Arola Brasserie Brings Michelin-Star Flair to Friday Brunch

West Cairo’s Giza Palace Hotel & Spa has turned Friday afternoons into something of an occasion. Running from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM every Friday, The Palace Brunch at Arola Brasserie is a sprawling, take-your-time affair that suits the end of the week perfectly.

At the heart of the experience is the food. Overseen by two-Michelin-starred chef Sergi Arola—whose Madrid restaurant once earned him international acclaim—the brunch unfolds as a carefully composed buffet rather than a standard spread. Mediterranean and Ottoman-inspired dishes sit alongside fresh seafood, paella, sushi flown in from the hotel’s Pan-Asian restaurant ONU, carving stations, and live BBQ. It’s generous without feeling excessive, with a clear sense of intention behind every station.

Only then does the setting fully come into play. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a recent recipient of a Michelin Key, the palace makes an impression long before the first plate is finished. White columns and graceful arches rise above the surrounding cityscape, opening onto vast gardens and a wide pool that feels closer to a summer escape than an urban hotel. Long, light-filled corridors stretch through the property, subtly slowing your pace as the afternoon unfolds.

Live music carries through the space as guests move between indoor seating and the outdoor terrace, depending on mood and weather. The atmosphere leans into refinement, leaving room to linger, to go back for a second plate, and to let the afternoon stretch without urgency.

Families are welcomed thoughtfully: kids under six eat free, while those aged 6–12 dine at half price. Priced at EGP 2,100 per person (excluding tax and service charge), The Palace Brunch offers more than a meal—it offers a few unhurried hours in a setting that assumes time is on your side.