Maybe it’s the beginning of the month and your pocket is a bit fatter than usual, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend it all in one place! But since you should still treat yourself to a nice meal out now and then, here are our top 8 picks for restaurants in Cairo where you can get so full to the point of having to (sneakily) unbutton your pants and only for under 100 LE:

1. Chick Shack: Zamalek

If you’ve recently passed by 26th of July street in Zamalek, then you will have definitely noticed this new (very) brightly lit restaurant. It offers delicious rotisserie chicken with a wide range of American and Egyptian style side dishes. We recommend the classic half chicken with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables which only stands for 50 L.E., or a whole chicken for only 55 L.E.

2. Kazouza: Maadi

This is one of Maadi’s new IT places. It features cute modern European decor with an old school Egyptian food menu including sweet and savoury feteer (the prices range from 25 LE up to 60 LE for the meat feteer) and a wide range of sandwiches such as hawawshi (26 LE) and Kebda eskanadarani (12 LE). Some might consider the prices to be a bit over the top as you can get the same food downtown for less than half the price, but it’s honestly worth it cause of the portions, service and environment.

3. Burger Factory: Zamalek/Korba/Tagamoa Khamis

This growing chain has taken Cairo by storm. Their unique and mouth watering hearty burgers are to die for. We recommend going for the Cowboy burger or the Shrooms burger (both at 43 LE). You can also double your patty for an extra 20 LE. (Tip: their upside down apple pie is the best in town, just sayin).

4. Armando Restaurant and Cafe: Heliopolis

Wide range of cuisines in one restaurant? check. Big portions to satisfy you? check. Nice environment and service? check. Aramndo’s deserves more recognition than it receives. This Heliopolis gem serves up some of the best chicken dishes – we recommend the Cordon Bleu (59 LE) and the Chicken and Mozzarella (67 LE). All dishes are served with your choice of 2 side dishes so you don’t have to worry about starters or paying extra for side dishes.

5. Cairo Kitchen: Zamalek/Maadi

Cairo Kitchen’s simple but super versatile menu is not only delicious and affordable, but also super healthy! The taste will definitely remind you of your grandmother’s cooking. They have a “healthy” koshary (21 for a regular portion), yes I know, genuis. They also have a different special everyday of the week. We recommend the Meatballs Vermicelli (44 LE) which is served on Sundays and the Egyptian Fatta (62 LE) served on Fridays. They also have a lot of sides with generous portions including Molokheya (15 LE) and Fereek (12 LE).

6. Porta D’oro: Mohandessin

The cutest little place with traditional Italian decor is famous among Mohandessin residents. It’s well known that these small restaurants always have the best food. We advise you to start with their Crema di Funghi (18 LE), which is made with super fresh mushrooms, none of that canned crap. Their Lasagna (45 LE) and Seafood Risotto (60 LE) will keep you coming for more!

7. Vinny’s Pizzeria: Maadi

We didn’t wanna include a pizza place because you can easily get a pizza for under 100 LE, but this place is definitely worth mentioning. What’s special is you can get singular slices if you always get full after a couple of slices and have to give away the rest of your pizza. Each slice is also the proper XL size that’s hand-tossed New York style. We recommend getting a slice of Pepperoni (14 LE), a slice of 4-cheese (14 LE) and/or a slice of the Classic Veggie (12 LE).

8. Sattva Steps: Zamalek

Another international cuisine little gem in Zamalek with huge, but also healthy portions. What’s special about this place is that they not only provide the calories in each plate, but also the amount of steps it would take to burn off the dish, so smart I know. They also provide board games such as pictionary and jenga so you and your friends can get a meal and entertainment out of the deal. We recommend the Shish Tawook (55 LE) which is 600 cals. and apparently requires 15000 steps to burn off, or the Pasta Arrabiata (29 LE) which is 580 cals. and requires 14500 steps to burn off.