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

Featured image via maidheadhotel.com

Stop mocking those who wear red, or buy red teddies on Valentine’s; we all know that you’ll end up getting an equally tacky Valentine’s Day gift, presenting it to your boo over a candlelit dinner somewhere in this city. Let us do you a favour and tell you where to go to impress your special one – and as for the tacky gifts, we’ll let you know about those later.

Here’s a round of traditional dinners:

Because nothing beats an Italian-style romantic dinner, Maestro at InterContinental Cairo Citystars hosts a 4-course set menu that comes with a special Valentine’s Day dessert, which you can indulge in over the tunes played by the guitarist. Sheraton Cairo Hotel and Casino’s Giannini’s is ready for the night with a large dance floor for your slow dance, in addition to a five-course dinner that comes with a couple of complimentary cocktails, at an all-inclusive 1200LE per couple. At Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, Leonardo offers a special Valentine’s Day set menu at 1399LE++ per couple, which also comes with roses for ladies, and chocolates for men. The Nile Ritz-Carlton’s Vivo delivers a five-course dinner and a special menu that boasts some sharable delights.

Romantic nights from the Levant takes place at Al Dabke in the Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, with a night called Be My Valentine. A set menu comes with roses for ladies, and chocolates for men, at 1499LE++ per couple. InterContinental Cairo Citystars’ Al Khal delivers a set menu that comes with a live band and a belly dance performance. Several Oriental romantic dinners are also on offer around the city, including El Mawardia at Sheraton Cairo Hotel and Casino, which serves an Oriental Valentine’s Day, where a singer takes to the stage along with a belly dancer, at a minimum charge of 600LE and a set menu. Other Oriental vibes at the hotel are served by none other than Rawi, which hosts a couple of open buffets at an all-inclusive price of 400LE per person; one takes place from 1.00 to 4.00 PM, and another from 7.00 to 10.00 PM. Egyptian Night at Hilton Cairo Heliopolis hosts a set-menu dinner at 899LE++, including roses for her, and chocolates for him.

There are plenty of international options for the night, including Grand Nile Tower’s Revolving Restaurant, whose night sees a five-course dinner served at the price of an all-inclusive 999LE per person. The hotel’s Marquise boat also hosts a special international buffet for Valentine’s Day at an all-inclusive 1200LE per couple. The Pool Bar at InterContinental Cairo Citystars welcomes you with a selection of international items and drinks.

Asian choices are abundant too; Yana, at Royal Maxim Palace Kempinksi, hosts a special Valentine’s Day package, Le Méridien Cairo Airport’s Chinese restaurant, China Red, is ready for Valentine’s Day with an exquisite six-course dinner, delivered by the restaurants very own Chef Zhu. At the price of 395LE++ per person, China Red’s romantic dinner comes with a welcome drink, and of course, a breathtakingly romantic setting. At Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, Noble House serves a special teppanyaki set menu for 1599LE++ per couple, as well as Shogun at InterContinental Cairo Citystars, which also delivers a special sushi set menu. First Boat’s Nairu’s set menu, which comes at the price of 1200LE per person, boasts a colourful spectrum of Asian delights.

Elsewhere, Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski’s European Grill Romanov hosts a romantic night, where a candlelit dinner is set to take place to the golden sound of Doaa El Sebei, while Hilton Cairo Heliopolis’ Indian restaurant, Raj, offers a set menu at 1299LE++. First Boat’s Xodó hosts a churrasco buffet for two, offering a romantic Latin night out.

But if You Want to Boogie…

The Nile Ritz-Carlton’s rooftop Nox; you can dance to the nostalgic tunes played by the DJ as you sip one of the hot cocktails at Nox, which also serves a round of bar bites. The night at Bellini, in InterContinental Cairo Citystars, comes with a selection of special Valentine’s Day cocktails and snacks from the pub-style menu. Le Méridien Cairo Airport’s Live Sports Bar brings an extravagant Valentine’s Day celebration, which sees a DJ taking to the decks, in addition to a flow of various delicious cocktails, and drinks, and the limited-edition Avec Amour’s desserts and chocolates. As for Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino’s Studio70, a belly dancer shakes it to the beats of the DJ on the decks as you enjoy endless options from the food and drinks set menu. The minimum charge is 500LE, and it also comes with a chocolate box.