T1’s Costa Coffee is the rare place people actually name
In Terminal 1 at Cairo International (T1), Costa Coffee shows up again and again in reviews as the “half-decent coffee” option in a terminal most call rough around the edges. It sits airside in T1, so you need to be through security before you can use it as a waiting spot before boarding.
Prices land in the mid-range ($$): expect something like 70–100 EGP for a basic cappuccino and more for larger or iced drinks, in line with city-chain pricing but high against local street coffee. Food is standard Costa: pre-made sandwiches, muffins, and pastries in the 80–150 EGP band, good enough if you just want a snack before a regional flight.
Seating here is limited and not especially comfortable, which matches what people say about the rest of T1. Several regulars on forums mention grabbing a drink, sitting for 15–20 minutes while they sort bags or charge a phone, then moving toward quieter gate areas once they’ve finished their caffeine stop.
Coffee quality tracks what you’d expect from a global chain: consistent, not special. Reviews mention it as “half-decent” compared with other T1 options, but still pricey for what you get. If you are picky about espresso, stick to simple orders like an espresso or Americano rather than the more sugary flavored drinks that can taste flat.
Watch out for: T1 itself feels shabby, and Costa doesn’t fully escape that. Power outlets can be scarce, tables may not get wiped quickly during busy banks of departures, and queues spike when multiple flights out of Terminal 1 board within the same 30–45 minute window.
Practical tip: if your flight from T1 boards during a busy morning or late-night wave, grab your coffee here, then carry it to your actual gate and scout for a quieter seat near a working outlet before the area fills.