7 Best Places To Eat In Aswan, Egypt

1. 1902: Coupling refined French cuisine with great architecture

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Serving fine French cuisine, the signature restaurant of the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract hotel is a picture of elegance. The restaurant has a charming and nostalgic name: 1902, to remind one of the historic elegance that was associated with fine dining.

The restaurant was originally was the main hall where the king Abbas Helmy ll entertained guests, Queen Victoria, during the opening of the old Aswan Dam in 1902.

The dining experience resembles a mix of a magical decadence and classic Arabic warmness, an alluring and high brow atmosphere coupled with exquisite food and wine to match. Guests dine beneath the grand Arabian dome by a Qualaun crypt.

The restaurant boasts a breathtaking experience with its dramatic beamed ceilings and walls and classic Oriental styling all blending to create an elegant sensuality that leaves you a warm buzz. The wine list is known to be hefty, so feel free to take your pick to match the connoisseur cuisine that is served. Although a tip to note, formal dress is required for all guests entering the restaurant.

1902

Address: Abtal El Tahrir Street | Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, Aswan, Egypt

Website: 1902

2. Aswan Moon: Lounge in one of the most tranquil riverside cafés in town

This diner no longer serves alcohol but keeps up to standards with its food. Having a range of cuisines on its menu from basic Egyptian dishes to European foods such as moussaka and pizzas, you can take your pick here. What’s best about the restaurant is its proximity to the Nile, where you can lounge back and leisurely sip on fresh juice while staring across the sea. What a tranquil sight indeed! We also recommend the coffee, which is superb. Although a slight warning, service can be a little slow at popular times, so be prepared to spend a little while. What’s bad about that? A great view in the night breeze, with the promise of good food to come!

Aswan Moon

Address: Sheyakhah Thalethah, Qism Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

3. Chef Khalil: Enjoy seafood in Aswan at a great price

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Chef Khalil serves the freshest seafood possible! Their fish is sourced from Lake Nasser and the Red Sea, where you can choose as you wish from a chilled display. The fish is then weighted and priced accordingly, so you can be sure you are paying for quality! The fish can be grilled, baked or fried to your choice and served with salad and rice or French fries.

Occasionally, lobster may be served when available. We recommend the sea bass (a popular choice), the grilled shrimp and seafood soup! Also within walking distance from the train station, this restaurant is highly convenient for travelers out there taking public transport!

Chef Khalil

Address: Sharia al Souk | End of souk near train station, Aswan, Egypt

4. Al Makka: Savor authentic local food featuring kebabs and stuffed pigeon

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Al Makka has been consistently commended for their great hygiene, good food, and friendly staff. Its specialty is the stuffed pigeon, which you can opt for a rice of fereek stuffing, the latter being a kind of green wheat local to Upper Egypt. Otherwise, the kebab and kofta is also delicious and a far more popular choice for those unfamiliar with Egyptian cuisine. Here’s a tip, should you want lamb chops or veal, be sure to visit for lunch and not dinner, for it runs out quickly.

Craving vegetables? Try out the molokhia, a traditional soup to be eaten with rice. The name of the dish derives from its main ingredient, green Molohia leaves which are made into a paste and boiled with soup. Although while ordering, make sure you order by weight as compared to a meal as it is significantly cheaper. Do visit for authentic Aswan food!

Al Makka

Address: haria Abtal at-Tahrir, Aswan, Egypt

5. Orangerie: Dine with an accompanying 360-degree view of Aswan

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Orangerie, the signature restaurant of the Movenpick resort in Aswan, has a cool open show kitchen concept where guests can watch the chefs in action. See the chef grill your kebabs and flip your steaks as you wait for your meal! Most notably, the view at the restaurant is formidable. Floor to ceiling glass windows on three sides allow views to the garden, the pool, the Nile, and Aswan–snap many pictures of this bird’s eye view. Feel free to also dine outside in the patio area where you can enjoy the evening breeze. The Orangerie offers a buffet of local and international dishes, although there is also an option to order a la carte North African dishes and international cuisine.

Orangerie

Address: Kornish Al Nile, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Website: Orangerie

6. Salah El-Din: Grab a casual meal of Egyptian, Nubian and international dishes

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Serving great Mediterranean and vegetarian food, the Salah El Din is rather popular for its tagines and view of the river Nile. Watch the sun set and ships pass on the Nile while dining on kofti and pizzas. We recommend the freshly pressed mango and strawberry juices and the grilled fish, which is freshly caught and well seasoned. The restaurant also has an affordable price range, at about 15 Egyptian pounds per meal. If you are a drinker, the Salah El Din is a great place for beer, which might be hard to find in other places at Aswan. Otherwise, the Turkish coffee is also a lovely option!

Salah El Din

Address: Corniche el-Nil, Aswan, Egypt

7. El Dokka: Ride on a boat to reach where great Nubian food is sure to fill your stomach

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed

What’s special about the El Dokka is its unforgettable location. Situated literally in the middle of the Nile river on Elephantine Island, the restaurant has free ferry rides fetching its guests to and fro from the main island! Most guests state the atmosphere of El Dokka as one of its best points–friendly staff, superb view and the general sense of historical richness. The panoramic windows in the restaurant definitely help with beautiful photos!

We recommend ordering the eggplant salad, which is hearty and light. Although no alcohol is served, feel free to try out their freshly pressed juices and coffee, which are equally as great. Prices may be slightly higher as compared to local food, but it is still reasonable considering the ferry trip. Cats roam freely around in the restaurant so feel free to pat them too!

El Dokka

Address: Kornish Al Nile, Qism Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Enjoy the wide selection of delicacies in Aswan!

As shown, the lovely city of Aswan has a range of cuisines from hearty local food to international cuisines, homey hole-in-the-wall diners to grand historical restaurants. Take your pick and have an amazing trip in Aswan.