Cafés & Restaurants Proliferation

The proliferation of cafés and restaurants has become a growing concern for Zamalek, affecting the neighbourhood’s character, public spaces and residents’ quality of life. With the assistance of Al Mustasharun al Muttahidun, a count of cafés along 26th of July Street and in northern Zamalek identified 209 establishments. More recently, even the basement floors of heritage buildings have begun to be converted into cafés.

Under Law 154 of 2019, Clause 8 provides for the restriction of certain commercial activities in designated geographical areas. ZAD advocated for Zamalek, Garden City, Heliopolis and Maadi—all registered heritage areas—to be exempted from further cafés and restaurants, given that their numbers had exceeded what these neighbourhoods could reasonably accommodate. Following this advocacy, the Minister of Local Development and Environment and the Governor of Cairo approved a decree, issued on 28 April 2026, banning new cafés and restaurants in these areas, with the exception of establishments along the Nile banks and within gardens.

Meanwhile, the Quality of Life Committee has been documenting cafés that violate regulations by encroaching on pavements and generating excessive noise, compiling photographic and video evidence. The Committee is preparing a social media campaign to raise awareness, highlight violations and press for the enforcement of existing laws, with the aim of protecting residents’ rights and preserving Zamalek’s distinctive character.