Andrea, Cairo

Friendly service and sumptuous chicken have been key to this family-oriented restaurant's success over the years. The winning formula has spawned a host of copycats with the same name, but the original remains the best. Located near the Pyramids, this large restaurant features a spacious air-conditioned dining room with a fireplace for winter and a much-lauded garden terrace for summer. Soft lighting, pleasant views and the sizzle of the outdoor grill create a relaxed ambience. Chicken roasted to perfection is the house speciality. Kebabs, kofte and quails are equally well prepared on patio grills. Portions are generous and can be supplemented with vine leaves, salads or dips; the latter served with bread baked on-site in a traditional clay oven. Local beer and wine are served, but desserts are not. Tourist groups swarm the garden terrace in the afternoons—mosquitoes on summer evenings.