Ramadan has arrived in Cairo and with it comes an endless stream of colourful and often kitsch celebrations. These celebrations, of course, largely revolve around lots of food, lots of people and even lots of mosalsalat – three things that have become key to the modern kheima concept.
This year, there are plenty of tents that are bringing these Ramadan traditions together with a sprinkling of entertainment and other activities. But apart from the tradition of it all, everything about a ‘kheima’ appeals to Cairene tastes – food, shisha, entertainment and, of course, antakha, making these tents ones to look out for this Ramadan.
Disclaimer: We are aware that none of these tents are actually tents. Please refrain from flooding the comments box with sarcastic comments pointing this out like last year.
The tent that started the tent craze back in the early nineties; Tarek Nour’s Ramadana is as popular as ever and this year takes place at New Cairo restaurant and bar, Burgundy – a fittingly chic venue for what is one of the more fancy-schmancy, high-end kheima options in Cairo. Click here for more info.
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Since last year’s Lanterns kheima, Uptown Cairo has hosted several big, festival-type events and it’s that hustlin’, bustlin’ maybe even rustlin’ spirit that will be carried into Ramadan this year. Set to open on June 10th, Uptown Cairo has enlisted the services of Alexandrian band, Massar Egbari, as the launch night’s entertainment. Nice. Call 16129 or 0128-355-7000.
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WAHAWI RAMDAN LOUNGE @ LE PACHA 1901
The cool kid of the kheima collective, Wahawi Ramadan Lounge, is back for its fourth consecutive year at Zamalek’s Le Pacha 1901. Like the coolest of cool kids, Wahawi does thing simple, offering a laidback take on the Ramadan revelry, while offering lots of board games (board games are cool, by the way), Euro 2016 screenings and more by the Nile. Call 0122-770-3329 for reservations.
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It feels like Si Omar has been around for ages – and it kind-of has. That in itself pays testament to its seemly undying popularity. Opening on June 8th this year’s theme – and the Fairmont Heliopolis takes themes very seriously – has yet to be fully revealed, but rest assured that it will be a typically vibrant feast for the senses, with daily oud and Oriental music performances, karaoke on Mondays, Playstation tournaments on Tuesdays and mosalsalat screenings. Call 16989.
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Gluttony, thy name is Riverside. Opening on June 10th, the versatile Zamalek venue is set to mark Ramadan in style, with a tent that brings together nostalgia and playfulness with a modern touch; expect a hotpot of fulsome food and endless entertainment, with the likes of Sha3bola and Adawaya set to perform. For more information, call 0121-280-1290.
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After the success of last year’s Mouled Galleria40, this year, the Sheikh Zayed dining centre will be awash with seasonal merriment with food set to be provided from a selection of its tenants, including Gaby's, Pomme de Pain, Cachima, Ayadina and more, while several surprises also await. For more information and reservations, call 010-9041-0438 or 0111-300-5140.
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WUST EL BALAD @ NILE RITZ CARLTON
As one of Cairo’s newest hotels, Nile Ritz-Carlton is set to celebrate its first Ramadan by playing on its Downtown location. Wust El Balad is set to open on June 6 and embrace the festivities with plenty of colour and pizzazz, garnished with a daily resident DJ, live Oriental music including a very special oud performance, as well as mosalsalat and Euro 2016 screenings. Of course, the food will be phenomenal. For more information and reservations, call 02-2577-8899.
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FEL TERRACE @ NINETEEN TWENTY FIVE
While it might not have reached the heights of Tamarai, Nineteen Twenty Five is still one of the more unique venues in Cairo, boasting the sexiest Nile views around. This Ramadan, the Nile City Towers space is hosting Fel Terrace - a tent that is said will be the perfect harmony between elegance and the kind of casualness that your mind, body and soul demands after a Ramadan feast, with live entertainment, a daily resident DJ and TV screens. For more information and reservations, call 0100-060-6566.
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These are just a few of the tents that are popping up this month – stay tuned for more…
