Best Eats in Dahab - Cafes and Coffee

10 Best Eats in Dahab – Cafés and Coffee

Dahab is as full of café’s as it is of restaurants and cheap eats. There are plenty of cafés along the beach road in the Lighthouse area where you can sit on the water. Many of the best spots for coffee are the same as the best breakfast spots. So, what are my 10 best eats in Dahab for coffee

Besides the many along the waterfront, these are the ones I’ve come across, the ones which have been recommended to me, and the ones that call me back.

My 10 Best Eats in Dahab – Cafés and Coffee

1 The German Bakery – This one will come at the top of my list every time. The cake display shows so many amazing options. Coffee comes in big mugs, and is good. It may not be on the water, but it is set amongst the trees and still a lovely spot to sit. You find it by taking the intersection from Lighthouse and going to El Fanar St. The German Bakery is on your left just past left past the taxis.

An amazing array of cakes, they also had some excellent looking pastries, and great sandwiches, breakfast and lunch options.

Popularity is always a good indicator. No question about the German Bakery - it has plenty of seating, inside and outside, but there were no tables free this morning.

I’ve been told there is another one in Asalah (Arse-a-la)

2 Coffee and Cotton – Right next to the taxis and Seaweed sushi is a little café which I’ve been told has an excellent carrot cake. I have yet to try this one. I’ve also heard that their coffee is very good.

3 Nirvana – A place I love to hang for any number of reasons, including a great Indian chai, a nice Indian breakfast, and some excellent curries. It’s charm is right on the water, with your feet in the sand. It is on your left if you head towards the bridge from Lighthouse intersection.

While places like Nirvana and Fresh Fish don’t sell alcohol, you can buy some from around the corner and drink it there as long as you’ve bought something from them too.

4 Lenopatra – This one has specialized in drinks – of every type you could possibly think of. Try a sah’lab (a thick milk drink topped with coconut and nuts), halabessa (spicy humus drink), mocktails, fruit juices, and hot drinks. Head into the Lighthouse intersection, past Athanor, and you’ll find it at the square, up on the rooftops. The night I went there was more than one impromptu jamming session, a violinist with guitar and singing.

5 Fresh Fish – This is one I keep coming back to, where I enjoy sitting – cosy, watch the water, easy to go for a swim to cool down, and the owner Jimmy is always ready with a joke. It is just past Nirvana on the beach side, just before Red Sea Relax Resort.

A sweet extra - the Egyptian bread and butter pudding.

6 The Carribbean - This one got me today with some coffee art - a fish on my cappuccino! The cafe is very chill, right on the water with “nests” you can cosy up inside, feel private and special. It’s the first one across the bridge, on your left on the sea, and has sea access.

The Carribbean, first across the bridge.

Tim’s munch – Since part of a café is about a nice location to sit, this one fits perfectly for a coffee. It is upstairs on a terrace with views of the sea. Recently an adorable puppy called Sakura (Japanese for cherry blossom) has attached for added entertainment. From the intersection head back towards the bridge along the beach road. It is just before the Shark Restaurant, on your right and upstairs above the dive shop. It has a nice terrace view looking over the sea.

6 Bayside – Ever popular as a taste of home, this one is a great place to sit for a coffee. This one is just past Nirvana on your right, easy name and label.

7 Mahalawy – This is a great juice shop. I regularly get one of their juice cups – a mix of mango, yoghurt and strawberry, filled with pieces of fruit. There are a few tables, or you can take your drink or fruit cup to the main beach road and enjoy a view of the sea with your juice. They advertise both a hangover solution, and a Viagra juice. Do you need any more invitation than that? It is just into the intersection at Lighthouse, on your left.

8 El Feshawy – There is always room for the local experience – a cheap café where you can sit on the street and play backgammon, like the locals – because the backgammon rules are different. This one is just past Athanor on the street which runs behind the beach places. Go up the intersection from Lighthouse. They have a great sah’lab (the thick milky which is hot, topped with shredded coconut and nuts, needing a spoon to “drink” it). A chilled kakarde with its pink frothy top is always a treat – hibiscus juice/tea. And of course all your regulars.

