10 Breathtaking Fine Dining Restaurants in Cairo

Cairo has some incredible fine dining restaurants from French cuisine on the Nile to elevated Egyptian dishes at the pyramids.

If you’re looking for elevated dining and spectacular views, Cairo has lots of options that just might surprise you.

The city’s fine dining scene is really underrated and it’s not always easy to find trustworthy reviews online. But there are many gorgeous restaurants that top the “best off” lists in the region that local foodies swear by.

I’m a travel planner living for over a decade in Egypt. And I love eating out whether it’s a trendy bistro or historic Egyptian favorite.

And this is my ultimate guide to the best fine dining restaurants in Cairo – from the city’s longtime favorites to the hottest newcomers.

1. Khufu’s (Giza)

Khufu’s is a bright and breezy restaurant on the Giza plateau that serves up refined Egyptian cuisine with breathtaking pyramid views.

Dig into a light breakfast of flat bread and dips as you gaze out at the Pyramids of Giza. Or wind down after an afternoon of sightseeing with a steaming bowl of rice and marinated fish.

Khufu’s offers an elevated take on Egyptian favorites with authentic dishes and beautiful presentations. It’s also a great spot to enjoy unhurried views of the pyramids away from the crowds and salesmen of the plateau.

Dig into Egyptian favorites like molokhia (a gooey green soup made from jute leaves) or bamia (okra in tomato sauce) transformed into refined cuisine.

Insider’s tip: Khufu’s serves breakfast and lunch and then closes at 5 pm once the pyramids shut. Reservations are recommended and you must pay the entrance fee to the pyramids to access the restaurant.

2. Sachi (Heliopolis)

Sachi is an award-winning Cairo icon that serves up Mediterranean and Asian favorites in the historic district of Korba.

It’s often listed as one of the region’s best restaurants with its refined menu of Japanese delicacies and Italian pastas. Whether you’re craving chateaubriand, salmon tataki or rigatoni alla norma, Sachi’s eclectic offerings have you covered.

And they’re all served in a chic and warmly-lit atmosphere with flawless service and artisanal cocktails.

Insider’s tip: Sachi also has locations in Park St., Giza (about a half hour from the pyramids), and on the North Coast at Al Maza and Marassi.

3. Kazoku (New Cairo)

Kazoku is a contemporary Japanese restaurant with beautiful sushi and cocktails tucked inside a leafy district in New Cairo.

Kazoku has the best sashimi in the city. But their menu is also a deeper dive into Japanese cuisine with dishes like salmon tataki, gyoza, Kushiyaki (skewers) and beef udon noodles.

Mains include salmon steak with wasabi, glazed short ribs with teriyaki sauce and shrimp hot pot rice in stunning presentations.

Kazoku is chic and modern with indoor and outdoor tables, a full bar with signature cocktails and delightful flavor combinations.

4. Osmanly (Garden City)

Osmanly is a cozy and vibrant restaurant that serves up nouveau Ottoman cuisine, sumptuous Turkish classics and the best baklava in town.

Tucked inside the Kempinski Nile Hotel (just off the Nile corniche), Osmanly features colorful paintings of whirling dervishes and Iznik pottery hanging from orange ochre walls.

The menu offers legendary dishes of the Ottoman Empire like Hunkar Begendi, or braised beef tenderloin on a bed of pureed eggplant that was first served in 1869 to Empress Eugenie.

And there’s plenty of the grilled kofte and kebab served with flourish in still-sizzling platters. Other highlights include the 15th-century Anatolian Soup, a Sultan’s favorite with its mix of sun dried vegetables, minced beef and mint.

The menu is a flavorful journey with ingredients like pomegranate, mint and walnut to beef skewers, dried fruit and cinnamon. The baklava is exceptional and made fresh daily by a Turkish chef.

5. Izakaya (Giza)

Izakaya is a cozy eatery that serves Nikkei (a unique fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine) in a leafy setting.

Nikkei was born in the Japanese immigrant communities of Peru who paired local South American flavors with their native Japanese sushi and grills.

