What is dinner like at an Egyptian hotel restaurant — tips and what to expect
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 5 days ago
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 5 days ago
TL;DR
Dinner service at Egyptian second-line hotels can be inconsistent — drinks may not be served during busy periods, and premium items like cold cuts or brie are often put out only at the start and disappear quickly.
A late dinner is reportedly available, though the selection is limited and better suited to a snack. Several snack bars remain open after the main meal; La Terrazza café serves sandwiches and pastries.
When the hotel is very busy and the main restaurant is full at dinner, the Family restaurant can be used as an alternative.
Some guests split dinner into two visits: they eat a full meal at opening time, then return later after a walk for tea and desserts.
A recent report says that without regular tips, alcoholic drinks may arrive only near the end of dinner. Water is no longer routinely placed on tables either, so guests need to request it separately, including for children.
A recent review of the main buffet says dinner selection was as limited as lunch, and fresh juices were no longer offered at lunch or dinner. Compared with the previous year, the guest noted a noticeable decline in variety and service.
At the del Mar restaurant, a second dinner attempt went much better — different dishes were ordered and everything was very tasty. There's a suspicion the chef changed, since breakfast presentation and plating seemed noticeably different, as if done by someone else (just a guess).
Dinner itself takes place inside the restaurant, while evening entertainment happens outdoors. Very few guests bring plates out to the open terrace — at most people take dessert and fruit there. Waiters are also stationed on the terrace and bring drinks from the Cactus bar.
The stay package includes two à la carte dinners in total, which can be booked in advance and used at guests' discretion during the trip.
In the main restaurant, finding a free table is hardest during the first couple of hours of dinner; later in the evening it becomes much calmer. Food availability was reported to stay fine — the bottleneck is seating, not the buffet.
Good dinner service may be available even without tipping from day one: guests reported being seated at their preferred table right away, served wine, and looked after throughout the stay, with tips only given at the end.
As the hotel filled up, a second dining hall was opened in the restaurant, and dinner quality noticeably improved.
At the Ivory restaurant, waiters bring coffee, beer, wine, and even soups on a tray to the table — service is very attentive for guests with red wristbands. Those who prefer less attention can dine in the general buffet hall instead.
Guests returning to the hotel before midnight can find people still eating in the dining hall — it appears a late-night soup option is available.
Guests who arrived at 23:30 were served a full dinner in the main restaurant.
The hotel bar offers lunch service with a menu — the view is attractive, but the food selection is limited.
Dinner at the hotel restaurant may include artichokes, mango, and tuna — the menu can pleasantly surprise with its variety.
In addition to the main restaurant, there is a dining area on the second floor (accessible by lift) open to all guests. Sunset breakfasts are for premium guests only; dinner is à la carte.