Backgammon by the Egyptian rules: All the pieces are stacked at the end, not set out across the board. If you land on a piece, it isn’t taken but blocked. If you can block the enemy in their starting quarter, the game is in your hands. Stack as many as you can on the blocked ones – this ensures that you can keep it blocked for longer. This changes the strategies just enough to create a fresh interest to the game.

Sah’lab and backgammon by the Egyptian rules. Nothing like a midnight game with sah’lab, Kakarde juice (hibiscus) fresh lemon juice with mint, or a turkish coffee perhaps.

A few more I have had recommended:

Coffee Wheel - From the Lighthouse intersection, follow the beach road away from the bridge. It’s not far – a little beach hut all by itself, looking the perfect cosy nook of a beach shanty. They have no food, but they do have power. I have been told a couple of times that their coffee is particularly good.

Ascension – Located in Asalah, and mentioned by countless locals, I have passed it on the street. It is always full, and looks the part for a good place to pass the time.

Bobba Tea – I am a fan of this ever since I discovered it one summer in Hong Kong many years ago. Head along the Lighthouse intersection from the beach road. It is on your right just past El Feshawy, and just before Lemongrass, a highly recommended Thai restaurant.

Best Eats in Dahab - Bars, Music and Nightlife

Best Eats in Dahab – Bars, Music and Nightlife

Dahab is full of restaurants with options for breakfast and for cheap local eats. Don’t worry – there are also night spots. Although a Muslim country, night bars are a part of Egyptian life, especially in the tourist locations like Dahab. So where are the best eats in Dahab – or more particularly, the best bars in Dahab

There are a few standard ones, as well as some others hidden away, and some nice spots for music, open mic, and karaoke. Here are the ones I’ve come across, the ones which have been recommended to me, and the ones that call me back.  

Head to Furry Cup:

Dahab LOUNGE, BAR, AND SWIMMING POOL

Friday Night Karaoke

Other nights-music, dancing and a good place to chill. Sometimes

DJ ASH ABUMARIA.

Blue Beach on the beach side of the path opposite the Furry Cup there is often techno with DJ Sukkar.

❤💚❤💚❤🎶🎶🎶🎧🎧🎶🎶🍺🍺🍺 🥃🥃🥃🥃🌼🌼🌼🌼

Sing some funk, disco, and and anything from Bob Marley, through the 80s to now, Oriental and Latino, a great mix of favourites in English with popular Spanish, French and Arabic releases. Requests always welcome, and guaranteed some fun and dancing.

For more information, dates and times, contact:

Ashraf Alawamleh: +20 101 566 5111

Or scan the QR code and message:

Best Bars in Dahab and Where to Drink, Dance and Party

1 Churchill’s – Easy to find, right in the centre of town near the intersection off the main beach road. Head towards the bridge, and you will find it just after Nirvana and Fresh Fish. It is on the right, and via the main gate into Red Sea Relax Resort, above Red Sea Relax Dive shop. It is a nice bar terrace, and also has good food.

2 Blue Beach – Right on the beach, bar, dancing, music, tables on the water…. What more could you ask for. Most nights there is a DJ, typically playing techno. From Lighthouse, walk along the beach road from the intersection at Lighthouse, about 5 minutes. You know you’re following the right road by the wind as soon as you round the corner. Blue Beach is on your right. It is also easy to reach by turning left into the intersection and walking straight ahead past Red Cat and Athenor. This road runs along at the back of the beach road places, all of them are accessible from this street.

