Cairo
in Egypt

Moments of stillness in this megacity may seem rare, yet a stone’s throw from the Great Egyptian Museum, tucked within the gardens of Marriott Mena House, is 139 Pavilion. Its leafy terrace invites you to pause over generously filled koshary and molokheya with roasted chicken, and a glass of champagne, with uninterrupted views of the Great Pyramid. 

This funky concept store in Downtown Cairo is quietly reinterpreting retail. 6901 opened its doors during Cairo Design Week in 2025. Founded by the man behind Maison69, it feels less like a shop and more like a sequence of spaces to flip between – part shop, part restaurant, part venue. Inside, traditional tailoring sits alongside contemporary cuts, Egyptian plates and stuffed sandwiches are served up canteen-style and new tracks spin out from a vinyl station.

Abou Tarek has a humble exterior, but it has fast become the most famous Koshary restaurant in downtown Cairo. Hearty and delicious this Egyptian staple, consisting of pasta, fried rice and lentils topped with tomato, chickpeas, and onions, is the perfect pick-me-up. And, demonstrative of some good fast-food!

Near historic Cairo, Al-Azhar Park sits close to the unmissable Saladin Citadel. Families gather here to celebrate birthdays beneath the trees, while the park’s elevated position opens up panoramic views across the city. Come in the late afternoon, when the greenery offers a welcome breather from Cairo’s heat and the city begins to glow.

The founder Goya Gallagher might be Ecuadorian but she has lived in Cairo for over twenty-five years and is part of its creative fabric. The Anut shop is like walking into a private house rich with exquisite ceramics, tableware and textiles fashioned by local craftspeople, the designs of which are all inspired by ancient Egyptian motifs. You’ll find it difficult to walk out without buying the entire shop. Join its embroidery school and fashion your own creations.

Calling all architecture and design fans! A visit to the Bayt al-Suhaymi is an absolute must. Dating all the way back from 1058 AH/ 1648 AD, it's safe to say that this building is rich, and full of history! 

Cafe Riche, has been a meeting place/bar in downtown Cairo for bohemians, intellectuals and revolutionaries since it opened in 1908. It has lost none of its allure and still feels beautifully seedy and louche. This is the place to go if you want to take the city’s temperature. Smoking (like everywhere in Cairo) is allowed indoors, which is why locals congregate to chew the fat, gossip and enjoy life, music and opinions on full blast. 

With its cobbled streets and peaceful ambience, it's all too easy to forget where you are. Coptic Cairo, or the stronghold of Christianity in Old Cairo, feels like an oasis away from the buzz of the city. It also happens to be home to some of the oldest churches in Egypt. Arrive early to avoid the crowds, and to jam pack the itinerary as much as possible!

Crimson restaurant is a very buzzy nighttime destination in the Zamalek district which locals love.  It sits at the foot of the Nile, its water lapping at your feet. Go for cocktails at sunset. Then try the Italian Mediterranean-inspired beef pops amuse-bouche which are a wonder as are the poutine frites (made with cheese curd and topped with gravy) and the exquisitely juicy lamb tagine. Finish off your evening with a traditional Egyptian hibiscus tea.

Locals and tourists flock to this special place so at every hour of the day its open, there is an unmatched energy about it. Perhaps, Egypt's most famed teahouse, El Fishawy Cafe has been serving tea since 1797. It's safe to say they have consequently perfected the art of brewing their shai barad. 

For a taste of Egyptian home cooking, make your way to Fasahet Somaya near Tahrir Square. Somaya Al-Asyoty serves a changing daily menu of unapologetically homestyle dishes – including mulukhiya, the famously silky soup made from mallow leaves, when you’re lucky. The tiny spot is open only from 5 to 7pm, so call ahead or risk missing the pot.

Tucked inside the Italian Cultural Institute, FOAM is a leafy little hideaway for cappuccinos, quiet reading and a spot of journalling. Grab a takeaway for a Friday morning stroll through the neighbourhood, or wander through its garden.

