Hurghada Red Sea Coast, Egypt Travel Guide
Egyptian food uses fresh vegetables, legumes, rice, and bread. Meat, typically chicken, beef, and lamb, appears commonly, but vegetarian options are plentiful.
Spices enhance flavor without excessive heat, leaning towards aromatic profiles. The cuisine represents a comforting blend of hearty and flavorful dishes.
Less pronounced regional variation exists within Hurghada itself. A clear distinction exists between traditional Egyptian street food and international resort dining. Seafood is a local specialty.
Egyptians are known for hospitality; hosts insist you eat more. Use your right hand when eating communal dishes or scooping food with bread. Tipping is common.
Alcohol is available in most resorts, tourist-oriented restaurants, and specific licensed bars. It is less common in smaller, local eateries outside tourist zones.
Egypt's national dish: layers of rice, macaroni, lentils, chickpeas, and fried crispy onions. Topped with spicy tomato sauce and garlic vinegar.
Find Koshary in dedicated koshary restaurants.
Slow-cooked fava beans, a cornerstone of Egyptian breakfast. Served with olive oil, cumin, and lemon juice.
Look for specialized foul carts or local eateries.
Uses fava beans, crispy outside, soft inside, often served in baladi bread.
Distinct from chickpea-based falafel.
Koshary, Ta'ameya sandwiches, Foul sandwiches, Hawawshi. Sweets: Ghorayeba (shortbread), Basbousa (semolina cake).
Non-alcoholic: Karkadeh (hibiscus tea), Sahlab (warm milky drink), Tamarind juice, Sugarcane juice. Alcoholic: Stella Local Beer, Sakara Gold. Wine available.
Luxury resorts feature fine dining, often international cuisines (Italian, Asian, high-end seafood).
Wide selection in Sakkala and Hurghada Marina. Mix of Egyptian, fresh seafood, and international cuisines.
Budget eateries and street food concentrated in El Dahar (Old Town). International cuisine abundant.
El Dahar souk features small food stalls for quick, local bites. Hurghada does not have large, dedicated food halls.
Explore the bustling souk for traditional treats.
Many resorts offer a broad range of dining from casual buffets to specialty restaurants for guests.
Convenient and varied culinary options within your stay.
Authentic, inexpensive local bites.
Upscale international cuisine.
Fresh catches due to coastal location.
Wide range of global dining.
All meat served in Egypt is generally halal, given the country's Muslim majority.
Visitors adhering to halal diets will find most local food suitable.
Kosher food is extremely rare. It would need pre-arrangement from specialized suppliers if needed.
Limited options for Kosher dietary requirements.
Inform your resort or tour operator in advance about dietary restrictions.
Pack essential snacks. Ask about cooking oils and verify ingredients in sauces and marinades.
Some resorts or local tour operators conduct Egyptian cooking classes, focusing on staple dishes like koshary or traditional stews.
No major international food festivals regularly occur in Hurghada. Local culinary events might coincide with religious holidays like Eid.
Food tours of El Dahar explore local markets and street food, a guided immersion into the culinary scene.
A blend of traditional food and desert environment.
Savor local flavors under the open sky.
Often includes local music and dance under the night sky.
An engaging cultural show with your meal.
Explore El Dahar for authentic, budget-friendly local food.
Resort dining offers diverse international cuisines.
Fresh seafood is a must-try due to the coastal location.
Hurghada's food scene, from humble street stalls to luxurious resort dining, has a flavorful journey through Egyptian and international tastes.
