Winter in Egypt, 2025 - Restaurants - Anas Al Demeshky

People often ask us, "What do you eat during your winter stay in Cairo?"

We claim to seldom eat at restaurants, mostly preparing our meals at home, but I noticed several restaurants that we visited this past year among our photo collection and decided to share some pictures and comments.

We'll start with what we refer to as "The Syrian Restaurant," Anas Al-Dimashqi (exactly what English letters are plugged into a translation of an Arabic word depends on time, place and mood of the translator - what the name means is Anas of Damascus) about a mile and a half from the Giza Pyramids. Great food, superb service and good prices.

Getting there is half the fun for us. From our apartment, it's about a two mile walk on Lebeny Axis to near where Lebeny intersects Al Haram (Pyramids) Street. Walking Lebeny for any length of time gives even a casual visitor to Cairo a feel for genuine Egyptian culture. (Be sure to head down a side-street or two - they are very safe and you might make a new friend!)

Here is a night-time view of the outside of the restaurant when you arrive.

 

This restaurant layout is typical for most places in Egypt.  The kitchen and take-out area is on the ground floor with the tables and seating area located up the stairway. (you'll get used to it.) 

Anas has several other locations around Cairo.  This particular spot was recommended by a friend from our neighborhood who enjoys good food.

We have visited this location of Anas several times in the past two years and always enjoyed great food, service and value.

Here is most of the menu, translated via Google:

I will always try the lentil soup at any restaurant in Cairo. The lemon and croutons are key to this dish.

 

Linda loves variety and here she tries some vegetables with garlic sauce.

 

For the main course, you really can't beat any of the terrine dishes.  At about $5 to $8, they are a great value and if you can't finish the meal, you will probably end up getting the dish to take away in addition to your leftovers.

 

 

The Anas meal is a delightful specialty. 

 

 

Total on this evening for two people with enough leftovers for another day came to less than 700 EGP - about 14 dollars. 

Yes, I ordered the okra and bananas casserole;  no there were no bananas in it - just some great banana peppers.