The coastal town of Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt attracts thousands of tourists every year. Visitors looking to enjoy the year round sun and long sandy beaches can also choose from a wide range of restaurants.
When visiting Sharm el Sheikh you will probably experience hotel restaurants first, before venturing further afield. The Four Seasons hotel has an excellent Italian restaurant, the Ritz is known for the range of Japanese cuisine, while the in house restaurant in the Sofitel serves delicious Indian food.
If you want to experience something more familiar when eating out in Sharm el Sheikh, most of the main fast food brands have branches in the town. KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s all have restaurants in Sharm el Sheikh, and most will be happy to deliver to your hotel.
However, if you are eating out in Sharm el Sheikh, then it is likely you will want to experience local cuisine. If this is the case, the Old Market is the best place to visit. Not only will you be able to shop (remember to haggle with stall holders!) but there is a vast selection of food stalls and local restaurants all serving delightful local cuisine.
As a port town, Sharm el Sheikh is well known for its fresh seafood. You will be able to experience excellent calamari, samak mashwy (grilled fish) and samak makly (fried fish) in the Old Market.
Other local delicacies to look out for include street food, such as kebabs and shawerma (pita bread stuffed with shredded meat and tahini sauce). For something more substantial, try torly, which is a vegetarian tray bake, or Mahshi hamam – pigeon stuffed with rice and herbs.
Due to Asian and African immigration, Egypt is a diverse cultural melting pot, and this has influenced the cuisine in Sharm el Sheikh and other areas of the country. As a result, you can choose from almost any type of food when eating out in Sharm el Sheikh. The Kona Kai restaurant serves excellent Japanese food including fresh Sashimi, nigiri and maki rolls.
For a taste of home in Sharm el Sheikh, try the Three Crowns or the Camel Bar. These two restaurants serve British favourites, and are known for the generosity of their dishes. As a result, you may want to skip the starter.
- Sharm el SheikhSaf’
If you want to indulge your sweet tooth, try Go Crepe. This beachfront restaurant serves delicious pancakes with a selection of fillings. You will also be able to try some wonderful cocktails.
When eating out in Sharm el Sheikh, you should remember that most of the Egyptian restaurants, due to the culture, won’t serve alcohol. If you want a drink with your meal, you may want to stick to the hotel restaurants and other locations in resorts.
However, Egyptian cuisine is very tasty and your holiday in Sharm el Sheikh really wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Old Market. Not only will you be able to sample the local cuisine, you will also be able to pick up some souvenirs of your trip to this wonderful, beautiful city.
