes with cheaper prices than the competitor.

Car rental

Although renting a car is considered useful for those who are going to travel to several distant areas in a city, I do not recommend it in Cairo. That’s because traffic is intense throughout the day and drivers don’t usually respect rules. Most don’t give a signal and dangerously cut the roads.

For pedestrians in Cairo, traffic can also be challenging. Look for crossings with traffic lights and always be on the watch for all sides of the road. Another tip is to always cross the streets with groups. Guards often end up helping tourists stuck on roads.

Got other questions? Check our FAQ below for more information.

FAQ Transportation in Cairo

Car rental in Cairo

There are several companies that rent cars in Cairo. Companies like Sixt and Enterprise are some of the ones that operate there. However, be prepared to face the chaotic traffic of the city. Never rent without insurance.

How to get around Cairo on a budget

Despite the lack of a quality public transport system, Cairo has a metro that covers several points in the city center. Some apps like Swvl offer shared transport in vans. They are a good option while moving to distant locations.

Is there a subway in Cairo?

Yes. Metro lines in Cairo cover most of the older areas of the city. However, some tourist attractions such as the pyramids do not have a metro station nearby.

How to use the metro in Cairo

To use the metro in Cairo, just go to the nearest station. They are signposted and, when you go down to the basement, you will find the ticket office. It’s necessary to inform your destination as the price is calculated according to the number of stations you will ride.

Transport apps in Cairo

Some apps can make getting around Cairo easier. For example Uber and Careem (the Egyptian version of the former). For more economical trips, it’s possible to schedule shared rides through the Swvl and Uber bus applications.

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Africa September 6, 2022

How to Renew The VISA in Egypt

In this post, you will find a step-by-step on how to renew your visa in Egypt. Although the process takes place in the same building, if your visa is a student one or a work permit, you will need other documents.

However, we will focus here only on the tourist visa. Although it doesn’t allow foreigners to work in Egypt, many of them end up working informally with only a tourist visa in the country.

Visa to enter Egypt

Travelers from most countries need to purchase an Entry VISA at the airport in Egypt. The process is very simple. When you arrive at the airport, you go to a counter where you “buy” your visa. The price of a tourist visa is $25 USD for a single entry into the country. Payment is made in dollars by cash only.

The visa is affixed to a page of the passport and gets a stamp when passing through immigration. This visa is valid for 30 days, with the condition that you leave the country within 45 days of entry, without paying any extra fees. If you plan on staying longer than offered, you should follow the steps below to get your temporary residency card.

For whom this visa renewal applies:

Any foreigner who wants to stay longer in the country can renew their visa. There is no exact number of times you can renew it. Despite that, I’ve met people who were forced to leave the country after about three years of renewing. They just went out for a few days and came back, no problem.

Normally, with each visa renewal, you receive another 3 months until expiration. However, there are also exceptions. For example, I have already received about 5 months in one of my renewals.

For foreigners married to Egyptians, no visa is required. You can apply for another type of residence card, which guarantees you more time until expiration. However, if you are leaving or entering the country with your spouse, you can use the marriage document to avoid paying the tourist visa fee.

How to renew a visa in Egypt:

Previously, all the processes for Visa applications were made inside the Mogamma building, in Tahrir square. But since the middle of 2019, they transferred operations to the Egypt Passport and Immigration Administration building.

Documents to renew the visa in Egypt

For renewing the VISA, you will need the following documents:

3×4 picture of you;
Passport;
Letter/ receive of your hotel or rental contract to prove your stay. Both documents should be in your name.

Employees at the place may not ask for proof of residency when reviewing. However, if they ask and you don’t have, that will be a reason to not approve your renewal.

Always carry copies of your documents. On the first floor (one above the ground) there is a place that makes photocopies. They also do 3X4 photos in case you haven’t done them before.

The day of the renewal:

There is no need for scheduling times. You just need to go to the building of the Passports, Emigration & Nationality Administration. The area is also known as Abbassia. In Arabic it’s called “مصلحة الجوازات والهجرة والجنسية”. Going in the morning early increases the chances of spending less time in lines.

Upon arrival, go through security and take the escalator to the second floor (two above the ground floor). The right part of the floor is dedicated to visa extensions. First, go to window 20 and get a number. Then, walk to Window 37 to get the form that must be filled out before your number is called.

Once your number is called, you can go to the window and present the documents. If everything is correct, the employees will give you a receipt. On the same floor, in front of the escalator, there is a window for making payments. The visa extension costs around 1200 EGP (2021 values).

