A fair price

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

The Grand Egyptian Museum opens its doors

Good morning, friends, and welcome to the weekend. We’re looking forward to milder weather as we hurtle towards the new year.

What do you do when you feel like treating yourself without skimping out? Where can you click ‘add to cart’ and not regret it? And what subscriptions among the plethora of monthly obligations are actually worth keeping? In this week’s edition of The Enterprise Guide, we’re taking a look at ways to live the champagne life on a lemonade budget without waiting for Black Friday reductions.

Enterprise Weekend comes out each Friday at 9am CLT. We’ll be back on Sunday at 6am with EnterpriseAM Egypt. Until then: Enjoy the weekend.

?️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

TOURISM-

Last Saturday, Egypt inaugurated the Grand Egyptian Museum — the world’s largest museum for a single civilization — with a grand celebration, marking the end of two decades of work and anticipation. Lasers, fireworks, and drones took over the sky while an orchestra performed and sopranos took the stage with tens of world leaders watching. In the midst of it all, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi delivered his opening speech, describing the museum as “a new chapter in the story of this ancient nation's present and future.”

DON’T MISS our special series Unveiling the GEM, where we tell the story of the museum from its earliest conception to its grand realization.

Missed the first two issues of the series? Catch up here: ( The backstory | Opening Night )

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The first edition lands this Monday. Subscribe by tapping here.

INVESTMENT WATCH-

#1- Qatar will invest USD 29.7 bn to develop its much anticipated North Coast project through an agreement between the Qatar Investment Authority-owned Qatari Diar and New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA), a government source told EnterpriseAM. The project along the Mediterranean in the Alam El Roum area will reportedly include upscale residential areas, marinas, touristic amenities, and even schools, universities, and government buildings.

#2- Al Mansour Automotive broke ground on its USD 150 mn MG manufacturing plant in Sixth of October, according to a statement from the Industry Ministry. The 55k sqm factory, developed in partnership with China’s SAIC, will manufacture eco-friendly vehicles.

ALSO- Al Mansour Automotive’s MAC Filters Manufacturing Company inaugurated yesterday its USD 11 mn vehicle and industrial filters factory in the 10th of Ramadan City. The new facility will have an annual production capacity of 15 mn filters for various types of vehicles and industrial uses. The company aims to export 35% of total production by 2027 to external markets, MAC Filters Manufacturing CEO Tarek Atta said.

#3- Fresh PPPs up for grabs: The Madbouly government is preparing an integrated package of projects worth EGP 31 bn to be set up through public-private partnerships (PPP), Finance Ministry’s public-private partnership unit head Atter Hannoura told EnterpriseAM. This includes projects covering water desalination, electricity, sanitation, transformer stations, and recycling.

#4- South Korean textile company Samil Solution will establish a USD 4.5 mn ready-made garments factory in the Qantara West Industrial Zone, aiming to create around 1k jobs, according to a statement by the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The new factory will produce knit and woven ready-made garments with an annual production capacity of 8.8 mn pieces, all of which will be exported to international markets.

#5- Leoni Egypt will establish an industrial complex to manufacture electrical wiring harnesses and cables in Roubiki City, in partnership with the Cairo for Investment and Development Company, according to a statement by the Industry Ministry. The 91k sqm facility will provide wiring to both conventional and electric vehicles, serving as a regional hub for the manufacturing and export of electrical wiring systems to major European and global car manufacturers.

REAL ESTATE-

Emaar Properties Egyptian arm Emaar Misr is preparing to launch yet another big ticket development, this time with Saudi Arabia’s Dallah Albaraka under a strategic partnership, according to a disclosure (pdf) from the EGX30-listed company. The project with Dallah Albaraka’s Samla and Alam Al Roum for Urban Development will require EGP 78 bn — equivalent to around USD 1.7 bn at the current exchange rate — in investments and is expected to bring in returns totaling EGP 117 bn.

ECONOMY-

#1- The country’s budget deficit widened to 2.5% of GDP during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, up from 2.1% during the same period last year, according to a Finance Ministry report seen by EnterpriseAM.

