Naguib Mahfouz, Cairo

Naguib Mahfouz is a tourist trap - a delicious one... and considering how good it is, it's not even too overpriced. Sadly it's where tour groups end up for lunch, so it's always packed.

If you are travelling independently you either need to make reservations days in advance, or else make do with a snack served in the restaurant's hall. The hall suited us perfectly - and we had a truly delicious kebab.

Favorite Dish: As I said the kebab was incredible - as well as some other dish of minced meat inside some flat and soft bread, whose name I'm afraid I don't remember. The quality is no big surprise, though, as this cafe belongs to the Oberoi chain.

Great local food of the Middle East and Egypt. Worth the trip. It is a bit pricy but the food is fresh and very good. This is more of a restaurant than a cafe. It comes complete with great Arabesque decor and Nagiub Mahfouz books on display as well as some local paintings. It is also very clean.

Favorite Dish: The hommus is great as well as their flafel. Their fresh juices are amazing, try the mango with a spoon!

The coffeeshop is also great. I love the environment, the quality service, the smiling waiter willing to lend his traditional hat - fez for a photo, the relaxed and cosy atmosphere, the disposable sheesha tips. I would go there again everytime I find myself in Cairo and I highly recommend it for a coffee / juice / tea and sheesha smoking.

When you`re in Khan El Khalilli,,a very nice place to dine at is the (Naguib Mahfouz restaurant)with it`s traditional cuisine,it`s a part of the Oberoi hotels and it was named after the famous Egyptian auther who has won the Nobel prize for literature in 1988.
The restarant has a live music band the plays classical Egyptian and Arabic music.
And the dining area used to be a strickly No-smoking area,but recently due to smokers demand it became a smoking section too.
only Sheesha(water pipe)is served in the entrance area.

Favorite Dish: Lots of good food in this restaurant,but when you are there make sure to try the famous Um Ali dessert.it`s made of pastry cooked in milk and cream with nuts,very heavy but very tasty.
My kids also LOVE the Mulookhiyah which is a green leaf cooked with garlic and onions and diced tomato in a chicken stock,served with white rice(looks like a dark green soup).but very tasty,and the kids love it!!