Abou Ashraf International Fish

Abou Ashraf International Fish is a long-running seafood institution on Bahary Street in El Anfushi, Alexandria's old fishing quarter, tracing its roots back to the 1950s. It follows the point-and-weigh format that defines the neighbourhood: fresh fish, calamari and shrimp are laid out on ice at the front of the restaurant, customers choose and weigh their selection, and the kitchen prepares it grilled or fried within minutes. The signature dish is tagen samak, a fried-fish casserole finished with tomato and spices, alongside simply grilled sea bream and calamari served with tahini and Egyptian salads. The dining room is plain and functional, with close tables, fluorescent lighting and a working-restaurant atmosphere rather than a designed interior; the noise level rises with the lunch and dinner rush as fishmongers, families and visitors cycle through. There is no wine or cocktail programme; diners typically order soft drinks, tea, or bring nothing beyond water, in keeping with the neighbourhood's straightforward eating culture. A full meal for one, including sides, runs roughly EGP 250-600, making it one of the more affordable ways to eat fresh Mediterranean seafood in Alexandria. Reservations are not accepted and are not necessary; it operates as a walk-in establishment with fast table turnover throughout its service hours from 11am to midnight. The restaurant's decades-long reputation in Anfushi means it can get crowded around traditional Egyptian lunch hours in the early afternoon, so arriving slightly earlier or later avoids the busiest stretch.