Description
Khan El Khalili Restaurant & Naguib Mahfouz Café - An Iconic Shisha Experience in Old Cairo
Nestled within the busy laneways of Khan el-Khalili Bazaar in Old Cairo, Khan El Khalili Restaurant & Naguib Mahfouz Café is an ageless traditional spot for lovers of Egyptian culture. Routinely given high ratings as one of the best shisha lounges in Old Cairo, this historic hookah café just steps away from Al-Hussein Mosque accompanies traditional style with modern amenities. Whether you are looking for one of the best nargile lounge experiences in Khan el-Khalili, or just a chilled place away from the flow and energy of the market, then Khan El Khalili Restaurant & Naguib Mahfouz Café is an ideal one-stop shop.
Atmosphere & Setting
Located in the heart of Cairo's most popular marketplace, the café draws the mood straight out of any of Naguib Mahfouz's novels. As you walk around inside, you will notice the distinctive woodwork of mashrabiya, brass lanterns, and colorful fabrics, all combine to create a richly layered Middle Eastern interior. The atmosphere is punctuated with the sounds of live oriental music and the distant sounds of the marketplace. In these warm surroundings, it's a perfect place for visitors exploring Old Cairo, couples hoping to unwind after a day of sightseeing, or locals wanting to transport themselves into the glory days of Cairo's golden hour. Visitors are always amazed and delighted to discover a dining experience as a hookah bar, nargile café, or "living museum."
Shisha Experience
Khan El Khalil Café's brand of shisha service has gained a legendary reputation within the main draw of the café from both local patrons and for the more recently initiated lights-puffing tourists who don't mind a good smoke. Here at the Café, venality was struck with a green apple shisha, they consider this a true recommendation. Though flawed, these individuals claim to know shisha as they enthusiastically praised the mouth-watering flavor and smooth, clean pull. Cairo visitors can also select from an extensive range of traditional Egyptian and Levantine flavour blends for an excellent shisha experience if they enjoy smoking hookah. Smooth and slow by design, shisha blends are prepared in fine Egyptian and Levantine tradition by trained staff using quality tobacco in traditional clay bowls. Shisha can easily last for a few hours and is an ideal way to sit back and have long languorous conversations, read or watch the world unfold from the terrace seating area.
Food, Drink & Service
As more than just a shisha venue, Khan El Khalili Restaurant & Naguib Mahfouz Café has a complete menu of Egyptian and Middle Eastern dishes including mezze platters, grilled meats and authentic Egyptian desserts, such as umm ali, as an addition to shisha. The full drinks menu includes fresh mint tea, Turkish coffee and local juices. Though located in a shisha lounge with food, the cheerful service and traditional style coincide with the best of Cairo hospitality.
Day vs. Night Vibes
By day, the café is a quiet and cool escape from the crowds at the bazaar and is perfectly suited for sunset shisha and mint tea while the last of the sunlight filters through the stained glass windows. By night, once the sun has set, the café transforms into a buzzing late-night hookah Cairo venue as live oriental music fills the space and the atmosphere is lit long lanterns. Whether you are enjoying some time away from shopping or you simply fancy a taste of authentic Cairo by night, the café is capable of matching your mood.
Who It’s For
- Romantic couples celebrating the ambience of Old Cairo
- Tourists looking for an experience in Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
- Locals looking for nostalgic vibes and an authentic Egyptian shisha experience
- Small groups looking for a quieter and quirky escape into local culture
- History and literature buffs following Naguib Mahfouz‘ footsteps
Open Hours + Location
Café Naguib Mahfouz is located in the heart of the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar in Old Cairo just off of the Al-Hussein Mosque. The café is open daily from morning to late-night. It's a good spot for a laid-back afternoon of atmosphere and culture, ending with authentic Egyptian hospitality. For more great shisha lounges in Cairo check out TopShishaLounges.com.
Location
5 ش Sekat Al Badstan, خان الخليلى، El Gamaliya, Cairo Governorate 4331310, Egypt
Add a review