3 The Furry Cup – This is on the left side of the pathway, directly opposite Blue Beach – a twin pair of bars. If you get to Blue Beach from the intersecting road from Lighthouse, you will walk right past the door of The Furry Cup on your way through to Blue Beach – Furry Cup on your left, El Coworking Space on your right. There’s a karaoke night every Friday, so you can bellow out your favourite song to an audience who will love you no matter what, or if you have more talent than me you can sing. You may find music, impromptu open mic, or impromptu singalong get-togethers on other nights as well. Even if there’s nothing happening, there’s nice seating both indoors and outdoors. I’ve worked there in the afternoons, sitting next to the pool facing the beach and Blue Beach.

What does Furry Cup mean? The Furry Cup was started and named about 20 years ago by an Australian. Yes, it does mean what you think it does – nothing at all for polite company. Let us say, it is another word for “beaver”, or “Map of Tasmania”.

4 Coral Coast – Keep walking along the beach road from Blue Beach a few more minutes and you will come to Coral Coast. With drinks and a dining area, there can be regular events here too, such as a trivia night – which is more about drinking beer and catching up with new and old friends than any serious trivia competition – a good fun night.

5 Jackie’s – Head along the beach road the other way. Just before the bridge you will walk past Jackies on your left. It is right over the water with great views and atmosphere. They have music til later than most places, including a lot of salsa nights. I’ve even seen some dance classes during the day. It also has food, and is a good place to chill.

6 Tota – This is a fairly new one in town, and regularly hosts jamming and open mic sessions. It is a very chill sit-around on the rooftop on the floor seating, with drinks and food. There is no alcohol, but it is often ok to bring your own in Dahab, as long as you have bought something from them – maybe just ask them first. Head along the intersection from Lighthouse and go left along El Fanar St, past The German Bakery. It is on that street, which ends on the main road in a lighthouse statue.

7 Lenopatra - This is a fairly new one. They don’t serve alcohol, but they have loads of interesting drinks. Try a sah’lab (a thick milk drink topped with coconut and nuts), halabessa (spicy humus drink), mocktails… Head into the Lighthouse intersection, past Athanor, and you’ll find it at the square, up on the rooftops. The night I went there was more than one impromptu jamming session, a violinist with guitar and singing.

8 Every Day – There is often live music, drinks and food at Every Day, with nice cosy nooks and floor seating. The trick here is that there seem to be several places called Every Day. From the beach road, follow it past Jackies and across the bridge. Go past Every Day, and Every Day Old, and Old Every Day… It’s the one at the first intersection, on the beach side opposite the big supermarket.

Acacia also has events, and I believe drinks. It has been recommended, but I haven’t been there. It is past Every Day.

There is also a little one just past the Lighthouse intersection on your way to Blue Beach called Lighthouse. It has beer and always seems cheerful.

There are also bottle shops everywhere. I have often bought a bottle to drink at Nirvana or Fresh Fish, or the Chinese Kitchen opposite Athenor. There is a bottle shop just before you get to the Chinese Kitchen, and another a little further along that street towards Blue Beach. There is another down near the bridge on the main beach road.

Best Eats in Dahab - Cheap Eats

Extra cheap eats

Dahab is full of restaurants, but being very touristy they are often pricey, and a kind of fusion. For most visitors, even these overpriced places seem cheap. But if you’re one on more of a budget, where can you find the best eats in Dahab to fit the budgeting pocket?

That, of course, means eating like a local. Whether you are talking about breakfast or main meals, coffee or a place to chill over a beer, you can get food that is both cheap, and excellent. But you won’t find them on the main beach road (except for the kushari stand), so here is a guide to some good ones that locals have introduced me to.

Here is my list of the best eats in Dahab that have been recommended to me and I have tried. I have just completely rearranged the list, since I’ve now come across some new, amazing favourites!!!

Do you agree? Or do you have a favourite you think I need to add?

10 Best Eats in Dahab – the cheap ones

Or, eating like a local.

1 El Shawary, Sina Market – The best meal I have had the whole time in Dahab, is at El Shawary and Abu Has’s’an, hands down.

Coming in a close second, the second best meal I’ve had in Dahab - was also at El Shawary and Abu Has’s’an. So get yourself out to Asala for some amazing local food.

