Where to Eat Near AUC as African University Games Open
Where to eat and grab coffee around AUC New Cairo during the 12th African University Games
The 12th All-Africa University Games, branded Cairo 2026, are running from September 8 to 16, 2026, with the American University in Cairo in New Cairo playing a major host role. AUC said it will stage 10 sports on campus, while Egypt’s wider event brings together around 2,000 student-athletes from universities across Africa. That makes the area around the Fifth Settlement campus especially busy this week for competitors, staff, families and spectators looking for fast meals, late coffee and easy nearby options after events.
For visitors staying close to the university, the good news is that you do not need to go far. The strongest strategy is to think in three rings: inside AUC for quick refueling between matches, Point 90 opposite Gate 5 for the nearest off-campus stop, and Downtown Katameya on Road 90 for a broader sit-down meal. This guide keeps the focus tightly on New Cairo and Fifth Settlement, with places that are practical for the AUC crowd rather than across-town destinations.
First choice: eat on campus when your schedule is tight
If you are moving between competitions, accreditation points and transport pick-ups, on-campus dining is the simplest option. AUC’s current dining page confirms that the New Cairo campus has two major food courts plus bakeries, coffee shops and convenience stores. For Games week, that matters more than hype: you can get something quickly without leaving the venue footprint.
- 30 North has two AUC locations: the Innovation Hub and the Library Terrace. The Library Terrace branch is listed as open Sunday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 10 pm, making it one of the better campus coffee choices if you need a later caffeine stop.
- Cilantro in the Campus Center is listed from 8:30 am to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday, which makes it a dependable meeting-point coffee shop for spectators and volunteers.
- Formula Onederful, beside the bus entrance at the School of Sciences and Engineering, runs until 9 pm Sunday to Thursday, useful if you are entering or leaving campus transport routes.
- L'Aroma, behind the library in the University Garden, is a quieter option for a lighter break, operating until 7 pm.
- Relish - Main Cafeteria in the Campus Center is the longest-running substantial food option listed, open 8 am to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and also open on Friday and Saturday. If you want the safest all-purpose on-campus meal stop, this is the one to remember.
- Seoudi Mini Market at the AUC Sports Center is open daily until 11 pm, handy for water, snacks and basics close to the athletic venues.
Also worth noting: AUC’s New Cairo address is on AUC Avenue, New Cairo 11835, and the university has emphasized that the campus sports complex is a central venue in its Games hosting plans. In practice, that means campus outlets may be the least stressful choice before or after basketball, athletics, swimming, squash or volleyball sessions.
Closest off-campus option: Point 90 opposite Gate 5
When you want to leave campus without committing to a longer outing, Point 90 is the obvious first move. A current listing places Boulevard at Point 90 Mall, in front of AUC Gate 5, which gives a useful reference point even if you are choosing another tenant once you arrive. The big advantage here is not one single restaurant; it is proximity. If you are meeting friends after a match or want to step out of the university environment for an hour, Point 90 is the shortest off-campus food-and-coffee detour.
For Games visitors, that makes Point 90 a practical zone for a quick lunch, takeaway coffee or casual dinner without adding a long car journey on top of New Cairo traffic. Because the mall sits directly opposite a main AUC access point, it is especially useful for people who have a gap between events rather than a full evening free.
Best broader choice on Road 90: Downtown Katameya
If you have more time and want a bigger cluster of established brands, Downtown Katameya (@dt.eg on Instagram) is one of the strongest nearby options on Road 90. The mall’s official site lists a substantial dining lineup including Paul, Brioche D'Orée, Ralph's Bakery, Mandarine Koueider, AMA Sushi, Il Divino Pizzeria, 900 Degrees, Peking, Jouzoor, Beit Ward, Oya Lounge and la poire Bistro.
That variety is what makes Downtown Katameya especially useful during a multi-day sporting event. Mixed groups rarely want the same thing: some need coffee and dessert, others want sushi or pizza, and some just want a familiar bakery or a straightforward Egyptian meal. A cluster destination solves that quickly.
Operationally, the mall is also set up for evening visits. Its official “Getting Here” page says Downtown Katameya is open Sunday to Wednesday from 10 am to 11 pm and Thursday to Saturday from 10 am to 12 am, while food and beverage stores are open all week from 10 am to 1 am. The same page lists parking rates of EGP 20 for 1 hour, EGP 15 for 2 hours, and EGP 10 for 3+ hours, with valet at EGP 50 plus parking time. For visitors planning post-match dinners, those are the kinds of details that matter.
How to choose based on your schedule
For early coffee before competition
Stay inside AUC. Cilantro, 30 North and Formula Onederful all begin morning service, making campus the easiest stop before first sessions.
For a fast lunch between events
Pick the AUC food courts or cross to Point 90 if you want a change of scene without losing too much time.
For dinner with options for different tastes
Head to Downtown Katameya, where the range from bakeries to sushi and pizza makes it easier for groups.
For late snacks near the sports venues
Relish - Main Cafeteria and the Seoudi Mini Market at the Sports Center are the most useful on-campus names to remember, both running to 11 pm.
The local takeaway for Fifth Settlement this week
AUC New Cairo (@auc_egypt on Instagram) is not just another venue in Cairo 2026; it is one of the competition’s central stages. The university says it is hosting ten sports, and official event announcements place the Games in Cairo from September 8 to 16, 2026. For Fifth Settlement businesses, that gives the area a genuine event-week pulse, with extra demand for coffee, quick service meals and easy group dining close to Road 90.
If you are heading to the 12th African University Games from elsewhere in Cairo, the simplest food plan is clear: start on campus, use Point 90 for the nearest break, and save Downtown Katameya for your longer sit-down meal. In a district where distance and traffic can easily eat into your day, those three zones are the most practical way to eat well around AUC as the continental university tournament opens in New Cairo.