Egyptian cuisine is known for its abundant use of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, which grow bountifully in the lush Nile Valley. Their rich history of foreign exchange and trading with other countries and invasion by other cultures are influences that make Egyptian cuisine what it is today. In the tombs of Pharaohs, there are paintings and scriptures on the walls that prove that Egyptians loved to eat. Aside from seeing the popular sites of the city, which include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and Valley of the Kings, there are several restaurants offering the authentic taste of Egyptian food.
1. Sofra Restaurant & Café
Sofra is an Arabic word meaning “dining table.” It is also synonymous with hospitality and generosity in Egyptian Arabic. This is the proper name for this restaurant because it serves authentic Egyptian cuisine with an Arab inspiration and dishes influenced by its neighboring countries. The menu offers hot and cold mezze, main courses and side dishes that are cooked the old fashioned way with fresh local ingredients. Dinner is topped off with Arabic coffee, homemade sweets, and fresh fruits.
Sofra Restaurant & Café
Address: 90, Mohamed Farid Street, Al Manshiya, Luxor, Egypt
Website: Sofra Restaurant & Café
2. Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant
The restaurant is owned by the Al-Sahaby family. Their great-grandfather opened the restaurant in 1930 and it has grown ever since. It has gained popularity by its recommendation in several international guidebooks. As a form of gratitude, the governor of Luxor named the street after the founding family.
Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant
Address: Nefertiti Hotel, El Sahabi Street, via Kamak Temple St., Luxor, Egypt
Website: Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant
3. The Salahadeen
The Salahadeen is the restaurant of Mara House, a hotel in Luxor nestled in a residential area. Upon arriving, you will be greeted by the hotel manager Ahmed. Guests can enjoy their authentic Egyptian food and bountiful breakfast.
Though it is not a 5-star hotel, the service and the food are quite exceptional. Their cook Amr prepares the best Salahadeen feast. He is a personal chef of some Egyptian leaders and has worked in 5-star hotels.
The Salahadeen
Address: Salah Al Din Al Ayoubi, Luxor, Egypt
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4. El-Gezira Hotel (from USD 28)
Reasonable pricing for comfortable rooms and great amenities.
Clean rooms, friendly staff, rooftop terrace, swimming pool, and heated swimming pool.
Convenient location on the West Bank near public ferry and close to restaurants and attractions.
Delicious and plentiful breakfast, amazing rooftop restaurant with local food, and accommodating staff for dining needs.
This fancy rooftop restaurant is found at the top of El-Gezira Hotel. They serve Egyptian specialties in a set menu like molokhia and mahshi kurumi. These should be ordered before your arrival.
You can choose between an Egyptian breakfast or Continental breakfast. All of their meals are freshly made. You can enjoy dinner with a traditional show that has lots of music and Egyptian dancers.
El-Gezira Hotel
Address: Geziret-El-Beirat, Luxor, Egypt
Website: El-Gezira Hotel
El Gezira Hotel
Address: Gezira El Bairat , West Bank
Accommodates: 3
Parking Restaurant Room service Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Terrace Airport shuttle
5. Sunrise Restaurant & Bar
Aside from the traditional Egyptian dishes, the Sunrise Restaurant & Bar also offers oriental and international food on their menu. They offer a buffet and a la carte menu with a wide range of dishes and snacks that include an old-fashioned Sunday roast. The restaurant was established in 1993 and offers a lot of entertaining activities. Here, you can have oriental and karaoke parties. You can also watch football matches on their giant TV screens.
Sunrise Restaurant & Bar
Address: Corniche El Nile Street, front of Sonseta & Steigenberger Hotels
Website: Sunrise Restaurant & Bar
6. Jewel of the Nile Restaurant
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
The Jewel of the Nile restaurant received an excellent rating from travelers who have tasted their dishes. It is owned by Laura and Mahmoud. Their specialty is authentic Egyptian vegetarian and vegan cuisine. They also serve fancy continental dishes that include filet steaks, duck, shrimp, veal, pasta and the famous Sunday roast. Fresh fruit juices and sodas are served.
Jewel Of The Nile Restaurant
Address: El Roada El Sharyfa, Off Medina st, Luxor, Egypt
7. 1886 Restaurant
The 1886 Restaurant is one of the fine dining restaurants in Sofitel Hotel in Luxor, Egypt. It serves Mediterranean-French cuisine and a few Egyptian specialties. The restaurant has elegant interiors and requires a formal dress code for its diners (jacket and tie for men and smart dresses for ladies).
The grand restaurant is where Egypt’s royalty, presidents, celebrities, artists, and politicians once dined. You experience dining in a lavish ballroom served by waiters wearing white gloves. Dinner is by candlelight, while enchanting acoustic music plays in the background.
1886 Restaurant
Address: Madinet Al Oqsor, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Website: Sofitel Hotel
8. Nefertiti Hotel (from USD 46)
Great value for money with affordable tours and dining options.
Rooftop terrace with stunning views, central location, and helpful staff.
Perfectly situated near Luxor Temple, the Nile, and the bustling souq.
Delicious and abundant breakfast, great rooftop restaurant with traditional Egyptian dishes.
The Nefertiti Hotel is one of the most luxurious and popular hotels in Luxor. It is also popular for the delicious food they offer. It is home to the Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant where their hotel guests can dine and order their food through room service. The hotel also has a roof terrace where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city while you drink and dine on authentic Egyptian dishes. You could also play games like billiards, read books in their library, surf using their internet services, and watch the news on their satellite TVs.
Nefertiti Hotel
Address: Nefertiti Hotel, El Sahabi Street, via Karnak Temple St, Luxor, Egypt
Website: Nefertiti Hotel
Nefertiti Hotel Luxor
Address: Al-Sahaby Lan,In Front Of Luxor Temple
Accommodates: 4
Parking Restaurant Room service 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Terrace Non-smoking rooms Airport shuttle Laundry
9. Lantern Room
The first Lantern Room was opened 7 years ago, and it is owned by the couple Nasser and Debbie el Shobrakitty. It is typically an English restaurant that serves Egyptian, British and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant became such a popular favorite of diners that they had to move to a different location to accommodate more guests.
Their current location had its last renovation in 2009, and it now has elegant, upscale European inspired interiors. The delicious food is made from fresh ingredients by the owners themselves. It is rumored that an Indian prince once went to their restaurant incognito to have a taste of their notoriously good food. He said their vegetarian dish was the best he had tasted.
Lantern Room
Address: El Rawda El Sharifa St.، Gazirat Al Awameyah, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Facebook: Lantern Room
10. El Hussein
El Hussein restaurant offers grilled Egyptian, European and Oriental foods. The restaurant has been operating for 20 years and takes pride in itself for delivering the tastiest cuisines using only the freshest ingredients and produce. They have a buffet and a la carte menu. They are also known to serve the best-tasting seafood dishes in town.
El Hussein
Address: Hilton Street, El-Karnak, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Website: El Hussein
A taste of Egypt
Egyptian cuisine is more than just a taste of excellent exotic food. It reflects the rich heritage and culture of Egypt. The traditional dishes shows the strong Oriental, Arabic, European, Western and Mediterranean influences that make their cuisine intriguingly flavorful.