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.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
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 (spicy sausage), sambousek (savory pastry_, 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.
139 Pavilion
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.
Past menu highlights have included sumptuous charcoal-grilled lamb and minced lamb skewers, as well as a 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. Dishes like palak methi paneer (cottage cheese and spinach) will work with anything off the grill, while 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.
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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