Egyptian Coffee Shop

jayyid jiddan. i don't like to fool around with frilly hookah bars that don't know how to heat their own coals. this place brought me back to late nights in mohandessin and masr al-qadima.

the tea with the mint is the way to go. take a warda shisha. play some backgammon and watch al-ahly play if you choose.

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet considering how many times I've been!

So ok this place is the real deal. Egyptian Coffee Shop is the most authentic Egyptian coffee shop in New York. They picked a good name. (Though actually their Arabic name is different-- it's the name of some soap opera, but anyway). I lived in Egypt for 2 months and I must say every time I come here it's like I'm back in Masr! I bring all my Egyptian friends here too and they agree.

Hookah and tea/ coffee are cheap and the waiters are so kind. Be sure to tip well. In nicer weather sit in the back garden area. In the winter try the Sahlab -- the best in NY I swear. And their karkady is also out of this world, very strong just how I like it. As for the hookah the basics are the best. Apple, grape and 'natural'. Their peach is pretty good too. And can't forget the lemon and mint.

I don't even know why you're still reading this review and not going there RIGHT NOW. last time I checked they're open 24/7!

Love this place. I get to practice my arabic on the waiters and their turkish coffee is so good! Used to come here a lot before with my friend who lived in the area but he has since moved to Cairo so it was up to me to maintain our tradition.

A hookah is $8 and they replace your coals as many times as you want.

You can just sit back and watch the giant tv which shows news from the nile or just watch the other patrons play backgammon. There are also pictures of prominent people on their walls- Gamal Nasser, Om Kalthoum, Mubarak (though I think they took his painting down since my last visit).

Paying is always an adventure as they've brought the Egyptian system of billing to Astoria with them- they just tell you how much you owe, no check, no list of items that you have ordered. If it weren't so cheap already, I'd probably haggle a discount.

You can also order food from nearby restaurants and have them delivered straight to the shop. This place rocks.