🍴 The capital’s culinary scene has continued to expand this year. From ambitious tasting menus to comfort food, here’s where excellence is served.

#1- ZEEYARA: Unbeatable food with an unbeatable view. At Zeeyara, the only hard decision you have to make is whether you’d like to dine on a rooftop with a gorgeous view of a glowing El Moez Street, or whether you prefer a breathtaking panorama of the Pyramids. If you’re grabbing breakfast, head to the Pyramids-adjacent branch, and don’t forget to order the taameya and the ma’moul — if you’re looking to dine, the El Moez branch is the way to go, and don’t miss out on the duck pie and the camel meatballs.

#2- RATIOS UNDERGROUND: Ratios has already garnered a cult of loyal patrons with their infallible pastries, and their beautiful lower-level venue is the perfect place to go for breakfast or brunch. Start with their compound butter board — which features freshly baked bread and three different types of butter: garlic, honey, and sundried tomato — fill up on the croque madame, and top it off with the croissant loaf.

#3- MAMINA’S: Cozy, warm, and filled with good food, Mamina’s feels just like home. Mamina’s is that they don’t have a specific cuisine that they abide by, but rather a selection of family favorites that satisfy the simple craving of good food. The chicken orzo — a plate of toasted orzo coated with a rich creamy white sauce — is a must try, as is their flaky, creamy mille-feuille.

#4- THE EARLY BIRD CLUB: This trendy pop-up restaurant offers an Egyptian twist on familiar breakfast favorites, top-tier coffee, and a sweet spot to chill. Their rotating menu means that we never know what to expect, but that’s part of the fun. In yesterday’s pop-up, they recreated the Friends post-Thanksgiving moist maker sandwich.

#5- REIF: Reif is the brainchild of Singaporean-born and Dubai-local Reif Othman, which takes traditional Japanese dishes and infuses them with chef Reif’s creative spark, resulting in unconventional dishes that still reflect Japan’s rich flavors. The eighteen-hour ramen is a staple — the rich, flavorful broth is the perfect base for the noodles, chicken, and perfectly boiled egg.

Tags: