{"id":678895,"date":"2025-12-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/?p=678895"},"modified":"2025-12-27T12:03:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T12:03:45","slug":"our-favorite-bites-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2025\/12\/19\/our-favorite-bites-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Our favorite bites of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

?\ufe0f If there\u2019s anything all Egyptians can agree on, it\u2019s that we are a stomach-first <\/strong>people. <\/strong>From the late-night koshary plate in Downtown Cairo to the early morning croissandwich from Maadi\u2019s many bakeries, there\u2019s always something to treat yourself to \u2014 and always room for dessert. Getting hungry? Our favorite 2025 bites might be of inspiration to you.<\/p>\n

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Our favorite dine-in destinations<\/p>\n

Here are some of our favorite places of the year \u2014 selected for ambiance, experience, and flavor. <\/strong><\/p>\n

#1- Evermore:<\/strong> One of U Venues\u2019 most popular spots, Evermore<\/a> came as quite the surprise. From brisket pastas to burgers swimming in truffle sauce (a must-try), Evermore proved a worthy contender in the 2025 culinary scene, and one we hope to see expand further in 2026.<\/p>\n

#2- <\/strong>Tenaya: <\/strong>A love letter to Nile-side dining, Tenaya<\/a> is one of the most beautiful eateries we visited in 2025 \u2014 a place that achieves culinary excellence while maintaining the warmth and comfort that makes dining truly memorable. Set on the banks of the Nile amidst drifting feluccas and gentle breezes, serial restaurateur Frank Heinen\u2019s latest project serves up a curated menu of dishes drawing from different cuisines, from baked camembert to sharkasiyya. You\u2019ll come for the Nile views and the reputation, but you\u2019ll keep coming back for everything else.<\/p>\n

#3- <\/strong>Mazeej Balad: <\/strong>Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something\u2026 delicious? Right in the heart of Downtown Cairo, Mazeej Balad<\/a>, the rooftop restaurant at the newly-opened Mazeej boutique hotel brings the best of both worlds under one proverbial roof. Presenting a selection of familiar Egyptian classics envisioned through a global culinary lens, you\u2019ll find truffle cheese tomato dips, lamb shanks with vermicelli, koshari arancini and all sorts of Egyptian favorites with a twist. The cherry on top? The stylish decor and the gorgeous view of Downtown Cairo, enjoyed best on quiet weekend mornings. <\/p>\n

#4- <\/strong>Hara Hachi Bu<\/strong>: <\/strong>A restaurant that doesn\u2019t want you getting full? Stay with us. Having recently opened in New Cairo\u2019s District 5, Hara Hachi Bu<\/a> presents an interesting culinary philosophy: eat till you\u2019re only 80% full. All about mindful eating practices, this newly-minted Japanese hotspot sets itself apart through only the freshest ingredients and just the right portions. <\/p>\n

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Our favorite takeout spots<\/p>\n

Crashed out on the couch but still craving a hearty meal?<\/strong> We\u2019ve had many such nights, and naturally tried all that Egyptian delivery apps had to offer. Among our favorites:<\/p>\n

#1- <\/strong>Mayyal Mayyal: <\/strong>Miss the \u201880s? Well, unfortunately time travel pods aren\u2019t a thing yet, so a taste of the past will have to do. Inspired by Amr Diab\u2019s \u201880s hit of the same name, Maadi\u2019s newest Egyptian street food spot Mayyal Mayyal<\/a> reeled us in with charcoal grilled goodness and a menu that\u2019s straight to the point \u2014 it\u2019s either kofta, hawawshi, or shish. <\/p>\n

#2- <\/strong>Bosnian Kitchen: <\/strong>Visa denied? No problem, you can still get a taste of Bosnia here in New Cairo. The Bosnian Kitchen<\/a> only offers two dishes: Bosnian kebab and a Bosnian-style burger. Both quickly managed to make it onto our list of favorite bites of 2025, if not ever. If a hawawshi, a burger, and a shawarma had a culinary baby, it\u2019d be a Bosnian burger \u2014 in other words, you won\u2019t want to miss out. <\/p>\n

#3- <\/strong>Gogi<\/strong>: Asian fusion restaurants are a dime a dozen, but Gogi<\/a> still managed to stand out. With an extensive menu built for sharing, Gogi is all about variety and flavor. We\u2019d recommend going for the vegetable kimbap, the tteokbokki, and the beef bulgogi. Trust us, you won\u2019t regret it. <\/p>\n

