Shopping in Cairo
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Loft
In a rambling apartment, this eclectic store stocks local regional curiosities from small brass candlesticks to antique divans. Here’s where to pick up large painted tabletop trays like those in chic restaurants around town.
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Mix & Match
Well made and locally designed, these separates for women in wool, silk and cotton are reasonably priced and often feature subtle Middle Eastern details. A branch two blocks south, at 11 Sharia Hassan Sabry, stocks larger sizes.
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Lehnert & Landrock
A good place for maps, books about Cairo and Egypt (some secondhand), vintage postcards and reprints of old photographs. There are branches opposite the Egyptian Museum and outside the Sphinx-side entrance to the Pyramids.
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Mounaya
Egyptian cotton is a badge of quality in sheets and towels, though little of it is turned into fine products locally. An exception is the gorgeous hand-embroidered sheets and robes by Malaika at Mounaya.
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Wady Craft Shop
This charity store next to the Marriott hotel sells cotton bags, aprons, tablecloths, inlay coasters and silk-screened tea towels – all work done by organisations of refugees, prisoners and others in need of aid.
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Wikalat al-Balah
The main draw is secondhand clothing, mostly well organised, clean and with marked prices (especially on Sharia al-Wabur al-Fransawi). Further in, you’ll find good textiles, car parts and military surplus.
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Karama Perfumes
Cairenes adore scent, you can find quality perfumes at a few specialists, such as Karama Perfumes, which is very popular with locals for scent copies as well as its own blends and basic essences.
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Osman Ahmed
As he doesn't speak English or stock fabrics, Mr Ahmed is the least convenient tailoring option, but his skills transcend the language barrier. He's used to foreign customers, and can work off a magazine photo.
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Tao Gallery
Fun, not-too-pricey home-décor items, such as custom-printed window sheers, Arabic movie posters, even (terrorist-kitsch alert!) decoupage coasters featuring the bearded mug of Hamas' Sheikh Nasrallah.
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Dina Maghawry
This boutique showcases the local designer’s delicate cascading necklaces trimmed with semiprecious stones and other elegant but modern pieces. Not cheap, but gorgeous work.
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American University in Cairo (AUC) Bookshop
The best English-language bookshop in Egypt, with stacks of material on the politics, sociology and history of Cairo, Egypt and the Middle East. Plenty of guidebooks and some fiction.
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Orange Square
With books to select designs from and a decent stock of fabric, this trendy operation is the easiest place to get a suit made. But not the cheapest: prices start at E£1800.
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L’Orientale
This is a great outlet for rare books on Egypt and the Middle East, as well as lithographs, maps and engravings. Another branch (L’Orientaliste) is on Sharia Qasr el-Nil.
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Al-Khatoun
This gorgeous store stocks an ever-changing array of very chic light-fittings, alabaster pots, tablecloths, jewellery, clothes and shawls, all designed and made in Egypt.
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Noubi Tapis & Antiquaire
An elephant sculpture guards the entrance to Noubi Tapis & Antiquaire, a corner shop, which is chock full of quality antique rugs, glass, postcards, china and books.
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Diwan
Fabulous: English, French and German titles, from novels to travel guides to coffee-table books. It also has a kids’ section, large music wing and a small cafe.
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Mahmoud Abd El Ghaffar
One of the best dealers in belly-dancing outfits in the city; the really nice stuff is upstairs. Look for the entrance down a little lane just off the main street.
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Arkadia Mall
The biggest mall in central Cairo, with bars and a top-floor arcade. Here you’ll find all the usual international brands, plus a good food court.
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Abd ar-Rahman Harraz
The sheikh of herbalist and medicinal plants, this is an interesting place. Look for the neglected taxidermy in the window on the corner.
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El Kahhal Carpets
Located in the khan, this super-elegant shop has the finest imported stock in the city, with both antiques and new made-to-order designs.
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Noubi Nabil
Elephant sculptures guard the entrance to this corner shop, a trove of antique silk rugs, cut-glass bowls, old silver and fine china.
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Sawt al-Qahira
Sawt al-Qahira is in an arcade set back from Sharia al-Gomhurriya and stocks the classic crooners on CD.
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King Saleh Bazaar
Immediately south of the Madrassa & Mausoleum of Qalaun. The more you look through the dust, the more pops out.
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Galerie Hathout
You can find decent linens for less than you’d pay at home at the frumpy Galerie Hathout.
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Samir El Sakka
This old-school tailor trained in Rome; he stocks a small selection of fabrics. Prices start around E£1000.
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