Discovering the Best Cafes in Egypt: A Journey Through Culture and Coffee

Dec 07, 2025 0

Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and vibrant culture, also boasts a thriving café scene. From historic gems tucked away in bustling bazaars to modern hotspots in upscale neighborhoods, Egyptian cafes offer a unique blend of atmosphere, delicious treats, and cultural experiences. This guide will take you on a journey through some of the best cafes in Egypt, highlighting their unique features and must-try offerings.

Cairo Skyline

The Allure of Alexandria's Cafes

In Alexandria, a city steeped in history and facing the Mediterranean, cafes hold a special place. Unlike Cairo, Alexandria boasts a unique café culture influenced by its Greek heritage.

Kom el-Shpoqafa Cafe: The name of the cafe harks back to the days when Alexandria was a Roman city. “After eating and drinking, people would smash their pottery, plates and cups on the floor. It was meant to represent saying goodbye to the dead,” Rasha says, before telling me that when the nearby Roman-era catacombs were excavated, thousands of pottery shards were discovered from plates broken in this way.

Farouk Cafe 1928: The cafe's fame is all thanks to an audacious invitation during an extravagant procession to celebrate the marriage of Farouk I, the last king of Egypt, when a Greek woman suddenly ran up to the king and demanded that the royal couple come to her cafe.

Sofiano Poulo: Dating back to the early 19th century, Sofiano Poulo started life as a Greek-run post office. But, in the 1930s, the founder's son made the momentous decision to convert the post office into a cafe and coffee bean supplier.

Patisserie Délices: First opened in 1922, this patisserie, which is still in the hands of the Greek family who founded it, quickly gained a reputation as the place where Alexandrian high society went for afternoon tea and to enjoy its famous sugar-coated almonds.

Alexandria Cafe

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe: A Cairo Icon

One of the most iconic cafes in Egypt is the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe, located in the heart of Cairo's Khan el Khalili Bazaar. This historic café is a tribute to the renowned Egyptian writer and Nobel laureate, Naguib Mahfouz.

Khan el Khalili Restaurant and Naguib Mahfouz Cafe | Egypt Vlog 310 | مطعم نجيب محفوظ خان الخليلي

Who was Naguib Mahfouz?

Naguib Mahfouz was a famous Egyptian writer that is considered to be one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic Literature along with his contemporary, Taha Hussein. He was born in Old Cairo in 1911 and centered most of his early works and short stories in the city. Most of his tales, including plays for the stage, explore the themes of existentialism.

Over his lifetime, Mahfouz published 34 novels, 350 short stories, many movie scripts, newspaper articles, and theatrical plays. He wrote for well over 70 years in his career and went on to win the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988. He was the first Arabic writer ever to do so! He died in 2006 at 94 years of age. But, he left a lasting legacy with his published body of work that is still being made into Egyptian and foreign films today.

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe history

Apparently, this cafe used to be simply be called Khan el Khalili that sat in the bazaar. As he lived in the area of Old Cairo, Naguib Mahfouz often used to frequent this popular cafe!

However, once Mahfouz went on to win the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988, the Oberoi Hotels Group decided to dedicate their new restaurant and cafe to him. So, they changed the names to the Khan el Khalili Restaurant and Naguib Mahfouz Cafe.

They opened the doors to the public in 1989! It’s definitely fitting as he was born and raised in this part of the city, so Khan el Khalili would have been one of his old haunts. Inside the cafe, you’ll find photos of Naguib Mahfouz on the walls and even some titles of his books ingrained in the wood!

It is hard to believe that this cafe only opened up in the 1980s as it feels like it’s trapped in time. You could just imagine it being here in the 1930s with the mirrored decor! It’s one of the many reasons I practically lived here while I was in Cairo.

Read also: A taste of Ethiopia

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe Interior

Why you must visit in Cairo!

Egypt and especially Cairo can be quite overwhelming for first-time tourists to the city. Khan el Khalili Bazaar is hot, crowded, chaotic, and can feel like a bit of a labyrinth! Not to mention it’s easy to get lost in the small laneways and corners.

This cafe is perfect for tourists visiting Khan el Khalili Bazaar and provides a much-needed rest stop while exploring. Here, you can try some cooling drinks and traditional Egyptian dishes! Plus, it’s the only place with a clean bathroom for miles in the bazaar FYI. You’re welcome.

What do they serve at the cafe?

During the day, you’ll find that the cafe has some amazingly refreshing juices, coffees, and teas on their menu plus some traditional Egyptian snacks. It is majorly set up for the tourist market but that doesn’t mean the food and setting isn’t incredible!

Their juices and coolers are probably the most popular items on their menu which is no surprise considering the heat of Old Cairo. I had their lemon and mint cooler many times. But, they also had others like Guava, Cantaloupe, Mango, Kiwi, Strawberry, and Carrot. They also have many Arabic coffees, espresso-based drinks, and teas that you can try. Including the famous Egyptian chamomile tea.

Food options are international but they do have some tasty traditional meals to try. However, a popular favourite served here is their Egyptian Hawawshi which is a stuffed pita or a meat patty. Or, you could try their spiced Baladi sausage sandwiches. I actually went for the national dish which is Koshari. Popular street food that combines Italian, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine! It’s served with macaroni, chickpeas, and a spicy sauce. It was delicious.

As alcohol is not widely consumed in Egypt due to religion, you won’t find any beer or wines on the menu. But, they do have non-alcoholic cocktails or mocktails!

