Friday March 29th, 2024
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Ramadan Guide 2013

We've rounded up the best (and the tastiest) places to spend the holy month of Ramadan across the capital.

Staff Writer

With the holy month of Ramadan finally upon us everyone in Cairo is getting ready (mentally, spiritually and physically) to welcome this month of absolute lifestyle change. Ramadan means exchanging that cocktail for some refreshing karkade, switching from sushi rolls to katayef, and letting go of clubs and Khabtayas for the more wholesome Ramadan gatherings. If you think you're going to be disoriented with no place to go to and all your plans shattered, think again, because we're giving you a full blow-by-blow detailed list of everything's that's going down during Ramadan!

Tents:

Si Omar

This year, Events Plus, PromoVision and Event House are teaming up and bringing their A-game on with Si Omar khaima at the Fairmont Heliopolis and Towers! Head over to the exquisite venue and enjoy some daily takht sharqi and served as a side to the sumptous Oriental sohour on offer or puff away on their 20+ unique shisha flavours. Opening on the 13th of July, enjoy a fantastic Ramadan atmosphere under the stars at the poolside pop-up venue, lavishly decorated to take you on an other-worldly journey filled with food, fun and festivities. Perfect for big groups of friends, family and even corporate functions, this is one you don't want to miss. Book here.

Ramadana @ Tamarai

Cairo's first and most popular Ramadan tent is back.  Tarek Nour’s Ramadana returns to Tamarai for the most luxurious Ramadan experience you’ll find in the city. Serving up both iftar and sohour on the notorious terrace, overlooking the Nile, classy Cairenes will be treated to a gourmet extravaganza, fresh from the tantalising Tamarai kitchen, as relaxing tunes take over the night. Ramadana’s triumphant return also comes with a brand new design that we’re just itching to see. Book here.

Wahawi

This year, Event Republic is bringing their unmistakable flair to Le Pacha 1901 boat with their Wahawi kheima. Head over to the Nile-side Zamalek boat and enjoy a kitsch spin on classic Ramadan nights in Egypt with the nightlife gurus; enjoy exquisite food, a breathtaking view of the Nile, smooth shisha and even smoother music at what’s bound to be the hippest spot this holy month. Book here.

Le Capitol

Le Capitol is back again, perched ontop the Novotel Zamalek hotel and offering up some of the best views of the city at night. Open for iftar and sohour, the rooftop kheima is the perfect place to unwind and indulge after a hard day's fasting. With impeccable decor, smooth shisha and the best of East and West coming out of the kitchen, we expect this hotspot to return to last year's glory of being the top choice for Cairo's cool kids.

Arasya

Ramadan is getting a makeover with Imperial's Arasya. Head over to the modern tent for Ramadan on the Nile. Serving up the best of Oriental Egyptian and Lebanese dishes for both iftar and sohour, as well as an exotic array of shisha flavours, the Nile-side spot is soon to become a favourite.

Al Kheima @ Yasso Lebanese Lounge

Yasso Lounge is bringing the heat this Ramadan with their Al Kheimatent! Open every day for iftar and sohour, with a side of Oriental music, the hungry Giza-bound crowds are in for a treat. While iftar is an open buffet, featuring the best of Lebanon’s renowned cuisines, sohour is a lighter affair, offering perfect a la carte bites long into the night. There’s lots of special acts to be announced throughout the month, so keep your eyes open for the line up. Book here.  

Kheimet Marassi

ByGanz are, as usual, bringing their A-game this month with some extraordinary Ramadan events. Soon enough, ByGanz will be launching their Ramadan tent in the North Coast at the gorgeous Marassi beach resort, for those of you who prefer a scenic summer Ramadan. Kheimet Marassi will be serving both iftar and sohour in the stunning al fresco, beach-front setting, complete with smooth tunes. Club M will still be operating too, so if you fancy a swim or prefer wiling away the sunlight hours on the beach, you kow where to go. 

Fawanis

Event-planner extraordinaire Hassan Abaza is bringing extravagance back to Ramadan this year with his tent, Fawanis in CityStars. Focusing on the magic of Ramadan tents, Fawanis offers hungry visitors an amazing atmosphere mixed with incredible food to keep you relaxed and munching away all night long. Head there after iftar for desserts and shisha or a full-blown sohour with friends and family in a fabulously festive setting. Expect the usual fun and games - imagine card and board games all night long, mixed with great music - an unwind until the break of dawn.

