From street-chic experiences to lavish meals overlooking the Red Sea, we bring you our top picks for the best iftar and sohour venues around Egypt.
by Egypt Today staff
Night & Day is serving up numerous buffets all Ramadan with authentic Egyptian specialties as well as Indian, Chinese and Italian dishes (LE 220).
Worried about how to make your iftar or sohour event memorable? The Semiramis InterContinental’s banquet halls are the perfect setting for any Ramadan functions, with the largest ballroom holding up to 1,200 guests. To make life simpler, the hotel also provides outside catering taking care of everything from menu planning to cutlery to waiters, whether it’s for a corporate iftar for 30 persons or sohour for 1,000 or more. Iftar set menus start at LE 190, buffet from LE 230, sohour set menus and buffet start at LE 175.
For an alternative and exclusive Ramadan experience, the Grill Restaurant & Lounge and the Ambassador lounge can be booked for private/corporate function for iftars and sohours overlooking the Nile (set menus starting at LE 195).
Nile Terrace presents Fawanees and authentic Ramadan iftar and sohour experiences. Indulge in delicious oriental favorites under the stars and enjoy shisha and large screens. On weekends look out for star entertainers.
At Tea Garden & Cafe Corniche, pick up favorite sweet Ramadan delicacies from konafa to exquisite balah el sham to traditional Eid kahk with a variety of delicious fillings.
For an Italian-flavored iftar, stop in at Pane Vino where you can enjoy special menus featuring fresh pizza and homemade pasta varieties varieties prepared by Chef Giovanni Romagnoli and his team. The Pane Vino Terrace offers iftar and sohour with shisha overlooking the Nile (set menu LE 195, daily special iftar menu 220).
Experience Lebanese cuisine at Sabaya where set menus include traditional dishes such as hommos beiruti, labnah in oil and other homemade Lebanese favorites (daily special iftar menu LE 220).
Ramadan getaways at the Semiramis start at just LE 1400 for a double room for two persons with an all-inclusive iftar at Night & Day or sohour at the Nile Terrace (offer valid from June 6-16, terms and conditions apply).
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Cairo Marriott[/caption]
Guests are invited once again to the ever-popular Som3a Basha Tent around The Fountain at The Patio to enjoy an oriental atmosphere in style. There’ll be live street-style cooking stations for the sohour buffet and not only can you cheer on your favorite team in the UEFA League on the big screen but you can also enjoy a takht band playing after midnight (and don’t forget the shisha!)
Egyptian Nights will be even more Egyptian with an added Khan El-Khalili kiosk, an erksous vendor and a shoeshine station. Omar’s Café will be serving an ‘iftar’ buffet including a daily extravaganza of oriental and international delights. You can also get your kahk early this year at The Bakery.
Ramadan is all about home iftars and sohours, and the Cairo Marriott caters to your every need. You can enjoy all the dishes you’ve been craving without spending a minute in the kitchen. Whether you’re a small group of 30 or a large corporate group at a venue of your choice, the Marriott will spoil you with the entire street-chic experience including all the cooking stations or a family-style iftar/sohour menu featuring an extensive variety of dishes.
3. Conrad Cairo
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Conrad Cairo[/caption]
Experience the true essence of Ramadan ambiance at Conrad Cairo offering unrivalled service and hospitality. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Nile while having their iftar or sohour at Solana or Jayda. At Solana an iftar buffet will be served daily, and an a la carte sohour menu is available. At Jayda an iftar set menu will be served in the Nile View dining area for individuals. The menu is served family-style with soup of the day, a selection of hot and cold mezzah, a choice of three main courses and dessert, with coffee or tea included. Iftar for groups less than 30 will be served in the Nile view dining area offering the Ramadan Jayda tailored family-style menus. An a la carte sohour menu will be available after 11pm, and special sohour set menus for individuals and groups will be offered at special prices, in addition to shisha packages that will be provided for groups. Guests can enjoy live entertainment in Jayda with Ramadan programs airing on large screens and a daily takht with a singer who will be performing every night.
Conrad Cairo participates in Hilton HHonors, the only guest loyalty program where guests who book directly through conradhotels.com have access to benefits including the digital Conrad Concierge and complimentary Wi-Fi at 24 Conrad hotels worldwide.
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Dusit Thani LakeView[/caption]
Enjoy amazing iftar and sohours outdoors against a backdrop of an oriental takht, a singer, and DJ in the tranquil open air setting overlooking the pool. There is an array of delicious delights and flavors to choose from including Arabian delicacies, live cooking stations, a large selection of hot and cold mezzeh, mouthwatering Ramadan drinks such as tamr hendi, karkadeh, kamar el din, sumptuous main courses and a wide selection of oriental desserts. Relax with flavored shisha while watching the Euro 2016 matches in style at the exquisite Dusit Gourmet or by the pool during Ramadan.
