A family-owned Italian restaurant in downtown Cairo, known for authentic Italian cuisine and a Roman atmosphere.
Insights
ItalianPizzaSeafoodUpscaleDinnerLate NightCasual
Last updated: 8/31/2026, 3:44:15 AM
Key Information
CaiRoma Restaurant is a family-owned Italian restaurant that has been serving authentic Italian cuisine for over 12 years in the heart of downtown Cairo, specifically in Abdeen. It aims to evoke the atmosphere of Rome within Cairo, offering a casual and simple ambiance.
Customer Perception
Customer feedback is mixed. Many praise the authentic Italian taste, particularly the pizza and pasta sauces, and appreciate the Roman-like atmosphere and good vibes. However, significant complaints revolve around the restaurant being overpriced and overhyped, with a recurring issue of only accepting cash payments (no electronic options) and questionable VAT charges. One severe review reported an unsafe and disrespectful experience with aggressive staff. The quality of certain dishes like meatballs and tiramisu also received criticism for being mediocre or not matching the price.
Additional Details
CaiRoma has been operating for over a decade, establishing itself as a long-standing Italian eatery in Cairo. It provides delivery services through Talabat. A notable point of contention among customers is its cash-only payment policy and perceived high prices.
I rated 3 due to the below:
1- They charge 14% VAT while this restaurant does not meet the criteria to collect the VAT!
2- Receipt does not include the VAT QR code!
3- Only accept cash or instapay!
Other than that, I love the place, the atmosphere and vibes, the music and definitely the food!
Honestly one of the worst restaurant experiences I’ve ever had.
From the moment we walked in, the entire staff seemed angry and aggressive with each other and with customers. The service was completely unprofessional. What shocked me even more is that a place where the minimum order is around 450 EGP still doesn’t accept any electronic payment — cash only.
My bill was around 2500 EGP, and when I calmly asked how a restaurant at this level doesn’t offer card or electronic payment options, the staff immediately became defensive and rude instead of handling the situation professionally.
Things escalated for absolutely no reason. In front of my fiancée, the waiter insulted me personally, called me “stupid,” took off his apron, and threatened to hit me with the chair I was sitting on.
This wasn’t just a bad dining experience — it felt unsafe and deeply disrespectful. Definitely my first and last visit, and I honestly can’t recommend this place to anyone.
4
The restaurant reminds me of pizzerias in Naples Italy.
I ordered Bufala pizza and it was fresh and tasted good. Similar to authentic Italian ones.
The place is nice too. Casual and simple.
The prices are a bit expensive for a pizza though.
The fact that only cash payment is accepted keeps you hesitant to order more items.
Overall a nice experience.
3
Cairoma can be described in two words: overpriced and overhyped. That said, you’ll still have a good time. From the vibe to the hospitality of the staff, everything is great. You really feel like you’re in Rome but in Cairo, so the name fits perfectly when it comes to the atmosphere.
When it comes to the food, it’s a bit tricky. I tried three items. First, the Bolognese pasta (red sauce fettuccine with minced meat and meatballs). The sauce was perfect, and the pasta was cooked spot on. However, the meatballs tasted like homemade kofta—very mediocre and unpleasant. I’d recommend removing them and adding more minced meat to the sauce instead, because the sauce itself was excellent. Overall, the pasta was a 9/10.
I also tried the pastrami pizza. It was good—the cheese was nice and the dough was decent—but the sauce and the pastrami were very bland, lacking salt and depth of flavor. I’d rate it a 7/10.
The most disappointing item was the tiramisu. It tasted like something you could get from a local dessert shop, but at half the size and triple the price. I’ve had much better tiramisu from local cafés for less than half the price. It was really disappointing and honestly ruined the experience.
Don’t get me wrong, the quality of the food was good, but the pricing and some of the flavors didn’t match. I wouldn’t come back personally, but as an overall experience, it’s a solid 3 stars.
3
I went there with a friend on a Friday night around 20:00 O‘clock. There was no waiting time.
They accept CASH ONLY!
The place is easy to reach. The atmosphere, the music the decorations are beautiful and so Italian.
By the door you will meet a nice girl who will guide you to a table.
The menu is not too big; pizza, pasta, few options of salad and soup, and for dessert Tiramisu.
For drinks there is only water, Pepsi, Sprite and Cola zero.
We ordered mix pizza half salmon half Buffalo cheese. It came in about 10 minutes and it was so delicious 4.5/5. The portion was okay but mostly only enough for one hungert person.
Pizza prices are in the same range of the same quality pizza restaurants, we paid 390 Egp for the pizza + 14% Vat
While appetizers and soup seemed unreasonable and overpriced. (attached you can see a photo of the menu)
The reason I rated the place 3 is mainly the service. There is a lady there with a ponytail, she was so unfriendly, she doesn’t even put a fake smile while taking your order. However, we noticed she being friendly with specific tables, which was so disappointing.
After we told our experience to some friends, they mentioned that they had the same issue with the same lady when they were there.
A sad exclusion was that the place is more Foreigners friendly and mostly Egyptians unfriendly.
We hope they change this attitude soon so we can enjoy their delicious pizza again.