Charming Rooftop in Zamalek

We gave this place another try, but the second visit was even worse. Instead of a relaxing afternoon, we left irritated after terrible service. The Nile view is lovely, but there are plenty of other spots in Cairo with the same panorama where guests are treated with respect. Here, the waiter was arrogant and unfriendly. He came over with a fake smile and practically tossed things onto the table. The staff as a whole seemed to find serving people a chore, with no help or kindness. The drinks listed as “Fresh Juice” were just colored water with no taste, no exaggeration. When we tried to swap an orange juice for mango, the staff reacted with indignation, and the replacement was just as bad. I ordered “Mint Tea” and got black tea with one tiny leaf of something that definitely wasn’t mint. The waiter insisted it was the mint tea I’d asked for. The photo says it all. This wasn’t a joke, and I had to pay for it. There’s a 200 EGP minimum charge. Given how poor the food and drinks were, and how neglected and literally falling apart the place looked, that’s ridiculous. Avoid it if you want to relax.

The heat made it really hard to enjoy the rooftop. There were no fans or cooling system. The food was disappointing too, and the wine portion was tiny, more like a teacup than a proper glass. It’s a shame, because the location and views are beautiful and the place has real potential. But service was very poor, the staff seemed uninterested, and one waiter asked for a tip despite barely serving us. The tables were dirty, things weren’t cleaned properly, and the whole place felt old and neglected. With better management and care, it could be exceptional. As it is, it doesn’t reflect well on visitors or tourism.

We just wanted drinks, and that’s what we got. The drinks page was all we cared about, and the view was nice. At Nile Zamalek Hotel, look for the NZH logo outside since there’s no obvious English sign. Security pointed us straight to the elevator and fourth floor. Once out, we had to find the stairs up to the roof. A nice guy handed us a laminated menu. Loved the quirky 1970's elevator music and the forlorn chandeliers made from beer bottles. Wish I were staying closer.

The view is the one good thing. The place doesn’t look good, and the staff don’t seem to care about customers. You can wait 30 minutes for someone to ask what you’d like to drink. If you go up to ask yourself, they get angry.