Long before espresso bars and co-working cafés became social hubs, the Arab world was already buzzing with conversation and poetry over cups of strong coffee.
From Cairo to Damascus, these cafés weren’t just places to sip — they were where songs were written and generations met. Today, many of them still stand, carrying the scent of cardamom and the echoes of history in every chair and cup.
El‑Fishawy Café – Cairo, Egypt
Nestled in the winding alleys of Cairo’s historic bazaar, Khan el-Khalili, El-Fishawy Café traces its origins back to 1797 and has been run by the same family for generations. Its cracked mirrors, mashrabiya woodwork, and well-worn enamel teapots speak of countless hours spent by writers, thinkers, and ordinary visitors alike. Located near the Imam Hussein mosque, it remains a magnetic spot where tradition meets daily life.
Café Riche – Downtown Cairo, Egypt
Opened around 1908 on Talaat Harb Street in downtown Cairo, Café Riche became a hub of intellectual activity, where authors and actors gathered. With its wood-panelled interior and archive of historic photos, the café retains its aura of old-world charm, even as the city around it continues to evolve.
Al‑Nawfara Café – Old Damascus, Syria
Overlooking the southern rear side of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Al-Nawfara Café is believed to be more than 500 years old, making it one of the region’s oldest still-operating cafés. With its basalt-stone courtyard, straw chairs, and tradition of hakawati (storytelling), it remains an enduring symbol of social and cultural continuity.
Shabandar Café – Al-Mutanabbi Street, Baghdad, Iraq
Established in 1917, Shabandar Café has endured wars, upheaval, and change—yet continues today as a gathering place for poets, intellectuals, and everyday Baghdadis. Its history as an “intellectual hub” sees the coffeehouse not just as a venue for beverages, but as a living forum of ideas.
Café des Délices – Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
Perched high above the Mediterranean in the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, Café des Délices (often called Café Sidi Chabaane) dates back to the 19th century. Its cascading terraces overlook the Gulf of Tunis, once a refuge for painters, writers, and musicians seeking calm inspiration. The café’s mint tea and panoramic view make it both a cultural landmark and a timeless escape.
Though time has reshaped skylines and habits, these cafés endure as sanctuaries of memory — where culture is brewed as richly as the coffee itself. Step inside any of them, and you’ll find that what’s truly timeless isn’t the décor or the recipe, but the conversation that never seems to end.
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