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Restaurant

Cairo By Nights Restaurant & Bar

5/252 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Recommended by 60 people

Updated

Find Cairo By Nights Restaurant & Bar

5/252 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9654 1005
HoursMonday: 5:00 – 11:30 PM Tuesday: 5:00 – 11:30 PM Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:30 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 11:30 PM Friday: 5:00 PM – 12:30 AM Saturday: 5:00 PM – 12:30 AM Sunday: 5:00 – 11:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Cairo By Nights Restaurant & Bar

Lygon Street has plenty of pasta, but the sharp move is ducking in for heritage Egyptian cooking. Homesick regulars and interstate travelers trade tips on the generous spreads—bubbling claypots of spiced fish, tender veal liver, and hand-rolled vine leaves. Cold mango-mint juice and stiff cocktails balance the table. Come nightfall, live singers and belly dancers sweep the floor into an unscripted celebration, wrapping up over bowls of warm Om Ali.

  • Authentic Egyptian Fare: Slow-cooked claypot tagens, tender veal liver, and fresh hand-rolled vine leaves anchor a menu celebrating traditional Cairo comfort recipes.
  • Live Entertainment: Weekend dinner service comes alive with live Arabic vocals and crowd-engaging belly dance performances.
  • Terrace Shisha Lounge: An outdoor terrace setup pairs house shisha blends with cocktails, fresh mint tea, and hot desserts.
RestaurantEgyptianRestaurant

What's On at Cairo By Nights Restaurant & Bar

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Cairo By Nights Restaurant & Bar

From slow-cooked claypots and live Arabic entertainment to late-night shisha on the terrace, experience Melbourne's warmest slice of Om El Donia—book your table now.

  • Full Cultural Immersion with Live Music and Dance

    Weekend dinners transition into full-scale cultural immersion with dynamic live Arabic musical performances and interactive belly dancing that engage the whole room.

    There was live Egyptian music creating a fun and vibrant atmosphere, and the belly dancer was fantastic, engaging with the crowd and keeping everyone entertained.

    Jennifer Akman

  • Vocal Performances of Arabic Classics

    Live vocalists deliver beloved classic and contemporary Arabic repertoire, transforming standard dinner services into spirited sing-along celebrations.

    Mido's voice was absolutely amazing, and he sang all our favorite Arabic songs, both classic and modern.

    Habiba Warsame

  • Nostalgic Heritage Flavours That Evoke Home

    Diners from the Egyptian diaspora find deeply emotional resonance in authentic, time-honored preparations of dishes like molokhia and slow-cooked meats that faithfully recreate home cooking.

    the molokhia took me back to my childhood in the kitchen

    Rafik Tanious

  • Heartfelt Hospitality That Treats Diners Like Houseguests

    Hands-on ownership and thoughtful hosting create an intimate, family-like welcome where guests are looked after personally from the moment they step inside.

    we met the owner and chef, Tharwat, who welcomed us as if we were guests in his own home.

    Asmaa Amin

  • Relaxed Shisha Lounge on the Terrace

    The dedicated terrace offers a relaxed environment to unwind with quality shisha blends, fresh mint tea, and mezze long into the evening.

    The shisha was smooth, flavorful, and lasted well throughout the night.

    krystal

  • Complete Late-Night Feasts with Om Ali and Mint Tea

    Late-night table gatherings seamlessly blend traditional hot desserts, mint tea, shisha, and ambient music into an effortless social night out.

    Ending the night with a warm Om Ali, a glass of mint tea, and a smooth shisha, all while listening to the ambient Egyptian music, truly makes for the perfect evening.

    Irene Izquierdo

The dishes and offerings guests return for at Cairo By Nights

  • Om Ali

    The om ali is a must must must have.

    Michael Ilias

  • Shisha

    The shisha was smooth, flavorful, and lasted well throughout the night.

    krystal

  • Molokhia

    the molokhia took me back to my childhood in the kitchen and took it further somehow with something that improved it.

    Rafik Tanious

  • Veal Liver

    the veal liver remains my go-to dish. It was cooked perfectly tender, juicy, and packed with flavour.

    MJC

Other favorites

Complement your feast with refreshing house drinks and traditional starters.

  • Mango Drink

    The mango drink was refreshing and worked beautifully with the mint, making it a great accompaniment to the meal.

    MJC

  • Vine Leaves

    The vine leaves were a pleasant surprise they tasted fresh and homemade rather than something straight out of a can.

    MJC

  • Specialty Cocktails

    Even the drinks the cocktails speciality ones are super refreshing and yummy.

    ADITI SAHA

  • Lamb Sambousek

    We kicked things off with some flavorful Lamb Sambousek, setting the tone for the night.

    Eat Love Gram

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and personalized care that elevate the traditional Egyptian feast

  • Hands-On Chef and Host Hospitality

    Owner and chef Tharwat personally greets guests at the door, introduces menu specialties, and often checks on tables with thoughtful gestures like complimentary Om Ali dessert.

  • Attentive Coeliac and Allergen Guidance

    Staff take proactive care to walk guests through safe menu choices, ensuring coeliac diners and guests with allergen restrictions can navigate traditional dishes safely.

  • Seamless Menu Accommodations

    The kitchen accommodates bespoke requests without hesitation, happily adjusting mixed platters to swap standard cuts for regional dishes like quail.

  • Custom Shisha Blends and Attentive Care

    Terrace staff craft bespoke house blends on request and readily troubleshoot pipe draws to ensure an effortless, smooth shisha experience.

Before you head over

Essential advice on arrival timing, ordering pace, and dietary modifications to help you plan your evening—book your table early to guarantee a seat.

  • Time visits for the 9 PM weekend show

    Live music and belly dancing headline Friday and Saturday evenings, with performances typically starting around 9:00 PM. Book a table for 7:30 PM to settle in and order drinks before the room fills.

  • Pace orders around slow-cooked claypots

    Traditional claypot specialties such as tagen lamb roz moammar and sayadia are prepared fresh and can require up to 40 minutes. Order starters like sambousek or dips early to keep the table satisfied while claypots bake.

  • Consult staff for coeliac and dietary adjustments

    Diners with dietary restrictions or coeliac needs report that front-of-house staff carefully guide tables through gluten-free options and accommodate menu modifications without friction. Reserve your table ahead to secure your spot for the feast.

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