El Fishawy
El Fishawy is a café in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo, known for its long family management and for attracting Egyptian writers and intellectuals.
History
The café opened in 1797 and takes its name from its first owner. Since then it has been run by the same family across at least seven generations, a continuity that has earned it recognition from the Egyptian government as one of the country's oldest cafés. In the 20th century it became a meeting place for writers and intellectuals, among them Naguib Mahfouz and Ahmed Zewail. Over time the name has spread to branches across Egypt, including Sharm El-Sheikh.
Culture
The café stays open 24 hours a day, every day of the week, and is part of the scene in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where it shares space with traders and visitors. Its literary associations have tied it to the image of Cairo's intellectual life, and it remains a place where people meet while walking through the market.
Legend and fact
Some records give 1773 as the founding year, while others place the opening in 1797; both dates should be treated with caution.