A Taste of the Red Sea: Egyptian, Greek & Halal Dining in Hurghada
A food lover’s guide to eating well on the Egyptian coast — from koshari to the daily catch.
A holiday is remembered in flavours as much as in views. In Hurghada, the food is a genuine highlight — a delicious crossroads of Egyptian tradition, Mediterranean influence and the freshest catch from the Red Sea.
Start with the Egyptian classics
Egyptian food is generous, comforting and built for sharing. Seek out koshari, the beloved national dish of rice, lentils, pasta and crispy onions; ta’ameya (fava-bean falafel); creamy ful medames for breakfast; and molokhia, a savoury green soup. Fresh baladi bread comes with everything.
Seafood, straight from the Red Sea
You are on one of the world’s great seas — eat from it. Whole fish grilled with lemon and cumin, garlicky prawns, calamari and a classic seafood tagine baked with tomato and spices. Pair it with a plate of mezze and you have a feast.
A Mediterranean accent, and easy halal dining
Greek and Mediterranean flavours feel right at home here: crisp salads with feta, grilled halloumi and plenty of olive oil and herbs. And for Muslim travellers, Hurghada is refreshingly simple — the vast majority of restaurants and hotels serve halal food as standard.
Where to eat
Hotel buffets are a brilliant way to sample the full range in one sitting. For atmosphere, nothing beats a beachfront restaurant where you dine with the sea as your soundtrack; at DaVinci Beach, the Da Vinci Beach Restaurant does exactly that, children’s menu included. And save room for om ali, a warm bread-and-milk pudding that tastes like a hug.