🍴Over the years, dining in Cairo has become less of a treat and more of a chore. There are scores of upscale dining establishments, all dishing out their creative takes on long-honored cuisines, and the decision to dine out has become one that requires almost as much planning as a weekend getaway given the plethora of options available. But what if you’re simply craving comfort — great food, international options, generous portions, and an ambiance that takes you back to simpler times? We’d point you in Roastery ’s direction.

Having stood the test of time in the heart of Heliopolis, Roastery is truly one of the neighborhood’s shiniest hidden gems — and we do not use that term lightly. Seemingly frozen in time, this classic Heliopolis joint evokes a sense of nostalgia for the early noughties. Think Spectra, Cortigiano, and Harris’ Café in their prime — dim lights, jazzy artwork, and a straightforward menu all bring to mind days of uncomplicated joy. The menu? Not only did it also stand the test of time, but it aged gracefully.

You’ll find every kind of comfort food you’re craving, from sizzling fajitas to deep-fried appetizer platters. Classic soups include French onion, creamy seafood, and chicken mushroom; starters feature everything from quesadillas to mozzarella sticks and shrimp kunafa bites; and mains span nine pages, including steaks, chicken platters, pastas, burgers, and seafood options.

We tried a little bit of everything. To start, we picked a jumbo appetizer platter comprising onion rings, chicken strips, spring rolls, and fried mozzarella. All were crisp to the touch and avoided the pitfall of being overtly greasy. Our choice of mains were a filet mignon with brown pepper sauce and a Roastery fried chicken combo — in which you choose two different chicken dishes to combine into one in case you weren’t able to pick between your two favorites, ours being cordon bleu and mushroom chicken. The chicken was served with a side of white penne, and the steak — medium-well — was accompanied by mashed potatoes and vegetables, with the sides being customizable.

We had no beef with the beef — or anything else, for that matter. Food was served hot and fresh in less than 20 minutes following our order, and the portions made it clear we’d be taking some to go. Both dishes were incredibly flavorful and not a single mark was missed. Though subjectively, we’d recommend going for the chicken mushroom over the cordon bleu. If you’re staying for dessert — which we unfortunately had no space for — you’ll find a few classic options: cheesecake, molten cake, fudge brownie sundae, and more.

In short: Roastery proves that you don’t need smoke and mirrors to craft a timeless experience — all you need is good food, genuine hospitality, and a happy guest — which we think you would be.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Roastery at 5 Samir El Mokhtar St., off Nabil El Waqqad in Heliopolis.

💵 Per person: EGP 700-800

🪑 Outdoor seating: No (There is, however, an indoor smoking area)

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: No

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