Seafood Evening at Fares and Fish Market

The Seafood Evening at Fares and Fish Market is a self-guided dinner in the Old Market (Sharm El Maya) area of Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. There is no tour operator and no guide; visitors choose a seafood restaurant, such as Fares, in the old town and order directly. The experience takes around two hours and is built around the Red Sea catch. At the seafood restaurants in the Old Market, the fish is typically displayed on ice, and diners select a whole fish, which is weighed and priced by weight, then cooked to order, most often grilled. This pick-your-own style is the main draw, and it lets diners see exactly what they are eating before it reaches the grill. The meal usually arrives with a spread of side dishes: fresh salads, tahini, and Egyptian flatbread, which are listed among the inclusions of the evening. The balance of the meal is entirely savoury; sweets and tea are optional extras ordered separately at the end. Because prices are per kilogram, the final bill depends on the size and species of fish chosen, and the guide range of EGP 800-1,500 (about $16-30) per person assumes a shared main course with sides. Drinks are not included, and visitors should check the weight and price per kilo before the fish is cooked. The Old Market is cheaper and more local in character than the Naama Bay resort strip, and the atmosphere is informal, with outdoor tables and families eating late. Staff in the established restaurants generally speak enough English to explain the options, and the pace is leisurely with no time limit on the table. Dietary substitutions are straightforward for those avoiding fish since restaurants also serve grilled meat and vegetable dishes, but the experience is centred on seafood. Shellfish allergies should be raised with staff before ordering. The restaurants operate all year, so the evening can be done in any season.