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CairoScene
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Sahel Bites Back: SceneEats' Definitive List of Sahel's Best Eats
Sahel is an overwhelming fever dream of sunburns, side roads, and 47 restaurant openings you swear you've never heard of. Every day brings a new menu, a soft opening, a delayed opening, a beach cart turned fine dining concept (we see you, Mango on a stick), and a friend calling a friend for a QR code. Add in no signal, 6 people with 12 opinions, and someone suggesting 'let's just eat at the gas station by Hacienda', and suddenly, eating becomes the hardest part of your weekend getaway in Sahel. That's where we come in. We've tasted, tracked, and emotionally recovered from the full chaos of the Sahel food scene, so you don't have to. Whether you're chasing beachside bites, group dinner peace treaties, or just a meal that makes sense after three hours in traffic—this guide has you covered. From coffee to cake, beach bites to bougie dinners, we've organized every reopening worth your hunger. This is Sahel Bites Back—the SceneEats ultimate guide to where (and what) to eat this summer. It's chaotic-good energy, but with Google Sheets discipline. BREAKFAST & BRUNCH 30 North Alamein, Diplo & Lasirena Yes, it's a coffee spot, but it's also got one of the most underrated breakfast menus on the coast. Eggs, toast, croissants, smoothies, you can either grab-and-go or sit and pretend you're not eavesdropping on the table next to you. Qahwa Marassi If you're a breakfast classicist, Qahwa delivers. The pancakes are genuinely excellent, the eggs never miss, and great for when you want something familiar but still coastal-core. Koffee Kulture Branches all over Sahel Koffee Kulture is what you make of it. You can grab a canned cold brew and run, or you can sit and order a full-on breakfast with eggs, avo toast, and actual intention. It's the caffeine constant of the North Coast. Lychee Seashell, Swan Lake, Almaza, Hacienda Red & Marassi Lychee is the go-to for anyone trying to convince themselves that their Sahel trip is a wellness retreat. Bowls, smoothies, nut butters, protein add-ons, you can build the kind of breakfast that makes you feel like you've already worked out (even if you haven't). Mistiqa MV Ras El Hikma, La Vista Bay & Amwaj The rare spot that lets you have fool, ta'meya, and mana'eesh at 9 AM without judgment. It's giving levant brunch meets Egyptian nostalgia with a tan. If you're in Ras El Hikma or La Vista and need something hearty before your sea dip, this is your move. Ladurée Marassi Marina This is the kind of breakfast that comes with a side of posture. You're getting eggs, maybe a croissant, maybe a tart, but definitely something that photographs well. End your meal with a pistachio macaron and pretend your summer budget isn't crying. Cult Hacienda White & Almaza Bagels by the beach? Always a good idea. Cult keeps it simple with solid coffee, great service, and the kind of breakfast that fills you up without slowing you down. Foufa's Masaya For the breakfast crowd that needs quiet, good food, and a proper mazag. Whether you're going for eggs, coffee, or something sweet, Foufa's is the kind of place where everything just feels like it's made with care. Small space, big soul. Ratios by the Beach Almaza Bay If you know, you know, and if you're from Maadi, you've definitely been preaching about Ratios. Their Almaza beach outpost brings the same perfect sourdough, croissants, and bowls that made you fall in love in Cairo. It's technically a bakery, spiritually a lifestyle. 1980 Seashell & Marassi 1980 has quietly built one of the most diverse breakfast menus on the coast. You can grab a coffee, a sandwich, a panuozzo, or something unexpectedly sweet—all in one stop. Cake Cafe Marassi Marina & Hacienda Red Everyone knows Cake for, well, cake—but their breakfast is sneakily one of the best. Think fresh bakes, egg dishes, and all the brunch things that make you stay longer than you meant to. And yes, cake for brunch is always allowed here. Ara Telal, Seashell Hill, Amwaj Ara doesn't try to reinvent breakfast, it just does it well. Fresh ingredients, clean flavors, and that rare calm energy that makes you forget you woke up five minutes before arriving. Eatery Diplo 3, Seashell Walk, Marassi Marina & Solare Ras El Hikma We need to talk about the feteer meshaltet. It's crispy, buttery, flakey, and frankly might be the most important breakfast item on the coast. Moxy's Marassi Moxy's is a bit of a sleeper hit. You go in and walk out slightly addicted to their