At the end of this little arcade, on your left is El Shawary, with great and cheap food. But the exceptional experience I had was by adding some seafood from its neighbouring shop, Abu Has’s’an. It will be a little more expensive by adding the fish, but oh, my - you are in for a treat.

Choose your fish and pay by weight. They will cook it and serve it up to you, together with your selection from El Shawary. Rice with tahina and salad, soup, beans, potatoes, BBQ chicken… El Shawary cooks theirs, Abu Has’s’an cooks their fish. You can sit in either place.

Half a kg of shrimp, a whole fish each, plus tahina, salad, soup, rice…. Not even $15 between 3 of us!

Sina Market in Asala - German bakery, and best cheap eats so far in Dahab.

2  Chillout – This one is quickly rising in my books for good food which is also cheaper. I’ve now had a great hamburger, and just now some excellent pasta for just 60 egp. They know how to cook pasta - not a given in Egypt and a rarity in Europe. I arrived hungry and forgot to take a photo of the food - I will have to go back for more. Oh, the hardships….

Good burgers and pasta

3 King Chicken – Now let’s take a trip to the other end of town. Head back along the main beach road, and across the bridge. Follow the street past the little supermarket (not the beach fork). There are lots of clothes shops, but on your right you will pass King Chicken. (If you get to a normal tarred street, you have gone too far). This has a great selection of classic Egyptian dishes – BBQ chicken with soup, salad, dips, bean and potato dishes… have fun, get as much as you can eat, and it will barely impact on your wallet. (Added secret - go a little further along this street, and just past the paved area and onto the tarred road, and you’ll get some of the best and freshest bread in Dahab).

4 Kushari – Back on the main road at he side of Nirvana there is usually a kushari stand. This is a decent kushari – one of Egypt’s famous dishes. Kushari is a number of different pastas, lentils and chick peas covered in a sour lemon sauce, a tomato one, some crunchy fried onions and meat on top. Surely starting as a leftovers dish, it still hits the spot and is one of my favourite Egyptian meals.

In front of Nirvana, nothing like Egyptian kushari

5 Shrimpo – Right next to Chillout, the next is a fish sandwich shop - which means in a wrap. Surprisingly tasty, and again, good prices. This has great little sandwiches with prawns/shrimp, calamari and other treats, at 60 Egyptian pounds for a small, 120 for a large. Definitely worth a stop.

6 Om Mahmoud – To be honest, ranking some of these places is really hard. But another treat is again out at Asala (said arse-a-la with the emphasis on the first syllable). The locals of course, don’t generally eat around Lighthouse. So you will find local treats getting away from there, such as at the main shopping centre called Asala . This is where the cheap shops and supermarkets are. You can walk, or catch a taxi on the main street at the back of the hotels. From the big square, take the street to the left at the start of it, opposite Sina Market, the German Bakery and El Sharawy. There you will see Om Mahmoud – An excellent meal which is very easy on the pocket.

Another great cheap eat in Asala

7 Mahalawy – the juice shop, with some pastries and basic eats. It may be more of a snack shops, but I rarely pass up one of their fruit and yoghurt cups. Head into the intersection off Lighthouse. It’s almost straight away on your left. If you feel like bypassing, you’ll pause anyway when you spot their advertised Viagra juice and hangover cures.

8 Abo Ahmed – The first one I ever went to – the very morning my bus arrived – was Abu Ahmed. This is your classic Egyptian eatery, this time with the prices to match. It has your typical breakfast and snacks – foul (said fool, a course fava bean dip), eggs, salad, falafels and dips – your choice of foods in a pocket, or in dishes for you to explore with your bread. It’s not just a breakfast place, but open all day. Head into the intersecting street, and towards El Fanar St to your left – it is on your right just before the taxis.

