Cairo’s Historic Café Riche: 103 Years in Liberation Square

In the heart of Cairo’s Tahrir Square, amid the swirl of protests and political change, one red-and-brown wooden door has stayed open for over a century. Inside Café Riche, the same red-and-white checkered tablecloths and amber lighting have witnessed more than coffee being poured—they’ve seen history unfold.

Since 1908, Café Riche has been a constant in Cairo’s Liberation Square, enduring through wars, revolutions, and cultural shifts. For 103 years, it’s hosted everyone from Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz to student activists, making it far more than just a coffee spot.

A Landmark Since 1908

Opened in 1908, Café Riche sits on the edge of Cairo’s Tahrir (Liberation) Square. Its enduring presence—103 years and counting—has made it a living monument to Egypt’s ever-changing urban and political landscape. Even as nearby businesses shutter during times of unrest, Riche remains open, its yellow window light a quiet defiance.

Literary Giants and Quiet Corners

Inside, there’s no formal front desk—just a cluttered desk stacked with books, magazines, and papers. The café deliberately avoids catering to “ignorant travelers,” according to owner Mr. Majid, who once turned away a journalist. Instead, it draws a mix of regulars: French-educated writers, German teachers, British artists, and media moguls in brown jackets. Upstairs, the atmosphere is thick with Turkish coffee and Arabic tea, and conversation often turns to the latest protests in the square.

The Secret Underground During Revolution

Beneath the café lies a hidden world. A narrow staircase leads down to a 20-square-meter basement bar, which itself conceals a secret: a rotating bookshelf opens into a tiny, candlelit chamber. This was once a printing press and hideout for students translating anti-colonial texts and distributing flyers during the 1919 revolution against British rule. With no electricity, they worked by candlelight as police hunted them above. The main stair was hidden behind a table, the secret stair a quick escape route. The space lay dormant for decades until the 1990s, when it was turned into a private bar for celebrating literary milestones—still closed to the public.

What You’ll See and Hear Today

Today, the main floor remains much as it has for decades. Regulars sit in corners—some wearing traditional hats, others deep in discussion. Young people move between tables. The air carries the scent of strong Turkish coffee and cardamom-scented tea. On the walls hang black-and-white photos chronicling the square’s evolution across the decades. And the talk, inevitably, circles back to Tahrir: its past, its present, and what comes next.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Café Riche in Cairo established?

Café Riche was established in 1908, making it 103 years old as of the time of reporting, and it is located in Cairo’s Liberation Square.

Who were some famous patrons of Café Riche?

Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz was a regular at Café Riche, along with other literary figures, journalists, and intellectuals who gathered there for decades.

Is there a hidden room in Café Riche?

Yes, beneath the café is a small, hidden bar accessible through a rotating bookshelf. Further inside is a candlelit secret chamber that was used as a hideout and printing press for anti-colonial students during Egypt’s 1919 revolution.

What role did Café Riche play during the 1919 revolution?

During the 1919 revolution against British rule, the underground space at Café Riche served as a secret printing press and refuge for students producing anti-colonial leaflets. They worked by candlelight and used the hidden exit for safety.

Why doesn’t Café Riche cater to tourists?

Owner Mr. Majid has stated that he doesn’t want the café to become a “resting place for ignorant travelers.” Instead, it maintains an atmosphere geared toward local intellectuals, writers, and regulars.

Can visitors see the secret underground area at Café Riche?

The secret underground bar and chamber have been used privately since the 1990s to celebrate literary events, but they remain closed to the general public.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Historic Cafés

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