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Fairmont Nile City[/caption]
After the success of its “Ramadan Zaman,” “El Leila El Kebeira,” and “1001 Nights,” concepts, Fairmont Nile City’s theme this year is inspired by one of Cairo’s most authentic haunts: “El Corniche.” Guests stepping into the hotel will be taken on a journey on the banks of the Nile with its traditional lupine, corn and hummus carts.
The hotel’s main restaurant, Napa Grill, will offer a lavish iftar buffet in an indoor casual setting on the banks of the Nile (LE 320). Special iftar and sohour menus for groups of all sizes (indoor and outdoor settings) are on offer, starting from LE 215. Shisha and dessert packages are also available.
The recently renovated Bab El Nil will be decked out in colorful pop art with stylish touches of everybody’s favorite local icons. Enjoy the summer night breeze on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Nile while smoking shisha, playing board games, and catching up on your favorite Ramadan TV series on Bab El Nil’s 138 inch HD mega screen or on a private TV screen allowing you the entertainment of your choice. Authentic live music will certainly add to Ramadan’s vibe.
Impress your guests with the Fairmont Nile City’s customized catering service straight to your doorstep, accommodating up to 3000 guests and parking up to 500 cars.
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Hilton Hotels[/caption]
Hilton Worldwide hotels are preparing to indulge guests with an unrivalled Ramadan experience, special menus and unique entertainment programs from dusk till dawn. Hotels also have special group packages which can be arranged upon request.
Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences will feature a giant screen running Ramadan shows. Guests are invited to sample exceptional Ramadan dishes at Nile Breeze restaurant, Abu Ali café and the Terrace café. The hotel is also offering a special weekend package during the holy month.
Spending the summer by the beaches of the beautiful city of Alexandria during Ramadan has never been more tempting with the Hilton Alexandria Corniche. The hotel is offering guests a unique room package on an all-inclusive basis including iftar and sohour. Guests will also enjoy early check-in and late check-out, 10% off laundry service, free WiFi and an upgrade to a sea view room based on availability.
Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza hotel is ready to welcome guests for unforgettable iftar and sohour meals at Abu Keer restaurant, Aqua Blue pool area or Abu Ali café while at the Hilton Alexandria King’s Ranch you could win a free LE 200 gift voucher for spa treatments at Premedion Spa with every room booking during the holy month. There are special offers on room bookings and guests can enjoy daily live entertainment by the pool and sample iftar and sohour at Splash, Teatro and Zaatar restaurants.
At Hilton Hurghada Resort, unwind over stunning views of the Red Sea during Ramadan and enjoy an array of premium amenities for a memorable stay, with an enticing half board menu, including iftar and sohour.
Guests at Hilton Hurghada Long Beach can enjoy a special allinclusive package for a double room, with eclectic menus for iftar and sohour.
The Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort’s Cascade restaurant is serving a special iftar buffet including a wide variety of oriental food and beverage for food enthusiasts.
Hilton Sharm Dreams Resort has a lavish iftar buffet at Le Jardin and offers a cozy sohour at the Nook.
Hilton Sharm Fayrouz Resort’s Ya Hala tent has it all this Ramadan, where guests can enjoy their iftar and sohour.
In addition to hosting its unmatched Ramadan tent at Diwan with special entertainment programs, Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa is preparing delicious iftar and sohour menus for those spending the holy month of Ramadan in the historic city of Luxor.
Hilton Taba Resort & Nelson Village offer iftar and sohour for double room bookings on half-board basis at a competitive price. Guests can also spend their evenings enjoying delectable Ramadan desserts and entertainment at Shish Bish café.
7. InterContinental and Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars
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InterContinental and Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars[/caption]
The InterContinental’s spectacular lobby is the focal point for blissful celebrations this month. The Esplanade hosts iftar followed by sohour featuring an oriental takht musical ensemble from 10:30pm until midnight. Earlier in the evening takht music will create a happy mood in Esplanade Lounge, while My Bakery will have seasonal konafa and eid kahk starting June 27.
For celebrations with an authentic oriental touch, head for Fayruz or Al Khal for iftar. The Lounge will stage a traditional sohour buffet including tea, coffee and Ramadan drinks to the beat of music provided by a DJ and live band. There’s also DJ and live music at the Pool Bar, with shisha and Ramadan drinks packages and iftar choices.
At Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars, there will be a splendid iftar buffet at Windows with oriental melodies floating through the restaurant to complete the celebratory mood. At Pool Garden, enjoy Om Ali, oriental pastries and flavored shisha. Early in the evening there is an open buffet for iftar or the option of a set menu, with a live band for sohour from midnight till 3am and either a Ramadan or buffet package. Star Corner features an ‘aprés-Iftar’ package with Om Ali, oriental pastries and flavored shisha. Longer-stay guests can enjoy Ramadan in the ‘home from home’ Staybridge Suites for a more relaxed and private celebration with all the benefits of InterContinental’s five-star luxury cuisine and service.
8. JW Marriott
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JW Marriott[/caption]
Enjoy the sumptuous offerings for iftar at Layaly Mirage at The Beach, while traditional Oriental tunes and melodies float through the air to add to the festive ambience.