#2- Egypt’s non-oil private sector contracted at a slower rate in October, in a sign of a potential recovery after a long period in the red territory, according to S&P Global’s latest Purchasing Managers Index report (pdf). The country’s headline figure improved 0.4 points to 49.2 from the month before.

ENERGY-

The government is working on a new natural gas pricing formula for industry, starting with energy-intensive sectors, three government sources told EnterpriseAM. The plan aims to gradually transition to a freemarket price aligned with global benchmarks as part of efforts to establish a liberalized natural gas market, attract foreign investment, and strengthen the competitiveness of local products by properly pricing key inputs, including energy.

BANKING-

#1- Net foreign assets (NFAs) in Egypt’s banking sector rebounded in September, reaching USD 20.8 bn, rising more than 16% (USD 2.9 bn) from August, which saw our NFA shrinking for the first time in three months, according to data from the Central Bank of Egypt. On an annual basis, our banking sector almost doubled its net foreign assets, from USD 10.3 bn in September 2024.

#2- The country’s financial stability index rose to 0.48 in 1Q 2025 from 0.38 a year earlier, supported by a stronger banking sector, more resilient capital markets, and an improved global economic environment, according to the Central Bank of Egypt’s latest financial stability report.

DEBT WATCH-

The country’s first-ever local sukuk issuance was almost 5x oversubscribed, attracting an order book of EGP 14.9 bn, upon the closure of the subscription period on Monday, a senior government official told EnterpriseAM. The Finance Ministry received 63 offers from banks participating in the auction, but only accepted ten, covering its EGP 3 bn target.

CAPITAL MARKETS-

The EGX30 climbed 4.4% in October to close at 38.3k points, according to the EGX’s monthly report (pdf). The gauge traded between a high of 38.4k and a low of 36.7k during the month, underperforming the EGX33 Shariah Index which advanced 7.3% over the same period. Total market capitalization rose 7.1% to hit EGP 2.8 tn.

PHARMA-

Eva Pharma has officially entered the oncology scene: Local pharma player Eva Pharma has started producing immunotherapy hematology and oncology meds with an annual capacity of 22 mn packs — more than enough to meet domestic demand and enable Egypt to serve as a regional hub for cancer drug exports, Managing Director Riad Armanious said at a presser attended by EnterpriseAM.

? AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

Zohran Mamdan has become New York City’s youngest mayor in over a century — and the first Muslim to hold the office. Mamdani secured over a mn votes, the first to do so since 1969. “Tonight we have spoken in a clear voice, hope is alive,” the mayor-elect said in his victory speech amidst a roar of applause. Directing his speech to Trump, Mamdani added: “To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.” (CNN | BBC | Reuters | Guardian | Financial Times | Associated Press)

ALSO- Former US Vice President Dick Cheney died at the age of 84. Cheney served as the 46th vice president alongside former US President George W. Bush, and was a central figure in Bush’s “war on terror” following 9/11, having advocated for the war on Iraq. (CNN | BBC)

IN THE BUSINESS PRESS- US multinational coffee chain Starbucks is set to give up control of its operations in China to Chinese private equity firm Boyu Capital in a USD 4 bn buyout. The agreement would see both companies form a joint venture in which Boyu Capital holds a 60% majority stake. The news follows a steep decline in Starbucks’ market share in China, which fell to 14% in 2024, down from 34% in 2019. Boyu Capital is currently in talks for a loan to facilitate the acquisition. (CNN | Bloomberg | Associated Press | BBC)

CLOSER TO HOME- Israel threatened to increase its attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon. US special envoy Tom Barrack warned that time is running out for Lebanon’s government to enforce the ceasefire deal struck last year, which requires Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, something both Israel and Washington say the group is actively refusing. (Bloomberg | New York Times | Guardian)

ALSO- Israel received the bodies of three deceased hostages this week after Hamas recovered their remains from a tunnel in southern Gaza. With this return, 20 of the 28 hostages have now been handed over to Israel, leaving eight bodies still in Gaza. (Reuters | BBC | Guardian)

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND-

We’re in for a warm weekend in the capital, with temperatures set to peak at 29-30°C over the weekend, before cooling down to 20°C at night, according to our favorite weather app.

? HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

Theatro Arkan is setting us up for a laughing fit this month with its new Comedy Gang Festival at The Golden Theatre. Running two nights a week, starting on Thursday, 6 November and ending on Saturday, 29 November, the festival brings together 56 of our favorite standup comedians with plenty of surprises and special guests in store. You can grab your tickets on Ticketsmarché.

Saad ElOud is bringing authentic Egyptian vibes to Theatro Arkan tonight. Expect a night of soulful oriental music with the singer and oud player and his orchestra. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarché.

The Beatles’ tunes are coming to Zamalek’s Cairo Opera House thanks to local tribute band Glass Onion, happening tonight. The band will be performing alongside the Isis String Orchestra led by Maestro Khaled Saleh, bringing the Beatles’ timeless classics to life. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

This year’s Cairo Comix Festival is celebrating a century of Egyptian comics. Running from Friday, 7 November to Sunday, 9 November, the festival is bringing its comic flair to Zamalek’s Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum with a packed program of immersive gallery events, book talks and signings, workshops, and a comic souk. Entrance is at no charge.

Maadi’s Saad Studio is hosting a Posters for Palestine program with visual artist Maram Alrefaei. The design workshop will take place in two rounds: the offline round on Friday, 7 November, Saturday, 8 November, Friday, 14 November, and Saturday, 15 November and the online round on Tuesday, 18 November, Wednesday, 19 November, Tuesday, 25 November, and Wednesday, 26 November. This is your chance to show your creativity and your solidarity with the cause. Book your spot through a form posted in their Instagram bio.

The TechUp Women Summit returns once again on Saturday, 8 November at the Greek Campus in Downtown. The event will bring together 3k women in tech to listen to more than 150 speakers and meet with representatives from over 80 tech companies from across Egypt, the region, and the globe.

? HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

Carerha Summit returns to empower women on Saturday, 15 November, taking place at Sheikh Zayed’s Majarrah. Under the theme Herizon, this year’s summit celebrates women’s professional journeys through an exciting lineup of panels, workshops, and mentorship and career-coaching sessions. Secure your spot through Ticketsmarché.

This is for lovers of classic music: Amr Selim is coming to Theatro Arkan for an evening of his most magical compositions on Saturday, 15 November. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the maestro’s brilliance live. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarché.

Shake off the week’s stress with some laughter at Ali Quandil’s interactive comedy show on Friday, 14 November at Theatro Arkan. Expect unscripted jokes and funny surprises — you can head to Ticketsmarché for tickets.

Calling all art enthusiasts: Cairo International Art District is back. Art D’Égypte’s special production brings a diverse lineup of artists across restored heritage venues in Downtown Cairo. CIAD is open access to the public at the Shourbagy Building until Sunday, 16 November, with only Mondays off.

The guide to getting a good bargain

? If there’s anything every single person on the planet can agree on, it’s this: everyone likes a good bargain. When you spot a good offer and make use of it, your brain’s reward system is activated and releases dopamine — after all, it’s why retail therapy is a thing. But good bargains are proving more and more difficult to find, and — let’s admit — saving your hard-earned money isn’t as easy as it sounds.

APPS THAT ACTUALLY FULFIL EVERY COUPON LOVER’S DREAMS-

#1- XCLUSIVES: Over the years, loyalty cards have garnered a negative reputation, but the right ones can actually make a difference. Partnering with over 3k vendors and service providers, the Xclusives card offers reductions, cashback, and flash coupons for everything from fashion all the way to furniture, healthcare, and travel.

…And it’s not a bunch of obscure stores — Xclusives partners include:

Fashion: Dalydress, Hechter Paris, Beverly Hills Polo Club, and more.
Footwear: Skechers, Crocs, New Balance, and more.
Dining: Ayadina, Country Hills, Emporio Armani Café, Peking, and more.
Automotive: Dr Khaled Autoglass, Abou Ghali Motors, Fit & Fix, and more.
Travel: Cook’s Club El Gouna, Sheraton Miramar El Gouna, Cairo Airport Services, and more.
Healthcare: Dar El Fouad Hospital, Maghrabi, Warany Eye Hospitals, Baheya, and more.
Other miscellaneous vendors: Maghrabi, C&CO, Maison Mazaya, Gold’s Gym, Tradeline, and more.