Gayer Anderson Museum, is a 16th-century Islamic house which was restored in the 1930s by the British civil servant, Robert Gayer Anderson Pasha who worked as a military doctor and lived there between 1935-1942. It is a treasure trove of antiquities, ancient literary works and textiles and tiles. But above all, it’s a fascinating insight into domestic living and oddities of the time, such as the covered portal from which women were allowed to observe what men got up to in the salon below.

Just left of Al-Azhar Park’s entrance, a grand palm-lined avenue leads to Al Khan by Granita, where Egypt’s once-cosmopolitan spirit meets Islamic-inspired interiors. The picture-perfect setting pairs classic Egyptian dishes with flavours from further afield, while the park’s entry fee keeps the crowds at bay. 

After dark, pull up a plastic chair at Halawa, a classic Egyptian ahwa where shisha, strong coffee and backgammon come with a soundtrack of Cairo’s honking horns. No polished tables or perfect lattes here, just a roadside ritual that feels distinctly Cairo.

Ibn Tulun Mosque, built in 876 AD, is the oldest and most beautiful mosque in Egypt which you might recognise as its scenes from the Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me were shot. Built between 876 and 878, it’s the oldest mosque in Egypt and one of the standout monuments dedicated to Islamic architecture. Wander through its vast open courtyard towards the minaret and climb up its narrow winding staircase, and imagine living in another time.

It's now one of Cairo's most coveted addresses. What was once Egypt's tallest tower is now one of the city's chicest serviced apartments. The iconic Art Deco building comprises five one- to three-bedroom apartments, furnished with pieces sourced from historic Egyptian homes, textiles handcrafted by local weavers, and antiques and artworks from leading galleries. Complete with a landscaped terrace overlooking downtown, and a home-from-home sense of privacy – with the addition of a private butler, a complimentary driver, a chef on request, and insider guides to the neighbourhood.

Kebabgy Oriental Grill is a bustling and luxurious five-star restaurant which is considered one of the best in the city. It’s on the Nile (part of the Sofitel Hotel) and serves traditional Egyptian cuisine, such as mezze of humus, labneh and tabbouleh for starters, followed by charcoal-grilled meats (go for the pigeon) and light-as-air flatbreads cooked in special clay ovens by artisan bakers in front of you. Local bands play nightly as the city sparkles all around.  

Established a long way back in 1382, you could say that Khan El-Khalili Market is iconic to Cairo. This bazaar is a must-see, whether you're after souvenirs or not. With stalls selling pretty much everything you could imagine, remember to do your best at bartering! 

Khufu’s restaurant which sits at the foot of the Pyramids is the place to go for the best views and food in Cairo. It sits right at the foot of the Pyramids; the food is exceptional and presented like a work of art. Order the beauteous Koshari salad made of lentils, tomatoes, fried onions, chickpeas and quail eggs or Middle Eastern staple Babaganoush, a dip made with eggplants and tahini, drizzled with pomegranate or chicken livers and date molasses. 

When in search of Egyptian tableware, make a beeline for MADU in Zamalek. Run by two women, the shop brings together handmade bowls, vases and glassware with embroidered napkins and bed linen, all sourced directly from local artisans. 

It's elegant, and it's charming: the Marriott Mena House is decorated in a bygone era style, ever so luxurious, and almost too easy to make yourself at home in. With a view of the pyramids in the background, it doesn't get much better than this.  

 Mazeej, is a jewellery-box of a hotel hidden down a dark street in Downtown Cairo. Once you’ve stepped through the majestic ancient doors you’ll feel like you’ve entered into a minimalist but luxurious Oriental world, the setting for a 50s spy novel perhaps, where a mix of the old and the new come together. The rooftop bar and restaurant is the place to go for impeccable cocktails, where a melee of local hipsters converge nightly

As one of the largest mosques in the world and home to the finest example of Mamluk architecture in Cairo, this is a beautiful sight to behold.