paninis. If you're in Marassi and want something fast but actually filling, this is your best bet. Kazouza Hacienda Bay There's always one person in the group who wants a real Egyptian breakfast—and this is where you take them. Fool, ta'meya, eggs, eskandarani vibes, and no fluff. UPSCALE DINING Reif Kushiyaki Marassi Marina If you've never had Japanese street food plated like fine art, Reif is your awakening. The skewers slap, the sand-colored interiors scream understated luxury, and it's one of the few places where the hype is fully earned. Sachi by the Sea Almaza Bay & Marassi Marina You already know. This is where you go when the group chat says 'somewhere nice' and no one's in the mood to debate. Sushi, seabass, soft lighting (on its own island), your parents will love it, your date will love it, and honestly? You'll love it too. Izakaya Marassi Marina Loud, moody, and somehow always fully booked. Izakaya brings the whole Nikkei vibe to Marassi with loud cocktails, louder music, and ceviche that disappears in under two minutes. Esca LYV Ras El Hikma Esca's new Ras El Hikma spot feels like a secret you kind of want to gatekeep. Mediterranean with flair, beautiful without trying, and everything tastes like it was plated by someone with immaculate handwriting. The Lemon Tree & Co. Hacienda White The return of this OG coastal legend is for those who brunch like it's performance art and dine like the soft launch is being filmed. Always theatrical, sometimes dramatic, never boring. Galambo Hacienda White Seafood, sunsets, and that one friend who always orders oysters "for the table." Galambo is for those who want their dinner with ocean breeze and a side of maritime fantasy. Stanley Marassi Marina Back for another round in Marassi Marina, Stanley has already earned its place as a comfort spot with just the right touch of cool. It's nostalgic for the people who discovered it last summer, and still feels fresh enough to keep you coming back for more. Bar G Marassi Marina New kid, big energy. Bar G is the new exclusive spot to impress everyone you know. SAX Marassi Dinner-slash-live-show-slash-potential-core-memory. You're not just eating, you're clapping between bites and trying not to drop your fork during the sax solo. The Smokery Bianchi A coastal classic that refuses to disappoint. Whether you're there for the sushi or the seafood pasta, Smokery Bianchi is for people who eat dinner in white linen and mean it. Scalini Hacienda White Now with a new coastal home, Scalini is back to remind you that no one does Italian comfort like they do—especially when it's paired with sunset lighting and just the right amount of smug. San Carlo Marassi Marina After conquering London's food scene, San Carlo has officially docked in Marassi Marina, bringing its polished Italian classics and signature Mayfair flair. Pier88 Almaza Bay Pier88 doesn't change. It just relocates. Same energy, same menu, same DJ slowly transitioning from jazz to house while you're halfway through your burrata. Lucida Coast Hacienda Red At this point, Lucida is a Sahel classic, reliable, chill, and always a good idea. Whether you're going for the seafood, the music, or just to catch your breath somewhere that actually makes sense, Lucida's got you. Andiamo Marsa Baghoush Road trip-worthy. Andiamo brings drinks, Italian plates, and an air of 'how did we end up here but love it?' to Marsa Baghoush. Surprisingly great pizza, even better energy. Kiki's Hacienda White You already know what this is: the scene, the vibe, the giant salads and seared tuna that you only pretend to share. It's loud, beautiful, and still somehow the place everyone wants to be. Baia Telal There's something about Baia that makes 'just dinner' feel like the prequel to something you can't fully explain. The food's great, the energy's high, and if you don't post a blurry photo of the table mid-dance… did you even go? Beef Bar Almaza Bay This one's for the steak obsessives, the people who talk about cuts like they're birth signs. Fresh to Almaza Bay, Beefbar brings the kind of precision, technique, and melt-in-your-mouth moments that make meat feel like a love language. FAMILY DINING Eatery Diplo 3, Seashell Walk, Marassi Marina & Solare Ras El Hikma From molokhia to sushi to seafood pasta, Eatery is the Switzerland of Sahel dining. No matter who you bring, there's something they'll say yes to, and no one's feelings will get hurt. It's the ultimate group compromise, minus the compromise. Le Flandrin Marassi Polished, calm, and quietly reliable. The food quality is high, the crowd is low-maintenance, and it's