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Best Cafés in Cairo (2026)

Cairo's café culture runs from the traditional ahwa, where men gather over tea, coffee and shisha, to European-style tearooms and pastry shops that date back more than a century. The most famous ahwa of all is El Fishawy in Khan el-Khalili, established in 1773, where tables spill into a mirrored alley and the evening crowds are part of the experience. It is the obvious place to try mint tea or Turkish coffee after a walk along Al-Muizz Street.

Downtown preserves the cafés of the belle époque city. Groppi on Talaat Harb Square, open since 1924, introduced generations of Cairenes to éclairs and ice cream, and Café Riche, a few doors away, was the meeting place of writers and activists for more than a century. Nearby, El Abd Patisserie is busy from morning to late with customers buying kunafa, basbousa and biscuits, especially during Ramadan. In Zamalek, Simonds has served pastries and cappuccino since 1898, and Mandarine Koueider on Shagaret El Dor Street is the place for tangerine ice cream and oriental sweets. Most of these places are informal and inexpensive, and many work best as a quick stop rather than a long sit. Carry small notes in Egyptian pounds, and expect queues in the evenings during Ramadan.

6 places · Updated October 23, 2026

Our top 3 cafés in Cairo

  1. El Fishawy Traditional coffeehouse, Islamic CairoThe celebrated coffeehouse of Khan el-Khalili, serving mint tea, Turkish coffee and shisha in a mirrored alley since the late 18th century.
  2. Groppi Historic patisserie and tearoom, DowntownA celebrated Swiss-founded tearoom on Talaat Harb Square, open since 1924, where generations of Cairenes have come for éclairs, chocolates and ice cream.
  3. Café Riche Historic literary café, DowntownA Downtown café opened in 1908 that became the meeting place of Egypt's writers, artists and revolutionaries, with photographs of famous regulars on its walls.

Café

1. El Fishawy

Traditional coffeehouse$Islamic Cairo

The celebrated coffeehouse of Khan el-Khalili, serving mint tea, Turkish coffee and shisha in a mirrored alley since the late 18th century.

View details — El Fishawy

Café

2. Groppi

Historic patisserie and tearoom$$Downtown

A celebrated Swiss-founded tearoom on Talaat Harb Square, open since 1924, where generations of Cairenes have come for éclairs, chocolates and ice cream.

View details — Groppi

Café

3. Café Riche

Historic literary café$$Downtown

A Downtown café opened in 1908 that became the meeting place of Egypt's writers, artists and revolutionaries, with photographs of famous regulars on its walls.

View details — Café Riche

Café

4. Simonds

Historic bakery and café$Zamalek

A Zamalek bakery and café dating back to 1898, loved for its Danish pastries, cakes, cappuccino and hot chocolate.

View details — Simonds