And Izakaya’s menu offers specialties like Peruvian sushi, tiradito (Peruvian raw fish) and robata grills alongside a great selection of gyozas (dumplings) and unforgettable sushi. Mains are a seafood lover’s dream with plates like salmon teriyaki and grouper marinated in panca-miso.

Their breezy outdoor tables are perfect for kicking back with a spicy margarita.

6. Pier 88 (Zamalek)

Pier 88 serves gourmet Italian dishes and delectable seafood with some of the best Nile views in the city.

Pier 88 sits on an anchored boat on the Nile in the leafy suburb of Zamalek. And it’s a longtime local favorite for elegant Italian and drinks on the waterside terrace overlooking the river.

The menu offers an extensive list of rich pasta dishes, luxury meats and seafood with specialties like sesame crusted tuna fillet and homemade pappardelle with mushrooms.

Pier 88 often draws in fashionable locals at night as the music gets turned up and the crowd dances and mingles.

7. Reif Kushiyaki (New Cairo)

Reif Kushiyaki serves unconventional Japanese with a lively open kitchen and upscale yet relaxed atmosphere.

The restaurant focuses on cooking over hot charcoal, or robatayaki, and grilled chicken and beef glazed with teriyaki and citrus mayo.

Other Japanese specialties include the 18-hour ramen bowl with bok choy and egg in a ginger chicken broth. And don’t miss their signature wagyu tenderloin sandwich with tonkatsu sauce, honey mustard and mayo on toast.

Casual and minimalist, Reif Kushiyaki serves up the elevated Japanese street food that chef Reif Othman made famous in Dubai.

8. The Moghul Room (Giza)

The Moghul Room serves flavorful Indian cuisine with breathtaking views of the pyramids.

Tucked inside the historic Marriott Mena House, The Moghul Room is definitely Cairo’s best restaurant for gliterring pyramid views in an oppulent setting.

The menu includes Indian favorites like chicken tikka masala, kebabs and biryani, served with warm naan bread and spicy lentil soup. There’s also a great selection of vegetarian dishes and seafood packed with flavor and perfectly seasoned.

The Moghul Room is the most elegant restaurant in Giza if you’re looking for an evening of fine dining overlooking the plateau.

9. Zitouni (Garden City)

Zitouni is an elegant restaurant overlooking the Nile that serves up authentic Egyptian food and a buffet of mezze starters.

Nestled inside the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza, Zitouni is the perfect spot to dig into Egyptian classics like lentil soup, stuffed pigeon and molokhiya (a green stew made of jute leaves). There’s also a generous buffet with hot and cold mezze that’s perfect to sample lesser-known starters like moutabel (a spicy eggplant dip).

Mains include fish sayadiyah tajine, a fragrant dish with crispy rice, okre with lamb and seafood grills. And don’t miss the Om Ali for dessert, a beloved Egyptian treat of pastry, sugar, nuts, raisins and milk.

It’s all served in an elegant dining room adorned with Persian-style decor and ornate archways overlooking the Nile.

10. The Grill (downtown)

The Grill serves immaculate French cuisine in an elegant setting and sparkling Nile views.

You’ll find plenty of buttery and rich French classics on the menu from the Classic French Provencale Ratatouille to Pan Seared Foie Gras Salad.

With its spectacular views, unobtrusive service and intimate atmosphere, it’s a perfect venue for a romantic anniversary or special occasion.

From the rows of fine wines at the entrance to the portrait of a woman hanging over a long wooden table, The Grill makes a great impression.

The best restaurants in Cairo

Cairo has some incredible restaurants from fine dining on the Nile to bustling street food favorites.

Whether you’re looking for pioneering cuisine or authentic street food, Cairo has tons of different eateries to dig into.

Read 12 Best Restaurants In Cairo (An Honest Local’s Guide!) for my ultimate guide.

The best cafes in Cairo

From hip downtown eateries to legendary Egyptian icons and leafy hidden gems, Cairo has some great cafes to explore.

Cairo boasts some incredible cafes with flavorful brews and great vibes to give you a taste of the city’s bustling daily life.

They’re great spots to rest from sightseeing, have lunch with a view or just soak in the ambiance.

Read 11 Best Cafes in Cairo (A Local’s Guide) for my ultimate guide.

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