Umm Kulthum Cafe

In an alleyway of old Baghdad, where the scent of tea mingles with the warm tones of authentic music, Umm Kulthum Café stands tall as one of the most prominent cultural landmarks that still retains the glow of the past amid the bustle of the present.

The café, according to the most common accounts, was established in 1970 as a gathering place for lovers of the “Star of the East,” Umm Kulthum. However, other narratives indicate that the place originally dates back to the monarchical era, and carried a different name before it was renamed in honor of the immortal voice, who visited Baghdad on two historic occasions: in 1932 and 1946.

Inside the café, the walls whisper stories of longing; they are adorned with dozens of rare photos of Umm Kulthum, while her music plays throughout the day, making the place feel like a small museum for lovers of classical Arabic music.

But Umm Kulthum Café is not merely a place to drink tea or coffee—it is a living cultural space, where poets, artists, writers, and intellectuals gather to exchange memories and recall a time when songs were crafted with words, melody, and soul.

Despite the changes the city has undergone, and the emergence of modern cafés with a contemporary spirit, this café continues to resist oblivion, clinging to its traditional identity, preserving its original character as a bridge between Baghdad and Cairo, between memory and nostalgia, and between the voice of El-Sitt and the heart of those who loved her.