A quick fix snack or meal, foul and falafel sandwiches

9 El Massryen – Keep going straight ahead past the above cheap ones, past the Chinese Kitchen, Red Cat and Athanor, not far up this street (which basically runs along the backside of the places on the beach road and up past Blue Beach) this is another good cheap shop, which you will find on the left side of the street. It also has kushari. But also a kofta sandwich there is an excellent choice. I’ve never been a fan of meat balls – but then, I didn’t grow up on them over here. I thought the spices in Moroccan kofta were amazing. Here they are even better.  

 If you know of something worth mentioning in this list, please let me know so I can add it.

Best Eats in Dahab - Breakfast

10 Best Eats in Dahab – for Breakfast

Dahab is full of restaurants, and finding a decent breakfast place seems to be even more challenging. I love a good English breakfast, but the options seem to all include a ratatouille type mush of vegetables which I find oily and uninspiring. So what are the options for the best eats in Dahab for breakfast?

Your choices include the Egyptian breakfast, English breakfast, American breakfast with pancakes or French toast, and some other varieties.

So what is a typical Egyptian breakfast?

The basis is foul - pronounced fool - which is a dip of fava beans roughly mashed, loaded with garlic and other spices. If you are a westerner like me who shies off beans because they’re usually a boring ‘health’ option, let go of your reservations. This part of the world is gourmet with beans, chick peas, and lentils. You are in for a great range of foods to explore.

So besides foul for breakfast, what else are options in an Egyptian breakfast?

Foul - fava bean dip or filling for a sandwich (pocket bread)

Falafels - split peas mixed with herbs into a small ball and deepfried

Aubergines or eggplants - fried with spices

Cheese - typical of the region, a soft white cheese

Eggs - generally hard boiled, but could also be a scramble or an omelette

Pickles - mostly carrots, radish and chillies

Salad - typically lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red and green peppers, in beautiful fresh colours, or sliced cabbage

bread - the lovely pocket bread of Egypt

Here is my list of the best eats in Dahab that have been recommended to me and I have tried. Can I say you would be a fool not to try foul and an Egyptian breakfast…

NB: As a rule, I post a blog when it is finished. But people are already asking me for recommendations, so I’m posting it up with continued updates until I have the list complete.

The Cairo Pharoah, theatre actor breakfasting in Dahab

My 10 Best Eats Dahab - Breakfast

1 The German Bakery – So far I’ve only tried a few, but I’m ready to put this right at the top of my list without question. You find it by taking the intersection past the taxis to El Fanar St. The German Bakery is on your left just past them. It has an amazing looking range of pastries for the continental breakfasters. There are a variety of sandwiches – I had an egg and bacon one which totally satisfied, with some chips and a small salad of peppers and lettuce. But I was already won over by the size of the cappuccino!

Ralph’s German Bakery

Egg and bacon sandwich with a great cappuccino of decent size. I ate the chips before I remembered to take the photo.

 2 Athanor – This has often been recommended, and today I found out why. With a great range of breakfast options, not only good food, but good prices. There were a variety of egg breakfasts, as well as some without. From the Lighthouse intersection, head along the street which runs past Red Cat and the Chinese Kitchen and behind all the beach cafes. It is just past Red Cat on the other side of the street.

Athanor egg and bacon breakfast for 110 Egp at this point, about $1. Without the bacon, their egg breakfast is just 55 egp.

3 Fresh Fish – This one has a superb Egyptian breakfast. With brilliant green falafels from the herbs in them, humus, amazing Egyptian bread with black sesame seeds, a small salad with a splash of the fresh red tomatoes, and some scrambled egg with its lovely yellow contrast, the meal is a feast for the eyes, and even better with the eating. Take a dip in the crystal clear sea, dry off over an excellent breakfast. There are worse ways of starting your day. Fresh Fish is run by Jimmy. As with many of the places along the water, this one is attached to a dive school. It is just past Nirvana on the beach side, just before Red Sea Relax Resort.

The excellent Egyptian breakfast at Fresh Fish

4 Nirvana – A place I love to hang for any number of reasons. Their food is one of them. You can have a breakfast with a difference. They have Indian food, and it’s good food. Everything from an Indian breakfast through to a great range of Indian dishes, with bread or rice. I also really enjoy their Indian spiced chai. It is right on the water, just 2 shops along from the intersection.

