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

Introduced in Britain in the late 1800s, the word ‘brunch’ originally
described the typical midday eating habits of reporters, but it didn’t take
long to catch on worldwide. Today, the term is used as slang for any meal between
10AM and 3PM. A lazy and relaxed brunch is traditionally associated with the
weekend, as your weekday 9-to-5 normally has you in a different eating pattern.

Cairo 360 has conducted its research and now brings you our top choices for brunch
in Cairo. Set aside some time and enjoy your meal!

Maadi:

Lucille’s:
How could we even think about talking about brunch without mentioning Lucille’s
famous all-day breakfast menu? If you’re looking for greasy, delicious comfort
food, this is your place. Their French toast (25LE to 40LE) is a delectable
option piled high with your choice of fruit or sugary substances including
honey, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. Their pancake short stacks come with
sides of fruit or even beef bacon if you like to mix it up. For something more substantial, their omelettes (especially the Garden and Mexican omelettes) don’t
disappoint either.

Heliopolis:

Aqua E Luce:
A popular breakfast spot among the Heliopolis crowd, Aqua E Luce’s
bubbly decor
makes for a daintily charming atmosphere. On Fridays, jazz music is
provided as
entertainment and we hear that their open breakfast buffet and
continental
cuisine are always tasty. They’re open every day at 6:30AM; but seeing
as how the venue is part of the Fairmont Towers Heliopolis, expect to
drop a decent amount on
your brunch-time delights.

Zamalek:

Blackstone
Bistro: While this restaurant poses as another Americana diner scene, their
menu selection seems to differ. Word on the street is that their brioche, French
toast and eggs are quite possibly the best in Zamalek. Prices begin from
20LE to 30LE per plate. The restaurant’s spacious interior makes it a great
option when you’re a larger party or hitting it up at a busy hour.

Coffee
Bean& Tea Leaf: Zamalek residents love their lazy morning brunch at the
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf with its selection of Panini sandwiches (try the
turkey and melted cheese) and breakfast dishes like brek’o’day (scrambled eggs,
sausages and Panini bread for 18.95LE) and their own rather dry version of eggs
Benedict (18.95LE). You can always stick to the safe side with their almond
croissants and muffins. The cold ice-blended coffees (20.50LE for a medium
size) are always an added plus, of course.

Mohandiseen:

La
Pietra: This popular restaurant just launched a scrumptious new breakfast
menu served from 9AM till noon: the scrambled egg potions come in many
varieties with the addition of any topping you’d like such as ham, cheese or
tomatoes. The salmon scramble consists of runny scrambled eggs sprinkled with
salmon, served on a crunchy slice of white bread. The pancakes are surprisingly
delicious: the triple layers hide a medley of fruits including kiwi and banana,
and are served on a bed of powdered sugar and a healthy side of maple syrup.

Corniche El Nil/Garden City:

The Fairmont Nile City: offers a Friday buffet brunch from 1PM till 4PM with
a fusion of cuisines: aside from an excellent omelette station, fresh pastries
and refreshing Californian salads, you can also sample dim sum, Peking duck and
some oriental dishes. A kids’ corner with a special kids’ buffet make this a
family-friendly event. This is one of the pricier brunches at 198LE, but then
again; you can have brunch, lunch and dinner with the variety of food available
here.

Downtown:

French
Cultural Centre: This little joint is located in Mounira (the other side of
Kasr El Eini Street) and its quaint atmosphere pairs well with the food’s fresh
quality and reasonable prices. Since the weekends get crowded
relatively early, you might want to arrive early to claim your seat. Pork
options are on the menu; a rarity in Cairo. Their delicious crêpes blew us away
at 11.50LE and above. If you’re a coffee lover, you won’t be let down by their
6LE-cup.  

6th of October City:

Brioche
Dorée: Seeing as how 6th of October doesn’t necessarily have many brunch
options, this café in Dandy Mall is convenient for a brunch stop. Quiche
(approximately 20LE) makes for a comforting snack while other options include
spot-on French pastries that are rather hard to come by elsewhere in Cairo.

Cairo/Alex Desert Road:

The
Terrace: Though it’s quite a trek to get there, Designopolis’ restaurant
The Terrace makes it worth the trip with a delicious brunch served every Friday
from Noon to 5PM, offering stacks of pancakes swimming in maple syrup and
blueberry-strawberry compote, eggs Benedict and smoked salmon with dill potato omelette.
The brunch is priced at 130LE per person.

And there you have it, Cairo! We’ll keep updating this list regularly as we find many more brunch options in this resourceful city. Enjoy the sun and your lazy brunch!