Don’t miss a daily enjoyable sohour at our new Welad El Zawat venue at the Clubhouse Terrace with live Arabic entertainment.
Experience memorable family style iftar and sohour menus at Plateau, JW Marriott Cairo’s newest elevation. Overlooking the greenery of the championship golf course, Plateau is a sophisticated yet casual restaurant and shisha lounge offering contemporary international cuisine.
Ramadan can be a hectic time for everyone especially if you have been hosting busy evenings for family and friends. Enjoy the JW Marriott’s special Ramadan offer of some ‘me time’ at the Mandara Spa where you can refresh body, mind and soul.
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Kempinski Nile Hotel[/caption]
Indulge in the sumptuous oriental and international iftar buffet at The Blue Restaurant (LE 275 subject to service charge and taxes) or feast on the finest Turkish specialties and oriental delicacies with Turkish tunes in the background at Osmanly Restaurant, offering you a true Turkish iftar experience (LE 275 subject to service charge and taxes).
An exquisite oriental sohour menu is served daily at The Roof. Surrounded by the enchanting scenery of the River Nile, enjoy watching your favorite Ramadan series on the big screen while sipping on your favorite Ramadan drinks and sampling various shisha flavors. An array of tempting Oriental Ramadan desserts are available at the Chocolate Lounge buffet. Corporate iftars can also be arranged.
10. Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski
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Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski[/caption]
The Palace Bab Al Qasr Restaurant invites guests to experience an authentic Levantine Ramadan without having to leave the city.
The State invites you to break your fast with an excellent cosmopolitan iftar buffet. Sit back and relax as the restaurant’s team of talented culinary experts present a large selection of hot and cold mezze and mouthwatering cuisine with a special focus on popular Egyptian specialties. Make sure you visit the exceptional dessert station for a fine end to a satisfying meal.
For sohour the Palace invites guests to enjoy the warm weather at Aqua Chill by the pool, offering a selection of sumptuous menus and shisha flavors.
Corporate and group bookings are available, offering a combination of class, fine food, good music and breathtaking views at the country’s largest ballroom, Excelsior.
If you want to eat in, Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski delights in bringing luxury to your iftar or sohour table in the convenience of your own home with its stellar outside catering service.
Ramadan room packages starts at LE 775 for a single room and LE 875 for a double room and come with buffet breakfast at The State.
Resense Spa, the first world-class European luxury spa in Egypt, offers a special Ramadan Purifier, a 50-minute facial plus a 15-minute free foot massage for just LE 810. Also available is a one-month special membership for Ramadan of spa-only facilities for ($175) in addition to and regular membership ($1,550) that includes three free personal training sessions at the fitness centre. Resense is also rolling out “After Iftar,” Hamam (LE 720) or Hamam and wrap for LE 1,220 or Hamam. The Arabian or The Aroma is available at LE 1,195.
For information and reservations, call 2389 9000.
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Safir Hotel Cairo[/caption]
At Safir guests can choose from a wide array of iftar selections at the Palm’s Coffee Shop. The Blue Pool Café serves exquisite Ramadan sohour featuring tasty oriental BBQ items, refreshing Ramadan beverages, shisha and live entertainment. End with Safir’s deliciously amazing oriental sweets. Safir also caters private iftar and sohour parties for individual and groups.
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Sheraton Miramar Gouna[/caption]
Sheraton Miramar offers a fabulous oriental iftar buffet and set menu sohour served daily at Miramar Restaurant overlooking the Red Sea. The buffet includes oriental food, appetizers and famous Ramadan desserts. Afterward, relax with your choice of Ramadan drink at Coconut Grove, an oriental al fresco corner where you can feel the mythical mood of the orient and enjoy a variety of shisha flavors.
The Sheraton Miramar has a month-full of fun-filled kids activities planned and also offers an an our attractive room package.
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Sofitel El Gezirah[/caption]
Share spiritual Ramadan days and nights with your family and friends while sampling authentic Middle East specialties including a delightful variety of oriental sweets at La Palmeraie. Delicious tagines headline a lavish buffet created especially for Ramadan. Head to Kebabgy for traditional barbecue specialities with ambient music and live oriental takht. Afterward try the Sofitel’s special collection of shisha flavors on the private terrace overlooking the Nile.
14. Wahawi Ramadan Lounge
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Wahawi Ramadan Lounge[/caption]
Wahawi is still going strong four years on from its inception. Taking over the top deck of the Le Pacha 1901 boat in Zamalek with its modern spin on Ramadan, Wahawi does away with the traditional hustle and bustle of Ramadan tents, offering Cairenes a unique, laidback atmosphere with stunning Nile views, a banquet of oriental dishes to feast on and some of the best shisha in town.
As has become a Wahawi tradition, a plethora of board games will be available to keep you playing through the night and TV screens to catch this year’s top Ramadan shows and mosalsalaat, as well as the upcoming Euro 2016, as Europe’s top footballing nations battle it out.
For reservations, call 0122 770 33 29.
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