Walking through downtown Cairo is a one of a kind experience: very few places in Egypt have the deep history and modern vibrance that places like Talaat Harb square have. The streets of Downtown Cairo are home to many old venues like Cafe Riche, the Greek Club and Le Grillon, but one stands above the rest in terms of Sweetness and Legacy: Groppi.
Groppi is a dessert cafe that has many branches in Cairo now, but the main ones are in Talaat Harb square and Adly street. It started as a simple dessert shop but it soon earned the attention of many of Egypt’s elite aristocrats thanks to its unique quality and its many new desserts like Creme Chante, Millefeuille, Bol de Chocolate and many others. However their most important new addition to the Egyptian dessert scene was none other than Ice cream. According to the Adly Branch’s Manager of production Mister Eid (pictured below) and their loremaster 3am Mahroos, what makes Groppi special now and then is using Goat’s Ghee in all their creamy desserts and their dedication to using only quality ingredients.
According to 3am Mahros, the Adly Branch was the third branch opened by Groppi in the early 20th century and was started at the behest of king Fuad to get away from the hustle and bustle of the commoners in the other branches and make this branch a unique place for heads of state and other major aristocrats. This branch is in an antique villa to make it more intimate and low-key. The garden has a stunning fountain adorned with neoclassical copper statues and the inside features baroque furniture and picturesque painted glass along with many old drawings of towns in Italy and France. In the midst of all of this are the many delicious desserts they serve both modern and traditional that will satisfy your inner aristocrat with each sweet bite.
Sadly, the branch in Talaat Harb, which is the oldest and has had many series and movies shot in it like “The Yacoubian Building” (2006) is still being renovated, but that should not stop anyone with a ravenous sweet tooth from visiting the antique villa in Adly street and trying their one of a kind Cassata or Merengue. Although, maybe try to keep your waistline in check by not indulging TOO much!
