Luxor is an open-air museum stretching along the Nile in Upper Egypt, home to the greatest concentration of ancient monuments on Earth. From the colossal Karnak Temple Complex to the tombs of pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor preserves millennia of Egyptian civilization. Once the ancient capital of Thebes, it remains one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological destinations.
Luxor's culinary scene is rooted in classic Egyptian and Nubian traditions, reflecting the region's ancient heritage and agricultural Nile economy. Grilled meats, slow-cooked tagines, fresh flatbread, and hearty lentil or vegetable stews dominate local menus. The West Bank has a distinct Nubian influence with dishes like bamia (okra stew), fatta (layered bread and broth), and hibiscus tea (karkade). Street food culture is vibrant with koshari, taameya, and grilled corn stalls throughout the bazaar.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Luxor.
Koshari
Egypt's national street food — lentils, rice, pasta, and macaroni topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions
Where to try: El-Zaeem or Koshary Om Ahmed
Price: $1-2
Stuffed Pigeon (Hamam Mahshi)
A beloved Egyptian delicacy — whole pigeon stuffed with seasoned rice and herbs, roasted until golden
Where to try: Sofra Restaurant
Price: $7-10
Ful Medames
Slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with lemon, garlic, and cumin — the quintessential Egyptian breakfast
Where to try: Amoun Restaurant or any local café
Price: $1-2
Karkade (Hibiscus Tea)
Deep ruby-red tea brewed from dried hibiscus flowers, served hot or iced, tart and refreshing
Where to try: Marsam Restaurant or any tea house
Price: $0.50-1
Om Ali
Egypt's famous warm bread pudding with milk, cream, coconut, nuts, and raisins — a classic dessert
Where to try: Sofra Restaurant or Sherif Sweets
Price: $2-3
Grilled Nile Perch
Fresh-caught Nile fish grilled with Egyptian spices over charcoal — a Luxor speciality
Where to try: Abu Hassan Fish Restaurant
Price: $6-10
Molokhia
A rich green soup made from jute leaves with rabbit or chicken, poured over rice — a comfort food classic
Where to try: Oum El Sid
Price: $4-6
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Sofra Restaurant & Café
Set in a beautifully restored 1930s villa with patterned floor tiles, antique furniture, and ceiling fans, Sofra serves authentic Egyptian cuisine including stuffed pigeon, lamb tagines, and extensive mezze spreads. One of Luxor's most celebrated restaurants, beloved by both tourists and locals.
Known for: Traditional Egyptian home cooking in a historic setting
90 Mohamed Farid Street, Al Manshiya, Luxor City, Egypt
Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant
Perched above El Sahabi Street on a rooftop terrace, Al-Sahaby offers sweeping views of Luxor Temple and the Nile while serving excellent Egyptian mezze, falafel, baba ganoush, and tagines. A family-run restaurant with warm service and consistent quality.
Known for: Rooftop dining with Luxor Temple views
Nefertiti Hotel Building, El Sahabi Street, via Karnak Temple St, Luxor, Egypt
Marsam Restaurant
Located in a traditional Nubian house on the West Bank, Marsam serves authentic regional dishes including bamia (okra stew), fatta (bread and rice in broth), and hibiscus drinks. The atmospheric mud-brick setting and family-run hospitality make this a memorable meal.
Known for: Authentic Nubian cooking in a traditional West Bank house
PJF4+JH, Al Qarnah, West Bank, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Nile Valley Restaurant
A popular riverside restaurant along the East Bank Corniche serving Egyptian classics and Middle Eastern favourites with Nile views from an outdoor terrace. The grilled meats, fresh bread, and aromatic rice dishes are crowd-pleasers for both tourists and local families.
Known for: Nile-view terrace dining with classic Egyptian grilled meats
Corniche El Nile, Luxor City, Egypt
El Kababgy
One of Luxor's most popular local spots for grilled meats, El Kababgy draws a loyal clientele with its succulent kebabs, kofta, and chicken on charcoal, served with salads, tahini and fresh flatbread. Simple décor, fast service, and outstanding value.
Known for: Charcoal-grilled meats at local prices
El Mahatta Street, Luxor City, Egypt
1886 Restaurant
The Winter Palace Hotel's formal fine dining restaurant occupies an elegant colonial-era room with chandeliers and white-gloved service. Named after the hotel's founding year, it offers French-influenced cuisine with Egyptian ingredients, a serious wine list, and a strict dress code. Reservations essential.
