Going to Cairo next weekend with an old friend from uni. We used to do a lot of travelling together, back in the day. But not been away together for 5+ years - so really looking forward to it.

Have room booked at Conrad, but would be very grateful for advice on where to eat, from those who know. Not great fans of sushi, but otherwise love all good food. Only there for two nights, so would like two good but different meals.

All suggestions will be welcome. May even do a mini trip report here after.

Thanks.

What did you find? I'll be in Cairo in a few weeks.

Ps. "sushi" would not be the first on my list if I'm venturing to Cairo, why'd you even mention that?

Me bride and I are returning to Egypt after 20 years. I rember my last trip vividly and fondly. Egyptians are the most hospitible people on Earth.

That said, "Egypt Rules" to us is eat nothing raw, nothing that hasn't been cooked to death. Shower with your mouth shut. Brush your teeth and rinse your toothbrush with bottled water.

Bottled water is everywhere. Make sure you break the seal yourself. Don't get a refilled bottle.

Cairo has modern water treatment, but the under-street infrastructure dates to British rule. There is cross-talk between sewer and water main.

Stella beer has a motto, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger. Drink Stella beer." The less said about Omar wine the better.

Stick to tourist hotels to be safe. Although Samak Mak (sp?) and the Tikka Grille in Alexandria were worth taking a chance.

The more adventure you seek the more Imodium you will need. On our Nile cruise I saw the dishwasher on a boat going by rinsing his dishes in the discharge from the bilge pump.

In Cairo in December, we had the best meal of our three week trip at the Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant and Caf� in Khan El Khalili bazaar. It was recommended to us, and hubby had just finished the trilogy of Egypt books that Mahfouz had written. Food was fantastic, great shisha bar in front, dining in the side and back. Our family of four (daughters are young adults) took our guide to dinner and ordered too much food (as usual, and we were starving!). Our guide kept worrying that it was too expensive and that only tourists and the very rich could afford it, so we were surprised when the final bill came to under $60. Only downer was no alcohol served, but we didn't really mind. If I ever get back to Cairo, I plan to spend hours just sitting with a shisha and coffee.

Here is a site that explains about it's name and history, plus mentions a few menu items: http://www.exceltrvl.net/article/Egy...nelkhalili.htm

Robin

I stayed at the Mena House in Giza in January and we ate twice at the Mogul Room indian restaurant there. It was fantastic (in our opinion). And we get good indian food around DC.

But it is in Giza, right across from the pyramids, so probably not convenient for you.

As a side note, on the second night there, Dr. Hawass ("Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities") ... ya know, the guy that is always on Egypt documentaries ... came bustling in and joined a big table right behind us. He was loud and happy.

It is a very small restaurant, so you couldn't help but notice. The Maitre'd left the door and was personally waiting on Hawass's table, lots of wine flowing!! A wind-blown American walked in and joined him. Looked like he was coming right off a dig. And it got louder! We left shortly thereafter because we were done with our leisurely meal. It was interesting to see!

oops: I guess the OP is long gone to Cairo, but may be of interest to someone else.

If you want something trendy and popular and good, try the Buddha Bar in the Sofitel El Gezirah, on an island in the Nile.

My Jordanian boss advised me never to eat anything that is not cooked in Egypt to avoid food poison based from experience .. even bread has to be toasted ...

we went to Luxor, Cairo, and Alexandria last February and we stuck with the junkies ... KFC, Pizza Hut, Mcd's and Coffee Bean Tea and Leaf just to be safe ... though we had breakfast at Le Meridien Pyramids Giza which was really nice ...

But for more info, get The Lonely Planet Book or check out their website .. The Lonely planet provides all infos from list of hotels to restaurants with its location in the area ...