Dining at Sofra Restaurant in Luxor in Egypt.
Trying the local cuisine is one of my favourite things to do when exploring new cultures in different countries, and Egypt is one of those places that has always drawn intrigue!
Following trips to Morocco and Jordan, where I had mixed experiences with the food, I felt Egypt would have had its own unique flavours, especially with the abundance of spices available in the markets.
Sofra restaurant in Luxor is the perfect place to experience some authentic Egyptian food, in an ambient setting.
Following some research online prior to my solo-backpacking trip to Egypt, I had chosen the Sofra restaurant in advance, because of the good reviews and its location very close to the Bob Marley Hotel, where I stayed during my three days in Luxor.
This blog will detail my personal experience dining at the popular restaurant, including some photos of the dishes I tried, the menu, and the decor of the place.
A charming Middle Eastern style Vibe.
You are made to feel welcome as soon as you arrive at Sofra, where you will be greeted by a waiter with a smile on his face. This contributes towards the restaurants awesome reputation and makes it a great draw for Luxor.
There are two floors, so when booking I recommend you ask to be seated on the rooftop terrace, as it offers a relaxed atmosphere and some cool from the Luxor heat.
It is open air but there are trees and white curtains around the sides of the building to make it feel enclosed. It felt very similar to some of the coffee shops in Rainbow Street in Amman, Jordan - picture perfect!
The tables and chairs are vintage with unique designs on, which is nice and cosy.
That Middle Eastern influence!
There is a Middle Eastern style Interior in the famous restaurant.
A convenient location on the East Bank of Luxor.
Sofra Restaurant is located just off the main street of Luxor, tucked down the side of Television street.
90, Mohamed Farid street, Luxor, Egypt, 85811.
Most of the East Bank is within walking distance, but if it is hot season, or dark at night, then all the taxi drivers will know the restaurant well.
You can walk quite easily to the restaurant from Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum. It is only a ten minute drive from Karnak Temple also.
Learn how to cook like an Egyptian.
Sofra offers cooking lessons for tourists wanting to learn the secrets of the souks!
This is an off the beat experience which will enhance any Egypt itinerary.
The chefs offer a culinary experience, which starts from picking up the fresh ingredients from the local markets, and then a step-by-step lesson on how to cook your chosen meals. You get to choose one starter and one main per person - so choose wisely!
Chef Mahmoud and Chef Mohamed really take care and their attention to detail is amazing. Offering a nice authentic Egyptian experience away from the chaos of Luxor and the Temples. This is a good option for something to do on your first day if you have travelled to Luxor by the night train the evening before.
Most classes are held in the morning, so you can enjoy the food you have prepared for lunch after. You will be using century old traditional Egyptian spices to really ignite your taste buds.
It is approximately 300 EGP (£8), so a bargain for a great travel experience in Egypt.
The tables offer an authentic experience for trying the local cuisine.
Starter.
Fava beans are very popular on the Hot Mezze menu, mixed with different spices and sauces for different dishes, however, I did try one of the dishes (pictured), but can’t remember which one now.
I also opted for the ‘Daoud Basha’, which was beef meatballs with milled rice in a tomato sauce. There is a Middle Eastern influence on this dish but it felt like an authentic Egyptian dish. My memories of tasting Moroccan meatballs from a tagine lunch in the berber village in the Atlas Mountains, had a strong influence on my decision.
According to folklore, the dish is named after a famous king named Daoud Basha, as a result of his love for the dish.
I would have to say his food taste is sublime, as this dish was a 10/10 from my experience in Sofra!
The Daoud Basha starter.
There is an array of local delights to start with.
Too much to choose from!
Main course.
There were some dishes on the main course that had drawn my attention, especially the rabbit and pigeon, however, I was wary of food poisoning on my whole trip to Egypt following many horror stories from friends.
I kept it simple and had the ‘Tagin Ferakh Bil Khodar’, which was quite similar to my starter, but with chicken instead of meatballs. I found it to be very flavourful and tasted similar to a soup, which was ideal for the fresh bread I had alongside it.
This dish was my joint favourite on my Egypt trip, along with the traditional Nubian dish I had further south in Aswan.
I saw a special of camel advertised, but didn’t try it. I had the meatballs on my mind!
Main courses came with some freshly baked bread.
The fava bean dish.
Dessert.
I had to try an Egyptian dessert - my sweet tooth insisted!
I chose the ‘Roz Bil Haleeb’, a traditional rice, milk and nut dessert.
Again, it ticked every box and finished my meal at Sofra off perfectly. I did get offered some fresh mint tea, but declined on this occasion.
I witnessed some other guests sharing some tea with the waiters in traditional teapots. This was a nice touch, and made for a nice experience for them.
Roz Bil Haleeb.
My overall experience dining at Sofra Restaurant.
I visited Sofra restaurant in the afternoon following an excursion to the West Bank visiting the famous temples and Valley of the Kings. Due to the popularity of the eatery, you have to book several days in advance to secure a table in the evening.
I was pleasantly surprised that there were only two other tables with dining customers on the rooftop terrace where I was seated, which contributed towards an exquisite service from the waiters throughout my experience.
All of my food came to my table within ten minutes of ordering which is a testament to the service of the chefs and waiters. I did not get the opportunity to visit at night so can’t comment on the evening service.
My overall rating would be 9/10 as it was very reasonable and tasty!
I felt as though I experienced a peaceful authentic experience in Luxor, in a city where the chaos and culture can be overwhelming. This put me in a more relaxed mood as I headed to Aswan the next day.
It is pay with cash only, as Sofra doesn’t accept card payments. So please consider this when planning your trip.
Other luxor restaurants to consider in 2024.
Here is a list of some other highly rated Luxor restaurants serving Egyptian cuisine:
El-kababgy Luxor.
Tutankhamon.
Ahllan Restaurant.
Sunflower Restaurant.
Loqma Restaurant.
Ali Baba Restaurant.
Visiting Luxor, but wondering if you can visit the tomb of Tutankhamun?
Are you heading to Luxor soon?
Luxor is one of the best cities in Egypt, with many bucket list activities to undertake during your trip to the city, so the best way to make the most of your trip visiting the ancient landmarks, is to plan your trip in advance. Read about how you can visit the tomb of Tutankhamun, and whether it is worth it.
Going back to Cairo instead?
If you stuck for time and heading back to Cairo, you can still enjoy some original tombs by visiting the famous burial ground of Saqqara, just outside of the capital, which is usually included alongside the Giza Pyramids.
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