Cairo governorate bans new restaurant, cafe licenses in 4 upscale districts

CAIRO - 28 April 2026: Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber banned  issuing new licenses for restaurants and cafes in the districts of Heliopolis, Maadi, Zamalek, and Garden City.

The decision, approved by the Supreme Committee for Public Shop Licenses in a Wednesday statement, aims to preserve the architectural heritage and residential character of these historic areas.

the ban limits operations to existing licensed establishments.

Saber noted the move responds to numerous complaints from residents and civil society groups regarding noise pollution and the "random expansion" of commercial activities.

He emphasized the need to curb the conversion of residential units into administrative or commercial spaces, which has increasingly disrupted the privacy and tranquility of Cairo’s old, elite neighborhoods.