Hookah pipes at Naguib Mahfouz Cafe

If you wanted to make your visit to the next level, then you could order a Hookah pipe to join you at your table! You’ll probably see many Shisha or Hookah pipes sold in the bazaars that you can take home. But, here, you can try it before you buy. At the cafe, they have many types of flavoured tobacco to try like apple, strawberry, menthol, and more! You’ll find the waiters preparing them at the back of the restaurant.

How to find the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe in Khan el Khalili Bazaar

The Khan el Khalili Bazaar is one of the oldest parts of Cairo with the market dating back to 1511. It’s said to be one of the oldest in the Middle East! So, you’ll find tiny alleyways overflowing with stalls, boutiques, and people. It can be quite a challenge to try and find anything in this maze.

But, thankfully, the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe is not too far away from one of the main entrances of the bazaar. It’s located on 5, El Badistan Lane in Khan el Khalili which is around 2 miles from the Egyptian Museum.

As the bazaar is car-free, you can get dropped off by a taxi outside near the Qalawun Complex and walkthrough. Most of the time, I used Uber in Cairo. This is far better than negotiating taxis as you don’t get as ripped off.

There is a drop pin for Khan el Khalili Bazaar so the taxi driver will drop you off at a point where you can enter. From here, you can find the cafe. I always used to ask locals in the bazaar and they were only too happy to give directions. But, don’t follow anyone if they offer to show you the way! This could be a scam.

Naguib Mahfouz Cafe opening times

The cafe is open 7 days of the week from 11 am - 2 am! So, there’s lots of time to plan a trip here while in the city. It’s the perfect pick me up while exploring the bustling bazaars outside and the air con is just the ticket.

Top tips & things to know before you go!

Smoking - like most of Egypt, smoking is still permitted in restaurants. Luckily, there is good air con inside but it’s not possible to completely avoid the cloud of smoke. If it is a concern or if you have asthma, I would be careful. Ask the staff to place you somewhere where there is less smoke or by a fan!
Photography - There are signs everywhere inside about not taking photos. But, for me, the staff didn’t seem to mind. In fact, they even asked me if I wanted to take some photos! But, try not to take photos of any other patrons. High rollers and important officials in Cairo come here to eat and they do not like to be captured.
Crowds - The Naguib Mahfouz Cafe does get crowded throughout the day with locals and tourists alike visiting the bazaar. You may have to wait for a table. Also, reserving a table in the Khan el Khalili restaurant is a must.

Cairo's Diverse Café Scene

Cairo boasts a diverse café scene, offering everything from traditional coffeehouses to modern, trendy spots. Here are some of the best cafes in Cairo, categorized by neighborhood:

Downtown Cairo

Oldish: A funky cafe with a lively outdoor patio serving Egyptian classics and international dishes.
Cafe Corniche: Inspired by old Egyptian cafes, offering traditional desserts and a charming atmosphere.
Eish & Malh: A hip Italian eatery and cafe in a restored building, hosting live music events.
sip: A small, cozy cafe with delicious lattes.

Historic Cairo

El Fishawi: One of Cairo’s oldest cafes, dating back to 1771, known for its historic charm and traditional mint tea.

Zamalek

Garden Promenade Cafe: An outdoor cafe surrounded by lush gardens and Grecian statues.
Antique Khana: A cozy cafe filled with antiques and offering a charming atmosphere.
Sufi Cafe & Bookstore: A quirky and colorful cafe with an array of books on Sufism and spirituality.
Holm: A tiny and hip cafe on a quiet sidestreet, perfect for unwinding with tasty sweets and great lattes.

Heliopolis

Tree Trunk: A bohemian chic bistro with a balcony overlooking historic Heliopolis, filled with antiques and curiosities.
Bouchee: A family-owned cafe in Korba Square offering French pastries, croissants, and artisanal desserts.

Cafe	Neighborhood	Description	Must-Try
Naguib Mahfouz Cafe	Khan el Khalili, Cairo	Historic cafe dedicated to the Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz	Lemon and Mint Cooler, Egyptian Hawawshi
El Fishawi	Historic Cairo	One of Cairo’s oldest cafes, dating back to 1771.	Traditional Egyptian mint tea, sahlab
Oldish	Downtown Cairo	Funky cafe with a lively outdoor patio.	Oriental breakfast with fresh juice and falafel
Cafe Corniche	Downtown Cairo	Inspired by old Egyptian cafes, offering traditional desserts.	Ice cream and sorbets, cheese sambousek, lentil soup
Eish & Malh	Downtown Cairo	A hip Italian eatery and cafe in a restored building.	Espresso and thin crust pizza
Garden Promenade Cafe	Zamalek	An outdoor cafe surrounded by lush gardens and Grecian statues.	Cheesecake and oriental pastries
Antique Khana	Zamalek	Cozy cafe filled with antiques and offering a charming atmosphere	Creme brulee
Sufi Cafe & Bookstore	Zamalek	Quirky and colorful cafe with an array of books on Sufism and spirituality	Sweets along with coffee
Tree Trunk	Heliopolis	Bohemian chic bistro with a balcony overlooking historic Heliopolis	Breakfast menu, vegetarian and vegan options
Bouchee	Heliopolis	Family-owned cafe in Korba Square offering French pastries, croissants, and artisanal desserts	Croissant with zaatar and feta

Conclusion

Whether you're seeking a historic experience, a modern vibe, or a taste of traditional Egyptian culture, the cafes of Egypt offer something for everyone. From the bustling bazaars of Cairo to the Mediterranean breezes of Alexandria, these cafes provide a perfect setting to relax, indulge, and soak in the unique atmosphere of this fascinating country.