It sounds too good to be true, but it is — tried and tested. All the aforementioned vendors and hundreds of others offer considerable markdowns, refunds, and monthly flash offers.

So, how much will it set you back? An Xclusives card as of September 2025 costs EGP 550 for an annual subscription. Were you to utilize it only a few times, it’d still cover the costs. You can download the Xclusives App from the App Store or the Play Store, and visit their website to find out more about the card.

#2- WAFFARHA: A one-stop shop for coupons, Waffarha took the Egyptian market by storm, seemingly manifesting out of nowhere with a smorgasbord of bullish bargains from entertainment to dining and fashion.

Unlike Xclusives, Waffarha doesn’t issue a reduction card, but is rather essentially a digital marketplace for coupons. You’ll find everything from F&B outlets, movie and show tickets, hotel stays, and a slew of services across different categories.

How it works: Download the app from either the App Store or Play Store, sign up, and browse through their extensive coupon catalog, check out with your card (or Apple Pay for a breezier experience), and head to your venue of choice and redeem your order. Coupons can be redeemed in person, and many vendors offer delivery coupons as well.

To give you an idea of what to expect, some coupons available on Waffarha at the time of publication offer a two-person breakfast tray from Tamara Lebanese Bistro for EGP 460, instead of EGP 755, up to 45% off Renaissance Cinema tickets, and up to 40% off on select annual gym memberships.

Curious to know more? Head to their website.

#3- KENZZ: A literal treasure trove of all daily essentials, Kenzz is a localized, fully-Egyptian e-commerce platform that exists to fulfill a sole purpose: bringing the best offers to your screen. Think Amazon, but at half the cost.

Kenzz stands out for its TikTok-style shopping experience, whereby shoppers can browse through a video feed showcasing the products on sale in action, with user-generated content and reviews sprinkled throughout.

No matter where you are in Egypt, Kenzz will deliver. Curious to find out more? We recently spoke to Ahmad Atef, its founder and CEO here.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can download Kenzz from the App Store or the Play Store.

SUBSCRIPTIONS ACTUALLY WORTH YOUR MONEY-

#1- TALABAT PRO: While a Talabat subscription may seem frivolous, it’s actually quite worth it if you’re a serial foodie like we are here at EnterpriseAM. For EGP 79, you’ll get gratis delivery on your restaurant and Talabat Mart orders, as well as Pro-exclusive reductions. You’ll also get a handy infographic on your profile letting you know how much you’ve saved so far. Over the past two months, we’ve saved a considerable EGP 2k.

#2- UBER ONE: If you find yourself Ubering every day you'll know that it can get expensive very quickly. An UberOne subscription will set you back just EGP 65 per month, and in return you’ll get marked-down rides, earn up to 15% Uber credits on each ride, get priority customer support, and the top-rated drivers. In the past 30 days, we’ve saved EGP 500.

#3- PRIME: Perhaps the most affordable of any subscriptions at a mere EGP 29 per month or EGP 249 for the annual plan, Prime gives you access to Amazon Prime streaming services, same-day delivery at no cost, and exclusive access to special events such as Prime Day. If you do your grocery shopping off of Amazon, those reductions will quickly add up. Even if your Amazon hauls aren’t all that frequent, two or three orders a month with delivery slashed will be worth the EGP 29 investment.

#4- APPLE ONE: We’re no magicians, but we’re pretty sure you’ve run into the “you’re running out of iCloud storage” message a few times. While iCloud storage add-ons aren’t necessarily all that expensive, they also quickly add up, especially if you’re also subscribed to Apple Music and Apple TV. With AppleOne, you can get 200GBs of iCloud storage, Apple Music, TV, and Arcade for EGP 250 per month instead of EGP 530. Subscribed to Spotify? You might consider consolidating your streams to get the most out of AppleOne.

