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Sofra Restaurant

The city's best-known traditional Egyptian restaurant, set in a restored 1930s house near Luxor Temple.

Where
Luxor City Center
Time needed
1.5-2 hr visit
Tickets
$10-18
Traditional Egyptian mezze spread on a copper tray Traditional Egyptian mezze spread on a copper tray

What to expect at Sofra Restaurant

Sofra is the restaurant most Luxor hoteliers recommend when a guest asks where to eat real Egyptian food, and rightly so. It occupies a beautifully restored 1930s villa a couple of blocks back from the Corniche, with several tiled dining rooms and a rooftop terrace strung with lanterns. The menu is a wide and confident sweep through Egyptian home cooking: mezze plates of baba ghanoush, tahina, moutabal and molokhia; slow-cooked tagen dishes served in clay pots; kofta and grilled pigeon; and generous portions of oven-baked rice with vermicelli.

The mezze is the way in — order six or seven small plates and share, with a basket of hot baladi bread. From the mains, the veal tagen with okra and the fatta (rice, bread, garlic and lamb) are the signatures. Portions are generous, service is warm rather than polished, and prices are extraordinarily reasonable by international standards: two courses, tea and stuffed dates for two people usually lands around $25-30. No alcohol served (this is a family restaurant).

Book a table in the evening, particularly at weekends and during cruise season — Sofra fills up. The rooftop is delightful in cool months, the ground-floor rooms are better in July and August. Try the karkade (cold hibiscus tea, $2) as a welcome drink. A five-minute walk from Luxor Temple and any Corniche hotel. Children extremely welcome. Good vegetarian options — most mezze are already meat-free.

Plan your visit Tickets$10-18 Time needed1.5-2 hr visit WhereLuxor City Center Opening hours Daily 11:00-23:00 Hotels near Sofra Restaurant

Questions about Sofra Restaurant

How much for dinner?

About $10-18 per person for a full meal with tea. Very reasonable.

Is it ever free?

It's a restaurant — no free meals.

How long for dinner?

Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours; service is relaxed.

Any closure days?

Open every day. Reduced hours during Ramadan (dinner service after iftar).

Do I need to book?

Yes for evenings, especially in high season November-March. Phone bookings only.

Where is it exactly?

Sharia Mohamed Farid, one block back from the Corniche south of Luxor Temple. Any taxi driver knows it.

Where to stay

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