where you take the family when you all agree on 'somewhere nice' but don't want to fight about what kind of 'nice.' Carlo's Marassi Marina & North Square Alamein A family staple in every sense. The menu is broad, the portions are generous, and there's always someone you know at the next table. Villa Caracas Marassi Lebanese food with a view and enough mezze to keep the whole table happy. Bonus: it's lowkey enough to feel relaxed but waterfront enough to feel special. Ovio Marassi Ovio has mastered the rare art of getting every family member to nod at the same time. From their bakery corner to their comfort mains, it's an 'everyone wins' kind of meal. Granita Diplo If you already love the Zamalek or Arkan branches, this one's for you. Same menu, same vibe, same iced hibiscus with a pastry at 6 PM crowd. For people who don't believe in seasonal personality changes. Gigi's Ghazala Bay Just opened last year and already feels like it's been around forever. Gigi's is the kind of classic that lets you order pasta, a salad, and a giant pizza to share—and somehow everyone ends up satisfied. Ayadina Marassi Marina For the families that like their food flavorful but their ambiance lowkey. Lebanese food without the performance—just good fattoush and freshly baked markouk bread with zero stress. Favilla Hacienda Red Quiet, tucked away, and great for when the group chat goes radio silent and you're the one making the call. Comfort dishes and enough space to actually hear each other. Gaby's Lakeyard Hacienda Bay & Telal With locations in both Hacienda and Telal, Gaby's is your go-to for casual, crowd-pleasing plates. It's reliable, relaxed, and always has something for the one friend who only eats pasta. L'Asiatique Marassi Marina Pan-Asian for the family that considers soy sauce a love language. Sushi, noodles, curries—it's a flavorful break from the grilled-everything cycle. Piccolo Mondo Marassi Marina Italian classics in Marassi Marina that won't cause a family feud. Think pastas, pizzas, and that one seafood risotto that always disappears first. Izmir Saray Seashell Turkish food in Seashell? Sign us up. but Great for shared plates and anyone who's craving kebab over calamari. Blaze Marassi Marina Easygoing and versatile, Blaze is the kind of place where lunch can turn into dinner without anyone noticing. Burgers, sandwiches, pastas—it's all here, and no one will complain. Umami Lavista Cascada & Lavista Bay East Lavista's own family-friendly spot for when you're craving variety but don't want to overthink it. BEACH BITES BRGR Branches all over Sahel The OG burger truck that's somehow at every compound and every memory you have of Sahel. Whether it's 2 PM or 2 AM, BRGR is always there when you need it most. Howlin Birds Diplo Diplo's go-to for fried chicken that actually bites back. Spicy, crunchy, and messy enough to ruin your white beach outfit in the best way possible. Dina Farms Diplo, Mountain View Ras El-Hikma, Dunes Mall & Marina 5 Sweet, savory, stuffed, or plain—they've somehow made every version of Egyptian feteer available in one place. It's giving roadside stop, but the kind that feeds your entire group and your childhood. JJ's Marassi & Seashell For when you want fast food that doesn't feel like fast food. JJ's hits the sweet spot between loaded, crispy, and 'should we order one more?' Pickl Seashell & Alamein A Dubai favorite that now lives in Seashell and Alamein—and let's be real, it knows it's hot. Smashburgers, nuggets, and fries so good they should come with a warning label. Sandwich Room Almaza One of Almaza's best-kept secrets. Cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, carb-on-carb action—it's all built to be eaten standing, dripping, and completely satisfied. Between the Buns Lakehouse The Club & Marassi Beach Clubhouse It's the kind of burger you think about two days later. Juicy, unpretentious, and exactly what you want after swimming too far or socializing too much. Maine Telal & Northed & Ceasar Lobster rolls on the beach = elite behavior. Maine serves up seafood shack energy with coastal realness—no frills, just flavor (and fries, obviously). Caizo North & Mountain View Egyptian soul, beach setting. Shawerma, hawawshi, and all the hits your teta would low-key approve of—just with better packaging and a lot more garlic sauce. Big Daddy La Vista Bay, North Square Alamein & Seashell The portions are huge, the fries are curly, and the energy is pure chaos. Big Daddy doesn't do subtle—and that's why we love them (and their surf and turf fries). Holy Buns Diplo & Hacienda White Their smashburger is exactly what