Kebabgy Oriental Grill

Kebabgy Oriental Grill is one of the restaurants on the riverside promenade of the Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah, the round tower hotel at the southern tip of Gezira island. Its terrace sits beside the Nile, and the restaurant is popular with local diners as well as hotel guests for its grilled meats and its evening music, which make it one of the more atmospheric places to eat in Zamalek.

The food is built around the open charcoal grill. Lamb kebab and kofta, grilled chicken and the Egyptian favourite of grilled pigeon are cooked to order, and mixed grill platters let a table try several meats at once. Pita bread is baked in a clay oven, and meals usually begin with mezze such as tahini, baba ghanoush and salads. To drink, karkadeh, the chilled hibiscus tea that is popular across Egypt, is a good local choice.

The restaurant suits couples, families and groups who want classic Egyptian grills in a comfortable setting with a view. From 19:30 to 23:00 every day, an oriental takht ensemble plays traditional Arabic music, which adds to the evening atmosphere without overwhelming conversation. The indoor dining room is air-conditioned, which is welcome in summer, while the terrace is most pleasant from autumn to spring.

Kebabgy is open daily from 12:00 to midnight. Booking is recommended for terrace tables in the evening, especially at weekends, and can be arranged through the hotel. Smart casual clothing is appropriate. Prices are mid to upper range by Cairo standards, in line with a five-star hotel restaurant. Allow around one and a half to two hours for dinner with music.

The Sofitel is on El Thawra Council Street at the southern end of Gezira island, a short walk from the Cairo Opera House and Opera metro station and a few minutes by taxi from Downtown across the Qasr al-Nil Bridge. Cairo Tower is nearby for views before or after your meal, and other restaurants and bars on the hotel promenade give plenty of choice for a drink afterwards. If you are staying elsewhere, an early evening visit lets you watch the sunset over the river from the terrace before the music begins. Hotel security checks at the entrance are routine, so allow a few extra minutes on arrival, and mention any dietary needs when booking.