Azhar Park
Salah Salem Street
Cairo
www.alazharpark.com/lakeside.html
It was so hot, the day I went to Azhar Park. For some reason I love walking when I am travelling – perhaps it is the luxury of having time to do it – and insanely the heat never stops me. So on a hot, hot, Egyptian-summer day I walk from the Al-Azhar Mosque, through the fruit market, to the wrong entrance of the citadel, back around to the right entrance, and then eventually to Al Azhar Park.
By the time I got there, I was craving water. But I still managed to appreciate the beautiful surroundings.
The Lakeside Café opens earlier than the Citadel Restaurant (which I had originally planned to go to). The café is casual, outdoor, and has a lovely view of the citadel and, surprisingly, the lake.
I ordered the equivalent of an Egyptian calzone filled with cheese and thyme. It arrived served with fat, pickled chillies. As it was the start of my trip, I had to wonder whether the chillies should be considered as un-washed vegetables. I ate them. They tasted good. The bread with herb and cheese was good too.
This is a beautiful spot to relax. The menu is in English and there are vegetarian dishes.