Top Tables Egypt

Indagare's favorite hot spot restaurants change all the time, but there are also some staples in each of the cities we love that never go out of style. Here is our current short list of great restaurants in Egypt.

Cairo

• Breakfast: Simonds: The place to go for traditional Egyptian pastry, as well as other French and Middle Eastern pastries. Simonds also serves excellent cappuccinos. 29 Sherif Street Wast Elbalad
• Lunch: 9 Pyramids Lounge: Located at the Great Pyramids of Giza, this spot offers a great a la carte lunch with incredible views of the nine pyramids in the complex. It has become a big Instagram spot in Cairo. Al Giza Desert, Giza
• Lunch: Abou Tarek: Abou Tarek is the most popular fast food establishment in Cairo, serving street-style Egyptian food. 16 Marouf
• Lunch: Zööba: A Cairo-based Egyptian street-food chain with several locations, perfect for a quick bite or snack in downtown Cairo. 16 26 July St, Al Gabalayah, Zamalek
• Lunch: Sky Rim: Sky Rim has two restaurant options with views over Cairo: the Palladium (a casual restaurant) or Cresta (a café for a quick bite). Palladium serves typical Egyptian food and is a solid option for lunch while touring in downtown Cairo. 96 El Ahram Street
• Lunch or Dinner: Andrea Mariouteya: A family-owned restaurant that has been open since 1958, Andrea serves great mezze and has beautiful views. The chicken here is its signature dish. New Giza Road
• Lunch or Dinner: Em Sherif Café: A popular, beloved Lebanese restaurant (a chain coming from Beirut) inside a mall complex serving delicious and authentic food. Only recommended for those with extra days in Cairo, due to its distance from the main hotels in Giza. New Cairo 1, Cairo 
• Lunch or Dinner: Felfela: A casual Egyptian restaurant in downtown Cairo with a lively atmosphere. 15 Hoda Sharaawy
• Dinner: Le Pacha 1901: This popular 19th-century cruiser-turned-restaurant is docked on the Nile and beloved by expats. Saray El Gezirah Street, Zamalek
• Dinner: Abou El Sid: A legendary restaurant offering Egyptian delicacies. 26 July St, Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek

Luxor

• Lunch: Sofra: Situated in a traditional 1930s Egyptian house in Luxor City, Sofra makes for a perfect refuge to stop for lunch between touring the east and west bank of the Nile. 90 Mohamed Farid Street

Aswan

• Lunch or Dinner: Solaih Nubian Restaurant: An outdoor restaurant with authentic Nubian fare, incredible views and a romantic fire pit (popular for sundowners). Bigeh Island, Aswan
• Lunch or Dinner: 1902 Restaurant at Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan: French fine-dining at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel. Abtal El Tahrir Street

Alexandria

• Lunch or Dinner: White & Blue: This Greek restaurant and members-only club is located on the water adjacent to the Citadel, with a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful views of the city and sea. Kayetbai, As Sayalah Sharq
• Dessert: Azza Ice Cream: A popular spot for ice cream in Alexandria. It is located right by the water and makes for a nice break before or after touring Alexandria’s Citadel. 11 26th of July Road

Six Dishes to Try

• Ta’meya: One of the most common foods in Egypt, Ta’meya is the Egyptian answer to falafel. Made from fried fava bean paste, it is a very popular (and affordable) breakfast item.
• Kushary: A traditional dish made with rice, pasta, tomato sauce, onions, lentils, chickpeas and garlic.
• Hawashy: A sandwich made of minced meat (beef, lamb or chicken) and spices in a pocket of baked bread.
• Ful: Pureed fava beans served in a variety of ways, but most commonly with oil, garlic, salt and lemon juice and eaten with aish baladi (pita bread).
• Kebda: Grilled beef liver seasoned with spicy pepper and lemon juice, often served in a sandwich or as a side dish.
• Basbousa: A sweet semolina cake soaked in syrup made from rose water or honey and lemon, served as a dessert.