Talisman Hotel

Eating

A large red and white chandelier hangs from the ceiling in the dining room, while golden art clings to its walls. Breakfast is served leisurely from 7-11am. It’s a continental buffet offering three types of cheese, fruit and yoghurt, cereals and fresh orange juice, toast, croissants and Danish pastries. There’s American coffee and Egyptian tea, too.

Although this is a B&B hotel, you are very central, so you won’t have to walk far for a good meal in the evening. Staff will happily recommend local restaurants that are en vogue. Try ever-popular Abou Tarek, a downtown favourite on Sharia Shamplion that serves well-priced Egyptian food; Felfela on Sharia Hoda Shaarawi, a tourist haunt that serves falafel, good salads, grilled chicken; or Le Bistro on the same road, which is extremely popular with Cairenes. You can sip wine amid wood-panelled walls at Café Riche on Sharia Talaat Harb - it’s been a popular haunt with Cairo’s left-leaning artists and intellectuals for a hundred years; expect a mix of French and Egyptian dishes on the menu. A short, inexpensive cab ride will zip you over to the Islamic quarter, where you can try two great restaurants: Al Tejalo Sultan serves very good Indian and Egyptian dishes, while Citadel View has a huge terrace and offers tasty, traditional food that’s popular with tourists.