Aside from the standard services offered by the various cultural centres around Cairo, such as language courses, music concerts and film screenings, authentic national cuisine can be sampled in restaurants and clubs located nearby or inside cultural centres.

These venues not only add to the cultural experience of your visit to a centre, but are worth visiting in their own right.

French Cultural Centre

Famous for its sunny outdoor courtyard, the French Cultural Centre Cafe is the perfect spot for an early afternoon lunch or weekend brunch.

They offer a variety of meat, chicken and fish dishes, and the 'plat du jour' is always an interesting choice for those less familiar with French cuisine. Alongside the soft-drinks menu, the cafe offers a small range of alcoholic drinks including beer served in iced mugs. The place is open all week long from 10 AM until 4 PM, with the exception of Saturdays. It turns into a cafe in the evening. French Techno and dance parties are organized on Fridays from time to time, so follow their schedule for any updates. There is no minimum charge required.

The Italian Club

While most other cultural clubs around Cairo are designed to serve a hip, young clientele and offer budget-priced menus, the Italian Club has appointed itself as a fancy restaurant catering to a clientele looking for an authentic Italian platter and imported wine.

On that aspect, the Italian club does not disappoint. Tastefully cooked Italian dishes are served with amazing starters and a long list of wines to choose from. This wine list includes a delicious South African wine.

On busy nights, the club doesn't welcome passers-by and requires a reservation, but if you have an Italian friend among your entourage you will find a place regardless of capacity.  They have a spacious indoor area and outdoor patio. A LE10 entrance fee is required for non-Italians, but it’s a cheap price to enjoy a lovely , quiet evening in the otherwise noisy downtown area.


The Swiss Club

There is nothing particularly 'Swiss'  about the Swiss club, other than its name and the Swiss flag at its entrance. However this is not such a bad thing. Located in the backstreets of the KitKat neighborhood, the place is a mixture of a party venue, an evening hangout and a decent international cuisine restaurant.

A big villa takes centre stage on the premises and is the space for lot of hip-hop and R&B themed parties, especially on Western holidays such as Halloween and Christmas.  In contrast, the beautiful garden is a great location to enjoy a drink and a shisha.  It is a place where friends can gather to watch football matches and enjoy an over priced Guinness or Mexican beer.  Usually there is no entrance fee to pay, but if there is a party going on in the villa, you may need to pay LE50 on the door, which entitles you to a beer voucher for a stella.


The Greek Club(s)

Greek clubs are all over the place and can be categorized according to seasons. On late summer nights you can enjoy a calm and refreshing breeze, nibble on great appetizers and have a beer or two with friends in the outdoor area of Emad el-Deen Street Greek Club.  Winter-time is the perfect season for a cold beer, live piano, well-made Greek salad and a warm ambiance in the Talat Harb Square Greek Club. This is especially so, since the renovation of the indoor area there. Both branches are situated in old downtown buildings with spacious high, vaulted ceilings.

While the main courses are not advisable at either of the Greek clubs mentioned, seafood is the specialty of the Alexandrian Greek Club which overlooks the harbour.  Their interesting and authentic dishes are not easily forgotten. The Alexandrian Greek Club was established in 1909 and still has a historic feeling to it.

You can enjoy the traditional Greek alcoholic drink Ouzo at all branches. Talat Harb’s Greek Club is the only  club where you need to pay an entrance fee of LE35, but the cash will be deducted from your final bill.

Al Masry Al Youm

#LISA