Hassan we Morkos @ Roof Bar

This Ramadan, Roof Bar is giving their venue a Ramadan twist! Head over to the urban night spot and unwind at their Hassan we Morkos tent. Opening on the second day of Ramadan from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM for exquisite sohour and delectable shisha and try your best to forget all the debauchery that goes on for the rest of the year at Roof Bar. Also, this Friday, get in touch with your inner Egyptian as  Oka & Ortega take to the stage with their legendary sha3bi tunes. Book here.

Layali @ Cavallini

Ramadan is going to get spicy with Cavallini this year. Doing a 180 on their usual night time shenanigans, the team at the Heliopolis night club are instead getting all ethnic on us with their Layali kheima. Serving up three delicious looking set menus for iftar and an a la carte sohour there’s plenty of deliciousness pouring out of their kitchen. There’ll also be live Oriental music all night long – the perfect accompaniment to their unique shisha flavours – making sure your night begins and ends at Layali. Book here.

Hotels/Restaurants:

Kempinski Nile Hotel

This Ramadan, Kempinski Nile Hotel is offering Cairenes a glistening array of getaways and delectable food to choose from. Head on over to Osmanlyfor a Turkish-styled buffet fit for kings or  head on up to the 10th floor for a fine dining experience with Chic Diningthat boasts a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and an equally stunning menu, featuring Lebanese mezza, grills and more Oriental classics. Especially for Ramadan, The Roofis offering a light yet delectable sohour menu until 2 AM, with an Oriental live band setting the mood. Also, Shishawyboasts a wide arrange of palette seducing shisha flavours that are available from sunset, onwards, and are bound to help you digest that massive meal. If for some absurd reason you can’t make it to the brilliant boutique hotel this month, they’re also offering catering service, so you can have the five-star fare brought to you. Book for The Roof here.

Sofitel El Gezirah

Sofitel is not only going to flaunt its impeccable location and view this month, but also its amazing array of dining options on offer during the holy month of Ramadan. Sudoffers diners an impeccable iftar and sohour buffet, with the added perk of being fully functional throughout the day, if you’re not fasting. La Palmeraieinvites you to indulge in their Moroccan themed, a la carte iftar and sohour menu while being serenaded with an Oriental band and getting your shisha fix afterwards. El Kebabgyoffers their renowned Egyptian barbeque menu for iftar and sohour, as well as shisha on the Nile. Alternatively, you can head over to Le Deckand enjoy their delicious iftar and sohour menu, all while overlooking the majestic Nile that is the pride and joy of Cairo. If you want to bring the magnificence of the Sofitel home, there’s a wide range of catering packegs you can choose from, as well as event specialists to help you create a bespoke Ramadan gathering wherever you may be. Book here.

InterContinental Semiramis

This Ramadan, head over to the InterContinental Semiramis for an exciting month filled with five star service and faultless food. Head over to Night & Dayand indulge in a delightful buffet of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine including tabouleh and a delectable Om Ali for desert, as well as Indian, Chinese and Italian dishes. Alternatively, visit Sabaya under the Starsand enjoy some Lebanese cuisine by the pool for sohour, where a live band will be serenading you for a guaranteed picturesque night. Also, make use of InterContinental's five star catering services whether for iftar or sohour, or rent out their brilliant boardrooms for your private or corporate events. Book here.

Ramses Hilton

Head over to the iconic Ramses Hilton for an exquisite range of dining options at the landmark hotel. The Terrace Cafeoffers generous buffets for both iftar and sohour, where you’ll find something to suit every taste and palate. Alternatively, head over to Garden Court Cafeand enjoy their a la carte sohour menu, with live music playing serenading you for what's sure to be a perfect night. Rendez Vouscafe also offers an a la carte sohour menu, proving that the Hilton has everything one might crave in Ramadan. The hotel also has an Oriental pastry booth in the lobby – check out their fresh fruit konafa, you won’t regret it. 

