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

A long-time Maadi favourite, this
cosy Crêperie is a fine example
of the world-class international cuisine on offer in this diverse Cairo neighbourhood.
While it may not look like much from the outside, Crêperie Des Arts manages to capture the essence of rustic French
dining in both atmosphere and cuisine.

The cabin-like look of the
restaurant’s exterior carries over to the interior, where wooden beams and
rough-hewn dark wood tables and chairs make for an unpretentious and
comfortable setting. The relaxed decor is contrasted by the classy table
settings: posh wineglasses, quality tableware and more than one kind of fork.

The food here is by no means humble.
Crêperie Des Arts has expanded its
delicious crêpe menu to offer a
wide selection of French classics with a few Egyptian accents. We suggest opting
for a full meal to enjoy the full range of gourmet options on offer here.

Our ideal three-course meal would
begin with the delectable French-style onion soup (13LE) or the rocca salad (23LE)
served with crumbly feta, crunchy onion, tangy olives and saffron. Main dish
choices include meat options; we like the entrecote steak (59LE), served with
European-standard French fries and salad, as well as a wide selection of
gourmet paninis, pasta dishes and, best of all, savoury crêpes.

We suggest coming straight to the
savoury crêpes because, frankly,
they are amazing. Light, fluffy batter and the perfect combination of fillings
make for a truly delectable experience. While savoury traditional fiteer is available;
go for the French selections and you won’t be disappointed.

We love the Hollywood
crêpe (23.5LE), a strangely
delicious combination of chicken, gruyere, béchamel sauce and walnuts. Not for
you? Try the more subdued force 4 crêpe,
which is filled with Roquefort, mozzarella, gruyere and goat cheese (26.5LE).
We applaud Crêperie Des Arts’
humour with the menu choices, especially the Memphis crêpe (19.5 LE), a down-home treat of hamburger, French fries, fried
egg and onion all wrapped up in a crêpe–
just don’t tell the French!

Dessert is this Crêperie’s forte; so save plenty of
room. Sweet crêpe offerings
include classic fillings such as butter and sugar (10.50LE), jams (12.50LE),
chocolate, caramel and Nutella (12.50LE-15.50LE), as well as a few wilder
options for adventurous eaters.

We enjoyed the chocolate coconuts (15LE),
a chocolate crêpe stuffed with
coconut and walnuts. We also like the music hall (20.50LE); a classic crêpe filled with chestnuts, vanilla ice
cream and whipped cream. A selection of waffles with various toppings is also
on the menu.

With such an extensive menu,
everyone will find a satisfying crêpe at Crêperie Des
Arts. A visit to Crêperie Des
Arts will transport you from Maadi to deepest France, and their crêpes just might be better.