Take your receipt and go back to the same window you were in. They will take your fingerprints. Soon after, you can pick up your passport and proof. You will need this voucher to come back the next day and pick up your residency card.

Second day: taking the VISA card

This time you will head to the third floor, also on the right side. You should wait again for your number to be called. There are screens with numbers, and there is no specific order for them to call. Once they call your number, you will take another receipt. Head back to the cashier to pay the second fee of 775 EGP for the card emission.

Once you’ve paid, head back to the counter you came from. They’ll tell you to either wait a short time (as little as a few minutes) or come back the afternoon of the same day (after 1 pm). This will be the time your card is ready. Previously, you would get a visa. But now it’s a plastic ID card with your address, photo, and date of birth.

SACHI: sushi and steakhouse in Heliopolis

When we talk about the luxury scene in Cairo, we have to talk about SACHI Restaurant. Their first breach in Heliopolis offers a party-pub vibe. The space is always full on weekend nights, where guests can enjoy the culinary plates inspired by Mediterranean-Asian cuisine.

Sachi has received many prizes for their quality as Travel & Hospitality Award and TripAdvisor “Certificate of Excellence”. On Sachi’s second house in Hacienda bay, North Coast, parties are celebrated on summer weekends with DJs from Egypt and the Middle East.

SACHI bar provides a menu full of cocktails (something hard to get in Cairo). We got catch about having a truly foawerner restaurant experience inside the city and we went to check it out.

Chateaubriand Beef from Sachi was one of the best steaks we ate in Egypt so far.

Sachi serves as entrance plate bread and butter from the best quality. We ordered Chateaubriand beef, that consist of South African Beef Tenderloin, Roasted Vegetables with Green Peppercorn and Shallot Vinaigrette Sauces. The plate has 600 GR beef meat and serves two persons. The meat is soft and it taste like a real roasted beef. The amount could serve a third person. We were so full that we had to take home half of the plate.

The total of the plate was EGP 1,240. We also ordered two bears, that are the perfect combination for this plate.

Chateaubriand Beef: EGP 1,240

Heineken Bottle: 115 EGP

The total of our order was 1,470 EGP plus charges. And we can say it worth every cent. The quality is amazing and is a restaurant worth trying.

SACHI Restaurant

Location: 3, Cleopatra St., Heliopolis – Cairo

Hours: Sunday to Saturday, from 2 PM to 12 AM

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Gastronomy January 21, 2021

Paul restaurant in Cairo: A taste of French cuisine

We went for brunch this time at PAUL restaurant in Cairo. They have many branches around the city. We went for the one in Downtown Katamey Mall (New Cairo), so we could also enjoy the open area.

There is no doubt that French cuisine is one of the best ones in the world. Especially when we talk about bakeries. That’s why for me a French breakfast is always a good choice. So check out how was our experience at PAUL restaurant in Cairo.

PAUL French cuisine

PAUL was created in 1889 and everything there has a French signature. From the decoration to the selection of bread, pâtisserie, sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Picture of breads in a basket on top of a wood table. Besides there is portions of butter and olive paste.

The smell of the bread inside the restaurant is irresistible. That’s why we choose a sandwich for sharing (saving some space for the desert). For the entrance, the place serves some fresh and homemade bread, butter, and olive paste. It was really amazing and we probably enjoyed it more than the dish we choose.

Picture of a white plate with two sandwiches. Lettuce and French fries garnishee the dish. — Our order of Club Chicken Sandwich (with cucumber, avocado, tomato, mustard, and chicken) and Cappuccino, served with Madeline.

Image of a cup of coffee with milk. On the saucer is a small Madeleine. — Our order of Club Chicken Sandwich (with cucumber, avocado, tomato, mustard, and chicken) and Cappuccino, served with Madeline.

Our sandwich came right after, and we got a little disappointed with the bread they served. It was common white sandwich bread, a little toasted. The bread served as an entrance was ten times better. The filling was made with avocado and chicken and was actually tasty, but not spectacular.

They also served french fries and green salad with the sandwich. After the first meal, we also ordered two coffees and a special french toast. And I believe these were the highest from our visit.

Picture of an iron plate over wood. Inside, French toast with berries, banana, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. — French toast with fruits and ice cream.

The French Toast came out to be so big that we almost thought we won’t be able to finish it. The bread was baked in pieces with cream and served with honey, red fruits, bananas, and ice cream. It arrived on the table still hot from the oven. The cappuccino was also big and creamy, served with Madeline.

