10/8/2025–|Last update: 14:30 (Mecca time)
In the heart of Erbil, where the echoes of history hesitate and embrace the spirit of originality, the Mam Khalil Café stands with a tall, not just a place to eat tea, but a live symbol and a witness to the tales of successive generations, and a preservation of the memory of an entire city.
This ancient edifice was established in 1952, to become an integral part of Erbil’s social and cultural fabric.
Muhammad Khalil, the son and heir who currently runs the café, tells a sense of pride and responsibility for this precious legacy, “Mam Khalil Café represents a history of Erbil’s dates and a symbol of the province.” Thus, Muhammad described during his conversation with Al -Jazeera Net the place that the people of Erbil consider a teacher who is not ignorant of one of the city’s sons.
After the death of his father in 2015, Muhammad returned from outside Iraq to hold him responsible for preserving this edifice, stressing: “I returned to the cafe administration because it is the history of my father and the governorate, and I was keen to preserve it and made it better than before.”
Erbil’s memory on the walls
The walls of the “Mam Khalil” cafe are in itself a live exhibition of Erbil’s stories and its characters. The walls are adorned with a unique collection of photographs of prominent characters from the city, from politicians, artists and athletes.
Muhammad notes that his father, Mam Khalil, was passionate about the collection of these pictures that reflect the history of the city and its influential characters, and the first image stuck on the walls was his personal image, to serve as a cornerstone of the memory of the cafe.
The “Mam Khalil” cafe is characterized by its unique location inside the historic “Caesarean” building, which dates back to nearly 280 years, and is the first Caesarean in Erbil. This site gives an additional dimension to the importance of the cafe, linking it to the deep roots of Erbil and its authentic architectural heritage.
Tales that go beyond generations
The café has always been a meeting place for the residents of the region, which they flock to it from the early morning hours to eat breakfast and morning tea, during which there were strong friendships and social relationships.
One of the most amazing stories that Muhammad Khalil tells is the story of one of the pioneers who emphasized that 9 generations of his family, starting with his grandfather to his children and grandchildren, have attended this cafe and drank tea in it. This story embodies the pivotal role of the “Mam Khalil” cafe as a meeting place for generations and kept the live memory of Erbil.
While “Rifaat Ballai” is one of the pioneers of the ancient cafe, he also emphasizes the unique historical and social standing that the café enjoys as a meeting place for various spectrums and personalities from all over the country.
“Mam Khalil Café is one of the oldest cafes in Caesarea Erbil, and it is visited by people from all spectra and personalities and all over the country.”
He pointed out that the cafe is a live exhibition for the history and culture of the region, as its walls maintain many souvenirs that document prominent personalities visits, from presidents, politicians, cordon leaders, artistic figures, merchants and store owners in Caesarea Erbil.
“Mam Khalil” .. More than just a café
Hardi Abdullah Othman, one of the pioneers of the coffee shop for more than 10 years, confirms to Al -Jazeera Net on the historical and cultural role of the café as a meeting place for generations and prestigious personalities. He says: “The youth see that it is the most beautiful café, and for me, whenever I go to the market, I must visit Khalil Café to touch the tea because its taste is very wonderful.”
Othman also pointed out that the café regularly attracts “prominent and powerful personalities”, including politicians and conservatives, which is confirmed by the pictures hanging on the walls.
He also mentioned the vitality of the market surrounding the cafe, describing it as “a beautiful market and is characterized by active movement throughout the day.”
As for what distinguishes “Mam Khalil”, Othman stressed his “sophisticated place” that attracts visitors to an authentic and calm experience, adding: “I have memories here with my father, and we come to spend time together in the cafe.”
In the end, the “Mam Khalil” café remains not just a place to eat tea, but rather a cultural and social edifice that carries a long -standing family and historical heritage, and remains a favorite destination for many generations and prominent personalities, a steadfast witness to the pulse of Erbil and its living memory.
