Fares Seafood Restaurant

Fares Seafood Restaurant is a seafood house in the Old Market (Sharm El Maya) area of Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. It follows the traditional Red Sea model, where diners choose fish from the display, have it weighed and then specify whether it should be grilled or fried. The format is common in Egyptian coastal towns and gives visitors direct control over what they eat and what they pay.

Grilled red snapper is the listed signature, served whole with rice, salad, tahini and bread. Fried calamari and seafood soup are the other headline dishes, and the menu typically extends to shrimp, prawns and other catch of the day depending on the market. Because fish is priced by weight, the final bill depends on the size and type chosen, so the mid-range ($$) rating covers a wide spread: a modest plate can be inexpensive, while a large mixed order for a table is considerably more.

The dining room is casual and practical, with simple tables, quick turnover and the smell of the grill. It is busy at lunch and in the evening, and the atmosphere is chatty rather than romantic. There is no dress code. The restaurant is open daily from about 12:00 until midnight. Alcohol availability varies between venues in this part of the city, so visitors who want a drink with seafood should check beforehand; juices, tea and soft drinks are standard.

Reservations are not usually required, and walk-in service is the norm, although groups are advised to call ahead so that a large table and enough fresh fish can be arranged. The Old Market is a short taxi ride from Naama Bay, and a meal here pairs well with an evening stroll along the Sharm El Maya waterfront and bazaar streets.