Cairo/Gezira

Zamalek is unevenly bisected by the major artery formed by Sharia 26 July that crosses SE to NW over two bridges, linking Bulaq (north of Downtown Cairo) with Mohandiseen in Giza via Zamalek.

Zamalek is best reached by taxi from Downtown or Mohandiseen, which should be no more than LE5. The station of the Cairo Metro Line 2 is on the southern tip of Gezira, adjacent to the Opera House and Gezira Sheraton, but is still a significant walk from the main areas of Zamalek.

Zamalek is small enough to navigate on foot.

• Akhenaten Centre of the Arts

  address: Eastern end of Sharia 26th of July

• Cairo TowerA distinctive landmark visible from most of downtown Cairo, the Cairo Tower was completed in 1961 and reaches a height of 187 m. Great day and night views over central Cairo and to the Pyramids from the revolving café and restaurant at the top. Be wary of security guards who will give 'tours' of the area and demand large tips, and note that the café requires a minimum expenditure of LE30. Although it's not written in Arabic or English at the ticket booths, Egyptians visit for LE20. Unlike most sights in Egypt, there is no secondary student pricing.

• Gezira Centre of Arts

  address: 1 al-Sheikh Marsafy
  Displays an interesting collection of Islamic ceramics and galleries for temporary art exhibitions.

• Khan al-Maghraby

  address: 18 Sharia Mansour Mohamed, Zamalek
  Small, one-room gallery features young Egyptian artists

• Museum of Islamic Ceramics

  address: 1 Al Marsafi St
  The museum is located in the former palace of Prince Amru Ibrahim in Zamalek.

• Picasso Gallery

  phone: +20 2 736-7544
  address: 30 Sharia Hassan Assem, Zamalek
  Contemporary Egyptian art gallery

• Safar Khan Gallery

  phone: +20 2 735-3314
  address: 6 Brazil Street, Zamalek
  Contemporary Egyptian art gallery

• Zamalek Art Gallery

  address: 11 Brazil Street
  Features modern Egyptian art.

• Cairo Opera House

  phone: +20 2 7370603
  address: El Borg Gezira
  Egypt's most important cultural stage, home to much more than just the opera. Founded in 1869 as the Royal Opera House by Khedive Ismail,, who commissioned Verdi's Aida, the original building was destroyed in a fire in 1971, so an entirely new one was built and opened in 1988. Today, it has two halls that can house 1300 and 500 people, as well as an outdoor theatre, and there are cultural performances virtually every night.

• El-Sawy Cultural Wheel

  address: Al-Saqia, 26 July St
  An outdoor concert scene with modern Egyptian groups playing both Western and Middle Eastern music. The music might vary in quality, but it's a good place to meet young Egyptians. No alcohol.

• Gezira Sporting Club

  phone: +20 2 2736-0434
  Includes four restaurants, swimming, lighted tennis, tennis pros and lessons, table tennis, squash, croquet, playing fields, walking tracks, exercise facilities, equestrian, basketball, children's play areas, saunas, bridge and board games.

• Gezira Golf ClubA large public golf course. Admission for non-members is LE20, tournament fees are LE40.

• Gezira Table TennisLocated at the center court and headed by Capt. Ibrahim Gouda. The table tennis team includes 76 players of ages ranging between 6 and 21 years. A table tennis school is also available for young club members.

• Nile Maxim

  phone: +20 2 27388888
  address: opposite the Marriott
  Dinner cruise ship, operated by the Marriott, offers an à la carte menu, along with belly dancing, music, and other entertainment.

Bookstores

• American University in Cairo Bookstore

  phone: +20 2 2739-7045
  address: 16, Mohammad Thakeb
  Smaller version of the main campus bookstore downtown. Featuring AUC Press publications. among others.

• Alef Bookstore

  phone: +20 2 2736-5180
  address: 2 Taha Hussein Street
  Provides a variety of book genres with personalized service in a cozy atmosphere for browsing and selecting books, plus reading area.

• Diwan

  phone: +20 2 2736-2582
  address: 159, 26th July St.
  Possibly Cairo's best English-language bookstore, also carries Egyptian and western music, videos and DVDs. A small cafe serves coffee and pastries.

• Zamalek Bookstore

  phone: +20 2 2736-9197
  address: 19 Shagaret El-Dorr St.
  Small bookstore, with a large selection of English children's books and stationery products.

Clothing

• Concrete

  address: 21 El Maahad El Sewisry St.
  Has high quality men's dress shirts that rivals anything in London, Paris, or Milan, and does free custom tailoring for trousers and suits. Ties are over priced, but otherwise, the prices are extremely reasonable given the quality.

