All addresses
Cairo · Khan el-Khalili
El-Fishawy Café
Cairo's oldest café, open without interruption since the late 18th century.
4.3Ratingour own rating€ BudgetUnmissable
An alley off the Khan, spotted mirrors to the ceiling, wooden benches, and a service that hasn't changed pace in two centuries. You drink mint tea or a sahlab, smoke shisha, and watch the souk go by. Naguib Mahfouz wrote here; it's very touristy now, and still worth it.
The extra bit
Come before 10am or after 11pm; in between it's a steady flow of tour groups. At night the quarter is beautiful and nearly quiet.
Know before you go
Prices are posted but well above a neighbourhood ahwa: you're paying for the room. Cash. Hawkers pass between the tables constantly — a smiling "la, shukran" is enough.
