Best Restaurants in Hurghada — The Complete Dining Guide
Hurghada's restaurant scene has improved dramatically over the past decade. From genuine Egyptian street food in the old town to sophisticated international dining in El Gouna, the food offering now matches or exceeds many comparable Mediterranean resort destinations. This guide covers the best options at every price point.
Egyptian Food in Hurghada — What to Eat
Egyptian cuisine is one of the most underrated in the world — and Hurghada offers excellent access to authentic dishes. Must-try: Koshary (Egypt's national dish — rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce with crispy onions — £1–£2 at local restaurants), ful medames (spiced fava beans served with bread — the traditional Egyptian breakfast), grilled fish (the Red Sea fish market in Ad Dahar lets you choose your fish and have it grilled freshly — genuinely excellent), shawarma (Lebanese-influenced wraps, every street corner), and feteer meshaltet (flaky Egyptian pastry with sweet or savoury fillings).
Hurghada Marina Restaurants
The marina promenade has Hurghada's highest concentration of restaurants. Highlights: El Farouk (classic Egyptian cuisine in a traditional setting, popular with families), various seafood restaurants allowing you to select your fish from the counter, Pier 88 (international menu with marina views — pricier but excellent atmosphere), and numerous Italian, Asian, and international options that have expanded the marina dining scene significantly in recent years.
El Gouna Dining — The Best Food in the Hurghada Area
El Gouna has the most sophisticated restaurant scene in the wider Hurghada area — driven by its affluent expat community with high expectations. Pier 88 El Gouna, Harumaki (Japanese), Signor Sassi (Italian), Moods, and The Farm are consistently rated among the best dining experiences on the Red Sea coast. Prices are higher than central Hurghada but still well below European equivalents.
Budget Eating in Hurghada
The best budget eating is in the Ad Dahar old town and local residential areas — not the tourist promenade. Koshary restaurants: £1–£2 for a substantial meal. Local falafel and shawarma: £0.50–£1 per sandwich. Fish grills in Ad Dahar market: £3–£6 for fresh Red Sea fish grilled to order. Juice bars: fresh-pressed juices from £0.50. The contrast between tourist restaurant prices (£8–£20 per meal) and local restaurant prices (£1–£5) is stark — worth exploring the local area.
Tips for Eating Well in Hurghada
Ask your hotel staff where local residents eat — their recommendations will consistently outperform what appears on tourist restaurant lists. Visit the fish market in Ad Dahar to see what is fresh before choosing where to eat seafood. Ramadan affects restaurant hours significantly — check in advance if visiting during this period. Tipping: 10–15% is appropriate in tourist restaurants. Many add a service charge automatically — check the bill.
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