MAKE USE OF YOUR COMPLIMENTARY ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES-

In case you don’t remember, your pricey telecom packages come with quite a few benefits you might not be aware of. Here’s a breakdown of what every Egyptian telecom provider offers at no cost:

#1- VODAFONE: Vodafone Red subscribers gain access to Watch It, OSN+, Anghami, Amazon Prime, Tod, and Yango Play without additional subscription fees.

#2- ORANGE: Orange Premier subscribers have access to Spotify Premium, Amazon Prime, and TOD at no cost.

#3- E&: Emerald subscribers gain access to TOD, VIU, Shahid, Twist TV, Twist Sports, and Twist Music at no charge.

A COUPLE OF TIPS AND TRICKS-

#1- USE UP YOUR LOYALTY POINTS- Been smacking your credit card on readers like there’s no tomorrow? Don’t forget to redeem your loyalty points from each bank’s respective website. While each point may equate a negligible amount, they add up — especially if you haven’t been keeping track. Loyalty points are redeemable with the banks’ partnered vendors, and may — on some occasions — be redeemed directly to your credit card.

AND- Don’t forget the loyalty points piling up on telecom provider apps, too.

#2- BUY IN BULK- Grocery shopping for the week? Make it for the month. Both physical stores and e-commerce platforms often have reduced prices for products bought in bulk. One such example is Amazon, where Prime offers typically favor larger quantities. Combine with zero delivery fees, and you’ve got yourself a good bargain.

#3- KNOW WHEN TO SIT A GOOD OFFER OUT- While this may seem counterintuitive, the truth is not every great offer is for you. A bargain is only as good as its usefulness. For example, 70% off a luxury pet carrier? Great catch, but you don’t even have a furry friend. To put it simply, don’t bank on a good bargain just for the sake of it. Keep that in mind when browsing through Black Friday offers.

One CEO, two conspiracy theorists, and a ludicrous plot

? Once again, Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos teams up with the brilliant Emma Stone to deliver an experimental film that weaves reality together with dark comedy — this time throwing science fiction and outer space into the mix. Bugonia marks the fourth collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone, including The Favorite and Poor Things, and the second with actor Jesse Plemons, who starred alongside Stone in the director’s Kinds of Kindness.

One of Lanthimos’ signature moves is overlaying ancient myths onto modern stories, often referenced through the title, á la The Killing of a Sacred Deer. The word “bugonia” comes from an old Greek belief that bees are born from dead cattle carcasses. This wasn’t an aesthetic choice — screenwriter Will Tracy (who wrote The Menu and episodes of Succession) explained in an interview with The Independent that it reflects the tragedy of contemporary life and humanity as a whole.

The opening shot follows bees moving dutifully from flower to flower as a narrator celebrates them as organized, hardworking creatures. But there’s trouble — the bees are slowly dying off from a disease that is reducing their productivity and throwing off their reproductive abilities. We soon learn that the speaker is Teddy (Plemons), a young beekeeper who lives with his cousin and only friend Don (Aidan Delbos in his first role), who is autistic. Teddy works as a packaging employee at a huge pharmaceutical and pesticide company.

Teddy is deeply entrenched in conspiracy theories. He's convinced that his employer is the source of all evil, and that the company’s powerful CEO Michele (Stone) is actually an alien sent by the Andromedans on a mission to destroy Earth by sabotaging animals and humans through the company's products. Teddy and Don hatch a plan to kidnap Michele, force her to admit she's an alien, and arrange a meeting with the emperor of her species so Teddy can negotiate to save Earth and humanity.

**THE NEXT THREE PARAGRAPHS REVEAL PLOT DETAILS

Teddy is a deeply complex character. As the film progresses, we discover more and more evidence that he's mentally unwell — a victim of a god complex, trapped in an echo chamber of his own making. While the film gives us plenty of reasons to doubt him, the ending actually vindicates Teddy as the only person who recognized a real threat, even if he completely missed its actual source.

