Budget
26th of July has a range of stalls serving the usual selection of Arab and western fast food. In addition there is a cluster of fish and seafood cafeterias in the same street between Shagrat-al-Dor and kamal mohammed.
Didos Al Dente
This place serves pasta, and dishes are amazingly cheap, ranging from six to about twenty EP. Small, intimate setting, making it an excellent spot for dates despite its small setting, the waiters will let you linger/flirt at the table. Generally full from 5pm-close, waiting on the street outside is common, but it is worth the wait. They serve up some of the best pasta in all of Cairo. You pick your sauce, you pick the kind of pasta you want, and the cooks do the rest. The kitchen is directly in view so you can watch them serve up your food. Try the bolognese, the crab sauce, or the frutti de mare with white sauce.
Midrange
Deal's
Purportedly the best burgers in Cairo. Doubles as a pub. Open during Ramadan.
Sequoia
Good Lebanese food, a selection of more than 50 kinds of waterpipe tobacco, good drinks and an excellent Nile location makes this one of the most comfortable places to enjoy a Cairo evening. see more details in bar section
Beano's
It has a West European style and serves food all day during Ramadan.
Euro-Deli
This place specialises in continental food and has several healthy salads and bagels in addition to very good coffee. Free Wi-Fi availabe and the place is popular with foreign students.
Maison Thomas
Legendary establishment Om Kolsoum once ate here serving pastries, light food, and pizza. Owned by Coptic Christians. Beer available for take-away except during Ramadan.
Top end
Abou al-Sid
Owned by the conglomerate also responsible for Tabouleh a rockin' awesome Lebanese restaurant in Garden City, and L'Aubergine, Abou al-Sid features high-end Egyptian cuisine and superb fresh juices. Very atmospheric. Make reservations in advance and dress up to get in.
L'Aubergine
2nd floor turns nightclub at night. Closed during Ramadan.
Sabai Sabai
Serves traditional Thai food in stylish settings and good service, this is a welcome add to the Cairo Thai scene. Specify if you want the food spicy.
La Bodega
This upscale restaurant has a great menu of French classics like onion soup and canard a l'orange, excellent service, and good drinks, which can be difficult to find in Cairo.
Mojo's Lounge & Bar
Overlooking Nile. Shisha, wi-fi, parking, taxi service. Reservations required.
Zamalek offers some of the best eating in Cairo. There's a large variety of quality restaurants serving everything from Egyptian molokhia to Thailand Red Curry. But also, the green and atmospheric atmosphere on the Nile-Island makes for a perfect dinner setting. Zamalek is also the place to visit if you want to escape Ramadan, many places stay open during day-time and alcohol is served to foreigners only at most of the water-holes.