Food and drink in Sharm el Sheikh
On the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in the South Sinai Governorate of Egypt, there is a city called Sharm el-Sheikh. On a promontory that overlooks the Straits of Tiran, the city has an advantageous positioning which motivated its transformation from the small fishing village it was, to the major port, naval base, and centre of tourism it is today. The location also means that fish is a staple aspect of the meals enjoyed by those who live in the city.
This diet is reflected in the many restaurants of the city, the menus in which are dominated by good quality seafood. There are always other meats on offer too, such as kebabs, meatballs in a tomato sauce and roasted chicken. And vegetarian food is on offer too, and in fact a favourite amongst the locals is a dish called kushari, which is a tasty combination of macaroni and lentils.
From the middle of the day, the restaurants of the city open their doors, becoming busiest at around two in the afternoon when most of the inhabitants grab lunch. These same restaurants will push right through to midnight, as many of the city dwellers prefer to eat a late meal while enjoying the night time atmosphere.
From the reviews it seems the best place to look for food is the Sharm Old Market, which is host to upmarket restaurants such as Al-Fanar, a place where you can eat al fresco while enjoying its ample Italian menu. If you want to eat something freshly caught, however, then the best place to eat is About Hamada and Sinai Star, for they are recommended by all who eat there. A good option might be to enjoy an evening stroll along the promenade at Na’ama bay after enjoying a meal at one of the areas fine restaurants.
Despite being Islamic, Egypt has pretty lax laws about the sale of alcohol and its consumption. Soho square is home to some of the city’s most trendy drinking spots, like Oxygen bar and Mandarin bar. If you fancy staying out a little later there are nightclubs too, like Pangaea nightclub, which includes British DJs on its bill every week.
Find the latest cheap holidays to Sharm el Sheikh.
