For decades, Zamalek had a strong hold on the best restaurants and outings in Cairo. While it continues to be a hub for locals and tourists, many of its known establishments relocated to the outskirts of the city (6th of October & 5th Settlements). Despite that, Zamalek continues to have our heart and is bustling with eclectic cuisine, cozy cafes and plenty of places to visit. If you’re looking for lesser known parts of Cairo, check out our Cairene Tourist guide!
LIGHT EATS & CAFES
Zooba – Home to wholesome food & fresh ingredients with a gourmet spin. Zooba is the best place to get the most popular Egyptian street food in Zamalek. Make sure to try their classic Hawashy or Koushary. You will not regret it.
Granita – Hidden behind the entrance of the All Saints Cathedral, this Egyptian staple has a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Furnished like a cozy home from the 1940s, the ambience is inviting and so is the food!
Holm – much like a tea house, Holm serves as a working/study space & very home like. Take your shoes off, kick back on their couch and grab some fresh ginger tea or refreshments.
ALL OUT DINNER
Crimson – Overlooking the Nile Towers and the steady water of the Nile river, is one of the best rooftop restaurants in Zamalek. Serving a mélange of international plates, delicious cocktails and mostly importantly views. We recommend making a reservation as the space fills up quickly!
O’s Pasta – stop at this little Italian restaurant and get all the pasta you crave! Taking a slim corner of Baehler’s Mansions this tiny hole in the wall serves the delicious carb in all its forms.
Sapori Di Carlo – a mouthwatering authentic Italian restaurant hidden in Zamalek. While seating is limited, the wait and the dishes are worth the wait. The pasta is freshly made in-house and other staples use fresh local ingredients bringing Italy to the heart of Cairo.
Marriott Hotel Garden – a historic hotel built in 1869 to serve as a guesthouse during the opening of the Suez Canal. You wouldn’t think that one could just waltz into a hotel and get this kind of luxurious feeling without being a guest. Well, at the Marriot you can. With some great views and a perfect combination of oriental vibes, modern décor and preserved history.
Sabai Sabai – Another true hidden gem in Zamalek is this eclectic Thai restaurant. Cooking up the Thai dishes, seafoods and curries, you cannot go wrong with a dinner or date in Sabai Sabai.
COFFEE
There are hundreds of coffee joints in Zamalek – truly they are countless but we’ll list some of our favorites places for you to try.
Social Specialty Coffee – our absolute favorite coffee obsession in the heart of Zamalek! Second, third and fourth up (and not in order) are the specialty coffee gems of Kavun, Daily Dose, Oroblanco and Sip.
FOAM Brunch & Brews – a newly opened cafe inside the Italian Culture Institute offering up a variety of drinks and brews and small plates for lunch.
Oroblanco – Taking Zamalek by storm is a tiny coffee shop on the 26th of July! Known for winning several Barista Championships, we highly recommend a visit.