Known for: Colonial-era fine dining in a landmark Victorian hotel
Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel, Corniche El Nile, Luxor City, Egypt
Casa di Napoli
The Italian restaurant at Steigenberger Nile Palace serves authentic wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta in a relaxed setting with Nile views. A welcome break from Egyptian food, the menu covers Italian classics with fresh ingredients. Popular with hotel guests and outside visitors alike.
Known for: Wood-fired Italian in a Nile-view hotel setting
Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel, Corniche El Nile, Luxor City, Egypt
Lantern Restaurant
An inventive restaurant blending Egyptian and Asian flavours in unexpected combinations — duck spring rolls, shrimp curry, and lamb tagines sit alongside classic Egyptian mezze. The lantern-lit interior and creative menu make it a popular choice for adventurous diners.
Known for: Creative fusion combining Egyptian and Southeast Asian flavours
El Sahabi Street, Luxor City, Egypt
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Egyptian
Amoun Restaurant
A popular local restaurant near the Corniche serving traditional Egyptian breakfast and lunch dishes at very affordable prices. The full Egyptian breakfast with ful, tamiyya (falafel), eggs, and cheese is a classic way to start a sightseeing day.
Known for: Authentic Egyptian breakfast and affordable local lunches
Sharia El Gomhuriya, Luxor City, Egypt
Abu Hagag Restaurant
Named after Luxor's most revered local saint, this friendly restaurant near the Abu Hagag mosque serves excellent grilled chicken, kofta, and local mezze. A favourite of Egyptian tourists and locals for its consistent quality and fair prices.
Known for: Local grills and mezze near Luxor Temple
Near Abu El-Haggag Mosque, Luxor Temple area, Egypt
Panorama Restaurant
Perched on a high terrace with arguably the best panoramic views of the West Bank temples and the Theban Hills, Panorama serves a mix of Egyptian and simple international dishes. The food is secondary to the extraordinary view, making it ideal for sundowners.
Known for: Best panoramic views of the West Bank from a restaurant
West Bank cliff road, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Lotus Restaurant
A longstanding traveller favourite on the East Bank with a reliably good menu of Egyptian and international options including pasta, sandwiches, salads, and Egyptian classics. Friendly staff, good coffee, and a central location make it a useful all-day choice.
Known for: All-day dining with Egyptian and international options
Corniche El Nile, Luxor City, Egypt
Gezira Garden Restaurant
A pleasant garden restaurant on Kings Island in the Nile, accessible by ferry from either bank, serving simple Egyptian dishes and fresh grilled fish. The Nile-island setting is unique and especially enjoyable for lunch on a warm day.
Known for: Fresh Nile fish on a garden island
Kings Island, Nile River, Luxor, Egypt
Tutankhamun Restaurant
A well-known mid-range restaurant popular with tour groups offering a broad menu of Egyptian and international dishes in a large, comfortable dining room. The set menus are good value and the service is efficient.
Known for: Popular set menus with Egyptian and international options
Corniche El Nile, Luxor City, Egypt
Brothers Restaurant
A reliable budget option near the train station run by two brothers who take pride in their consistent Egyptian home cooking. The vegetable stews, grilled chicken, and fresh bread are made fresh daily.
Known for: Budget Egyptian meals with home-cooked quality
Television Street, Luxor City, Egypt
Karnak Terrace
A pleasant terrace restaurant near the Karnak Temple entrance serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner to visitors. The shade and cold drinks make it a welcome stop after a morning at the temples.
Known for: Convenient dining adjacent to Karnak Temple
Near Karnak Temple Entrance, East Bank, Luxor, Egypt
Merit Amun Restaurant
A well-regarded restaurant serving classic Egyptian cuisine in a comfortable air-conditioned dining room, popular with Egyptian families visiting Luxor's temples. The full grilled chicken and rice meals are particularly popular.
Known for: Generous portions of Egyptian classics at local prices
Sharia El Medina, Luxor City, Egypt
Amenhotep Hotel Restaurant
The rooftop restaurant of Amenhotep Hotel serves a broad menu of Egyptian and simple Western dishes with excellent views over the rooftops toward the Nile. Good value set dinners make it popular with budget travellers.
