If you are craving a little piece of Egypt right in Madinah, Layali October (October Nights) is the place to go. This cozy cafe on Zubairah Al-Roumiah Street is part of the city’s growing hub of trendy restaurants and cafes.

As soon as you step inside, you will be instantly transported to a classic Egyptian street cafe, the kind you would find in the bustling alleys of Cairo or Alexandria: Picture neighbors gathered around a table, sipping black tea or coffee, playing cards, debating life, and maybe even having a good old-fashioned “friendly argument.”

The cafe’s black-themed aesthetic is effortlessly cool. Vintage wooden chairs and outdoor seating let you enjoy the evening breeze while listening to the legendary tunes of Abdel Halim Hafez, Umm Kulthum, and Farid Al-Atrash.

If you prefer a little sunlight, the balcony seating gives you a cozy indoor experience with a perfect street view.

Layali October serves up some of the most authentic Egyptian flavors in Madinah. Their signature chay talgimah is a must-try, a strong black tea loaded with sugar, meant to be slowly savored by true tea lovers.

I went for the authentic Egyptian breakfast tray; it was a feast! The large round tray was filled with smaller steel dishes of foul (fava beans), hummus, labneh with cucumber slices, fresh arugula leaves, Egyptian white cheese, tangy pickles, black olives, crispy falafel, and shakshuka eggs. Served with warm white and brown bread, it was the perfect way to start the day. You may pair it with milk tea.

For lighter options, the cafe offers sandwiches such as smoky tuna, grilled chicken, halloumi, and falafel wraps. It also serves iced lattes, Spanish lattes, cortados, lemonades, and more.

If you want to try something sweet, you should go for their cream brulee; it is cold, creamy, and absolutely on point. For more details, visit @octobercafe_sa on Instagram.