In Teddy's mind, humanity's downfall must come from malicious extraterrestrial sources. But if he looked more carefully, he'd see that humans have been destroying Earth long before any supernatural forces entered the picture. In Lanthimos's vision, we're harming our planet through our own selfishness and relentless pursuit of money and power — so much so that even aliens feel sorry for us.

Interestingly, this might be Lanthimos's least absurd and most grounded film. The apocalyptic ending isn't actually bleak—it's hopeful. Nature will always find a way to restore balance. Even if powerful aliens tried to help us change for the better and save the planet, they'd fail as long as we don't truly grasp the damage we're doing to life and ourselves.

**END OF SPOILERS

Bugonia is adapted from the 2003 Korean film Save The Green Planet, but Lanthimos takes it much deeper than simple comedy or sci-fi. The filmmaker boldly critiques human civilization in unconventional ways, building on the original story to create something uncomfortable, mature, and deeply affecting. This film feels like a step back from Lanthimos's last three movies toward his earlier work like The Lobster.

Plemons brings remarkable depth to Teddy that unfolds gradually — his tense, suspicious body language, the way he shifts from calm conversation to nervous agitation, glimpses of a past he can't move beyond, and his powerful influence over his cousin Don. Stone is equally brilliant as Michele, delivering a performance that could easily earn her a third Oscar. If corrupt corporate America had a voice, it would be Michele — she interacts with her employees, Teddy, and Don like a cold, calculating, utilitarian machine.

This is a stunning piece of work — beautiful and heartbreaking, disturbing and dark all at once. The soundtrack is masterfully deployed, hitting exactly the right notes at exactly the right moments for maximum emotional impact. The visuals and color palette perfectly complement the wild events and unpredictable plot. This definitely isn't a film for everyone, but if you're a Lanthimos fan or you love surreal, experimental cinema that digs deep into the human psyche in creative ways, you won't be disappointed.

WHERE TO WATCH IT- You can catch Bugonia at Vox Cinemas in City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, City Stars Cinema, CFCM’s Scene Cinema, Cima Arkan, Renaissance Cinema Dandy Mall, and Zawya. Watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:33).

The conspiracy of blood and oil that upturned America’s justice system

? One page out of America’s history book is enough to expose the nation’s fervent appetite for crimes born out of colonial greed and racial hatred. One particularly forgotten chapter — dubbed the bloodiest chapter in American crime history — amplifies this, resurrected through David Grann’s 2017 award-winning book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. The tragedy of the Native Americans under colonial Britain is well-known and openly documented, yet the conspiracy of the 1920s Osage tribe murders unfolded in far more chilling and covert ways.

The world’s richest people per capita. When vast oil reserves were discovered beneath the land of Oklahoma — the state that the Osage nation fled to after their native territories were stripped away from them — the land quickly became the target of oil miners who poured USD mns into its leases. The unexpected development made headlines and the Osage thus led abundant, wealthy lives to many people’s envy.

The Osage Reign of Terror. Through extensive research and deep historical references, Grann traces the story of Osage woman Mollie Burkhart, and her three sisters Rita, Anna, and Minnie. When Anna is found dead, shot in the head, not long after the suspicious death of another townsman Charles Whitehorn, confusion grows and investigations lead nowhere.

Grann walks us through a rich timeline of interconnected historical events, detailing the efforts of different investigators, and sharing testimonies from the Osage tribe. We follow as the investigation eventually moves from Oklahoma’s weak and corrupt law enforcement to the Bureau of Investigation.

The book provides a compelling account of America’s justice system and crime prosecution, from the lawless “Cowboys” era to the landmark formation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 1935. Grann exposes the closed circle of corruption and compliance that modern American law enforcement was built on.

Grann makes sure to highlight the prevalent tone of prejudice and racism during that time, often quoting from biased news stories and pointing to hypocritical and stereotypical comments made by white Americans. Killers of the Flower Moon is a hard-to-put-down showpiece of true crime that reminds us of the importance of truth, justice, and liberation.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find the paperback at Diwan.