5 Abu Ahmed – This is your classic Egyptian eatery, this time with the prices to match. It has your typical breakfast and snacks – foul (said fool, a course fava bean dip), eggs, salad, falafels – your choice of foods in a pocket. Not just a breakfast place, but open all day, also with a range of dips. This one is up El Fanar St. Go to your left – it is on your right just before the taxis.

Omelette, foul, tahina, falafels, salad and chips - the Egyptian breakfast of champions

2 champions from Cairo, bread as spoons you can eat

 6 Tim’s munch – a recommendation, especially for a very elaborate and huge spread on its two specialities – the Egyptian breakfast, and the American breakfast. They are highly recommended, though be warned. They are huge breakfasts – you are doing well to finish them. But they will keep you going for the day. Other options include pancakes, French toast, and shakshuka. From the intersection head back towards the bridge along the beach road. It is just before the Shark Restaurant, on your right and upstairs above the dive shop. It has a nice terrace view looking over the sea.

Shakshuka at Tim’s Munch

7 Bayside – sought after by homesick Americans, this has a great range of familiar foods – pancakes, muesli and yoghurt bowls, Egyptian breakfasts. This one is just past Nirvana on your right, easy name and label.

8 Mahalawy – This is a great juice shop. I regularly get one of their juice cups – a mix of mango, yoghurt and strawberry, filled with pieces of fruit. They also have some very basic breakfasts of hard boiled eggs etc.

The Mahalawy fruit juice shop with an invitation that can’t be ignored

Three I haven’t yet tried but which get regularly recommended are:

Breakfast cafe

Every Day Café, and Flat White - just across the bridge on your left next to each other

Planet Divers - just past Fresh Fish, with a menu which looks very good.

Best Eats in Dahab - Restaurants

10 best eats in Dahab – Restaurants

Dahab is so full of restaurants, where to find the best eats in Dahab becomes daunting. The street along the beach – the Lighthouse area – is all restaurants and cafes, breakfast, lunch... How to choose one?

It is usually a reliable strategy to choose the busiest. That, of course, assumes that all the customers have worked out which are the best eats in Dahab. However, there is not much difference between most of the restaurants along the water. They very quickly become a blur of sameness.

There are of course, lists such as with Tripadvisor. But I found all the lists had the same restaurants. I like to look at a few different sites, then pull out the names which are repeated, a consensus of places which are thought the best by different people.

The OzzyHopper list of best eats in Dahab is designed to contrast with the other lists. There are too many to try them all, and there are so many good ones. I also love food, and I have maybe been spoilt. Some of the recommended ones I haven’t found amazing.

So these are the ones I’ve come across, the ones which have been recommended to me, and the ones that call me back.

NB: As a rule I post a blog when it is finished. But I’m finding people already asking me for recommendations, so I’m posting it up with continued updates until I have the list complete.

My 10 Best Eats in Dahab – Restaurants

1 Red Sea Relax – Actually, Churchill’s, but it’s through the front gate of Red Sea Relax Resort, and above Red Sea Relax Resort dive shop. Red Sea Relax Resort makes it easy to find. It’s close to the intersecting street, on your right on the way towards the bridge. A bar with open terrace drinking. A good place for the evening.

 2 Lemongrass – This is an amazing little Thai restaurant which is very popular. I apologise here - I love Asian food. But this one is seriously delicious. The owners and chefs are 3 brothers. They have made an agreement that each of them gets 3 months of the year for a working holiday, which means exploring food in SE Asia and learning new recipes from the original chefs. Whatever their secret, I have no arguments. Their food is excellent. They also have vegetarian and vegan options. You find them just past Athanor, just a little further up the same street on your right.

Basil Shrimps

3 Nirvana – a place I love to hang for any number of reasons. Their food is one of them. They have Indian food, and it’s good food. Everything from an Indian breakfast through to a great range of Indian dishes, with bread or rice. I also really enjoy their Indian spiced chai. It is right on the water, just 2 shops along from the intersection.

