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

It’s safe to presume that Valentine’s Day is not the first thing on most people’s minds right now in Cairo. However, for those of you in need of a romantic night out, we’ve done our research and find out your dining options for this hallmark holiday with your special someone – even during
these difficult times.

Valentine’s Day Dining:

If you’re intent on taking your date out
for a candle-light meal, then check out our Ten Best Date Restaurants and Best Restaurants of 2010 features. Most restaurants on those lists are open and operating until curfew, which is now set at midnight. Some restaurants take their last orders are at 10:30PM; so be sure to get there early.La Bodega, Aperitivo and Charwood’s take their last orders by 9:30PM, and close at 10PM. Reservations are highly recommended.

All these restaurants do not plan on providing special Valentine’s Day menus or entertainment, except for Indigo at the First Mall, which offers set menu comes with a DJ until 11:30PM. Cost per person is 230LE plus taxes. Also, Pane Vino at the Semiramis Intercontinental is open till 11PM and offers special Valentine’s desserts. Some venues such as Little Swiss are even planning on sprucing
up the place with some decorations and candles.  

Some restaurants are open a little later than usual, so they deserve an honorable mention if you’re looking for a late night out: In Garden City, Taboula will be open till 1AM, while Pub 28 and Amici in Zamalek are open until 2AM.

The Ramses Hilton’s bar is also open till 1AM and so is their Garden Court restaurant. Their Terrace Café is also open 24 hours.

The following restaurants in Cairo remain closed or have been impossible to reach by phone: La Maison Blanche, Montparnasse, La Sombra, Steaks, Okashi, Sakura Sushi, Aqua, Vendome, Bella, La Palmerai, Papillon, Maharaja, Kandahar, Floor Ten, Saigon Bleue and Napa Grill at Fairmont Nile City; Stage One, Kamala and Oak Grill at Conrad Cairo.

Romantic Dinner at Home:

Rather stay in on this romantic night and
host your own little get-together? Well give Gourmet Egypt a ring and they’ll provide
you with an extensive menu of meats, seafood, cheeses and sauces – fit to make the most romantic
of dinners. Voila is also open in Zamalek and offers delivery of its delicacies, including Ben&Jerry’s, Haagen Dazs and spiced meats as well as caviar.

If your Valentine Has a Sweet Tooth:

Does your sweetheart loves sugar and all the
fixings? Then you’ll be happy to know that Nola and Crumbs are operating until curfew and both offer delivery of their tasty valentine-themed treats. Sugar ‘N’ Spice has heart-shaped cakes in two sizes for 85LE and 110LE, and heart-shaped sugar cookies for 145LE per kilo.

La Carnaval in Dokki is also open and operating, but they don’t offer delivery, so stop by to pick up a nice box of chocolates or their seriously heavy chocolate-cherry mousse cake. Also, check out Mandarine Koueidar for their famous yoghurt-berry ice-cream cake, or pick up a box of La Gourmandise‘s divine and chewy macaroons.

So however you choose to celebrate your Valentine’s Day, we hope you enjoy it.