It’s been said that we eat with our senses, of which the most powerful combination for dining is surely sight and taste. There’s no denying a pleasurable union of views and flavor is a surefire recipe for joy.
These Cairo restaurants take advantage of their excellent locations and Insta-worthy vistas, matching them with inventive menus that give all your senses a delicious experience to remember.
Le Deck
A floating terrace tucked along the quieter side of the Nile, Le Deck’s menu is anything but dull. Though well-known and requiring reservations in advance, Le Deck’s prime location hidden away on the river’s edge manages to make it feel like a secret place.
The restaurant’s French-Japanese fusion fare was developed by Michelin-starred chef Laurent Peugeot, whose green pea soup with mint-wasabi ice cream is a must try.
Can’t choose between the duck breast with foie gras emulsion or the Angus rib-eye? Treat yourself to one of the set menus that include everything from shrimp with torched dengaku sauce to teriyaki Wagyu beef and strawberry tartare.
Best time to visit: Sunset, to see the best of both worlds as the night falls.
Andrea Mariouteya New Giza
Taste traditional Egyptian cuisine at its juiciest at Andrea Mariouteya. The restaurant sits elevated on a hill and offers a sweeping mountain view of Cairo below as you feast on the lush outdoor terrace. Carrying a legacy that dates back to 1958, the classic — if simple — menu is still known among locals for the best grilled chicken in town.
Don’t underestimate the little things whipped up by the kitchen, like shareable sides of soujouk, sambousek, vine leaves, and the freshly baked baladi bread that begs to be dipped in tahini or baba ghanouj.
During the day Andrea is perfect for a casual lunch. As the sun sets the ambience shifts to be more romantic as the warm glow of lanterns lights the space and city lights twinkle into the horizon.
Best time to visit: Any. It’s differently charming at different times of the day.
Sequoia
Set along the edge of the hip and historic Zamalek island, with a backdrop of the Nile, Sequoia is synonymous with a night out that’s both upscale and laid-back. Think boho chic: low wooden tables, draped canopies, comfy couches and candlelight.
A open-air terrace with a roof, Sequoia gives you get the best of outdoors and indoors — the Nile Towers and Embaba Bridge on one side and antiquated boathouses lined up on the other side.
Mezzes are the highlight of Sequoia’s Mediterranean-Lebanese menu. Order those to share, and try not to fill up because this is your chance to enjoy the quintessentially Egyptian main dish, molokhia with chicken. If you still have room in your happy belly, go for the Umm Ali with nuts for dessert, and savor this sweet, creamy, cinnamon concoction.
Best time to visit: Sunset to evenings. The view doesn’t dim during the evening, and the ambience after dusk is divine.
139 Restaurant
The prime view from 139 Pavilion at the Marriott Mena House, Cairo makes the Pyramids at Giza look closer than your salad fork. The three-in-one restaurant offers fine-dining classics from Egyptian, Indian and European cuisine, all equally delicious.
The charcoal grilled lamb and minced lamb skewers are a staple that will not disappoint, as is the Samaka Hara (baked sea bass), with sun-dried red pepper, walnuts and lemon garlic vinaigrette.
If there are rules against mixing cuisines, you’re allowed to break them at 139 Pavilion. Palak methi paneer (cottage cheese and spinach) will work with anything off the grill, and shrimp bhuna masala (stir-fried in dry curry) complements the Egyptian sea bass.
Best time to visit: Afternoon. The Pyramids don’t glow in the dark, so the view goes with the sun.
Mantis
From its perch on the 19th floor of the Cairo Capital Club building, Mantis’s city view is unforgettable. Chef Haya Issa at Mantis pairs those vistas with adventurous, globally inspired plates, all organic and locally sourced.
The roumy cheese puffs, Egypt’s favorite local cheese with a twist, will jumpstart your appetite. One of their specialties is the Mantis poutine, pulled beef brisket with spicy Middle Eastern harissa topped with ranch dressing, cheese and gravy. Even the Venetian carpaccio gets a local twist with a touch of lentils and anise.
Best time to visit: Afternoons have a relaxed atmosphere, and evenings are more clubby. Look out for their Bits and Beats Mondays and musical weekend nights.
Studio Misr
In the heart of beautifully landscaped Azhar Park, Studio Misr serves traditional Egyptian cuisine on an outdoor terrace and boasts sprawling views of the park gardens and the Citadel of Salah El-Din’s minarets.
For a locally beloved appetizer, order the watermelon with cheese. Follow it with stuffed pigeon or veal fattah (soup with rice, flatbread and sauce) for a classic Egyptian meal.
After sipping a cup of mint tea, a walk through the gardens is the perfect way to unwind post dinner.
Plan your visit so you can catch a concert at El-Genaina Theatre, also in Azhar Park, hosting local and international bands.
Best time to visit: Sunset. Take all your photos before it gets dark; you’ll want proof you were there.
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