There’s something special about Alexandria’s old-school cafés and restaurants. Beyond the marble counters, vintage interiors and familiar menus, each one holds a little piece of the city’s history. They’ve seen generations come and go, served everyone from royalty to everyday Alexandrians, and somehow managed to hold on to a charm that feels increasingly rare.
From century-old patisseries to restaurants that once welcomed Egypt’s elite, these are five Alexandrian landmarks that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another time.
1. Trianon: A Little Piece of Alexandria
Since 1905
Some places become part of a city’s identity without even trying, and Trianon is one of them. Established in 1905, this café, restaurant and pâtisserie has spent generations being part of Alexandrians’ everyday lives. Rooted in the city’s cosmopolitan past and shaped by its Mediterranean and Greek influences, it has long been a familiar meeting point for coffee dates, pastries and leisurely meals.
From morning coffees to evening outings, Trianon has quietly witnessed the city change around it while remaining a familiar name. And perhaps that’s the sweetest thing about it: even as Alexandria moves forward, there’s still a little corner of it that feels like home.
2. Délices: A Century of Sweet Memories
Since 1922
At Délices, the recipes aren’t the only things being passed down through generations. Founded in 1922 by the Antoniou family, this beloved Alexandrian pâtisserie has spent over a century making its way into family celebrations, afternoon coffee rituals and some rather royal occasions.
In fact, Délices famously baked King Farouk’s coronation cake in 1937, followed by his wedding cake to Queen Farida in 1938. But beyond its royal credentials, what makes the place so special is the family behind it. The same Greek family has kept its traditions alive, with the same recipes and marble counter welcoming generations of customers. Some people come for a cake, others for a little nostalgia, but everyone gets a taste of a century-old story.
3. Chez Gaby: The Pizza Place That Won Alexandria Over
Since 1979
Back in 1979, Gabriel Asaad and Mohamed Abou Zeid took over part of the famous Au Ritrovo and turned it into something that would soon become the talk of the town: Chez Gaby. At the time, they were among the youngest restaurant owners in Alexandria, bringing a fresh Italian-inspired concept to a city that already knew a thing or two about Mediterranean culture.
With its relaxed atmosphere, affordable prices and two chefs working away behind the counter, Chez Gaby quickly became a favourite among Alexandrians. It was modern without losing its classical charm, and Italian without feeling too far from home. More than just a pizza spot, it became one of those places where different generations could meet, share a meal and feel equally at home.
4. Santa Lucia: Where Alexandria’s Golden Days Still Linger
Since 1932
Once a favourite haunt of Alexandria’s upper classes, visiting European performers and the city’s well-known faces, Santa Lucia has quite the history. For much of its early life, it was a popular restaurant with an adjoining nightclub, where evenings meant good food, music and a little glamour.
After going through a difficult period, the restaurant was brought back to life by its young owner, Yanni, who saw an opportunity to bring back its old charm while giving it a new lease on life. The idea was simple: preserve the memories that made Santa Lucia special, but create a place that younger generations would want to experience, too.
With a refreshed interior, an updated menu and a renewed following, Santa Lucia found its way back into the city’s social scene. It even won back visitors who would travel from Cairo just to enjoy a little taste of old Alexandria. And really, some places are simply too nostalgic to let go of.
5. Athineos: A Taste of Alexandria’s Cosmopolitan Past
Since 1900
Opened in 1900 at 21 Midan Saad Zaghloul, Athineos is a little reminder of just how wonderfully multicultural Alexandria once was. Founded by Constantinos Athineos, the establishment began as a glacerie and pâtisserie, with its elegant Art Deco interiors and specially made European tableware giving it a distinctly Alexandrian-meets-European feel.
It soon became a gathering place for the city’s elite, especially after Constantinos’ wife, Catina, took a more active role in the business during the 1950s, introducing ballroom dancing and live orchestras twice a week. After Constantinos passed away in 1955, Catina ran the establishment until 1968, before it was eventually sold to the Nassar family.
But perhaps Athineos’ most charming stories come from the people who passed through its doors. Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail once recalled watching the city’s elite from across the street as a student and promising himself that one day he would dine there. Years later, he returned for breakfast with his family. And it was also within Athineos that Naguib Mahfouz wrote his novel Miramar. Not every restaurant gets to become part of literature, let alone people’s personal histories, but Athineos somehow managed both.
A City That Keeps Its Memories Alive
Alexandria has changed in countless ways, but places like these remind us that not everything has to move with the times to remain special. Their stories live in old family traditions, familiar tables, recipes that have barely changed and memories that get passed down over coffee and cake.
And maybe that’s what makes these places so lovely. You don’t just walk in for a meal; you walk into a little piece of the Alexandria that generations before you knew and loved.
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