#4-<\/strong> Il Forno: <\/strong>What immediately sets this pizza joint<\/a> apart is their commitment to doing a few things exceptionally well rather than offering an endless menu of mediocre options. Every option on Il Forno\u2019s menu feels purposeful, curated by someone who understands flavor and genuinely loves pizza, which suddenly stops feeling like junk food and starts feeling like a genuine culinary experience. It\u2019s one fault: you\u2019ll have to pick it up yourself.<\/p>\n

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Get the worm<\/p>\n

Are you an early bird? <\/strong>Can\u2019t relate, but these breakfast spots are sure to make your morning.<\/p>\n

#1-<\/strong> Hummus & Go:<\/strong> Craving a familiar breakfast and a new experience? Korba\u2019s Hummus<\/a>& Go<\/a> offers a number of Palestinian sandwiches from falafel to foul, like you\u2019ve never had before. All about on-the-go Palestinian classics, the Korba joint, famed for its annual Ramadan suhoor specials, offers breakfast and all day items including \u2014 but certainly not limited to \u2014 Palestinian kebab shakshouka, fatta makdous, musahab meals, and crispy \u201cintifada\u201d sandwiches.<\/p>\n

#2-<\/strong> Duchess: <\/strong>Woke up at 3pm but still craving the most important meal of the day? Duchess<\/a> will treat you to a royal breakfast experience at any hour. You can choose between a plethora of breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, creative savory breakfast specials, and a selection of sweet breakfast dishes. Friendly tip: don\u2019t miss out on the corn ribs and the bacon butty sandwich.<\/p>\n

#3- <\/strong>Bakery Khan<\/strong>: Want to choose your own adventure? When it comes to customizable sammies, there aren\u2019t that many players claiming the game, but Bakery Khan<\/a> is one. The bakery has a seemingly infinite supply of croissants, p\u00e2t\u00e9s, mana\u2019eech, cinnamon rolls, donuts, danishes, muffins, and other goodies \u2014 the sort you find yourself inclined to bring with you on your way to a Friday afternoon gathering. The bakery\u2019s crowning jewel, however? Their sandwiches \u2014 and the endless possibilities that come with them.<\/p>\n

#4- <\/strong>Mosaique: <\/strong>Offering a stunning view of El Korba, the recently-opened Mosaique<\/a> is where to go when you\u2019re on the hunt for a cup of coffee, a delicious breakfast, and a slow morning. The restaurant offers a selection of classic Egyptian breakfast dishes with a modernist twist. The breakfast menu leaves no egg unturned, with oriental options, benedicts, and omelets \u2014 as well as trays meant for group sharing.<\/p>\n

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Sweet treats<\/p>\n

Dessert proves that the best should always be left for last.<\/strong> Here are a few of our favorite sweet spots: <\/p>\n

#1- <\/strong>Weirdough<\/strong>: Cookies, coffee? How about both? Having recently opened their first brick-and-mortar caf\u00e9, Weirdough<\/a> delivered on all fronts this year. It\u2019s not often you find an establishment with enough diverse flavors of one product to satisfy every craving \u2014 but Weirdough has pulled it off. Our cookie of choice: the whipped coffee. <\/p>\n

#2- <\/strong>L\u00e4derach: <\/strong>Earlier this summer, iconic Swiss chocolatier L\u00e4derach<\/a> opened its doors in Egypt, and given the crowds, hasn\u2019t been able to close them since. We tried a few of their bestsellers, and we can confidently say this: not a single miss on the menu. Our top pick? The FrischSchoggi almond blond \u2014 where caramelized white chocolate meets roasted California almonds in a slab that tastes like brown butter and toasted nuts had a Swiss-born love child.<\/p>\n

#3- <\/strong>Kroissant<\/strong>: <\/strong>Life\u2019s better with croissants, in croissants, on croissants\u2026 you get the point. Reimagining the pastry in ways hitherto unimaginable, Kroissant<\/a> serves up croissant burgers, croissant benedicts, and croissant everything. You\u2019ll be going back for seconds, but we\u2019d suggest wearing stretchy pants.<\/p>\n

#4- <\/strong>Four Seeds<\/strong>: <\/strong>It\u2019s simple: no sugar, no flour, no dairy \u2014 and yet, nothing on the menu compromises on taste. Could be magic, could be mastery, but it\u2019s definitely heavenly. Oats, quinoa, flax, and chia \u2014 at Four Seeds<\/a>, the entire menu is crafted using these main ingredients. Sugar is replaced by stevia, carbs are strictly monitored, and gluten is banned from entry. The menu boasts a variety of cakes, cookies, tarts, and a long list of savory keto breads and pastas.<\/p>\n

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Honorable mentions<\/p>\n