PAUL, like most of the international restaurants in Cairo, is more expensive than a daily restaurant. But the quality of their bakery products is really good. The plates were nicely done and we will deftly go back to try the other items on the menu.

PAUL Restaurant in cairo

Location: Building 5, Downtown Katameya mall, Area A-City Center, 5th District, Road 90, New Cairo, Egypt

Hours: From 8 AM until 1 AM

Environment: 5/5
Location: 5/5
Flavor: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Cost-benefit: 4/5

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Gastronomy January 12, 2021

Naomi Steakhouse and Sushi in Zamalek

Naomi steakhouse and sushi restaurant recently opened on the central street of Zamalek, on the 26 of October. The place is located in the yard of the Zamalek Theater. We were invited to dinner there with our friends and the atmosphere is very nice for gatherings.

Picture of the internal part of the restaurant. There is no ceiling, and the floor is a laminated wood. Black tables and chairs are around a corridor with fake grass and wood partitions. Big palm trees decorates the place. — Open-air and beautiful lounge decorations and lights.

Open-air and beautiful lounge decorations and lights.

Much more than a beautiful place for a coffee with friends, Naomi offers some good dishes. On the menu, steak and sushi are the main orders. This combination is very attractive to all customers.

Our experience

After a lot of indecision on what to order from the menu, we chose to go with the sushi plates. Naomi doesn`t have a set of different pieces, which leaves the task of deciding what to eat more difficult in my opinion (and sometimes more expensive).

Picture of a sushi platter with hot rolls, salmon nigiris, salmon rolls and also California rolls. The black plate is decorated with a spicy sauce.

Picture of a white plate over the black table. On the plate, some salmon rolls of sushi, as well as fried ones.

Finally, we ordered different rolls and four salmon nigiri. The hot lemon spicy was really good and fresh, but probably the ones with avocado and salmon were our favorites. We also ordered 2 salmon gunkans, one spicy and the other without sauce. The pieces are quite large, but in our opinion, it doesn’t compensate in terms of cost-benefit.

The total of our order was 750.00 EGP. Despite being a little expensive, the quality is quite good. For me, especially when it comes to sushi restaurants, quality should come first then searching for the best price. The restaurant has very good promotions for the weekends, like “All you can eat of sushi”. It`s worth checking their Instagram for promotions before going to the restaurant.

Naomi Steakhouse and Sushi

Address: 26th of July Corridor, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek, Giza Governorate

Hours: Opens every day, from 4 PM until 12 PM

Environment: 5/5
Location: 5/5
Flavor: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Cost-benefit: 4/5

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Gastronomy December 2, 2020

Naguib Mahfouz: traditional cuisine inside Khan El Khalili

One of the most traditional and touristic restaurants in Cairo is the famous Naguib Mahfouz. The place is located inside Khan El-Khalili, the biggest bazaar of Cairo, visited by millions of tourists. The restaurant serves traditional Egyptian food, including plates for lunch and breakfast.

Naguib Mahfouz coffee shop and Khan El-Khalili restaurant

Naguib Mahfouz is a coffee shop named as a tribute to the Nobel prize-winner Egyptian novelist. Running by the same owners in the same place is the restaurant called Khan El-Khalili, as the market. The Naguib Mahfouz coffee shop serves drinks and also snacks. Khan El Khalili restaurant has a menu with oriental plates.

Both can be accessed through the same door. Opened in 1989, the place keeps the arabesque décor and all traditional and luxury Arab styles. All design takes you back to the Fatimid Caliphate era. From the paintings and the furniture to the uniform of the staff.

Pictures of the interior of the restaurant. The golden tables contrast with the dark wood of the chairs. On the wall, patterned sofas and cushions also serve as seats. The wood and stone wall has ornate mirrors. The floor has tiles that make up a pattern in black, white and gold. — Internal view of the restaurant. We read a sign that photos aren’t allowed after we took several pictures. We don’t know why and nobody told us otherwise. However, we couldn’t fail to register the beautiful decoration of the place.

Internal view of the restaurant. We read a sign that photos aren’t allowed after we took several pictures. We don’t know why and nobody told us otherwise. However, we couldn’t fail to register the beautiful decoration of the place.

On the menu, you will find the most traditional Egyptian food. Including really local plates like Koshari, but for much more expensive prices than outside. That being said, the cleanness and service are also higher quality than you’ll find in most of the nearby restaurants. We chose two dishes: Shish Tawook and Veal.

