The Oasis Cafe
Unassuming entrance to the Oasis
The Oasis is not the easiest eating place to find, but it is worth the effort. Facing the Mercure hotel, go left and take the road that runs along the side of the hotel. On the same side of the road as the side of the hotel, not very far from the next junction, is a tall pink building that houses the Oasis cafe on the ground floor.
In some ways the Oasis is reminiscent of the Sofra, but not as large inside and the furniture is not as ornate. There is an entrance lobby, where a cashier directs you to the room you need. There are small smoking and non-smoking eating rooms and a third room where you can order take-away or eat at table.
The decor is dark and a little tired but suits the character of the building. The menu is largely snacks, with a good variety of soups with a menu price from about LE12, salads from LE15, omelets from around LE20 and sandwiches. Main meals include steaks from around LE50 and pasta dishes for around LE35.
Oasis salad
There is a non-optional service charge of 12%, which is added to the bill before you get it. We think this is a little cheeky. A tip should be given for good service and it is not up to the cafe to assume that all customers will each think that the service is worth the same amount. In reality, regard the prices as 12% more than the menu suggests. So a steak is LE56, which is a bit steep when the going rate at very well reputed restaurants at the southern end of town charge well under that but the quality is excellent and the near-constant flow of customers pays testament to its deserved popularity.
Drink variety is good, too, but again prices are, by and large, a tiny bit higher than at the Nile-side restaurants at LE8 for most soft drinks and around LE15 for most fresh juices and from LE9 for hot drinks, all before the compulsory service charge.
We particularly like the Oasis salad which is adds fruit to the normal salad fare and at LE28 with service charge is a good bet for lunchtime snack as well as the start of a bigger meal.