• Mobacco Cottons

  address: 8 Ahemed Sabry St
  Sells high-quality Egyptian cotton clothing, most of which is made in Egypt and exported. Prices are higher than other stores in Egypt, but the quality is comparable to stores in the US and Europe.

Organics

• Sekem

  address: Ahmad Sabri St.
  Cairo's only organic food/health product store.

Zamalek offers some of the best eating in Cairo. There's a large variety of quality restaurants serving everything from Egyptian molokhia to Thailand Red Curry. But also, the green and atmospheric atmosphere on the Nile-Island makes for a perfect dinner setting. Zamalek is also the place to visit if you want to escape Ramadan: many places stay open during day-time and alcohol is served (to foreigners only) at most of the water-holes.

• La Trattoria

  phone: +20 2 27350470
  address: 13 Maraashli Street
  Excellent Italian food. Owned, and run, by the son of the famous actor Omar Sharif.

• Nile City

  address: Zamalek
  Stationary boat on the Nile includes several international franchises coupled an Egyptian grill and a seafood restaurant. Chilis, Johny Carinos, Fish Market & Studio Misr.

Budget

26 July has a range of stalls serving the usual selection of Arab and western fast food. In addition there is a cluster of fish and seafood cafeterias in the same street between Shagrat-al-Dor and kamal Mohammed.

• Didos Al Dente

  phone: +20 2 2735 9117
  address: 26 Baghat Ali street
  This place serves pasta, and dishes are amazingly cheap, ranging from LE6-20. Small, intimate setting, making it an excellent spot for dates (despite its small setting, the waiters will let you linger/flirt at the table). Generally full from 5PM-close, waiting on the street outside is common, but it is worth the wait. They serve up some of the best pasta in all of Cairo. You pick your sauce, you pick the kind of pasta you want, and the cooks do the rest. The kitchen is directly in view so you can watch them serve up your food. Try the bolognese, the crab sauce, or the frutti de mare with white sauce.

Mid-range

• Beano'sIt has a West European style and serves food all day during Ramadan.

• Deal's

  address: al-Sayyid al-Bakri St
  Purportedly the best burgers in Cairo. Doubles as a pub. Open during Ramadan.

• Euro-Deli

  address: close to President Hotel and the Chinese embassy
  This place specialises in continental food and has several healthy salads and bagels in addition to very good coffee. Free Wi-Fi available and the place is popular with foreign students.

• Maison Thomas

  address: near Cilantro and Diwan on the north side of 26 July St.
  Legendary establishment (Om Kolsoum once ate here) serving pastries, light food, and pizza. Owned by Coptic Christians. Beer available for take-away except during Ramadan.

• SequoiaGood Lebanese food, a selection of more than 50 kinds of waterpipe tobacco, good drinks and an excellent Nile location makes this one of the most comfortable places to enjoy a Cairo evening. see more details in bar section

Splurge

• Abou al-Sid

  address: around the corner from Diwan
  Owned by the conglomerate also responsible for Tabouleh (a rockin' awesome Lebanese restaurant in Garden City), and L'Aubergine, Abou al-Sid features high-end Egyptian cuisine and superb fresh juices. Very atmospheric. Make reservations in advance and dress up to get in.

• L'Aubergine

  phone: +20 2 2738-0080
  address: 5 El-Sayed Al-Bakry St
  2nd floor turns nightclub at night. Closed during Ramadan.

• La Bodega

  address: located in Baehler's Mansions, on 26th of July Street
  This upscale restaurant has a great menu of French classics like onion soup and canard a l'orange, excellent service, and good drinks, which can be difficult to find in Cairo.

• Mojo's Lounge & Bar

  phone: +20 102223999
  address: 4 Sarayat El Gizera St.
  Overlooking Nile. Shisha, wi-fi, parking, taxi service. Reservations required.

• Sabai Sabai

  phone: +20 2 2735-3471, +20 10 3921736 (Mob)
  address: 21 El Maahad El Swiesri
  Serves traditional Thai food in stylish settings and good service. This is a welcome addition to the Cairo Thai scene. Specify if you want the food spicy.

Liquor Stores

• Drinkie's

  phone: +20 19330
  address: 155 26th of July St.
  A liquor store with a wide variety of spirits. One of the few places to find alcohol in this largely Islamic city.

