The best bars and cafés Cairo

The great institution of cafes and beer bars, a few steps from Tahrir Square, the National Museum and the Museum of Islamic Arts. Here all social classes cross and in Cairo, it's rare. From the diplomat to the taxi driver to the provincial student, they all mix without judging each other. Milad, the gritty bartender who throws beers like you would roll the dice, is a cult figure downtown. A cartridge hole in a window reminds us that the bloody hours of the 2011 Revolution are not so far away.

The most photogenic and at the same time comfortable of the Khan. You are greeted by a statue of the Egyptian icon Umm Khalsoum. In the velvet armchairs, you are watched by amusing portraits of celebrities like the Mona Lisa, depicted smoking perhaps not very legal substances. On the house in front of you, child sized puppets complete this unique theatrical atmosphere. Here you can drink homemade juices or Turkish coffee, just like at home, listening to the sounds that have marked the country.

The institution was once frequented by Prince Hassan, great-grandson of Khedive Ismail. The place does not lack charm. The entrance, with its wood panelling and arches, is reminiscent of the local British pubs. The clientele is older than usual. One crosses as many Egyptians as Westerners. Good atmosphere, relaxed. You can also eat there very well, even if there is not much choice. Steak dishes seem to be the best choice, but the place also offers dishes of the day. The large bar is well stocked.

A drink at the Marriott is the best way to console yourself for not having booked a hotel suite. The bar, set up in the open air in the garden, is really very pleasant. In front of the hotel's swimming pool, the service there is quite slow. Hundreds of tables are set up all along the length of the building. The minimum charge is 200 LE. We go there to have a drink, but also to nibble some mezze, under one of the parasols set up to protect you from the sun. The waiters do everything to satisfy the customers, rather smart of the hotel.

A mythical establishment founded in 1908. Its cellar connected to tunnels served as a hideout for many revolutionaries who wanted to put an end to the English occupation. In the 1950s, it became an intellectual mecca, where journalists, politicians and spies met! Black and white photos and outdated costumes of the waiters accentuate this journey through time. You can smoke there without being smoked. Mezze, fries and salads to accompany the beer. The service is quite slow, however, so don't be in a hurry when you go there.

Located in the green Maadi, the founders Hoda, Rana and Nadia decided to create this space to provide interested people a place where art can be enjoyed and artists a place to flourish. The Café organizes multiple artistic workshops for adults and children (painting, mosaic, jewelry making, photography, woodworking...). It also offers a place where you can simply drop by to buy or sell art. The Café promotes a family atmosphere to please both children and parents.

Très Bon is a chain of cafés and restaurants whose owner, Seif Bakr, has opened several branches. The food is varied, from Egyptian and Oriental to Italian and international. A variety of pastries are available to accompany your cappuccino once you've finished your chicha. A varied choice of chichas is also available. The address also boasts an attractive terrace. No alcohol is served, but fresh juices and hot drinks are available. Popular with the youth of Heliopolis.

More than just a chic shisha café, the Café Naguib Mahfouz was opened to pay tribute to the writer and emblematic figure of Egyptian intellectual circles. Located in the heart of Khan el Kahlili, this commemorative venue is a pleasant place to be. The paintings by Naguib Mahfouz on the walls, the titles of his books engraved on wood, the arabesque decor, the comfortable seating areas and a selection of hot and cold oriental drinks invite you to more than just a snack. It's a pleasant place to spend some time, even if it quickly becomes crowded.

Coffee to chicheño very frequented by the youth of Doqqi and Mohandessin. No alcohol.

Chicha bar overlooking the Nile, facing Mohandessin. Well frequented. This café, which has no particular charm, is part of a chain that has opened all over the country. However, its location has an interesting feature. As well as overlooking the Nile, it's just a few meters from the statue of Oum Keltoum and her home, now a hotel. This tribute is dedicated to the singer who, with each of her radio appearances, moved the hearts of an entire population.

The mythical café of the Islamic city, where Naguib Mahfouz, who won the Nobel Prize in 1988, and other writers and thinkers, like Gamal El Ghitani, liked to come. Now a tourist hotspot, it's a must for hawkers selling all sorts of artefacts. If you can, stop by in the morning, when it's still quiet. Also known as the Café des Miroirs for its many ice creams. Despite the Khan's narrow, winding streets, the café is easy to find, if you ask for directions from the al-Hussein mosque.

A unique address in Cairo, for its decoration, and its chichas served while listening to the diva... It is located on Orabi Street, in the centre of Cairo, opposite the "Cairo" cinema, which used to be a theatre. A café that the diva used to visit when she gave a performance at the theatre. It was during one of these visits that the owner of the café, then called Café Tawfik, negotiated with Oum Keltoum to use his name as a sign to pay tribute to him. This was in 1948, and since then the name of the queen of oriental music has resonated throughout the world.

Rooftop fashionable for its breathtaking view of the Nile banks loaded with towers, which seem infinitely high even from the 18th floor. This place is very popular with young Egyptians who come in groups to occupy the large tables on the beautiful terrace. If you wish to have an outdoor seat, it's best to start a little early. You can have a drink and a few mezze. The bar also offers some cold dishes, but the choice is rather limited. To avoid a sandwich at mealtime, it's best to plan to have dinner beforehand.

Large terrace and comfortable sofas. Crowded on the evenings of European championship football matches. This rooftop is frequented by the Egyptian youth who come here to drink a beer after a day of work or study. This hotel overlooks the headquarters of the mythical Wafd party. First Egyptian political party created in 1919, it embodies the vestiges of the first Arab nationalisms. The state of the building says a lot about what remains of this period. A reminder of the political effervescence that brought a democracy, which today is in a bad way.

This rooftop , accessed by entering through the hotel door, has a special charm with its wicker chairs and small mezzés of fool, cheese and raw vegetables. The advantage of being a little higher up is that you can breathe easier. This place welcomes all generations. Young and old Egyptians alike can be found here, smoking a chicha, accompanied by a cold beer. A limited choice of alcoholic beverages, but you'll be able to taste some Egyptian wines, which keep getting better every year. Such is the case with the famous Omar Khayyam.

The Zamalek rooftop is a nice place to come for a coffee at the end of the day or a beer in the evening. Its greatest advantage? Its superb view of the Nile. In a 100% Egyptian atmosphere, you can relax behind your glass and enjoy the moment. You can see the capital's biggest hotels, but also the boats cruising on the Nile... and the pollution that is all too often present. Despite this, this is still a great place to spend a relaxing moment in the somewhat chic Zamalek district!

Hoda Shaarawi Street and the surrounding streets have been annexed by small terraces filled with tables where Cairoites come to hang out with friends. The atmosphere is very relaxed, very pleasant and very local: plastic tables spilling out onto the street, a simple but friendly decor under the trees... People come here for a kawa, tea or hookah in the heart of downtown Cairo. A good time, in an atmosphere that's different from the rest of the city. A must-try before dining in one of the good little restaurants in the area!

Bar rather frequented by the youth of Maadi.

Bellini Cockail Lounge is the bar of the InterContinental Hotel, which is close to the CityStars shopping centre, Heliopolis and a few minutes from the International Garden. Its subdued lighting gives the place a somewhat serene atmosphere that allows you to cut the infernal rhythm of the city. The bar is excellently stocked with a variety of alcoholic beverages. Open until 4am, the place seems perfect for after parties . You can also stop there for a sandwich at lunch time and a quick drink atHappy Hour.

He wanted to compete with the Umm Khalsoum and its garden. An interesting atmosphere.