Best Rooftop Bars in Cairo 2026 — Nile Views and Rooftop Dining in Cairo

Cairo's Best Rooftop Bars and Restaurants 2026

Cairo's rooftop scene is distinctive from a Western perspective — Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country and alcohol is not universally available, but Cairo has a well-developed licensed bar and restaurant scene concentrated in hotels, Zamalek (Cairo's upscale island neighbourhood), and select downtown venues. The Nile is Cairo's great rooftop backdrop, and bars and restaurants with Nile views command a premium. In recent years a strong non-alcoholic rooftop café scene has also developed, making rooftop experiences accessible across all preferences. This guide covers the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Cairo in 2026.

Best Rooftop Bars with Nile Views in Cairo

• Pier 88 (Zamalek, Nile Corniche) — one of Cairo's best-loved upscale Nile-view bar and restaurant terraces, popular with Cairo's expatriate and affluent local community; Sequoia (Zamalek) for a large Nile-view outdoor terrace with a full bar and mezze menu that draws a regular crowd from Cairo's international community; Jazz Bar at the Cairo Marriott Hotel (Zamalek) for a classic hotel rooftop bar in a historic Zamalek palace; Crimson at the Kempinski (Nile City Towers, Bulaq) for a high-rise Nile view with good cocktails in a luxury hotel setting

Best Rooftop Cafes and Restaurants in Cairo

• Roof at Marriott Mena House (Giza) for the extraordinary experience of dining with direct views of the Pyramids of Giza — one of the world's great restaurant settings; Revolving Restaurant at Cairo Tower (Zamalek) for 360-degree Cairo panoramic views from the landmark tower; Estoril (downtown Cairo) for a long-running rooftop terrace in the heart of historic downtown; Le Grillon (Zamalek) for a Zamalek café terrace popular with Cairo's arts and intellectual crowd

Tips for Cairo Rooftop Bars

• The best time for Cairo rooftops is October through April — summer heat (June-August can exceed 40 degrees) makes outdoor rooftop dining unpleasant in the middle of the day; evenings are better year-round; alcohol is available at hotel bars, licensed restaurants, and Zamalek venues but not universally; dress modestly at non-hotel venues; Nile-view venues are popular with both visitors and Cairo locals

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