Cairo
Probably the oldest ahwa in the city, and certainly the most celebrated, Fishawi’s has been a great place to watch the world go by since 1773. It's all…
Must-see nightlife in Egypt
Alexandria
The Cap d’Or, just off Sharia Saad Zaghloul, is one of the only surviving typical Alexandrian bars. With beer flowing generously, stained-glass windows, a…
Alexandria
At this fantastic cafe across from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina you can sip tea and smoke shisha to the sound of waves rolling in, and smell sea air…
Hurghada
If you're looking to chill with a cocktail right next to the sea, this palm-thatched pontoon over the water has a laid-back atmosphere made for lounging…
Sharm El Sheikh
All nooks and crannies, floor cushions, Bedouin tents and swinging lamps, Farsha is the kind of place that travellers come to for a coffee and find…
Sharm El Sheikh
Camel is a favourite among dive instructors for its relaxed, casual vibe. This is the optimal place to start off the evening, especially for divers…
Alexandria
This expansive and breezy Alexandrian classic is reputed to have the best shisha in town, served with a flourish by attentive boys in smart two-toned…
Alexandria
El Qobesi has crowned itself the ‘king of mango’ – take one sip of the juice here and you will bow down, a loyal peon. Slivers of several ripe mangoes are…
Alexandria
You can smell the coffee from half a block away. This old-fashioned coffee retailer would be in a museum anywhere else in the world. Dominated by huge…
Alexandria
Even though it has recently been revamped, this coffeehouse, here since 1929, still has plenty of old-time atmosphere as well as its old wood-carved…
Alexandria
Although it may not look like much to the uninitiated (it doesn’t even sport a sign), this 90-year-old institution is one of the most important ahwas …
Alexandria
This old tea room has been in business since 1922 and is the place to come for tea and cake. Although much of its original grandeur has been scrubbed away…
Cairo
Egypt’s home-grown answer to Starbucks, this popular chain does all the usual hot and cold coffee drinks, teas and juices, plus packaged sandwiches and…
Dahabiyya Houseboat & Restaurant
Northern Nile Valley
This old Nile sailing boat has been moored along the corniche near the tourist office for many years and is one of Minya’s most unusual addresses. The…
Cairo
Blend in with the locals at this cramped dark pub, where the bartenders are in crisp white jackets and the regulars are usually conferring in clouds of…
Alexandria
One of the best bars in town, Spitfire is a dimly lit but friendly place with a bit of a rough-and-ready feel, just north of Sharia Saad Zaghloul. Walls…
Cairo
Alas, most of the regular clientele of the Windsor Hotel's bar has passed on, leaving a few hotel guests, a polyglot bartender and a faint soundtrack of…
Alexandria
Named for the composer of Egypt’s national anthem, this tiny and highly enjoyable local coffeehouse, near Sharia Al Nabi Daniel, is set on a quiet and…
Alexandria
This classic cafe has been tastefully refitted to become a chic yet comfortable space with air-conditioning, wi-fi and a list of espresso-based coffees,…
Cairo
You'll forget you're in the middle of the desert when you step into The Smokery, an upscale bar where giant, lush plants seem to be staging a jungle…
Sharm El Sheikh
This bar is known for its good music and up-for-it, fun-loving crowd. There’s a pool table for those who don’t feel like getting on the dance floor, and…
Luxor
A relaxed and perennially popular place to have a beer, shoot pool and watch sports on a big screen, the Kings Head tries to capture the atmosphere of an…
Cairo
This teensy cafe-restaurant, tucked in the little alley off Sharia Sherif, does good coffee and shisha, as well as yummy fresh juices and milkshakes. Many…
Suez Canal
The Ismailia branch of Egypt's home-grown coffee empire has the best view in town. Drink your latte, cappuccino or juice on the terrace overlooking the…
Cairo
This classic Zamalek hangout can get crammed, and seriously smoke-filled, late in the evening, but we still love its laid-back, casual vibe. Also check…
Cairo
El Horreya has long been a living room for locals, artists and foreign residents, with tea, coffee and cold Stella beer on offer. It's not as dusty and…
Cairo
Tucked away in a quiet square behind Al Azhar, this modern outdoor ahwa is a great place to rest up after a walk, with tea and snacks and comfortable…
Alexandria
This venerable shisha joint looks like it hasn't changed an iota since opening in 1928. It’s a delightfully ramshackle old place, with dusty bronze…
Siwa Oasis
The hippest cafe-restaurant in Siwa sits on a shaded rooftop overlooking the central square. Lounge on cushions or choose a regular table with chairs…
Cairo
Super-fashionable bar and restaurant in a top spot in Zamalek with regular live music and DJs on weekend evenings. Expect expensive cocktails and good…
Luxor
The beautiful, shaded garden courtyard of the Marsam is one of the west bank's most tranquil spots for a drink or a bite to eat. Wine and beer are served,…
Dahab
Dahab's iconic ship-shaped bar has had a topsy-turvy few years of closures and re-openings but is open once again. If you're after a bit of a bigger night…
Cairo
L’Amphitrion is a Heliopolis institution, once a hang out for the suburbs' wealthy and a favoured hang out for Allied soldiers during the world wars…
Cairo
Pretty much the only place in Doqqi to get a decent flat white or cappuccino; this Cilantro branch has a great courtyard area out front (screened off from…
Cairo
The garden terrace at the Marriott is one of the most comfortable spots in town to relax over a drink. Big cane chairs, fresh air and good-quality wine…
Cairo
Its fake turf singed from shisha coals, this slightly dilapidated rooftop bar is favoured by Cairo’s heavy-drinking theatre and cinema clique, and is a…
Dahab
This hugely popular waterfront bar-restaurant has a winning formula: plenty of comfy seating, including sunloungers out front, friendly staff, cold beer…
Cairo
The Mohandiseen branch of Cilantro has a decent non-smoking section and serves up all the hot and cold coffee combinations this Egyptian coffee chain is…
Cairo
This traditional ahwa is a bit of an intellectuals’ and artists’ haunt, though also firmly on many backpackers’ lists, so be alert to scam artists. It’s…
Aswan
Popular traditional cafe (despite the name) on a quiet backstreet behind the Banque du Caire. A good place to while away time over a shisha and tea. The…
