Nile view coffee shop (used to be Maro)

[Barb]

Last night we went to the Nile view coffee shop on the corniche, the place that used to be maro. We ordered 2 nescafes for me and my sister and 2 teas for our friends. When I asked for the bill I was told it was 48le!!!! I said to him that he must be joking but then our Egyptian friend intervened and said we were not paying that and got a bill for 28le, which was bad enough. Our friend said he hates the dual pricing system here. The nescafe came in the tiny little cups that only contain about 2 mouthfuls and was nearly cold and didnt taste very nice either.

Needless to say we will not be going back there and will not be recommending the place to anyone.

[Bearded Brian]

Having been 'ripped off' at quite a few places over the cost of my cuppa I always ask how much it's going to be before I order. at Karnak they wanted 15le, I laughed - the price came down to 8LE, I asked to see the menu - no menu but the price came down to 7le - we eventually settled for 3le - after 3 glasses of tea I left. I never mind paying the price on the menu because I have the choice to order or not and I don't usually haggle over a le or two but when the initial rip off price was so high it irked me somewhat.

[Dusak]

If I'm going on the trots around Luxor, especially along the corniche with my Egyptian friend I always give her 20Le to put in her purse. Approaching the first watering hole I tell her what I want. It pleases my greatly to receive them at the local prices. Especially at one or two that tell her in Arabic to get me to order so they can charge the tourist price. Its at that point in time that I realize just how wonderful life can be. A small step for mankind, but a victory for my wallet.

[BENNU]

When I heard that Cilantro was opening a branch in Luxor, I was very excited. The concept of Cilantro is something in between the traditional coffee shop for men and the international chains in Cairo, and I think that an Egyptian owned alternative to both is a good idea. It is nice to know that a place like that exists in Cairo and I have been dying to find out where in Luxor they would open a Cilantro café.



I read on facebook that it is in the former Maro, which is even better news, because that was an awful place. Now can anyone tell me where Cilantro is situated in Luxor, since there is a Nile View coffee shop, where I was expecting to find a great café with gourmet coffee and snacks?


http://www.cilantro-cafe.com/

[Chocolate Eclair]

Cilantro is where the old Metropolitan Coffee Shop used to be associated with El Kabagy.

Sorry I have not been in to expand on this, I associate the place being for tourists and more than likely carrying a dual price menu. Dual price places should be exposed and then given a wide berth, it is the only way they will stop - Advertise and do not use, sorry I know I will get shot down on this but Sindbads is no better!! Cater for the few, sting the rest!

[Barb]

I read on facebook that it is in the former Maro, which is even better news, because that was an awful place. Now can anyone tell me where Cilantro is situated in Luxor, since there is a Nile View coffee shop, where I was expecting to find a great café with gourmet coffee and snacks?

Yes sorry Bennu, it was me that said it was the old maro but its further up the corniche, Choc is right.

[Barb]

BB there was no menus around but last time I went there (when it was Maro) we had 6 coffees, there were 3 of us, and the bill only came to about 30le so I thought it would be about the same. I was shocked!!!!

[Remus]

Yes, Cilantro in Cairo is very good. Is the one next to Metropolital open? I've seen no customers there.

Does anyone go to the Metropolitan or Kebabgi since they stopped selling Stella? There was no one in either as I passed by them this morning.

[A-Four]

sorry I know I will get shot down on this but Sindbads is no better!! Cater for the few, sting the rest!

Why should you get shot down for this Choc, its true.

As a rule, I do not comment in this section for a number of reasons. There is more than just a duel- standard price. You may notice when a tourist group enter a restaurant on the WB, the guide will go up to the owner long before any of his flock have even sat down. The guide often sets a price that often leaves little room for any profit.

Another is when groups, usually from Hurgarda, take a packed lunch into a WB restaurant, and owner get just the price for drinks. When I have been in such places, I have often heard the tourists in such group say to the waiter 'No thanks, we have brought our own water'.

[Chocolate Eclair]

Thanks A4 but you know its true as well. Dusak, I hope you carry a shovel and bag on your back when you go on your trots around Luxor, that made me laugh, of course i know what you mean, but a vision came to mind.

[Chocolate Eclair]

A little later on!!!

Yes the guides are dictating the prices, cannot understand why the places put up with this,it goes to show how desperate places are to get money. 1le here 1le there, pecking at the forever crumbling cake, that is fast running out.....