Egyptian authorities have suspended the issuance of new café and restaurant licences in several Cairo districts, including Maadi, Zamalek, Garden City, and Heliopolis.
The decision was approved by the Higher Committee for Licensing of Public Shops and applies specifically to new restaurant and café activities within these neighbourhoods. Existing licensed businesses will continue operating normally without changes.
According to officials, the move comes in response to increasing complaints from residents, civil society groups, and local associations regarding noise levels, overcrowding, and the growing spread of commercial activity inside predominantly residential areas.
Authorities also pointed to concerns over the conversion of residential properties into commercial spaces in ways that affect the urban identity and architectural character of these historic districts.
The measure was implemented under Law No. 154 of 2019 regulating public shops, as part of broader efforts to control commercial expansion and preserve the residential nature of the affected areas.
Officials stated that the decision aims to improve urban planning, reduce pressure on infrastructure, and maintain the cultural and architectural identity of neighbourhoods considered among Cairo’s most prominent residential districts.
The move comes amid ongoing discussions around balancing commercial growth with quality of life in central and high-density urban areas across Greater Cairo.
