St. David Building

St. David Building Review

Founded in the 1880s by a Welshman as the Davies Bryan department store—Cairo's largest at the time—this building has an odd, almost witty roofline reminiscent of a fortress. The facade retains the cursive D and B of its former owner who, patriot that he was, decorated it with Welsh symbols, to which later occupants have added about a hundred little Venus de Milos.

The antique, ground-floor Stephenson Pharmacy, which is open Monday through Saturday 9:30-9, is not to be missed. It was once one of the best in the city (according to the 1929 Baedeker's guide) and still displays advertisements for ancient cure-alls.

Also in the St. David is the beloved Anglo-Egyptian Bookstore, which has a pleasant search-through-the-stacks ambience. The bookstore is open 9-1:30 and 4:30-8, except for Sunday, when it's closed. 02/2391-4237. www.anglo-egyptian.com.