|
|
The Red Sea Riviera is multicultural and cosmopolitan. Dining here is a worthwhile experience and a very good value for money and you will find almost all possible national cuisines in most of Red Sea cities. The local restaurants which offer a wide array of traditional Egyptian and Middle Eastern dishes are not to be missed. There are also the numerous Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, Mexican, Greek, Russian, German or even Dutch eateries scattered everywhere. These eateries normally belong to nationals of these countries, who do their outmost to keep up their country's cuisine tradition. Many ingredients might not be available, but local chefs do miracles in finding substitutes that are more than acceptable. Nevertheless, you can easily find a perfect Indian Rogan Josh, an excellent Peking Duck, magistral Italian pasta and pizza or that elusive Dutch-Indonesian Chicken Satay. Vegetarians will have a wide choice wherever they are: most restaurants offer a number of salads and veggies, and sea food lovers will find it difficult to decide on where to go for a good Langoste Thermidor or a simple but excellent mixed sea food platter. | Food | Food in the resorts is a mixture of authentic Egyptian and Middle East tradition and international cuisine. Some hotels and resorts have theme a-la-carte restaurants, such as Italian, French or International. Of course, some typically European products aren’t available, but chefs do their best in adapting foreign recipes to local products – worth a try. Don’t miss sampling some typical local food – the local grills present exotic meat and fish dishes with a strong oriental flavour. The main restaurants in hotels generally offer large and varied buffet dinners, with a selection of dishes that will suit everybody, including a daily choice of meat and fish. Pork meat is not readily available in Egypt as only Copts and foreigners consume it. Often, cooking stations prepare fresh home-made pasta or delicious crepes right there in front of you. Vegetarians are well-catered for, with a large choice of salads and vegetables. Be aware though, as many typical Egyptian vegetable recipes use chicken stock in the cooking process. If you are holidaying in the area during the month of Ramadan, try at least once the “Iftar”, the meal which breaks the fast of Muslims at sunset. Rich, varied and full of typical recipes not available during the rest of the year, it is a veritable feast. | Alcohol | Imported alcohol is subjected to very high taxes, so the selection in bars and resorts might be limited and prices quite high. Some resorts don’t have imported alcohol at all. Most all inclusive resorts serve local alcohol. Local alcohol has been improving in recent years and is very affordable, with a choice of good beers and decent wines, such as Stella and Sakara among the beers, and Omar Khayam, Obelisk and Giannaclis among the wines. Local spirits might be a bit strong, or unusual for the European taste. Alcohol is served only in the resorts and in licensed bars and restaurants, and sold only at duty free shops and at very few specialised shops (not in supermarkets). Tourists entering Egypt can purchase tax-free imported alcohol at the duty free shops within 48 hours of arrival. |
|
|
|