The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

There’s something gratifying about ducking out of the city’s main roads, which are so packed with the bigger Cairo restaurants, and instead going on the hunt on smaller, quieter side roads in the hope of finding something new and undiscovered. Luckily, Cairo is full of hidden gems.

In our latest off-road excursion – off Abbas El Akkad in Nasr City – we came by Tasty Besty, specialising in seafood and grills. So as not to limit their customer base, pizza, sandwiches, pastries and casseroles are also available.

Relying largely on catering and delivery, the restaurant itself is small and not exceptionally decorated; the tables are haphazardly arranged, but the space was undoubtedly clean. The owner of the restaurant is very friendly and took our orders himself, but not before requesting that both his chefs – who promised we would love their food –suggest their specialties.

We ordered from both of their menus, a selection of seafood dishes and a mixed grill. The order did take some time, but when it did show up, we were truly amazed; the chefs kept their promise, and we couldn’t believe an unknown restaurant on a small side road could have delivered such a fulfilling meal.

The hearty portion of seafood soup (25 LE) was made with the freshest of ingredients; cream, thyme, cumin and fish fillet, all perfectly seasoned. A small sengary cooked mullet (17 LE) came with plenty of flavourful marinate to pour over our fluffy sayadeya rice. A medium sized shrimp casserole (50 LE) was made up of a quarter-kilo of jumbo sized shrimp (40 LE), onions, tomatoes and bell peppers (10 LE). We also ordered fried calamari (80 LE/kg). Transporting us to the wonderful seafood eateries on the coast of Alexandria, our compliments go out to the seafood chef.

The mixed grill (57 LE), meanwhile, boasted four pieces of kebab and kofta, a quarter of a grilled chicken and white rice. The portion was a little small, but each piece of meat had that perfect melt-in-your-mouth quality. Particularly noteworthy, the kebab was fresh and covered in sweet pomegranate molasses.

Although the dessert menu offers both Om Ali and rice pudding, both are unfortunately only available for catering orders.

Tasty Besty also takes special orders for turkey, chicken, pigeons and other large-sized dishes. Judging by the standard of the smaller dishes, we would readily recommend this place for when you have people over for an occasion worthy of a feast.

Despite first impressions and the sparse aesthetics, Tasty Besty offers friendly service and exceptional seafood and grills.