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There are two main supermarkets, or "Markets" as they're called in Cairo. In my area of Zamalek, I visit the two main suppliers of Metro and Alpha. These are typical supermarkets with aisles and many international brands. Don't expect any items to be organised in specific areas as one would expect, you have to actually walk the entire shop to find what you're looking for! The butchery, seafood deli and bakeries are the cleanest I've seen, but ALWAYS check your produce carefully when you get home. Dead flies are commonplace during the packaging process...
What to buy: Metro has the general supermarket offerings, with a surprisingly funky, albeit limited, dinner service range. Alpha Market is 3-floors and has a much larger variety from groceries, perishables and books to electrical appliances, costumes and household items.
What to pay: This really does show that the cost of living "for expats" is really low. Even the imported items are relatively the same cost as back home. Remember that if you're polite and have more than one packet, the shop's porter will actually offer to take it home for you. Alternatively, they can do a "home delivery" and deliver directly to your doorstep. Remember to baksheesh, around 5LE - 10LE depending on the circumstances.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Various locations around Cairo.
Helpfulness
i love this store..most like the groceries in america...kinda like a kroger or a randalls. if u are staying in mohandessin or dokki the store delivers to your home...which is very nice if you are without a car..just call and give your shopping list..most business do this, but some are not fluent in english...
What to buy: has most grocery items and has a nice deli..
What to pay: more expensive than local shops, but not that pricey..
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: http://www.mansourgroup.com/docs/metro_markets_inf
I am going there for eating, there are a lot of restaurants, cafes inside with different theme. I like this place
What to buy: Gifts, Clothes are suggested. you can find everything there . but I am going for eating, there are a lot of restaurants, cafes inside with different theme. I like this place.
What to pay: Expensive that Al Geneina Mall.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: http://www.mansourgroup.com/docs/metro_markets_inf
Helpfulness
There are lots of shops inside, gifts, clothes, sports wear, Ice skating hall, restaurants in. Prices are very good, cheap and you can find everything.
What to pay: 50 usd around, it is enought to buy so many presents.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: http://www.mansourgroup.com/docs/metro_markets_inf
Helpfulness
For those who might want to do some grocery shopping and are coming from a western country, the Metro Market grocery stores are a good choice to start with. These grocery stores are a little more expensive than other supermarkets because they have many items that are imported from abroad that might be difficult to find otherwise.
Set up like a 'western' grocery store the Metro Markets are very clean, organized, have credit card consols, often have ATM machines, a deli with hot and cold foods, a meat market, great bread selection. In short they are just like what you can find in the USA. The prices are listed in both Arabic and English.
This is a great store to start off with for newbie expats and students. After time, you will find other stores where you can get items slightly cheaper but I really appreciated the quality of the Metro Market stores. An added bonus is they are usually open 24 hours/day. I end up using them most of the time when I am in Cairo.
PS The down side is it lacks the charm of shopping at kiosks and smaller stores..
What to buy: Metro Market common items:
Sliced White Bread (American style)!!!
Imported Grapes and bananas
Light (calorie) yogurt
Cooked hot foods
Wide cheese selection
Pancake mix
Ice-cream sandwiches/bars etc
Pringles
Tang
Terriyaki sauce
Soaps, shampoos etc (beauty items)
Pots/pans etc
Cleaning supplies
What to pay: More expensive than an average Egyptian grocery store but has imports. Still generally less expensive than a similar store in the USA.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Helpfulness
If you're backpacking and trying to eat on the cheap, or just want to put together a picnic lunch for your trip to the pyramids, you can do worse to pop into the local food shop (didn't see any huge supermarkets, but there were several small shops). A bag of flat bread, some cheese, a big bag of crisps and a bottle of water set us back 8LE75pt (which is about 87p). You can pick up the bread at street markets too, along with a great selection of fruit - go early.
What to buy: My favourite item was an ice lolly called Squizz, which was mango flavoured. I can't remember what it cost, but it wasn't much. Very refreshing!
Updated Jan 5, 2009
Address: http://www.mansourgroup.com/docs/metro_markets_inf
This market is an English export. It is like Carrefour in that it carries more than just food. It has household items, tv's, appliances, clothes, etc. It has a better selection of cheeses and other foodstuffs. As it is in the basement floor of City Stars Mall you can make a whole shopping day out of going to the market. Have lunch at the market or at one of the restaurants and then do your grocery shopping. Depending on how much you spend at the market you get free parking underground. It's not hard to spend 100 - 200 LE and get some free hours of parking.
What to buy: Cheese, fresh made bread, fresh meat,
Written Mar 29, 2008
Address: City Stars Mall, Nasr City
New service for those expat families like me in Maadi and New Cairo (Katameya). Fresh fruit and vegetables delivered to your door with a smile by Nasr. It saves you deciding on what to buy. Fruit and vegetables that Nasr picks are best value, in season and ripe.
What to buy: Fresh fruit and vegetables will be home delivered.
What to pay: Prices vary for small, medium and large box. Special orders available.
Written Aug 26, 2007
Address: http://www.thevegbox.net
Phone: 0100731411
Website: http://www.thevegbox.net
Helpfulness
Carrefour is a chain [French] found in the Middle East owned by Futtaim Group- I have seen them in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and now Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt..
It is on the edge of the desert in Maadi, to the south of Cairo. It opens at 10am daily.
There are a few other shops in the complex, banks, cafes and Magic Planet for children to enjoy rides on carousels etc.
Compared to other shopping centres Carrefour itself has very reasonable prices, and for someone living in Cairo definitely worth going once a month to stock up on basics. We find some items [eg bottled water] a third of the price cheaper than in the local shops.
Fish is better bought here as it will be prepared for you; meat too is arranged well for selecting what you want- even ostrich meat.
As well as basic goods, there are electronics, cheap clothing, china, electrical supplies, garden tools, bedding.
An excellent bakery also has very good pizza.
What to buy: In Carrefour I find it the easiest place to find those silly little things that otherwise would entail days of searching- like plastic door stops!
What to pay: Very reasonable prices.
Written May 19, 2006
Address: http://www.mansourgroup.com/docs/metro_markets_inf
Helpfulness
Metro is chain of supermarkets of the middle range. I believe it is German. There are branches all over Cairo, but I have only been to the ones at Syria St, Mohandaseen; and Iran Street in Dokki.
They have all the usual foodstuffs, a butchery section, dairy department, home bakery [aah , the smell of the bread] and greengrocery and fruit section. There is a lot of choice and the prices are only slightly more than in a small shop.
From time to time they have a promotional lucky draw. One year I won some free orange juice , and a cookery video [in Arabic] and this year I won a walkman. All you do is spend a cetain amount and get tokens.
They deliver.
What to buy: In Metro it is possible to get Organic vegetables and fruit. It is the only place I have found chives, and broccoli is found there more often than elsewhere.
What to pay: WE find that a week's shopping comes to next to nothing in real money! Less than the price of a chicken in Tescos!
Though, more money conscious people than us complain of the tax added.
Let them go to the government owned Ahram, BUT there is far less variety there, just the basics.
Updated May 19, 2006
Address: http://www.mansourgroup.com/docs/metro_markets_inf
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http://www.mansourgroup.com/docs/metro_markets_inf
Supermarkets tips and photos posted by real travelers and Cairo locals.
Write a ReviewMetro is chain of supermarkets of the middle range. I believe it is German. There are branches all over Cairo, but I have only been to the ones at Syria St,...
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