Good coffee, a sourdough tuna melt, and a French toast worth going back for — Mirissa is Alexandria’s most pleasant surprise

🍴 Feel like dropping by to Alexandria on your way to Sahel a la Odyssey this weekend? This one’s for Alexandria regulars and visitors alike. On a recent trip to Alexandria, we came across Mirissa — a small café tucked into a quiet corner of the Kafr Abdo neighborhood, on a street overlooking Sir. Allenby Garden. We were pleasantly surprised.

First impressions: Right off the bat, the bohemian-leaning decor caught our attention. Outside, a small wooden bench for two sits by the entrance for anyone waiting or wanting a moment in the open air. Inside, white walls meet wooden seating and beige accents for a calm, unfussy atmosphere, while large glass windows facing the garden let in generous natural light without sacrificing the cool air conditioning. A few bookshelves line the walls, with titles available to borrow and read on the spot.

The menu: Mirissa isn’t just a coffee-and-pastries set-up. The menu runs well into breakfast and brunch territory, covering fruit bowls, yogurt, chia and acai options, various omelets, and a full English breakfast. There are also sourdough sandwiches, savory waffles — including a halloumi waffle with pesto sauce — bagels, wraps, and salads. On the sweet side, classics like tiramisu and brownies.

What we ordered: We went with the tuna melt sourdough, served with a side salad, and the salmon and cream croissant, which comes with a hot pepper jam sauce, alongside an iced latte. The croissant was fresh with a rich filling — but the real standout was the tuna melt: creamy tuna with sweet corn, jalapeño, avocado, and melted cheddar. The sourdough was slightly on the firm side, though it didn’t detract from the sandwich at all. The coffee was well-balanced and clean, with no bitterness.

…And there was room for dessert. We finished with the classic French toast. The brioche was thick and fragrant with cinnamon and vanilla, topped with a light caramel drizzle, a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and plenty of fresh raspberries.

What we liked: The café punches above its size on almost every front — the easy background music, the relaxed atmosphere, the pleasant view of the garden and quiet street, the range on the menu, the quality of the ingredients, and the coffee. Our only real note is that the indoor space is on the smaller side, which may not work as well for larger groups.

Our verdict: Mirissa is the kind of find that makes a trip worthwhile. It does everything you want a café to do: good coffee, a varied menu, and a dessert memorable enough to bring you back. If you live in Alexandria or are planning a visit soon, do pass by.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Mirissa on 15 Mina Street, Kafr Abdou, Alexandria. You can also order through Talabat if you’re in the city.

💵 Per person: EGP 350-500

🪑 Outdoor seating: No

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: No