The Restaurant at Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah

"The lobby lounge has the atmosphere of a vast private villa and leads to a floating river bar; an outdoor infinity pool that gives swimmers the impression they are dipping into the Nile itself; and El Kebabgy, an alfresco Nile-side restaurant popular with upper-class Egyptians for Friday lunch, and which serves some obscure dishes—such as megadera, a puree of black lentils and rice, and Om Hassan, a dessert of rose-flavored milk pudding with fresh fruit and grenadine syrup—among Egyptian and Lebanese favorites"

"The circular tower has been gracing the Cairo skyline for well over two decades, but the interiors here have been brought up to date, and the hotel has reemerged as a must-visit place among expats and visitors for its bars and restaurants"

"There are several good restaurants, including excellent Moroccan cuisine at La Palmeraie (open 3pm to 3am), and the Buddha Bar"

"Still, the waterfront outdoor pool is lovely, and there are six varied restaurants, along with a casino and spa"

"The Sud is a spacious 24-hour buffet with a focus on Mediterranean foods, and Le Deck is a floating international restaurant and lounge moored on the Nile at the end of a short pier with lovely views of Cairo and river traffic"