Literary Cafes of Talaat Harb

Madbouly Bookstore is a landmark at the heart of Talaat Harb Square in downtown Cairo, distinguished by a prominent awning over its storefront. This shop began in the nineteen-forties as a modest wooden kiosk where a young boy named…

Groppi sits at the edge of Talaat Harb Square, identifiable by its curving façade and intricate, colorful tile mosaics. Founded in nineteen twenty-four by the Swiss pastry chef Giacomo Groppi, this location became a centerpiece of Cairo’s…

Estoril is tucked away in a narrow alleyway connecting Talaat Harb Street and Kasr El Nil. It is marked by a quiet, unassuming entrance that leads into a space known for its dim, moody lighting and creaky chairs. Founded in nineteen…

Café Riche is defined by its dark, wood-paneled interior and its collection of faded black-and-white photographs of Egyptian cultural figures lining the walls. Established in nineteen oh eight on Talaat Harb Street, it operates as a bridge…

Zahret Al Bostan is identified by a blue illuminated sign above its entrance that describes the establishment as the concourse of literati and artists. Located in downtown Cairo, this coffeehouse has functioned for decades as a gathering…

Tanmia Bookstore occupies a storefront on Hoda Shaarawy Street in the Bab Al-Louq area of downtown Cairo. The shop is recognizable by its role as a specialized distributor of literature from across the Arab world, stocking works that are…

El Horreya Cafe is a bright, high-ceilinged space marked by its expansive marble walls and hand-painted advertisements that have lined the interior since the nineteen thirties. Located in Bab al-Louq, the establishment occupies grounds…