you crave post-beach: juicy, melty, slightly sinful. Call it a guilty pleasure, but you'll still post it. Na2na2a La Vista Ras El Hekma & Cascada The name says Egypt, the food says soul. Who said kebda and sogo2 can't be enjoyed on the beach? Secret Society Northed You either know about it or you don't—and that's exactly the point. Burger, fries, and mystery sauces you'll keep thinking about long after sunset. COFFEE, MATCHA & THE WORKS Seven Fortunes Branches all over Sahel At this point, they're on every corner in Sahel—like a well-placed lifeguard, but for caffeine emergencies. Always good, always there, no overthinking required. Brown Nose Marina Marassi Yes, it's in the middle of Marassi chaos, and yes, the QR code drama is real—but it's absolutely worth it. That cup hits like a reward for surviving five roundabouts. Saints BRGR, Locations all over Sahel Found inside every BRGR and now kind of stealing the spotlight. If you're ordering a Spanish latte with your burger, this is the reason you keep coming back. 30 North Alamein, Diplo & Lasirena At this point, 30 North is a caffeine infrastructure. Whether you're iced, shaken, blended, or very specific about beans, this one's always around when you need a fix. Koffee Kulture Branches all over Sahel The one with the sealed cans and cult following. You've either been seen holding one, or posted it like it was part of your personality. Still hits. Cult Hacienda White & Almaza Yes, it's officially a coffee place—but the refreshers are the real main character here. They come with edible flowers, taste like summer in a cup, and somehow make you feel cooler just by holding one. Frio Amwaj Ismailia's finest in Amwaj, and yes, they brought the coffee. Think cozy booth, frappe realness, and the kind of coffee that feels a bit like a reward. Arabica Marassi Took Cairo by storm, now casually taking over Sahel one perfect latte at a time. Marassi's location is sleek, efficient, and always gives you that 'I know what I'm doing' energy—even if you don't. Social Specialty Coffee Mountain View True to the name—actual specialty coffee, not just vibes and syrups. A low-key gem in Mountain View for people who care about beans, brews, and not being handed lukewarm milk. Dancing Goat Marassi, Telal & Fouka Bay This one will have you dancing—literally. Cold brew, lattes, matcha, and a name that already deserves a loyalty card. If you spot it in Marassi, Telal, or Fouka, follow the goat. 1980 Seashell & Marassi Yes, they do sandwiches and pizza. But their coffee truck game? Also on point. A one-stop shop when you're craving caffeine and carbs. BAKERIES & DESSERTS Dara's Seashell, Marassi & Almaza Still the North Coast's reigning queen of ice cream and cookies. If you're not walking out with a cone and a second cookie 'for later,' you're doing it wrong. Copa Açai Hacienda White, Marassi & Northed Technically healthy, emotionally dessert. Their bowls are stacked, freezing cold, and decorated like someone's Pinterest board come to life. Ratios by the Beach Almaza Maadi loyalists already know this is the best sourdough you'll get in Sahel. Whether it's the pastries, the seeded loaves, or the dangerously good PB toast—this is peak carb chic. Moko Almaza Bay & Diplo Specialty chocolate with main character energy. Whether it's truffles, bonbons, or tiny slabs of cocoa magic, Moko's the place you go when your sweet tooth wants something a little... elevated. Voila Marina Marassi This is your family ezooma hero. Think full gateaux, cream-filled everything, and just enough sugar to keep your relatives civil for one full evening. Molly's El Abd Sidi Heneish The kind of bakery that makes you say 'we'll just pass by' and walk out with a full box. Flaky croissants, buttery Danish, and old-school baked goods that are fully worth the drive to Sidi Heneish. Cake Cafe Marassi Marina & Hacienda Red It's in the name for a reason. The carrot cake has a fanbase, the brownies have no business being that good, and it's the kind of place you end up in twice a day. Tortina Branches all over Sahel No matter the branch, the vibes are always the same: shiny, sweet, and lowkey dangerous. Chocolate everything, mini tarts, and boxes you pretend you're 'bringing for the house' but end up eating entirely on your own. Crepe 2000 Marina 5 A Marina classic. This is where Nutella met bananas and never looked back—best enjoyed at 1 AM, slightly sunburnt, and very happy. Soufflé Hacienda White A true OG that's been fueling sweet tooths and sugar highs since before 'soft launch' was a phrase. Molten, chocolatey, and always a little dramatic.
