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

 
Housed inside a colossal brick of a building, everything about Mall of Arabia is super-sized, and yet somehow it manages not to overwhelm. As the entire complex is designed on one level, all the shops are easy to access, and you’re less likely to get trapped in a never-ending maze of shopfronts and escalators.

 
The whole place is squeaky clean and all the staff were very helpful during our visit, although there was no information stand or leaflets to be found. 

The food court is in an unobtrusive section of its own, and presents a sort of New York Deli-look which serves international dishes from inside rows of small kiosks, which offer Far Eastern, Mexican, and European cuisine, in addition to the staple American fast-food outlets. Snuggled in between the main shops are more defined eateries such as Mori Sushi, Casper & Gambini’s, and Paul bakery – these have the added touch of offering outside seating areas as well. Coffee shops abound throughout the mall and an especially nice addition to the day was finding the ‘Noqta’ bookshop, which is a free and open library set up in the middle of the thoroughfare for anyone to catch up on a good read.
 

 
Unique to Mall of Arabia is its exotic looking, tree-lined, central courtyard which provides a relaxing atmosphere, with enough space for kids to run about in or ride the fun-sized train, while adults lounge in the open-air cafés and enjoy the spectacle of the ‘Dancing Fountain’, which is a must-see if you stay late enough to catch the lights and music show. The fountain is the pride and joy of Mall of Arabia, and we wouldn’t be surprised if some of the spectators made the trip specifically to marvel at its wonder.