Nirvana

I think it is only fair at this point to add the restaurant Namaste. I haven’t yet tried it, but I find the opinion divided - either swearing by Nirvana, or swearing by Namaste. This suggests to me that both are good and worth the try. To find Namaste, turn into El Fanar St, but go left past the taxis. It isn’t far, on your right, just past the Mexican.

4 Fresh Fish – run by Jimmy. As with many of the places along the water, this one is attached to a dive school. Like Nirvana, easy access to the water, chill while drying off. They have a pretty decent club sandwich, an excellent Mexican salad, and I love their sahban. It is just past Nirvana on the beach side, just before Red Sea Relax Resort.

Above: Mexican salad

Left: Mix salad with white babaganoush, humus, tahina and soft Egyptian bread

Below: Club sandwich and pasta

5 Athanor – This one is in the Lighthouse area. Go up the street which runs off the beach road, past the Chinese Kitchen and Red Cat Russian. There are quite a few restaurants and eat places in this area, and they’re a little cheaper than along the water. Athanor would be one of the better ones, with great pasta and burgers. I have had some excellent breakfasts, and can recommend the pasta and pizza.

6 Darwish Seafood – For amazing seafood, there is also Darwish Seafood. It is a good walk, or a taxi ride past Asalah (Arse-a-la), but well worth the trek. With a backdrop of a mosque at the edge of town and below the desert hills, it has seating on the street, and great food. You go and choose your fish and how you want it cooked.

Darwish Seafood

Darwish has been so successful that their prices have gone up significantly. I have been told there is another excellent seafood restaurant - some think even better - called Miami. It is on the same street just before you get to Darwish, on the right next to a Sina market and opposite a gmart.

7 Seaweed – This is also up the street off the beach street – El Fanar St. At the split in the road, go to your left. It backs onto Fanar, where the taxis are. It’s a little Japanese one. I’ve found the sushi quite ok, and I’ve been told the noodles are also good.

8 Eel Garden – Walk along the beach road away from the bridge and past El Fanar St, maybe 10 minutes. If you’ve been diving, you will already know about it. A bit past Mirage, it has 2 parts – an Italian pasta part, and Eel Garden View. I’ve been told the pasta is good at the first part, also called Happy Hour, and had the pizza highly recommended by a Sardinian Italian. I had some pasta at the View part, the second half, as well as some grilled chicken in lemon, and found it quite decent.  

9 Mexican – on the way to Namaste on El Fanar St. This little spot was very cosy, and the food was good.  Especially loved the enchiladas. But be ready for slow service.

10 King Chicken – For a classic Egyptian meal, this one is hard to beat. Head across the bridge, take the fork in front of the big supermarket and you will find it along there, on your right, before you hit the tarred road. BBQ chicken, the Egyptian style rice, beans, maqlouba (the green herb sauce that is uniquely local in these areas), potatoes in tomato, great humus, salad, soups, Egyptian bread… King Chicken is a nearby cheapie that your stomach will love!

 10 Red Dragon Kitchen -

Some other places I have been recommended which I am looking forward to try include:

El Primo – I am reliably told that it is owned by 2 brothers, the food is good, but if the younger one is cooking it’s excellent. The chicken fettucine and pastas, and slow cooked BBQ were recommended. It’s just across from Nirnava and Fresh Fish.

Red Cat – Russian, in Lighthouse across from Athanor.

Ali baba – along the beach road towards the bridge, next to Green Valley

Namaste – another Indian restaurant. Views seem to be divided between the Namaste fans and the Nirvana fans. That just tells me I need to try it.

There is also a Lebanese restaurant at Mirage which I need to try

Others mentioned, but not yet tried:

Blue house

Shark

Isfahan tajines

Pescatori Italian

Coral coast burgers

All input welcomed. Do you have a favourite which I haven’t mentioned?