Cafe Riche: Cairo’s 103-Year-Old Coffeehouse of History

In the heart of Cairo’s Tahrir Square, amid shifting politics and decades of upheaval, one red-and-brown wooden door has stayed open for over a century. This is Cafe Riche, a landmark not just for coffee, but for Egyptian literature, resistance, and memory. But what makes this 1908 café still standing—and still relevant—today?

Founded in 1908, Cafe Riche has hosted Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz and generations of writers, journalists, and revolutionaries. Beneath its tables lies a hidden bar and a WWII-era secret room used by anti-colonial students. Still open daily, it remains a cultural crossroads in a city forever in flux.

A Landmark Since 1908

Cafe Riche opened its doors in 1908, its red-brown wooden windows and checkered red-and-white tablecloths becoming fixtures in central Cairo’s Tahrir Square. For 103 years, through wars, protests, and regime changes, it has remained a gathering place. During recent political unrest, while other shops shut down, Cafe Riche’s warm yellow light continued to glow from its corner window.

Literary Lanterns and Hidden Histories

Inside, there’s no formal front desk—just a cluttered desk stacked with books, magazines, and papers. The owner, Mr. Majid, once turned away journalists to preserve the space for serious thinkers rather than tourists. Patrons have included iconic Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz, who sipped coffee here with peers, observing and discussing the nation’s trajectory.

Today, the café draws a mix: a French-born writer in a red hat, a German teacher, a British artist, and local journalists from nearby media offices. Turkish coffee and Arabic tea fuel conversations, often circling back to Tahrir Square’s latest protests.

The Secret Basement and Wartime Resistance

Down a narrow staircase behind the kitchen lies a tiny 20-square-meter bar—rarely used. But the real secret is beneath that: a hidden room, accessible by a rotating bookshelf and concealed stairs. In 1919, during the fight against British colonial rule, this space became a print shop and sanctuary for students making anti-colonial leaflets. With no electricity, they worked by candlelight as police closed in. The main stair was hidden behind a table; the secret exit led to safety.

After independence, the basement was abandoned for decades until its 1990s revival as a private celebration space for cultural figures. Though not open to the public, it remains a powerful symbol of the café’s role in Egypt’s past struggles.

Cafe Riche Today

Now, Cafe Riche endures as both a working café and a living museum. Its walls feature black-and-white photos documenting Tahrir Square across eras. Locals and thinkers still meet here, keeping the space alive with conversation, controversy, and continuity. Whatever Cairo’s future holds, Cafe Riche remains a testament to the power of a coffeehouse as witness and refuge.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cafe Riche in Cairo founded?

Cafe Riche was established in 1908, making it 103 years old at the time of the article, and it is still operational today in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Who were some famous people who visited Cafe Riche?

Nobel Prize-winning author Naguib Mahfouz was a regular, meeting with fellow writers and intellectuals there. Other patrons have included journalists, media figures, and international artists.

What is the secret room in Cafe Riche?

Beneath the cafe lies a hidden room accessed via a rotating bookshelf and concealed stairs. It was used as a secret printing press and shelter for anti-British students during the 1919 revolution.

Did Cafe Riche play a role in Egypt’s independence movement?

Yes, during British colonial rule, the cafe’s basement was used by students to print anti-colonial flyers and as a hiding spot, with the entrance cleverly disguised and lit only by candles.

Is the hidden room open to the public?

No, the secret bar and wartime printing room have not been opened to the general public, though they are occasionally used for private gatherings of artists and writers.

What drinks are served at Cafe Riche?

The cafe serves traditional Turkish coffee and Arabic tea, staples of its longstanding clientele and daily atmosphere of discussion and debate.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Historic Café Vibes

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