🥞 Ramadan arrives and — though the holy month comes with its own joys — we’re temporarily parted from the simple joy of morning meals. Then Eid comes along with its high spirits, reuniting us with the beloved ritual of breakfast. If you’re anything like us, a sunny morning outing paired with an elaborate breakfast can feel like a major reset. Here are a few breakfast spots to help bring back that morning indulgence we’ve been missing all month.

Hearty Breakfasts

While it would be more reasonable to advise you to ease back into the normal three-meal routine, a little overindulgence never hurts — especially when it’s in the spirit of celebrating Eid. These are our picks for where to go for a hearty breakfast.

#1- Duchess: Duchess is hearty-breakfast royalty. This eatery packs quite the menu — a slew of sandwich picks, omelette dishes, and many more loaded savory specials, in addition to full-on sweet breakfast dishes. They serve an all-day breakfast, which means you can sleep in for as long as you want and still make it in time for Duchess’ filling breakfast spread. You can check out our review for our personal favorites from the breakfast spot.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Duchess at Polaris Mall in New Cairo.

#2- Lucille’s: Another all-day breakfast affair awaits at Lucille’s, an old-but-gold Maadi favorite that serves American-style comfort food. The cozy diner serves up all the American classics — hash browns, biscuits with gravy, bacon, pancakes, waffles, and the like. If you’re feeling a little burned out from the traditional dishes that fill up our Ramadan tables, Lucille’s refreshing setting and breakfast menu offer the perfect change of pace.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Lucille’s at Road 9, Maadi.

#3- Mazeej Balad: A high-end favorite and one you can’t go wrong with, Mazeej Balad holds all the elements of a perfect breakfast — a thrilling view from the boutique hotel’s rooftop, a global-Egyptian fusion menu, and culinary excellence that’s hard to match. If Eid has you in the mood to splurge a little, the Michelin Key hotel’s restaurant won’t disappoint with its inventive flavor concoctions and a truly memorable breakfast set against Downtown Cairo’s skyline. You can find a review of our experience and menu standouts at Mazeej here.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You’ll find Mazeej Balad at 11 Mahmoud Bassiouny, Downtown Cairo. Reservations are required and can be made through the link in their Instagram bio.

#4- Carmel California: This California homegrown patisserie has made its Cairene home in the heart of Maadi, with a charming balcony seating area that overlooks the neighborhood’s tree-lined streets. Carmel California hosts a breakfast as colorful as its interior, featuring hearty egg specials, an assortment of sandwiches, and its signature selection of cakes and breakfast desserts. Carmel has the atmosphere and the food for a lively post-Ramadan breakfast affair.

WHERE TO FIND IT-Carmel California can be found on Street 18, Maadi.

Sips & Bites

Not the morning feast type? Or need a little more time before you can stomach a full breakfast? A classic sandwich-and-coffee combo will make sure you don’t miss out on the joy of breakfasts, just with lighter bites.

#1- Pain Des Rois: The dainty streets of Zamalek find their match in Pain Des Rois. The go-to breakfast spot offers classic bakery delicacies like croissants and sourdough sandwiches, as well as freshly ground coffee, all within its cozy interior. If you’re planning a day in Zamalek or along the riverbank, breakfast at Pain Des Rois makes for a charming, light start.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Pain Des Rois is located at 13 Brazil St., Zamalek.

#2- Myst Coffee: Myst is both a bakery and a coffee haven in one. The New Cairo specialty coffee hotspot delivers a slew of must-try signature caffeinated drinks — in generous portions — alongside a lineup of sandwiches and dessert delicacies. A light morning meal is best enjoyed at Myst’s sunny outdoor seating area, in true New Cairo style.

WHERE TO FIND IT-You can find Myst Coffee at New Cairo’s Kov Mall.

#3- Slice: Slice by Nutcracker delivers pastry morning meals done right. The dark wooden, cabin-style bakery feels like a slice of European winter breakfasts, with an organic-style display window that boasts freshly baked Roman pizza, Italian focaccia, cinnamon buns, chunky cookies, and gateaux. In addition to coffee brews by Slow Haus, Slice makes for the ideal sip-and-bite breakfast spot. You can check out our review for a closer look at the menu items that charmed us most.

WHERE TO FIND IT-Slice can be found at New Cairo’s U Venues.

#4- Sip: Another staple of the Zamalek breakfast scene, Sip has since branched out across Cairo as one of the city’s go-to sip-and-bite spots. Having recently come out with a new breakfast menu, Sip now serves up an appetizing, modern-leaning sandwich and bagel lineup alongside a wide selection of drinks — from fresh smoothies to iced coffee and matcha favorites. Breakfast is served until 4pm, ideal for late risers.

WHERE TO FIND IT-You can find Sip in Zamalek, Cinema Radio, at its newest branch and full-fledged diner in Laketown, and — if you’re escaping to the Mediterranean this Eid — at North Coast’s Diplo 3.

New spots you should try

New breakfast and brunch destinations are constantly popping up across Cairo’s F&B scene, and what better time to take a leap of faith and venture into a new morning eatery? Here are a few recently opened spots we think are worth indulging your breakfast appetite.

#1- Lulu’s: This new all-day brasserie has been hitting the radar of every breakfast buff in Cairo with its eye-catching and colorful design aesthetic. Lulu’s delivers true novelty to the morning meal — its menu boasts similarly aesthetically pleasing Mediterranean-leaning dishes featuring savory treats, playful sweet delicacies, and caffeine staples. Their freshly baked brioche and burrata, in addition to standout piquant flavors, are worth your first post-Ramadan breakfast. You can check out our experience with Lulu’s here.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Lulu’s at Eastown Sodic’s EDNC. Reservations can be made through their Instagram, and walk-ins are welcome upon availability.

#2- The Clubroom: Newly minted at restaurant haven Garden 8, The Clubroom promises nothing short of greatness. Located on the mall’s first floor, the indoor setting doesn’t offer a sunny outing; however, the breakfast shop makes up for it with an appealing aesthetic and a staple-filled menu. Their dishes deliver filling morning meals that don’t break the bank. If you’re looking for a reliable and innovative breakfast, The Clubroom is worth giving a try this Eid.

WHERE TO FIND IT- The Clubroom recently made its home at New Cairo’s Garden 8.

#3- Bake Bar: How about another all-day breakfast spot? Bake Bar brings a promising spread to your morning meal lineup. Their menu features classic staples with a twist, including standout selections like a camembert bagel, truffle egg mushroom croissant, and a halloumi omelette — plus breakfast trays for groups of 3-4. You’ll also find a tempting assortment of desserts and a range of refreshing drinks. This New Cairo spot is definitely making our must-try list, and it should be on yours too.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Bake Bar at New Cairo’s Leven Square Mall.

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