Known for: Rooftop views and good value set dinners
El Karnak Road, Luxor City, Egypt
Cleopatra Restaurant
A popular mid-range restaurant near the train station known for its generous portions, air-conditioned dining room, and broad menu. The pizza and pasta dishes are popular with European travellers, while the Egyptian dishes satisfy adventurous local palates.
Known for: Air-conditioned comfort food near the station
Television Street, Luxor City, Egypt
Koshari
El-Zaeem
A beloved local koshari shop serving Egypt's national dish — a hearty mix of lentils, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, and crispy fried onions — in a no-frills environment at rock-bottom prices. A Luxor institution and essential for understanding Egyptian street food culture.
Known for: Best koshari in Luxor at the lowest prices
Near Luxor Station, Luxor City, Egypt
Koshary Om Ahmed
A simple and popular koshari shop in the central Luxor market area serving heaped bowls of Egypt's national dish to local workers and budget travellers. Some regulars claim this is the best koshari in Luxor.
Known for: Classic Egyptian koshari — lentils, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, fried onions
Luxor Market Area, Sharia El Souk, Luxor City, Egypt
Seafood
El Shati Restaurant
A seafood-focused restaurant on the East Bank serving fresh Nile perch, mullet, and bream grilled or fried with Egyptian spicing. A quieter option away from the Corniche crowds.
Known for: Fresh Nile fish grilled with Egyptian spices
El Karnak Street, Luxor City, Egypt
Abu Hassan Fish Restaurant
A local favourite for fresh Nile fish, Abu Hassan prepares fish bought directly from Nile fishermen each morning. The fish is weighed and priced by the kilogram, then grilled or fried to order with salad, bread, and tahini.
Known for: Fresh-caught Nile fish priced by weight
East Bank, near the public ferry dock, Luxor City, Egypt
Snacks
Ramesseum Restroom & Café
A small, shaded café beside the Ramesseum mortuary temple on the West Bank — a welcome resting point with cold drinks and light snacks. The temple views from the terrace make it a pleasant stop between sites.
Known for: Rest stop with Ramesseum views
Near Ramesseum, El-Gurna, West Bank, Luxor, Egypt
Valley of the Kings Cafeteria
The government-run cafeteria at the Valley of the Kings visitor centre serves simple meals, cold drinks, and ice cream. Overpriced by Luxor standards but the only option within the site — essential for a cold drink in the summer heat.
Known for: Only food and drinks available inside the Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Kings Visitor Centre, West Bank, Luxor, Egypt
Café
Amon Café
A stylish café with good espresso, fresh juices, and light meals. The indoor seating is air-conditioned and the wifi is reliable, making it popular with travellers who need to plan their onward journey or catch up on emails.
Known for: Best espresso coffee in the East Bank budget area
Television Street, Luxor City, Egypt
Egyptian Café
Ahwa Balady
A traditional Egyptian tea and coffee house where locals gather to smoke shisha, drink strong tea, and play backgammon. No tourist menu, just the real Egyptian café experience — sweet black tea, strong coffee, and local conversation.
Known for: Authentic local café experience in an ancient city
Behind Luxor Temple, Luxor City, Egypt
Egyptian Grill
Shish Kebab Palace
A large, bustling grill restaurant popular with Egyptian tour groups, serving generous platters of shish tawook (marinated chicken kebabs), kafta, and mixed grill. Naan bread, salads, and cold drinks round out the offerings.
Known for: Large mixed grill platters for groups
Sharia El Corniche, Luxor City, Egypt
Egyptian Home Cooking
Oum El Sid
Run by a local family, Oum El Sid offers genuine home-style Egyptian cooking including slow-cooked molokhia (jute leaf soup), stuffed cabbage leaves, and roasted vegetables. The small dining room fills up quickly in the evenings with Egyptian families.
Known for: Authentic West Bank home cooking rarely found in tourist restaurants
West Bank, El Bairat, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Egyptian Light Meals
Deir el-Medina Cafeteria
A small café near the Deir el-Medina Workers' Village serving cold drinks, simple sandwiches, and light snacks. An invaluable rest stop between West Bank sites when the heat peaks midday.
Known for: Convenient refreshments between West Bank temple visits
Near Deir el-Medina, West Bank, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Egyptian Pastries
Sherif Egyptian Sweets
A dedicated Egyptian sweet shop selling kunafa, basbousa, baklava, and om ali at very low prices. An essential stop for those with a sweet tooth wanting to experience traditional Egyptian desserts.
