Cilantro Cafe

Cilantro Cafe in Naama Bay is a branch of an Egyptian cafe chain, serving breakfast, coffee and light meals in Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. Cilantro is one of the best-known domestic cafe brands, and its Naama Bay outlet gives visitors a familiar, air-conditioned stop in a resort district dominated by restaurants and bars. It works for an early breakfast before a dive trip or a late coffee after dinner.

The menu centres on espresso-based coffee. Cappuccino is the listed specialty, joined by lattes, iced coffees, teas and juices. Chicken sandwich is the signature savoury item, and the card extends to breakfast plates, croissants, salads, wraps and pastries. Cheesecake and other desserts round out the offer. Prices are mid-range ($$) by Egyptian standards, reflecting the chain's positioning, and a coffee with a sandwich typically costs more than at a traditional ahwa but less than at a full-service restaurant.

The cafe is bright, casual and quiet by Naama Bay standards, with soft music, air-conditioning and seating suitable for reading or working on a laptop. There is no dress code. It is open daily from about 08:00 until 02:00, one of the longer sets of hours on the strip, so it covers breakfast, afternoon breaks and late-night coffee. No alcohol is typical for a cafe of this type, so visitors should expect coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks.

Walk-in service is the norm and reservations are not needed. Peak times are mid-morning and after dinner in high season from October to April, when seating can fill, but turnover is brisk. The cafe's Naama Bay position makes it convenient for guests of many nearby hotels who prefer a quick breakfast outside the hotel buffet.