Picture of two plates on the golden table. The plates have barbecued meat and vegetables. Fries and bread are also on the table. Two juices of mango are served on glasses.

The food in Khan El Khalili:

The meat plates come with your choice of side dish, which can be french fries or rice. We choose the Shish Tawook and Veal, which also come with grilled vegetables. The rice portion was really disappointing. For sure I would recommend the fries if you don’t want to leave the restaurant hungry.

Anyway, the taste was great. The food was well done, with emphasis on the chicken grilled and spices, and also the mango juice, which was super fresh. The restaurant serves its plates with traditional Egyptian bread. One more reason to choose fries and not rice, so you can do an Egyptian sandwich.

Plate with french fries, chicken cubes and grilled vegetables. In the background, Arab settlements. — Shish Tawook plate on the left and Veal on the right.

Dish with cubes of veal, grilled peppers and tomatoes. A mango juice in the background. — Shish Tawook plate on the left and Veal on the right.

In the end, the total of our order was:

Shish Tawook: 170 EGP
Veal: 230 EGP
2 Mango juices: 120 EGP

With services and charges, we paid a total of 663,94 EGP. I would say that this is a restaurant for one time only. It’s much more made for tourists than locals. The decoration and the location are really nice, but deftly you can find the same quality of food in other places for cheaper prices.

Naguib Mahfouz

Address: 6 Haret Khan Al Khalili, El-Gamaleya, El Gamaliya, Cairo Governorate

Hours: The coffee is open from 10 AM until 2 AM.

Environment: 5/5
Location: 5/5
Flavor: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Cost-benefit: 3/5

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Gastronomy November 25, 2020

Eggspectation: international cuisine in New Cairo

On those lazy days when we wake up late on the weekend, there’s nothing better than brunch to start the day. After a little bit of search, we decided to go for Eggspectation Restaurant. Their egptyan branch is located inside the mall Cairo Festival City Mall, in New Cairo city.

A little bit more about Eggspectation

Eggspectation is a Canadian restaurant. It was one of the first restaurants in downtown Montreal, opened in 1993. Now Eggspectation has branches all across the US, India, Qatar, Dubai and of course Egypt. Mostly, they serve dishes related to breakfast or brunch.

French toast, crepes, waffles, pancakes and everything else you desire in an American brunch. And, of course, lots of egg dishes! More recently, they’ve also included some lunch and dinner dishes on the menu. That includes steak plates and sandwiches.

Our experience at the restaurant

The menu is very complete and has a lot of variety. However, the Southwest Sunrise Omelet with Avocado, Tomato Sauce, Sour Cream and Rustic Potatoes caught our eyes. We asked the size of the plate and it looked huge so we decided to share it. In addition, the restaurant offers slices of homemade bread, butter and jam.

No much left to tell the story. But it was very tasty!

For drinking we asked for natural orange juice and a coffee with milk. Our plate came with some fruits, beside the ommelet and potatos. The egg was still creamy and everything was very fresh. Apart of the flavor, the presentation of the dishes are also good. The dish was ideal for the size of our hunger.

Eggspectation

Address: Cairo Festival City, First New Cairo, Cairo

Opening hours: Open every day from 10 am to 11:30 pm

Ambiance: 5/5
Location: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Value for money: 5/5

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Gastronomy November 24, 2020

Eish & Malh: a piece of Italy in Downtown, Cairo

Located in the heart of Cairo, the restaurant and café Eish & Malh serve from breakfast to dinner daily day. Mostly for the bohemian customers, Egyptians and foreigners. Somedays, the restaurant has live music sessions at night, attracting a young audience.

A little more about Eish & Malh

Although it is only 6 years since its opening, the restaurant still has a historic atmosphere. Located in Downtown Cairo, the decoration brings elements from the forties. Some old pictures of the city can be seen around the walls, as well as paintings.

Specialized in Italian cuisine, their main served plates are thin-crust pizza, house-made pasta, and risotto. Also, they have a really nice international breakfast with french toast, eggs, and pancakes. But for those who want to enjoy only drinks, Eish & Malh has a variety of coffees, frappe, juices, and milkshakes.

Dinner at Eish & Malh:

Picture of a table with 2 pizzas already cutted and displayed over 4 plates. — Pizza and live music are a perfect combination for dinner.

