Food is an integral part of any travel experience. So, if you’re a travel foodie and you happen to be planning a trip to Dahab, Egypt, this read is for you. I’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants in Dahab that travel foodies will swear by. The Egyptian beach town is privileged with an astonishing fusion of cuisines and top-notch quality when it comes to the F&B scene. So, I guarantee you’ll be drooling over each and every dish!
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Must-Try Restaurants in Dahab
There’s an endless variety of restaurants in Dahab to choose from, but in this compilation, I’ll only mention the restaurants that I personally swear by and would vouch for – the best of the best.
The Best Restaurants in Dahab for Breakfast & Brunch
Ralph’s German Bakery
The famed German Bakery is a popular breakfast choice that lives up to the hype. From heavenly baked goodies and sourdough bread to wholesome breakfast dishes, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with the food. The Lighthouse branch is also a social hotspot for travelers, but if you’d rather stay somewhere quiet, there are two other lesser-known branches; one in Assala and the other in Mashraba. Either way, don’t miss their bestselling Apple Strudel or Nut Roll.
Location: Fanar Street, the Lighthouse; Assala Square; and Mashraba.
Xat Delights
Another bakery that’s just as good, but an even better spot if you’re a digital nomad looking for a quiet spot to work. Don’t worry about spending the day there either because they have a lunch menu too, and their burgers are to live for.
Location: Fanar Street, the Lighthouse.
Breakfast Café
Located in Alf Leila Boutique Hotel, Breakfast Café is an inviting spot for the early birds. Their menu is quite unique, boasting all your breakfast favorites, as well as other unexpected items such as Russian grammy’s traditional Syrniki dessert. And did I mention that you can also get your hands on Kombucha and Lassi there?
And the cherry on top is that you can find my very own travel-themed card game, Roam Syndrome, in their games section to play there.
Location: Fanar Street, the Lighthouse.
The Vegan Lab
Whether your diet is plant-based or not, The Vegan Lab is living proof that healthy food can be super delicious, and Instagramable too. My go-to order though will always be any of their tasty smoothie bowls – they have a lovely selection. My all-time favorite was their Choco Loco, but since they no longer serve it, their Cherry Berry Acai Bowl is just as good.
Location: Fanar Street, the Lighthouse.
Tim’s Munch
This is one of my favorite breakfast spots in town, especially since it has a sea view and a super friendly staff. Some of my favorites on the menu are the Nutella pancakes, their sweet French toast, and hash browns. They also have a selection of Oriental, as well American breakfast options.
My pro tip? Try to avoid weekends or go super early because they tend to get super busy and wait time can be long. But don’t worry, because you can also play Roam Syndrome there too as you wait for your food to be ready.
Location: Rooftop of H2O Divers on the promenade, the Lighthouse.
Coffee & Cotton
Four short words – BEST COFFEE IN DAHAB. For the longest time, Dahab lacked decent coffee places, but ever since this cute little spot opened its doors and this was no longer an issue. Their hazelnut-flavored frappuccino is to kill for! There are also a few breakfast and brunch items on the menu ranging from sandwiches to baked goods.
Location: Fanar Street, the Lighthouse.
Egyptian Restaurants in Dahab
King Chicken
King Chicken is Dahab’s most popular Egyptian food place – it’s a staple of any trip to Dahab actually. But since the place has gotten so busy due to its continually growing popularity, you might want to avoid rush hours to guarantee better quality.
Location: El Mashraba Street
El Masry
My personal favorite is El Masry – it’s a lesser-known spot so it’s not as busy, but the food there is also great. I absolutely love their Egyptian Kebab and Steak (which isn’t typical steak but sliced beef/lamb, it’s just called that on the menu).
Location: El Mashraba Street
El Sharkawy
Another great option for Egyptian food on the other side of town is El Sharkawy. So, if you’re staying in Assala and Mashraba sounds like a long, you have El Sharkawy just nearby.
Location: Assala Square
Abou Omar
Abou Omar is one of my favorite spots and it’s kind of a hidden gem because it’s far away from the hustle and bustle of the areas near the promenade. That being said, it’s also super cheap in comparison to the other places as it’s not located in a busy area.
Location: Behind the Dahab Youth Center
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Italian Restaurants in Dahab
Dai Pescatori
It may be a little bit pricey in comparison to other pizzas in Dahab, but if you’re looking for the closest thing to an authentic Italian restaurant, whether for pizza or other Italian dishes, Dai Pescatori is your place to go. Aside from the top-notch quality food, the restaurant’s vibes are lovely, especially during the day with that kind of sea view.
Location: The promenade, Eel Garden.
Asian Restaurants in Dahab
Box Meal
This Asian cuisine haven has come a long way ever since it first opened up – it’s always been on top of the game, but now it’s even better and better with their interiors update and newest menu additions. Whatever Asian cuisines you might fancy, they’re guaranteed to be on the menu – Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, you name it! And for all the sushi fanatics, they have that too! The dishes I personally love the most and highly recommend are the Black Pepper Beef with Rice Noodles and the Chicken Cashew. The Pineapple Chicken is also nice.