Heliopolis’ Roastery serves up nostalgia

?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 Roaster y ’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

Times humans raised the bar

? In How to Change the World, British entrepreneur and podcaster Sam Webster Harris summarizes and explores humanity’s most pivotal milestones. Through these milestones, the podcast satiates curiosities and reflects on their implications, past and present. Despite the podcast’s novelty, having debuted in May, it’s already managed to capture our attention.

The podcast kicks off from square one, dissecting humanity’s earliest innovations all the way back from the Stone Age. What were early humans doing before way back then? That is the question posed by Harris. The host begins by dissecting the first discoveries that altered humanity and exploring why it took us so long to start inventing. Harris discusses the Technological Richter Scale, where he notes that some ideas, while innovative, might not carry equal weight as far as history is concerned. For example, how could one possibly determine whether Steve Jobs was more innovative than, say, Henry VIII?

It all started with fire. In one episode, Harris dissects the discovery of fire — a serendipitous finding that would see humans go from prey to predator. Fire was how humans shaped the future, manifesting a completely new way of life. Early humans realized fire could warm their caves and scare away predators, opening new doors for hunting, and eventually, cooking.

The podcast’s episodes are engaging and entertaining, and Harris’ passion makes them all the more enjoyable. With subtle background music and an engrossing narrative style, Harris offers a window into the deep past, often pausing to reflect on the past’s modern-day (and future) impact. Just as ancient humans discovered fire, changing the course of history, he argues that Artificial Intelligence may lead to a similar revolution, even if it pales in comparison in terms of revolutionary magnitude. In short: the podcast is a well-deserved treat for all curious minds eager to learn.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

?️ NOVEMBER

12 October - 16 November (Sunday- Sunday): Cairo International Art District (CIAD) in Downtown Cairo.

30 October - 7 November (Thursday-Friday): Cairo International Jazz Festival.

6-29 November (Thursday-Saturday): Comedy Gang Festival at Theatro Gallery.

7 November (Friday): Homage to Ziad Rahbani at AUC Tahrir Square.

7 November (Friday): Saad ElOud at Theatro Arkan.

7 November (Friday): The Beatles tribute concert at Cairo Opera House.

7-9 November (Friday-Sunday): Cairo Comix Festival at Mahmoud Mokhtar Cultural Center.

8 November (Saturday): TechUp Women Summit at the Greek Campus.

7-26 November (Friday-Wednesday): Posters for Palestine at Saad the Studio, Maadi.

11 November - 6 December (Tuesday-Saturday): Forever is Now at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

14 November (Friday): Ali Quandil: Accept, Laugh, Interact at Theatro Arkan.

14-24 November (Friday-Monday): Art Decoratifs Exhibition by Art D’Egypté at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.

15 November (Saturday): Amr Selim at Theatro Arkan.

15 November (Saturday): The TriFactory’s El Gouna Half Marathon, El Gouna.

15 November (Saturday): Carerha Summit at Majarrah, Sheikh Zayed.

20-22 November (Thursday-Saturday): Mina Nader: Interactive Comedy Show at Hilton Cairo Grand Nile.

21 November (Friday): Ramy Sabry at El Arena.

21-22 November (Friday-Saturday): Traverse Summit at Hydeout, Hyde Park.

21-29 November (Friday-Saturday): Cairo Design Week.

24-30 November (Monday-Sunday): Pyramids Echo Festival at the Pyramids Panorama Theater.

DECEMBER

5 December (Friday): Tul8te at El Malahy Arena.

12-13 December (Friday-Saturday): Pyramids Echo Festival encore at New Opera House.

13 December (Saturday): Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon by The TriFactory.

19 December (Friday): DJ Tiësto at the Giza Plateau.

20 December (Saturday): Ibrahim Maalouf at Concert Hall, New Capital.

December: Al Rawi Awards submissions open.

2026

JANUARY

7 January (Wednesday): Coptic Christmas Day.

25 January (Sunday): January 25th Revolution / National Police Day.

30 January (Friday): Cairo Marathon normal registration ends.

FEBRUARY

6 February (Friday): Cairo Marathon at Heliopolis, Merryland Park.

17 February (Tuesday): First day of Ramadan (TBD).

MARCH

20 March (Friday): Eid Al-Fitr (TBD).

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