Pepenero Korba — Restaurant in Cairo

Updated Review: Still a Gem After 3 Years!

It’s been three years since our last visit, and we’re happy to share that Pepenero has maintained its exceptional standards. While passing through the area recently, we decided to drop in on a Friday—luckily, they graciously accommodated us without a reservation (though booking ahead is recommended!).

Salad Bar Delight Available Thursday to Saturday, their signature salad bar is a masterpiece. Impeccably fresh ingredients, artful presentation, and inventive combinations—think fresh cheeses, vibrant veggies, and flavorful dressings. A must-try during these days!

The Main Event: Spaghetti al Frutti di Mare: A seafood lover’s dream—shrimp, calamari, and fresh mussels tossed in a rich tomato sauce. Spaghetti al Pomodoro: The kids devoured the classic Bolognese, praising its hearty, comforting flavor. Pizza ai Funghi e Tartufo: We added pepperoni to this white-sauce delight, with a crispy, airy crust, earthy truffle, and perfectly balanced toppings.

Ambiance & Service: The staff remains attentive and warm, elevating the experience. The interior dazzles with chic decor, soothing lighting, and a clean, modern vibe. Yes, the balcony overlooks a bustling street (embrace the lively energy—it’s part of the charm!), but indoor seating offers a quieter retreat. Some reviews complain about street noise on the balcony, which is very strange, as the balcony is overlooking a bustling, vibrant, busy street—don’t go to a place with a balcony on a main street if you fancy quiet dining! For a quieter meal, indoor seating offers a serene retreat.

Final Thoughts: Prices lean upscale, but the quality, ambiance, and service make it worthwhile. Whether it’s the inventive salad bar, flawless dishes, or the vibrant setting, Pepenero continues to impress.

Inshallah, we’ll be back soon—this spot remains a favorite!

First review One of the best Italian Rssturants. Best Lasagne in town, this is our secnd visit, and it is a charm. They have a Great Balcony overlooking main Street. Salads are really Great with fresh cheese. Original Italian pizza. You can sense quality of food.

They have the best Italian Salad bar, however it's served weekends only.

Staff is really on par, helpful, polite and with...

An Authentic Taste of Italy in the Heart of the City

As I stepped through the ornate wooden doors of Ristorante Papenero, I was immediately transported to the sun-drenched piazzas of Italy. The warm, inviting ambiance enveloped me, with terracotta tiles underfoot, rustic wooden beams overhead, and walls adorned with vintage photographs.

The menu, presented on weathered parchment, read like a love letter to traditional Italian cuisine. I found myself captivated by the bold, unapologetic flavors - each dish a symphony of fresh, seasonal ingredients expertly combined to create a symphony for the senses.

To begin, I indulged in the Caprese Salad, a simple yet sublime composition of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves, drizzled with an aged balsamic reduction that danced across my palate. The Bruschetta that followed was a revelation, the grilled ciabatta bread a perfect canvas for the vibrant tomato-garlic-herb topping, each bite bursting with the essence of the Mediterranean.

For my main course, I found myself torn between the mouthwatering options, but ultimately settled on the Linguine alle Vongole. As the server presented the dish, the aroma of the briny, -infused by clams and the perfectly al dente pasta wafted upwards, enticing me to take my first bite. The flavors were a revelation - the delicate brininess of the clams perfectly balanced by the richness of the olive oil and the zing of the garlic and parsley.

Dessert was an equally indulgent affair, with the Tiramisu proving to be a masterful interpretation of the classic. The layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, velvety mascarpone, and dusting of cocoa powder were a symphony of textures and flavors, a fitting end to an unforgettable culinary journey.

As I reluctantly bid farewell to Ristorante Papanero, I knew that I would carry the memories of this dining experience with me for a long time. It is a testament to the passion and skill of the team behind this establishment that they have managed to transport the essence of Italy to this corner of the city, offering diners a truly authentic and unforgettable taste of...

Don't let the vibe/view deceive you. Also, you have to make a reservation, walk-in is not fine. Anyway, Here's my 2 cents about it. the view is astoundingly nice it is a 2nd-floor restaurant with in/outdoor area, I usually sit outdoors, it is a large balcony with copacetic modern decoration and it can be heavenly relaxing at night they light up small red candles on your table and this was very romantic and relaxing with the moon over your head and the gentle wind breeze cool your face. The place also wasn't crowded at all the hygiene level is good. The food was blandly flavourless, especially their Pepenero pizza, the chicken was as if it's boiled and not seasoned at all! Yet the dough was very nice, and soft and had that crunchy chewy crust, the tomato salsa was rich, and the mozzarella or the burrata (I'm not sure) was perfffect! But overall, the pizza didn't hit the spot for me at all. I also ordered their chicken fillet with rosemary cream and penne plate, and it was actually very nice! I can tell that they are using fresh rosemary, and the sauce was very rich and flavorsome, the chicken wasn't seasoned again. But here in this plate I actually prefer it to be not seasoned, because otherwise it will be powerfully briny and each ingredient won't be distinguished. I previously tried their lasagna and I personally like it sm but I believe that it won't be liked by everyone because they use very rich tomato sauce so if you don't like the strong tomato salsa taste don't order it, They also have a nice gesture, they serve a delicious welcoming appetizer for you before the meal, along with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. My final verdict (after trying it twice) it is overhyped, the food was mediocre! You can go there for the view and the vibe only if you wish, but not for their food. The prices weren't that cheap, it was relatively high, to be honest. Also, the menu was super hard to read 😂 please simplify...