CairoScene
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
El Gouna Gets Its First Korean Street Food Spot With Garu's
From bao to banchan, Garu's becomes the first Korean street food concept in El Gouna, answering a growing demand for casual Asian dining in Egypt's luxury beach town. Jun 22, 2025 El Gouna's food scene is expanding its palate with the arrival of Garu's, the town's first-ever Korean street food restaurant. From bao buns to rice bowls and crunchy banchan, the new spot offers playful, casual dishes that have been missing from the beach town's limited Asian offerings. Founder Omar Khattab, a Maadi resident, said the idea came naturally: 'Being a Maadi, I've always been surrounded by Korean restaurants and culture, so I thought why not bring that to El Gouna?" he tells SceneEats. He saw a clear gap in the local market and acted on it. 'The timing felt right,' Kattab added. 'Asian food has really been swiping the market—mochi, boba, bao buns—so I think now is the time for Asian food culture to shine.' He also noted a wave of creativity in Egypt's dining scene, saying, 'There've been so many pioneers lately in the food scene, and it's truly wonderful to see how innovative we've become.' While sushi and poke have long defined the town's interpretation of Asian cuisine, Garu's introduces Korean comfort food to a more laid-back, street-inspired setting.
CairoScene
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Khufu's Wins Global ‘Resy One to Watch' Award
Khufu's Wins Global 'Resy One to Watch' Award Khufu's — a fine dining concept serving reimagined local cuisine beside the Great Pyramid — has become the first Egyptian restaurant to win the prestigious Resy One To Watch Award. In an exclusive interview with SceneEats in 2022, Giovanni Bolandrini, founder of the Pier 88 Group – the pioneering hospitality powerhouse that brought Khufu's to life – said, 'My dream is to have Khufu's and the 'Egyptian Kitchen' recognised around the world.' In the intervening years, what once seemed like an outlandish dream has become a reality. Perched at the edge of the Giza Plateau, with one of the most monumental views in the world, Khufu's has been awarded the 2025 Resy One To Watch Award — a prestigious honour from The World's 50 Best Restaurants that signals the rise of a future heavyweight on the global fine dining stage. It marks the first time an Egyptian restaurant — homegrown and proudly Egyptian in both concept and cuisine — has claimed this international distinction. Beyond the ranking, this is a recognition that Egyptian food — in all its history and heart — can hold its own among the world's most elite kitchens, and do so on its own terms, in its own city, against the skyline of its own past. 'When we opened Khufu's beneath the Great Pyramid, it was more than a restaurant — it was a tribute to Egyptian soul, a celebration of heritage through world-class hospitality,' Bolandrini told us this morning, hours after the news broke. 'This award isn't just a recognition of our journey; it's a sign that Egyptian cuisine and storytelling belong on the global stage. I hope this moment inspires a new generation to believe that excellence can begin at home — and reach the world.' At the helm of Khufu's kitchen is Mostafa Seif, one of the most significant culinary figures to emerge from the region in the last decade. A Top Chef Middle East winner and a key voice in what is now being dubbed New Egyptian Cuisine, Seif's culinary imaginings have seen him reinterpret Egyptian favourites in myriad unexpected and wonderful ways — from his signature koshari with delicate, layered umami to smoked beef mu'ammar rice that's as technical as it is soulful. His work fuses precision with memory. 'Khufu's is proof that Egypt can deliver fine dining with vision, discipline and authenticity,' Seif told us, the emotion audible in his voice. 'We are not serving food under the pyramids — we are serving history, emotion and pride on a plate.' The award comes shortly after Khufu's was named the Best Restaurant in Egypt and placed No. 4 on MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list — an ascent that speaks to both the restaurant's artistic ambition and the growing appetite for contemporary local culinary narratives. But perhaps what's most compelling is that the Resy One To Watch acts as a kind of forecast — a nod to what's coming. And what's coming — if Khufu's has anything to do with it — is a new chapter for Egyptian dining: one that honours where we've been, and finally invites the world to the table.