Cafés

• Cilantro

  phone: +20 2 2736-1115
  address: 157, 26th July St
  Another branch in the Om Kolsoum Hotel on Abu el-Feda just north of the 26th July St Bridge crossing to Agouza. Part of a local coffee shop chain (think Starbucks) with pastries, light sandwiches, sodas, and free wi-fi.

• Simonds

  phone: +20 2 2735 9436
  address: 112 Sharia 26th of July
  A small, long-established and highly popular café frequented by expats and students. Rather intimate, space is at a premium with just a few stools available or stand at the bar. Very good cappuccino. A great selection of sweets, pastries and juices is also on offer.

• Café Tabasco

  phone: +20 2 2735 8465
  address: 18b, el Marashly St
  Good coffee, a variety of Western and Arabic dishes including "American breakfast" and pancakes. Popular hangout for foreign students. Wireless internet available.

• Costas Coffee

  address: el Marashly St
  Another Cairo coffee chain, delicious coffee, small selection of pastries, sandwiches, and cold drinks. Best for take out coffee. Nile view

• Euro Deli

  phone: +20 2 2736 61 12
  address: 22a Dr. Taha Hussein St
  Healthy food, homemade fries and salads. Good milkshakes. Wireless internet available.

• Café de Paris

  phone: +20 2 2735 3739
  address: 10 Mohamed Thakeb Pacha St
  This place has drinks, sheesha and beer in nice garden surroundings with flat-TV running constant Arabic pop. Popular with nearby students from the AUC student quarters. Light food is also served.

Bars

• Sequoia

  phone: +20 2 2735 0014
  address: 53 Abou El Feda
  An absolutely gorgeous open-air Lounge Bar/Restaurant at the northern tip of Zamalek, directly on the Nile. One of the most popular places for the young elite and resident foreigners. Sequoia does not only offer a variety of good mezzes, grills and other main courses but is also one of the best (if not the best) places in town to smoke shisha. Sequoia has a shisha menu with 15-20 flavours of tobacco, which you can smell before making your choice. The interior is modern and all white, the atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Reservation may be needed on Wednesday nights and weekends when people come here to see and be seen. Expensive, but worth a visit.

• Pub 28

  phone: +20 2 27350972
  address: 28 Shagaret El Dorr St
  Noon-2AM. Typical British pub frequented by expats and locals alike. International brands of liquor. Food served. Very popular, book table if you are not content sitting in the bar. Open during Ramdan. Stella LE15, main dishes from LE25-60.

• Deals

  phone: +20 2 27359002
  address: 2 El Sayed El Bakry St
  Another popular pub haunt. Cable TV, DJ and house music. Pub menu. Open during Ramadan. Stella LE15, main dishes from LE25-60.

• Harry's Pub

  phone: +20 2 2735 8888
  address: Sarya El Gezira St
  Karaoke-pub turns disco when the crowds are big enough. Local beer LE20.

Budget

• Mayfair Hotel

  phone: +20 2 2735 7315
  address: Level 2-3, 9 Aziz Osman Street, Zamalek
  An upper budget location - the people are nice, rooms clean, prices reasonable, and atmosphere peaceful. Free wi-fi, according to the website of the hotel.

Mid-range

• Golden Tulip Flamenco Hotel

  phone: +20 2 2735 0815
  address: 2 El Gezira El Wosta St.
  This hotel is more notable for its location than its service - rooms can be small, but comfortable. The service is good, and most room rates include breakfast - ask for a Nile view when booking. Free-of-charge wireless internet service is available.

• Horus House Hotel

  phone: +20 2 27353634
  address: 21 Ismail Mohamed Street
  In the same building as the Hotel Longchamps with a equally friendly staff. Clean, serviceable rooms and a buffet breakfast.

• Hotel Longchamps

  phone: +20 2 2735 2311
  address: 21, Ismail Mohamed Street
  A spotless 3-star hotel situated on the top two floors of an apartment building on a beautiful tree-lined street. Garden terrace upstairs. Room rates include a buffet breakfast. Laundry service available. Airport pickup and delivery for LE95 flat fee.

Splurge

• Cairo Marriott

  phone: +20-2-27283000
  address: 16,Gezira St
  Housed in a former royal palace that was built to host Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie for the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The old palace is still there, but the guest rooms (all 1069 of them) are housed in a modern tower block next to it. Still, the six-acre Omar Khayyam gardens are beautiful and it's a great place to have a drink or puff on a shisha. If you can afford the price tag, a stay at the Marriott is a wonderful way to begin to acclimatize to Cairo.

• Sofitel El Gezirah Cairo

  phone: +20 2 27373737
  address: 3 El Thawra Council St