06:00 departures out of Terminal 3 usually mean Cafe Ritazza
Terminal 3 doesn’t give you many coffee choices airside, so Cafe Ritazza ends up being the default stop for early-morning flights. It sits past security in T3, close to several international gates served by Egyptair. Prices land in the mid-range for Cairo Airport: expect around 70–100 EGP for an espresso-based drink and more for a sandwich or pastry.
Opening hours skew early, which is why people remember it at “stupid o’clock” more than for the flavor. If your boarding pass shows a 05:30–07:00 departure, this is likely one of the few counters already serving. The menu stays standard: espresso, cappuccino, basic teas, soft drinks, plus pre-made sandwiches and wrapped sweets in the same glass cases you see in other Ritazza outlets.
Quality sits squarely average compared with other cafés in CAI. Regulars on TripAdvisor and FlyerTalk mention using Cafe Ritazza in T3 only when it’s the nearest open option to their gate; if a big international chain is a 3–5 minute walk away, they usually keep walking. Coffee flavor runs on the mild side, with some comments about burnt shots during busy morning banks.
Service can slow down when two or three widebody flights out of Terminal 3 board at once. A single queue of 8–10 people can easily turn into a 10–15 minute wait, and that’s before baristas work through a stack of cappuccino orders. Expect standard airport surcharges on card payments and confirm the total in EGP on the terminal before you tap or swipe.
Tip: If your gate in Terminal 3 shows “boarding” in under 25 minutes, grab a straight espresso or bottled drink at Cafe Ritazza and skip anything that needs heating; if you have more than 40 minutes, walk the concourse once to see if a quieter café is closer to your exact gate.