Hurghada is Egypt's largest Red Sea resort city, a 40 km coastal strip of dive centres, beach resorts and marinas, with boat trips to Giftun Island, Orange Bay and the reefs offshore.
Hurghada eats from the Red Sea: grilled and fried fish chosen by weight, shrimp, calamari and seafood soup, alongside Egyptian grills, koshary, ful and ta'ameya. The resort economy adds Greek, Lebanese, Italian, Asian and German kitchens, concentrated around the Marina and Sheraton Road, while Dahar (the old town) is cheaper and more local.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Hurghada.
Grilled Red Sea fish by weight
Pick the whole fish on ice, choose grilled or fried, served with rice, salad and tahini.
Where to try: Al Halaka Fish Restaurant, Starfish Seafood Restaurant
Price: EGP 700-1,400 per kg (~$14-28)
Seafood soup and fried shrimp
Tomato-based fish soup and crisp fried shrimp, a Marina staple.
Where to try: Starfish Seafood Restaurant
Price: EGP 150-450 (~$3-9)
Camel steak
Lean camel meat grilled as a steak, a Hurghada novelty.
Where to try: Moby Dick Restaurant
Price: EGP 350-600 (~$7-12)
Koshary
Rice, lentils, pasta and fried onion in spiced tomato sauce.
Where to try: GAD Restaurant, Youssef Afifi Street
Price: EGP 40-90 (~$1-2)
Ful and ta'ameya breakfast
Fava bean stew and fava falafel in baladi bread.
Where to try: Street carts and bakeries in Dahar
Price: EGP 30-80 (~$0.60-1.60)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Egyptian
Asian
Egyptian Grill
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Lebanese
Mediterranean
Seafood
Steak
Food tours & tastings in Hurghada
Eat your way through Hurghada with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Ta'ameya and ful sandwich
Fresh fava falafel and ful in baladi bread, sold at breakfast from carts on many corners.
Find it at: Dahar old town
Alexandrian liver sandwich (kebda)
Spiced liver in a roll with tahini and lemon.
Find it at: Dahar and Sheraton Road snack counters
Feteer
Flaky layered pastry, sweet or savoury, baked to order.
Find it at: Mamsha Street (El Mamsha promenade), Namliyah eatery
Fresh sugarcane juice
Pressed to order, a few pounds a glass.
Find it at: Along Sheraton Road and Dahar
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Dahar Bazaar and souk
Spices, produce, bread and sweets in the old town streets around El Dahar Square.
Hours: Daily, about 09:00-23:00
Hurghada fish market (Sakkala harbour)
Day-boat catch sold beside the harbour near El Minaa Mosque; several restaurants will cook what is bought.
Hours: Daily, mornings are best
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tap water is not safe to drink; order sealed bottled water.
Seafood is priced by weight; confirm the price per kilo and weigh the fish before cooking.
A 12% service charge and 14% tax are often added at Marina and Sheraton Road venues; where not added, tip 10%.
Alcohol is served at most Marina and Sheraton Road restaurants and at hotels, but rarely in Dahar local eateries.
Many Marina venues take cards, while Dahar eateries are usually cash only; carry small EGP notes.
Vegetarian options are plentiful (ful, ta'ameya, koshary, lentil soup, mezze); halal is the norm; gluten-free needs care with bread and pasta; Asian, Italian and Lebanese kitchens on the Marina handle vegan and allergy requests better than local grills.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |