An Alexandria institution since 1929 on the Corniche, serving coffee and pastries with Mediterranean views. The vintage charm and people-watching opportunities attract locals and tourists alike. Classic Egyptian cafe culture.
Brazil Coffee Shop is an Alexandria institution, a cafe on Saad Zaghloul Square that has been part of the city's social fabric since 1929. The cafe occupies a prime position near the Mediterranean seafront, and its longevity reflects Alexandria's distinctive cafe culture — the city has long maintained a European-influenced coffee-house tradition shaped by its Greek, Italian, Armenian, and Jewish communities of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Brazil Coffee Shop embodies this legacy with its vintage interior, period furnishings, and menu of Turkish coffee, baklava, and European-style pastries that recall the cosmopolitan Alexandria of an earlier era. The cafe serves strong, cardamom-perfumed Turkish coffee in the Egyptian tradition alongside mint tea, soft drinks, and a modest selection of pastries. The location on Saad Zaghloul Square puts it near the sea and within walking distance of the Corniche, Stanley Beach, and the streets of central Alexandria. People-watching from the cafe's tables on the square is one of its pleasures — the square is an active hub of city life. For travelers interested in Alexandria's layered history as a Mediterranean crossroads, the Brazil Coffee Shop provides a tangible connection to the city's twentieth-century cafe culture that more modern establishments cannot replicate.
Signature dishes
- Turkish Coffee — $3
- Baklava — $4
- Croissant — $3
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily 7:00 AM - 1:00 AM
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Location
44 Saad Zaghloul Square, Alexandria
31.2014, 29.9183 View on map
Highlights
- Alexandria cafe open since 1929 on Saad Zaghloul Square, preserving the city's historic cafe culture
- Vintage interior with period furnishings recalling Alexandria's cosmopolitan Mediterranean past
- Strong Turkish coffee and Egyptian-style baklava in the classic Alexandria tradition
- Prime Saad Zaghloul Square location for Corniche access and central Alexandria people-watching
- One of the few surviving examples of Alexandria's early-twentieth-century cafe heritage
Tips for visiting
- Order Turkish coffee rather than Nescafe — the Brazil has maintained the traditional preparation and it shows
- Morning visits (8 to 10 AM) are the quietest; the square and cafe fill with activity through the afternoon
- Combine with a walk along the Corniche and the surrounding streets of central Alexandria
- The baklava is reliable and better-value than hotel pastry shops
Accessibility
The cafe is on Saad Zaghloul Square at street level. The historic building may have a step or slight threshold at the entrance. Table seating on the square or inside is generally manageable, though the vintage interior has standard chair-and-table arrangements without specific accessibility modifications.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the historic significance of Brazil Coffee Shop?
The cafe opened in 1929 during Alexandria's cosmopolitan era, when Greek, Italian, and other Mediterranean communities shaped the city's cafe culture. It is one of the few survivors of that period still operating.
Does Brazil Coffee Shop serve alcohol?
No, the cafe is a dry establishment serving coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
What food is available?
The food menu is centered on pastries, baklava, and light cafe snacks — this is a coffee and tea destination rather than a full-service restaurant.
How does the cafe compare to modern Cairo coffee chains?
Brazil Coffee Shop prioritizes historical atmosphere over contemporary cafe concepts. The coffee is traditional Turkish rather than specialty espresso, and the setting is vintage rather than designed.