CairoScene
07-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Alexandria's Tim's Claims That the Secret to Good Coffee is Love
Alexandria's Tim's Claims That the Secret to Good Coffee is Love Somewhere between the rise of millennial self-loathing and the matcha-powered war on caffeine, society seems to have turned on coffee—or at least on loving it too much. Maybe we've just seen one too many 'Don't talk to me before my coffee' t-shirts. Whatever the reason, coffee has become a bit of a cliché. It makes sense. Hardcore coffee lovers are routinely mocked for their devotion to Turkish roasts and pour-overs, while branding teams repackage the drink into a million hollow aesthetics. In the process, coffee has lost its soul. Muhammad Abdeen, founder of Alexandria café Tim's, is on a mission to restore it. A true coffee enthusiast, Abdeen once found himself adrift in a world of empty cups—until he rediscovered what made him fall in love with coffee in the first place. Before Tim's, Abdeen ran Mugs, a small, cosy café. 'Mugs taught us everything,' Abdeen tells SceneEats, 'from selecting the right beans to understanding how service, ambience, and human connection can turn a simple cup into an experience. Every lesson, every moment from Mugs, lives on today in every corner of Tim's. Mugs wasn't just a business—it was the blank page where every first was written. The first blend tested, the first espresso pulled, and the first regular customer remembered by name.' But over time, the business took over. The spark dimmed—until a quiet moment on a trip changed everything. 'The idea for Tim's didn't come from a business plan. It came from a feeling,' Abdeen says. 'It happened during one of my travels; I was sitting in a quiet café in a small corner of a city, watching how people connected over coffee. The light, the music, the way the barista moved with care—it all came together. And then, there was her: the girl behind the bar in Dubai, doing her job with genuine love, attention, and grace. Her passion struck a chord.' At that moment, Abdeen realised something was missing—not in the coffee industry, but in the coffee experience. He had visited hundreds of cafés, owned his own and lived and breathed coffee for years. But now, he wanted to build something different—something that combined everything he learned with the emotional richness he felt just then. It was that barista from Dubai who suggested Tim's name—and became the reason it exists at all. Everything at Tim's is built around the emotional core of coffee: connection. From the scent of freshly baked pastries at the door to the mellow hum of warm music, the space invites you to stay. Housed in a sprawling, high-ceilinged venue, especially rare for Downtown Alexandria, the café showcases Tim's globe-sourced signature blend with an atmosphere to match. 'The music is warm, thoughtful, never overpowering—setting a mood that makes you want to stay a little longer.' And people have stayed. Since opening, Tim's has become a magnet for coffee lovers across the city. Its success speaks to the very thing that inspired it: sincere, unpretentious love—for coffee, and the people who drink it.
CairoScene
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- CairoScene
Mediterranean Restaurant Almería is a Living Archive in Cinema Radio
With a menu that spans the Mediterranean, from Aleppo to Armenia, Libya, Spain, Egypt, and Lebanon, each dish tells a story, whilst inviting new narratives to unfold. The restaurant industry has become fast and individualistic, and is continually accelerating. A 'you eat yours, I'll eat mine culture' is swiftly encroaching on what was once a deeply woven ritual of sharing. Restaurant concepts come and go in rapid succession; ephemerality is no longer a side effect but a prerequisite for entering the restaurant business. In this race to keep up with ever-changing trends, restaurants pile on hybrid fusions, unexpected twists, and often, bewildering reinventions, tradition is being drowned out, slowly fading into the background. 'Almería is a response, an antidote to this acceleration and individualisation,' Reem Aziz, the managing partner at Mediterranean restaurant Almería, tells SceneEats. Tucked inside Cinema Radio on Talaat Harb Street, Almería stands as a downtown anomaly. Why, you might ask? While Wust El Balad has morphed into a maze of the new, crowded with flashy, imported concepts, Almería charts a different course. 'We're not trying to create something brand new,' Aziz says. 