Cilantro: "Cairo's favorite western-style coffeehouse" Cairo Restaurant Tip by Tijavi

Ahwas or coffeehouses have long been a favorite hang out place of Cairenes since the Arabs imprinted their own culture this part of the world. Cilantro, the homegrown brand of coffeehouse, is the modern/western version of these ahwas. I've visited two branches (are there more?) - the one in Zamalek (below 26th July bridge beside Maison Thomas Pizza) and the other across American Univ in Cairo (AUC) campus in Midan Tahrir.

While Cilantro's interiors mimic those of western-style coffeehouses such as Starbucks and Seattle's Best, the atmosphere is decidedly Cairene - student in the AUC branch, and expats and yuppies in the Zamalek outlet. Both have one thing in common (aside from standard coffee preparations) - their fudge brownies (in the picture) are both equally good - warm, moist, decadently delicious.

Address: 26th July St in Zamalek and Sh Moh'd Mahmoud
Comparison: more expensive than average
Directions: The one in Zamalek is below the 26th July bridge, and the one on Midan Tahrir, along Sharia Mohammed Mahmoud in front of the AUC campus
Price: less than US$10
Rating: 4
Theme: Coffeehouse