2 Best Restaurants in Sharm el-Sheikh and Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Background Illustration for Restaurants

The Sinai and the Red Sea Coast resorts cater primarily to European tastes, so resort food tends to be Continental and Italian fare and buffet breakfasts. Fresh seafood can be very good. Typical Egyptian food is most readily available in the cities of Bur Sa‘id and Ismailiya along the Suez Canal. A few words of caution: Water is not always potable, so stick to bottled water to be safe. Likewise, vegetables are not always washed properly, so stay away from uncooked greens, especially lettuce and cucumbers. Oil, ghee, and butter, along with anything fatty, iare very popular. A dish that you would expect to be light, like sautéed vegetables, may come dripping with oil.

Abu Ali

$$ Fodor's choice

Although this is a great place to sample ful (a hearty, flavorful stew of mashed fava beans) and ta'amiya (Egyptian-style felafel), save room for baba ghanoush (stewed eggplant with tomatoes and tahini) and the mashi (stuffed grape leaves, zucchini, and baby eggplant). This location, which has a large dining room, is only a few blocks from all the action of the Old Market, so there's always a taxi (or Blue Bus) nearby to get you back to your hotel. The Hay Lel Nour location is a bit farther out, but it's in a non-touristy neighborhood, giving you the opportunity to experience everyday Egyptian life as well as traditional Egyptian food.

Gad

$

For the city's best traditional Egyptian food, head out of your resort and to this unassuming branch of a national restaurant chain. For something special, order the stuffed pigeon, though this is also a good place to enjoy ta'amiya (Egyptian-style felafel) and stellar sides of baba ganoush or hummus.

Hurghada 2, Hurghada, Egypt
10-1886–5522-WhatsApp
Known For
  • Simple, well-prepared Egyptian food
  • Efficient service
  • Reasonable prices

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