Known for: Traditional Egyptian pastries and sweets
Near Luxor Souk, Luxor City, Egypt
Egyptian Snacks
Snack Time
A busy local sandwich and snack shop near the train station serving taameya (falafel) sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and fresh juice at very low prices. Excellent for a quick breakfast before an early start at the temples.
Known for: Cheapest good breakfast in Luxor
Near Luxor Station, Luxor City, Egypt
Light Meals
Old Winter Palace Café
The garden café of the Winter Palace Hotel offers an indulgent afternoon tea and light meals in a colonial garden setting with Nile views. Especially pleasant in the winter months when the garden is in full bloom.
Known for: Afternoon tea in the gardens of a legendary colonial hotel
Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel, Corniche El Nile, Luxor City, Egypt
Nubian
Nubian House Restaurant
Decorated in classic Nubian style with colourful murals, hand-woven textiles, and African artefacts, Nubian House offers traditional dishes from Upper Egypt's Nubian heritage including grilled fish, foul, lentil soup, and karkade (hibiscus tea).
Known for: Nubian décor and authentic Upper Egyptian home cooking
West Bank, El Gezira, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
Pub Food
King's Head Pub
One of the few establishments in Luxor with a fully licensed bar, King's Head Pub serves burgers, chips, and snacks alongside a decent selection of cold beer. Popular with Western travellers looking for familiar food and a cold drink after a day at the temples.
Known for: Cold beer and Western pub food in Luxor
Khalid Ibn El Walid Street, Luxor City, Egypt
Vegetarian
The Jewel of the Nile
A vegetarian-focused restaurant catering to the growing number of plant-based travellers visiting Luxor. The menu features classics like ful medames, koshari, stuffed vine leaves, and fresh salads made from locally sourced produce. Excellent fresh juices.
Known for: Vegetarian and vegan Egyptian cuisine with fresh juices
Television Street, Luxor City, Egypt
Food tours & tastings in Luxor
Eat your way through Luxor with a guide.
Browse food experiences in LuxorWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Taameya (Egyptian Falafel)
Crispy fried balls of seasoned ground fava beans, served in bread with salad and tahini
Find it at: Any bakery or street stall in central Luxor
Grilled Corn (Duara)
Charcoal-grilled corn on the cob, popular at street corners, especially in the evening
Find it at: Corniche area and Luxor Temple surrounds
Hawawshi
Spiced ground meat stuffed in bread and baked — a portable Egyptian sandwich
Find it at: Market area behind the temple
Asseer (Fresh Juice)
Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice pressed before your eyes, cheap and energy-boosting
Find it at: Juice stalls throughout the bazaar area
Kunafa
A sweet cheese or cream pastry soaked in sugar syrup and flavoured with orange blossom water
Find it at: Sherif Egyptian Sweets and market area stalls
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Luxor Central Market (Souk)
The main covered bazaar behind Luxor Temple has sections selling produce, spices, nuts, and dried fruits alongside tourist goods
Hours: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
West Bank Village Market
A smaller local market in the West Bank village selling fresh produce, bread, and everyday goods to local residents
Hours: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Luxor Morning Produce Market
An early-morning wholesale market near the train station where fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs are sold to restaurants and households
Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Breakfast is the most important meal in Egypt — try ful, taameya, and fresh bread from a local bakery
Lunch (around 2-3 PM) is the main meal for local Egyptians; many restaurant set menus are better value at lunch
Tipping (baksheesh) of 10% is expected at sit-down restaurants
Most restaurants away from hotels do not serve alcohol; licensed bars are found mainly in hotels
Eating at local restaurants outside the tourist centre is significantly cheaper
Vegetarians are well catered for in Luxor — Egyptian cuisine has many naturally meatless dishes
- Vegetarian
- Excellent options: koshari, ful, taameya, mezze spreads, stuffed vine leaves, and many vegetable stews are naturally vegetarian
- Halal
- All Egyptian restaurants serve halal food; pork is unavailable outside international hotels
- Gluten free
- Some dishes like grilled meats, rice, and vegetable stews are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination risk is high in busy kitchens
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3-8 per meal | Street food, local koshari shops, bakeries, and simple Egyptian restaurants |
| Mid-range | $10-20 per meal | Established tourist restaurants like Sofra, Al-Sahaby, and hotel dining rooms |
| Upscale | $30-60 per person | Fine dining at Winter Palace, Steigenberger Nile Palace, or the 1886 Restaurant |