Location: El Meleil Street, the Lighthouse.
Nirvana
Nirvana is not just the BEST Indian restaurant in Dahab, but it’s also one of the coolest spots to eat AND go for a swim. The place is a bit small, but if you can secure a table or a sunbed, then it’s great. You can order your favorite Indian dish and as you wait, you can go for a quick swim or rent a kayak.
Location: The promenade, the Lighthouse.
Lebanese Restaurants in Dahab
Seaduction
Seaduction offers a variety of Levantine dishes combined with pretty aesthetics and wonderful vibes. Also, the portions there are pretty decent, so don’t feel like you should overorder. My all-time favorite item on their menu is hands down their beef maqlouba – super yummy!
Location: Assala
Beirut
If you’re down for a street food kind of experience and you don’t need anything fancy, then this is a great option. Beirut feels like being invited into a simple Lebanese home – Elie, the lovely owner, will put together something for you from whatever they have in their fridge if you let him go off the menu.
Location: Eel Garden
Slow Cooking Restaurants in Dahab
Zanooba Slow Cooking
This restaurant specializes in mouthwatering slow-cooked dishes, so you need to book at least a day in advance. It may sound a bit inconvenient but I assure you it’s totally worth the wait. My all-time favorite order is their roasted duck that feeds 3-4 people. And trust me, even if you’re not a fan of duck, this dish is heavenly – it comes with rice stuffing and roasted veggies.
Location: El Meleil Street, the Lighthouse.
Isfahan
Another newly opened slow-cooking place is Isfahan, but this one is specialized in slow-cooked tajines. They have all sorts of flavorful tajines; my favorite’s also the duck, but the best thing about it is that there’s barely any wait time. You don’t need to book in advance here and you can simply walk in, but you won’t wait forever like you’d expect. My food was served in literally under 5 minutes upon placing my order – I’m not even exaggerating!
Location: El Meleil Street, the Lighthouse.
Al Sultan
Craving Mandi? Then Al Sultan is your go-to! If you’re not familiar with Mandi, then you’re missing out on a lot – it’s this dish that usually consists of chicken or lamb that’s slow-cooked in a pit underground. It’s so yummy and tender!
Location: Talaat Harb Street
Restaurants in Dahab Serving Different Cuisines
Red Cat
The owner is Russian but the menu isn’t strictly a particular cuisine; in fact, it’s influenced by many. But if I’d have to recommend a specific thing, then I’d have to say Red Cat’s pizza is my favorite in Dahab, and it’s quite affordable too. Oh, and their honey cake will melt in your mouth – make sure to order it if it’s available.
Eel Garden View
This is easily one of my favorite places to spend the entire day. Their food is great and their portions are pretty big; they have beach access too so you can take a dip; and they also have WiFi so you can work with a sea view. It’s a win either way!
Tota
Tota is one of Dahab’s newest eateries and the lesser-known ones in case you want to escape the busy restaurant scene. Aside from the huge variety on their menu, they also have a spacious rooftop with lovely vibes and an internet connection. So, it’s the perfect place to work and dine.
Friends
Sea view and good food, what more could you ask for? Friends is best known for their seafood but there are plenty of other options on the menu – I personally love their beef stroganoff.
Seafood Restaurants in Dahab
I know this may sound a bit odd, especially for a born and raised Alexandrian like myself, but I don’t eat seafood. However, I can’t write up a guide on the best restaurants in Dahab without mentioning seafood, a Red Sea specialty. So, I’ll be dropping some recommendations by my trusted foodie friends.
- Friends
- Ali Baba
- Shark
- Darwish
Other Places to Check out for Yummy Treats
- Ice Bubble
- Mahalawy
Make sure to save this for your next trip to Dahab to know where to keep your bellies happy next time you’re in town. And don’t forget to check out my other Dahab guide for things to do and places to stay.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.
SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.
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Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Agoda.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Viator or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
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You might also like:
- Egyptian Cuisine: 5 Dishes and the Stories Behind Them
- Best Restaurants in Beirut: Where and What to Eat?
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
I’m not vegan, but the bowl at The Vegan Lab looks absolutely delicious! I would definitely stop there for
breakfast one day in Dahab!
Saaaame! But all their dishes are super delicious especially their smoothie bowls – I’m obsessed with these!
All these restaurants sound amazing but if I had to choose, I would probably go for the Egyptian
restaurants first because I love trying the local food wherever I go.
Ohh this is always my first stop! Especially if I have foreign friends with me 🙂
OMG seeing all these food pics makes me soooo hungry! I bet Dahab is truly heaven for foodies like me!
Lucky you!
It’s heaven for foodies, adventurers, and nature lovers! You should definitely consider visiting 🙂