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

Ratios Bakery is undoubtedly one of the best breakfast places in Cairo. Every one of their baked goods is an absolute treat, and they’ve become a staple for Maadi goers for their heavenly bites and incredible charm and hospitality. The one concern we all had with Ratios was the small, crowded space – and they’ve finally expanded! With their new Degla Maadi branch, the experience at Ratios Bakery has gone from incredible to simply unmatched.

This new branch is unlike anything we could have imagined. Though it may seem like a small space before you make your way in from the staircase outside, you’ll find yourself in a vast area once you make your way down that is absolutely beautifully decorated. There, you’ll be greeted by the loveliest staff imaginable. However, you already know that if you’ve been to Ratios before. When we made our way to our seats, we couldn’t wait for our food to come. We were especially excited given that their new menu has breakfast staples other than their beloved baked goodies.

We wanted to keep our breakfast traditional, so we ordered their pancakes and eggs benedict. Let us start by saying this: both were some of the best we’ve ever had (no exaggeration). Their eggs benedict (EGP 150) come with an optional smoked salmon or duck bacon, and we decided to order both. Though they will both cost you an additional EGP 230, it is absolutely worth the splurge. After all, you don’t have breakfast at Ratios every day. The eggs were poached to perfection, giving the most Instagrammable runny yolk. The hollandaise sauce is incredibly indulgent and the perfect pairing with the eggs, which will convert even the staunchest of egg yolk haters (speaking from experience). The smoked salmon was divine, and the duck bacon was unmatched – beautifully crisp, salted to perfection, and will make you sink into your seat at the first bite.

Next, it was time for the pancakes (EGP 150) – three fluffy pancakes that are a feast for the eyes, with some butter and maple syrup on the side. We were initially worried that the amount of syrup would be too little, but we quickly understood why it was so small. Our very first bite, which had no syrup, was enough to widen our eyes in disbelief. The bites with liquid gold were delicious, and any more maple syrup would have been overwhelming. It was the perfect sweet breakfast: beautifully soft, not too sweet, and you’ll go on talking about it for days.

Lastly, it’s not breakfast without coffee. We ordered an Americano (EGP 50) and Turkish coffee (EGP 40). Both were everything you could want from a cup of coffee, and more. The perfect amount of indulgence but not bitter, they were simply delicious and the best way to wash down one of the best breakfasts we’ve had since our last Ratios run.