Picture of a men with black t-shirt and jeans sited on a chair. He has his eyes closed while he play his saxophone. — Pizza and live music are a perfect combination for dinner.

We went to Eish & Malh at the weekend for dinner. The restaurant was crowded but as always we could find a place to stay. We choose two pizzas from the menu. I already tried the pasta and also recommend it. The pizzas are medium size with thin and crunchie bread.

We ordered one spinach and one four cheese flavor and we didn’t regret it. The spinach was fresh, with a garlic touch. In the other one, we could really feel the four kinds of cheese inside the four-cheese pizza (something that doesn’t happen in all places).

But don’t go expecting a real traditional Italian cuisine. The pizza dough is far from being like Italian pizza. In general, is more like a biscuit. But, for my taste is better than the oily fast food ones. We didn’t know, but there was live music that day.

Breakfast at the restaurant:

Picture of two toasted breads over a white plate. Balsamic vinegar and parsley decorate the dish. Over the table there is also a plate of pancakes with strawberry jam and a jar with juice. — The dishes came out beautiful and well served.

Picture of a plate with two toasted breads and a bowl with eggs and parsley. — The dishes came out beautiful and well served.

For an international breakfast, Eish & Malh is one of the best spots in the Downtown area. I went there a couple of times already, so I have tried several items on the menu. Which includes pancakes, French toast, eggs… More recently they are also offering a set menu. For around 160 EGP you can choose a plate, a side, juice, and tea or coffee.

Everything comes well served and with a pretty presentation. My favorite plates are Shakshuka eggs, with tomatoes, onions, chili, garlic, and parsley served with toasted bread, and also their banana bread. The pancakes are also nice, but the French Toast could be more crunchy for my taste.

Prices:

For dinner:

Quattro Formaggi Pizza 64.00 EGP
Spinaci Pizza 60.00 EGP
Pepsi 19EGP

For breakfast:

Strawberry sauce pancake 49.00 EGP
Shakshuka eggs 44.00 EGP
Savory French Toast 53.00 EGP
Cappuccino Single 28.00 EGP
Hibiscus iced tea 32.00 EGP

Our evaluation of EISH & MALH restaurant

Environment: 3/5
Location: 5/5
Flavor: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Cost-benefit: 5/5

EISH & MALH restaurant

Address: 20 Adly, Al Fawalah, Downtown، Cairo Governorate 11121

Hours: Every day from 7 AM to 12h30 AM

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Gastronomy November 4, 2020

The Lebanese Bakery: Oriental breakfast spot in Cairo

Since I saw some advertisements on my Instagram account about the new Lebanese Bakery, I was tempted to visit the place. Cairo’s new bakery is located in the noblest area of Maadi, a haven from life in the desert. The dishes looked delicious and I, a lover of Lebanese cuisine, was dying to miss an authentic Lebanese breakfast.

The Lebanese Bakery is an authentic Lebanese branch, with stores in several places, including Beirut and other cities in Europe. Its most famous dishes are a variety of Lebanese flatbreads (Manousheh) with different toppings and bite-sized bakes (Mouajjanet). Also, they serve the traditional and delicious hummus, baba ganoush, and some sorted types of cookies.

The Lebanese bakery in Cairo:

As I mentioned, the location is one of the special things about Lebanese Bakery. The place is ideal for sunny days, especially when winter arrives. The restaurant has balconies on the second floor and an outdoor area.

Picture of a table in a balcony. On the street we are able to see trees and other building. On the table, a cup of coffee, a glass bottle with orange juice, and Manakeesh. — Breakfast with a view on the balcony.

We were very indecisive looking at the menu. Finally, we chose to order 3 different types of Mouajjanet and a Manousheh with a traditional filling. The Half Half flavor contains creamy white cheese and Za’atar, a spice mix widely used in Middle Eastern countries. The taste reminded me a lot of my breakfasts in Lebanon, while I was working at a hotel. You can check more about my experience here.

Picture of a Manakeesh. On the table, two triangular pieces of slim bread filled with cheese and zaatar. On first plan, we can see better the feeling on the bread as a hand holds the Mouajjanet with a bite. — Manakeesh with Za’atar and cheese.

For the Mouajjanet, we choose to order one Spinach, one Sambousek, and one Nutella. I confess that we were a little disappointed with the size. It’s a real “snack bite”, but the taste was lovely. I love spinach, but we were especially impressed with the Sambousek one. The filling of sweetened minced meat was really incredible.

