Costa Coffee Soho Square

Costa Coffee at Soho Square is a branch of the international coffee chain in Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. Soho Square is a large entertainment complex in the Ras Um Sid and Nabq direction of the city, with restaurants, bars, shops and an open-air plaza, and the Costa outlet provides a familiar coffee stop within it. Visitors use the cafe as a break between shopping, a meeting point before an evening out or a place to get coffee and a snack at almost any hour.

The menu follows the chain's standard offer. Flat white is the listed specialty, joined by cappuccino, latte, americano, iced coffees, hot chocolate, tea and blended frozen drinks. Panini, the toasted Italian-style sandwiches, are the main savoury items, and cakes, muffins, cookies and brownies cover the sweet side. Prices are mid-range ($$) for Sharm El Sheikh, above local cafes but consistent with other international chains, and a coffee with a pastry is a small expense.

The setting is modern, bright and air-conditioned, with soft music, comfortable seating and free-flowing foot traffic from the surrounding plaza. There is no dress code, and noise levels are low to moderate. The cafe is open daily from about 09:00 until 02:00, which suits both daytime visitors and late-night crowds heading to or from the neighbouring venues. Alcohol is not part of a coffee-chain offer, so visitors should expect coffee, tea and soft drinks.

Walk-in service is normal and reservations are not needed. The busiest times are late evenings in high season between October and April, when the complex fills with visitors, though seating usually turns over quickly. Soho Square is a short taxi ride from Naama Bay, and a coffee here is a convenient start or finish to an evening in the complex.