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

Heliopolis is, now more than ever, expanding in to the realm of chill out spots. Lebanese chain, Tche Tche has dazzled cairenes with several branches opening up around egypt, it’s latest taking up residence on the renowned El Horreya Street. 

The high, wooden fences almost disguise the cafe from the street, if it wasn’t for it’s iconic red and white signage. Beyond the parameter however, there is a large outdoors area complete with heaters, matching the size of the indoor area.

The decor is largely plain, with wooden, steel topped tables and chairs with bright red cushions. No music was playing on the evening we were there; the wide screen TVs were playing a popular satire show and unfortunately every TV was turned right up, meaning that the volume was excruciatingly loud.

The menu offers an extensive list of International dishes, from omelets, waffles and pancakes to salads, burgers, pastas and meat dishes. The drinks menu is also sure to please, sporting milkshakes, smoothies, fresh juices, teas and coffees.

With so much to choose from, we took our time deciding on one tuna salad (24LE) and La Pollo (36LE) – chicken in a tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese on top. Alongside our mains, we opted for their signature fruit cocktail, a ‘Tche’s’ (31LE), a strawberry juice (17LE) and a mint tea (9LE).

The generous portions of food arrived in next to no time, coupled with our drinks. The succulent pieces of chicken were swimming in a pool of tasty tomato, ragu-type sauce topped with perfectly melted, stringy mozzarella sauce and came served with tender vegetables and a substantial amount of creamy mashed potato. 

Our tuna salad was also a large dish, consisting of all the usual, fresh, crispy suspects, topped with chilled tuna and doused in a subtle but zesty vinaigrette.

Our mint tea was brewed from a Lipton tea bag, as well as an adequate amount of fresh mint leaves. Our strawberry juice was deliciously sweet – almost too sweet – and thick, with real strawberry pieces whilst the Tche’s fruit cocktail wasn’t as explosive as we had anticipated; the mango juice took over, forcing the strawberry and grape juice into the background. The fruit salad mentioned in the description was literally a fruit salad at the bottom of our glass – a spoon should have been provided!

To end our meal we ordered one delectable apple shisha (21LE) which was prepared quickly and properly, and topped up with coal regularly.

Tche Tche is a casual cafe, serving good food, fruity shisha and inventive drinks, which together make it a nice place to socialize whilst watching television shows, albeit at a deafening level.