We got a taste of “want more” after our first order and we decided to try something else from the menu. We choose a Kaak Franji. It is basically made with the same Lebanese bread, this time in two slices placed in the oven with the filling of your choice. We chose the one with turkey and cheese. The order came hot and delicious.

Three different bites of Mouajjanet on a iron plate. Two of the with a shape of half circle, the other one is a triangle. — Three different bites of Mouajjanet and a turkey and cheese Kaak Franji.

Picture of a Kaak Franji. The circle toasted bread is covered by sesame seads, also toasted. — Three different bites of Mouajjanet and a turkey and cheese Kaak Franji.

Price:

The total of our order was:

Mouajjanet Spinach – 8 EGP
Mouajjanet Sambousek – 12 EGP
Sweet Mouajjanet with Nutella – 10 EGP
Orange Juice – 35 EGP
Cafe Latte – 37 EGP
Manakeesh Half Half – 60 EGP
Kaak Franji – 79 EGP

With fees, we paid a total of 275 Egyptian pounds for our breakfast in The Lebanese Bakery. I would say is an experience worth trying once in a while. All products are fresh and high quality, so in the end, we were satisfied.

Our evaluation:

Environment: 5/5
Location: 5/5
Flavor: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Cost-benefit: 4/5

The Lebanese Bakery

Address: 11 Street 18, Maadi as Sarayat Al Gharbeyah, Maadi Cairo, Egito

Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 11 PM

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Gastronomy October 24, 2020

Buffalo Wings and Rings: American taste in Cairo

Oriental food is the best, in our opinion, and cheapest for those who live in Cairo. However, from time to time we miss some American taste of food. So we decided to go to the restaurant Buffalo Wings and Rings in Heliopolis to taste the most traditional dish of the place: the wings.

About Buffalo Wings and Rings

The brand’s first restaurant was created in Ohio in 1984. Today it has branches in more than 80 places. In Cairo, you can find two places: Heliopolis and Sheik Zayed. Arriving at the place we already feel the American spirit. Many televisions with American football, bar, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Picture of the entrance. A glass door is in the end of the hall formed by walls with plants. On top, the banner with the name of the restaurant in white, black and green. I walk towards the restaurant with black pants and white shirt. — The restaurant entrance is next to the Radisson Blu Hotel and it’s possible to access the hotel lobby through the restaurant.

Picture of the restaurant inside. Several tables with black iron chairs and orange pillows are scattered on the large space. The floor is black and the roof is tall. — The restaurant entrance is next to the Radisson Blu Hotel and it’s possible to access the hotel lobby through the restaurant.

The Environment

I had already gone to the place in 2019, and the atmosphere seemed fancier than now. Maybe because the comfortable sofas were replaced by tables with chairs. Probably, the new look makes social distance easier to respect after the rules established during the pandemic. However, this didn’t disturb our experience.

As the place has a Happy Hour every day from 12 PM to 5 PM, we recommend booking because you will not always be as lucky as us and see the restaurant empty. Among the Happy Hour promotions are the famous wings, with about 10 options of sauces, onion rings for only 19 EGP (a family portion!), and beers.

Our experience

Between so many options of sauces, we choose to pick ten wings of each of the flavors we liked most on the menu: Teriyaki, Garlic Parmesan, Honey Mustard, Lemon Pepper, and the traditional of the house, Buffalo. In addition, it’s possible to choose between traditional wings or boneless, with a small additional cost.

To drink, we ordered a promotion beer (about 200ml) for 30 EGP and water for 10 EGP. With the Heineken Happy Hours promotion, this is probably one of the cheapest restaurants to drink alcohol in Cairo.

In our opinion, the sauces Teriyaki, Garlic Parmesan, and Honey Mustard were our favorites and the ones we would ask for again on a second visit. The order came out great and the restaurant serves gloves to eat with your hands without getting dirty.

Picture of the table at the restaurant. On top, there are four plates with wings covered by different sauces. A cup of beer and a small bottle of water are standing behind the food. — Traditional and boneless wings in four of the requested flavors.

The total of our order was:

50 wings – 200 EGP
5 Boneless – 30 EGP
Heineken (glass) – 30 EGP
Water – 10 EGP

With fees, we paid a total of 350 EGP and we still needed to take the rest of our wings home, as we were not hungry enough to eat them all at the restaurant. In our evaluation, it was very worthwhile and we will be back for sure. On the website, you can find the entire menu that includes burgers, salads, and some Tex-Mex appetizers.