Café Riche

An absolute gem in downtown Cairo with a great deal of lore and history. Certainly worth a visit if you are in town. The food was delicious and while the drink menu was not extensive all the basics were available. Make sure you head back to the old dining room in back to see some of the history of the place. Nice to see a 120 year old establishment still going strong. Make sure you bring cash.

Located just 400 meters from the famous Tahrir Square, Cafe Riche is undeniably quaint and steeped in history. I visited specifically to experience the storied atmosphere of this landmark, and I must commend the servers; they were very courteous and provided good service throughout our visit. Unfortunately, the historical appeal was marred by a significant lack of hygiene. The interior felt unhygienic, and the inner hall, in particular, was stinking, which made it difficult to enjoy the setting. To my surprise, the owner/cashier was not courteous at all—a reception that was quite unexpected for a place with such a legendary reputation. The menu is very basic, so do not expect a wide culinary variety. While the servers do their best to make you feel welcome, the smell and the attitude at the front desk make it hard to recommend for anything beyond a very quick look at the history.

This iconic placed opened in 1908 and has some attached Foreign Press Association drinking den. You can get Egyptian fare from a friendly blue-costumed waiter. Prices OK- mid-range 200-400 mains. Tasty chips. Inordered roast chicken and veg- tasty. The atmosphere is perfect if your love is 19th century timewarp cafes where you can even smoke at the table. Wunderbar!

Old school place with maintained classic charm. Unpretentious but classy. Super friendly and accommodating staff. The musaka is excellent and is now probably my favorite dish in Egypt although I certainly lack experience with Egyptian cuisine. They maintained good service despite a huge group of 20 showing up without a reservation while I was there. Definitely would recommend serving the lemon artichoke with salt and olive oil though. It drastically enhanced it. Honestly would put it on it before sending it out. The world needs more places like this. It's excellent.

I recently visited a café that left a lasting impression on me. The staff were exceptionally welcoming, attentive, and always served with a genuine smile, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The quality of the food and drinks was outstanding, from freshly brewed coffee to perfectly crafted pastries, showing real care and consistency. Every detail reflected high standards and passion. The overall vibe was cozy yet vibrant, with soft background music and tasteful décor that made it ideal for both relaxing alone or meeting friends. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to return again and again.

Great ambiance. Go for a drink not for the food. Food was terrible. Cool old world vibes. Beware - People are allowed to smoke inside here. Also cash only which is super annoying.

I don’t understand why such a wonderful, traditional café is so poorly managed. They should keep it cleaner and create a more organized atmosphere. They don’t accept cards, only cash. The waiters were friendly, but the manager or owner was not. A bottle of local Egyptian beer costs 160 pounds, which is about 3 dollars. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.

As soon as we entered this restaurant, my family and I were struck by the filth and bad smells. The tablecloths were dirty, the plates and glasses looked like they came out of a non-working dishwasher, and there were cigarette butts and food debris on the floors. The food was truly awful, and the level of dirtiness was unheard of. The waiters were rude, and the owner was rude, forcing us to withdraw cash so they wouldn't let us pay with our credit card. They held us up until we returned with cash. By 2025, certain places shouldn't be open anymore. If you're in the area, I recommend KFC instead. But never again will I go to this filthy, dishonest place.