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.