The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Love it, hate it, meh it – Valentine’s fever has hit Cairo and there’s no escape. Everywhere you look, you’re reminded that the Day of Love is upon us and whether that causes you to wince at what humanity has become, or to begin to feel the chest-crushing pressure of making plans and buying a gift for your significant other, Cairo is a sea of pink-everything.

The city’s restaurants, bars and clubs are no different and the fact that the day has fallen slap-bang in the middle of the week hasn’t stopped them putting on a song and dance. Here’s the best of it.

Wining & Dining

Not all of these options include the ‘wining’ part, so you’ll have to forgive us – we just love rhyming. Nonetheless, if you like to mark Valentine’s Day in more classical style, then you’ve come to the right place.

Vivo at The Nile Ritz-Carlton is offering two special set-menu options with live entertainment (Photo: The Nile Ritz-Carlton)

When it comes to fine-dining options, the city’s hotels are your best bet, not least The Nile Ritz Carlton, where restaurant, Vivo, is offering three (450LE++) and  five (750LE++) course menus, to the backdrop of a live singer and talented violinist, Samira Riachy.

Elsewhere, Valentine’s is taking a Turkish twist over at Kempinski Nile Hotel, where award-winning restaurant, Osmanly, is offering a five-course meal for 500LE+++, with live violin and guitar music to boot, while a lavish event in the Nile Ballroom will feature a six-course menu and live music from Amy Frega (650LE+++).

Also in Garden City, Four Seasons Nile Plaza has no less than five dinner options: a five-course menu at Italian restaurant, Bella (800LE++), a mammoth eight course at Chinese restaurant, 8 (1200LE++), an Egyptian buffet at Zitouni (550LE++) and laidback evenings at Upper Deck (525LE+++) and The Bar (800LE+++).

One of the dining highlights is dinner at Oak Grill, which was last year given a revamp by acclaimed chef, Joe Barza (Photo: joebarza.com)

At the other end of the Nile Corniche, Conrad Cairo has plenty in store too, including a special menu and live entertainment at pan-Asian restaurant, Kamala (666LE+++ per couple) and a romantic Lebanese-infused dinner at Oak Grill by Joe Barza (777LE+++ per couple).

The InterContinental Semiramis has its Valentine’s plan, too, with award-winning Thai restaurant, Birdcage, offering a masterclass in dining (850LE all inclusive). Elsewhere, Pane Vino, where is set to welcome Cairo crooner, Ahmed Harfoush set to perform with a lavish dinner awaiting (2000LE per couple, 650LE per person all inclusive), while Valentine’s takes Levantine spin at Lebanese restaurant, Sabaya, with a special set menu (750LE all inclusive). Last but not least, Valentinr’s at The Grill features a lavish five-course gala dinner, and entertainment courtesy of British singer, Joleene.

Away from hotels, however, one of the standout options is Downtown Eish & Malh, where a special Valentine’s Brunch and Dinner are both on offer.

Parties

The fact that Valentine’s Day has fallen on a Tuesday has limited the party options somewhat this year, but there are still some tasty looking events to hit, including a special performance by Beatles cover band, Glass Onion, at Nox at The Nile Ritz-Carlton.

Amr Diab is set to perform at Dusit Thani LakeView (Photo: Kareem Nour/Amr Diab on Facebook)

At The Tap, Moez and Jack Avakian are giving you Love Songs Till You Die with one of the cheesiest nights you’ll experience at the Maadi bar, though for something a little more on the fancy-n-formal side, look no further than Dusit Thani LakeView, where the man, the myth, the legend, Amr Diab, is set to take to the stage.

Elsewhere, DJ Nada provides the music at The Garden Nile Front’s From the Garden With Love, while Wunder Kind spends its first Valentine’s with singers, Poussy and Ahmed Shiba, as well as bell-dancing superstar, Amie Sultan.

Over at the Conrad, meanwhile, Stage One is hosting a huge party, with the likes of belly-dancer, Oxana, jazz singer, Okasha, and DJ Z Shark are among the entertainment.

Four Seasons Nile Plaza bar, Graffiti, is all Love-Struck this week, with its special Valentine’s line-up featuring belly-dancer, Oxana, alongside a host of other live entertainment, including a live percussion show, while Zamalek’s Gu Bar hosts a special Valentine’s edition of weekly event, Disco Fel Badry, with the help of DJ Gaby.

Ramy DJunkie is anti-cupid at CJC’s anti-valentine fun (Photo: Cairo Gossip)

The Valentine’s spirit is alive well into Wednesday evening at Cairo Jazz Club – well, kind of. CJC have been firmly anti-Valentine over the years and 2017 is no different, with DJ Ramy DJunkie set to take to the stage for an event fondly named, My Ugly Ex.

These are just a few of the exciting/nauseating events taking this place across the capital – check out the Cairo 360 events calendar for more.