'Why would we, when what we already have is sensational, timeless?' That something she refers to is the Mediterranean: its culture, its culinary heritage, its layered, intricate history. A legacy rich with innovation, both celebrated and still waiting to be discovered. Almería stands in quiet defiance of trends, and in doing so, it reminds us that tradition, history, and heritage never go out of style. They simply endure with a simplicity that is layered with nuance and a quiet elegance. 'We set out to craft a menu and a space that serves as a living archive of the Mediterranean,' Executive Chef Elissa Aboutasse says. 'It's a celebration of the four elemental threads that weave through its diverse culinary cultures: wheat, olives, olive oil, and grapes.' Every dish on the menu includes these ingredients. The space itself is an extension of that ethos; intimate, textured, and warm, rhyming with the bustle of a Spanish tapas bar and spirit of a Turkish meyhane, where food and conversation flow in equal measure. Yet, this archive is not static, it's alive, ever-evolving, and in constant dialogue with the past, all while holding tradition at its core. 'It took us over a year to refine, curate, and craft a menu that spans the Mediterranean, from Aleppo to Armenia, Libya, Spain, Egypt, and Lebanon,' Aboutasse explains. Each dish is a story in itself, yet it also invites new narratives to unfold. 'We designed the menu, literally speaking. But truth be told, we didn't design it at all. History and tradition did that for us.' Almería's approach is of reinterpretation, not reinvention. 'We take fundamental Mediterranean ingredients and traditional culinary techniques, then play with them,' Aboutasse says. Take, for example, chargrilled aubergine, which serves as a unifying thread throughout the menu. Blended with tahini and olive oil, it transforms into the timeless, smoky moutabbal. In another iteration, breadcrumbed, deep-fried aubergine is layered over a bed of homemade black garlic labneh, creating the restaurant's signature eggplant Milanese, a dish that gently fuses culinary lineages from across the sea. 'We chose the name Almería because it is a singular, simple word that connotes and morphologically epitomises this notion of blend,' Aziz says. Named after a city in Spain that had been strongly influenced by Arabic culture, Almería literally means 'the mirror' in Arabic, invoking the way the city reflects the waters of the sea. When it comes to the restaurant itself, this name further invokes the way Mediterranean countries are all bound physically by the sea, refracting and echoing each other culturally and historically. The word also morphologically bears resonance to Arabic and Spanish, invoking the blend of Arabic and European. Almería, a singular word, speaks and sings volumes. At the heart of this culinary archive is the mouneh room. For those unfamiliar, mouneh is a Lebanese-style pantry, brimming with ferments and pickles that, while varying across regions, share a common Mediterranean thread. 'In Lebanon, mouneh originated from abundance; the surplus of seasonal produce, like lemons and aubergines,' Aboutasse explains. But this pantry is more than just a collection of ingredients; it is the soul of the restaurant's menu. 'Our hot sauce is made from in-house fermented chilies, strawberries, and dark chocolate. We ferment our own black garlic and lemons - most dishes incorporate something from our mouneh.' Wheat, too, grounds the menu, symbolically and practically. 'So many mezze dishes are held together with bread,' Aziz reflects. 'It's an invitation to share, to indulge together'. Sourdough pita, manouche, pizzas, and flatbreads aren't sides. 'They're integral to the rhythm of the meal: something to pass, to tear, to anchor conversation.' Driven by the belief that an archive should be dynamic - active, inclusive, and ever-expanding - Almería is designed to be a living space, one that grows alongside the community. 'We aim to use Almería as a platform for a variety of community initiatives, fostering engagement with Mediterranean culinary history, culture, and tradition,' Aziz explains. To date, Almería has hosted a Haneen's Kitchen Iftar, a Mother-Daughter chef-duo Moroccan Iftar by Sara Moullablad, and an exhibition showcasing the work of an Algerian artist. Plans are in motion for more culinary workshops, performances, and installations. 'The vision is to cultivate a balanced, sustained relationship between the restaurant and its community. We invite stories from our guests and use those stories to shape our menu. We give them a map and ask them to share tales of unique, traditional dishes from their regions. This process helps us keep the archive active, alive,' Aziz says. 'We welcome everyone to Almería, to immerse themselves in tradition. We invite them to bring their stories, and to add a new chapter with a memory from the past.'