Le Pacha 1901 West

Le Pacha West is putting all its venues at your service this Ramadan with a wide arrangement of cuisines for you to pick from! Carlo's is serving up a daily, themed iftar buffet with an a la carte sohour menu that's working long into the night. Alternatively, Piccolo Mondois operating on their normal menu all day, serving the freshest and most authentic Italian cuisine in all of Sheikh Zayed. Finally, Le Pacha 1901 West can come to you, letting you pick and choose from their menus and have the catering team deliver it straight to your door. 

Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers

Aside from Events Plus’ Si Omar kheima, the Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers’ dazzling array of dining outlets will be serving up tasty treats across the board. With the likes of Aqua e Luce offering up a fusion of Oriental and Mediterranean dishes for a lavish iftar buffet, My Kind of Place serving up all you can eat delicacies from across the globe, Pizza Bar's exclusive set menu mixing mama mia with mama's cooking and Lebanese food straight out of Beirut at Al Dabké, there's something different for every night of Ramadan.

Mori Sushi

While sushi after hours of fasting might not be everyone's cup of tea, you're bound to get a Mori craving at least once this month. They'll be serving up their full menu right in time for sunset but for those of you who can't quite palate raw fish at sunset, check out Mori's grill menu, with fine cuts of steak, grilled chicken and fish and even gourmet burgers to get you going. They're also operating normal hours for people who aren't fasting and can't get the thought of salmon sashimi out of their heads.

Tamara

When it comes to food, you can always trust the Lebanese. From the corner street stalls to the high-end, boutique restaurants everything just tastes better over there. So, when it comes to breaking your fast you can trust Tamara's authentic Lebanese menu to sooth your stomach rumbles. Pretty much the best Lebanese food we've had in Egypt, we're happy to go there every night and feast on their modern takes on authentic dishes, and with a set menu for just 170LE, you'll get to taste a whole array of their best plates in one go at both their CityStars and Tivoli Dome Shekih Zayed restaurants. Book here

Grizzly Diner

This Ramadan, the urban Zamalek diner is providing its regulars with the same excellent services as ever, as they operate throughout the whole day. Also, head over there and enjoy their Ramadan set menu (99 L.E. per person) which includes soup/appetiser, main dish, dessert and a drink for iftar. You also have the option of ordering from their special sohour menu if you're heading there for a late night snack, or their regular menu. Best part? After iftar they'll be calling upon their neighbours, Wel3a, to serve shisha! Book here.

Ramadan On-the-Go

GoodCals

GoodCalsis offering a special iftar and sohour promotion, where you can get any of their vegetarian salads, supersized that serves up to 6 people, along with 1L of karkade and a side of pickles for 105 L.E. (chicken, meat or fish salads are for 125 L.E.)! Head over with a group of your health conscious friends (or pick the phone up and order if you’re not that health conscious) and make use of their special Ramadan promotion.

Smiley's Grill

Smiley's offers you a number of choices for you to enjoy your iftar at their grill! Enjoy iftar with your family with their Family Economy Meal (4 economy meals of your choice, 4 pieces of bread, 4 green salad or coleslaw, 1 litre of Pepsi) for 125 L.E., their Single Economy Meal (1 economy meal, 1 piece of bread, 1 green salad or coleslaw, 1 twist juice box) for 34.5L.E (adding chicken or prawns shawerma raises it up to 37.5 L.E.) or their Family Sandwich Meal (4 large sandwiches (cheese steak/kofta/sub/chicken pane), 2 large fries, 4 small coleslaw and 1 litre Pepsi) all for 100 L.E.

Adam's Doner & Grill

 

 

Head over to Adam's and pick up quick scrumptious sandwiches and wraps for both iftaand sohour. Keep your eyes open for their Famous Homemade Sohour menu (operating from 10PM till Dawn), boasting amazing Egyptian authenticities such as Sejouk Mashwi, Falalfel and Adam's Special Foul! Their Maadi branch will be serving shisha all evening too, so you can make a night out of it. 

Culture:

Mawaweel 

Ramadan doesn't have to be all about eating! This year, Mawaweel by Cairo Jazz Club Agency is offering you the chance to get in touch with your cultural side at their art packed series of events in Darb 1718Head over to culture hub and enjoy an array of diverse cultural bazaars, artistic performances including short film screenings, a wide range of musical performances like Massar Egbari and a list of interesting workshops such as Art by Recycling, a Monoprint workshop and more. Don't miss out on this chance and immerse yourself in your local culture.