Figuring out what to eat in El Gouna won’t be challenging, thanks to the variety of cuisines, but choosing might not be easy with all the mouthwatering dishes you will come across. In this series, we’ll introduce some of the most recommended dishes to try.
So welcome to our new series: El Gouna Food Guide – Part 1
- Fornalia
If you’re walking through the new Fanadir Marina in the morning, you won’t resist the smell of a fresh bakery. Actually, nobody resists the smell of a fresh bakery. Chasing such scents would lead you to Fornalia, El Gouna’s best artisan bakery!
Starting with their plain croissant, it’s super buttery and delicious, with perfectly symmetrical feuilleté lamination.
If you prefer something sweeter for breakfast, go for the Almond Croissant or the Nutella Pistachio Croissant, both are a solid 10/10.
If you’re into TikTok trends and late-night cravings, we recommend the Crookie Sweet Croissant, a new and trendy combination of a croissant stuffed with sweet and crunchy cookies.
The sandwiches are fresh, and the coffee is decent.
- Daily Dose
Daily Dose is another great coffee and breakfast spot in Abu Tig Marina, perfect for those who need to get some work done in the morning. It offers a calm and cozy atmosphere with various indoors and outdoors seating options, so you can easily find your productive space.
The coffee is good, the view is magical, and the staff is incredibly friendly, that’s everything you need to get through your tasks.
The Salted Caramel Frappe is on the sweet side, but if that’s your style, you’ll love it. The filtered coffee and iced Spanish latte are also solid choices.
For breakfast, the top savory picks are the OG and the Spanish Omelette. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, their pancakes are incredibly fluffy.
Prices are super affordable, comparable to average prices in El Gouna.
- The Bagel Tree
Nothing beats a thin, shiny-crusted bagel that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch. The Bagel Tree serves the freshest and most delicious bagels in El Gouna. Here’s the chef’s recommendation:
The Helsinki Bagel is a must-try if you love smoked salmon. It’s a chewy, rounded bagel topped with slices of wild smoked salmon, herb cream cheese, and garnished with red onions, cucumbers, and arugula. A solid 10/10.
Another favorite is the London Bagel, featuring roast beef with mustard mayonnaise, caramelized onions, and arugula, finished with a drizzle of truffle oil.
For vegan options, try the Milano Bagel, with homemade pesto, buffalo mozzarella, and sliced tomatoes.
You can also choose your favorite type of bagel, with options like plain, sesame, multigrain, and vegan.
While the coffee was just okay, the fresh orange juice was incredibly refreshing.
- Villa Caracas
A super tasty and authentic Lebanese lunch and dinner experience awaits you at Villa Caracas, which opened earlier this year at the new Fanadir Marina.
The starters are rich in flavor and absolutely delicious.
The Lebanese Makanek is a standout, soaked in pomegranate molasses and topped with potatoes and pine nuts, a truly flavorful option. Pair it with their creamy, smooth hummus, which has the perfect balance of garlic and olive oil.
The manakish and pastries are incredibly fresh, and the shawarma sandwiches are a great choice if you’re looking for something lighter.
Their Batata Harra (Spicy Potatoes) are absolutely to die for!
For main courses, we recommend their famous Caracas Mixed Grill, the creamy chicken fatta, or the shish taouk if you’re in the mood for a more classic option.
For a perfect ending for such a delicious meal, don’t forget to order your tea along with the Caracas Knafeh and your favorite hookah.
- Chicha Latin Kitchen
If you ask any resident of El Gouna about the best restaurants, they’ll definitely mention Chicha, known for its delicious and authentic Latin cuisine.
For starters, we recommend trying the guacamole or chips and salsa if you’re not an avocado fan.
The tacos are a great choice, featuring a soft and corny texture. The Korean chicken tacos are especially delicious.
The Carnitas taco is heavenly, made with smoked brisket, pickled onions, and chimichurri herb sauce, all topped with a smoky chili mayo.
Surprisingly, even those who aren’t fans of Mexican or Latin food may find themselves delighted by the variety and quality of the other dishes.
The shrimp risotto is incredibly mouthwatering. Although it’s an Italian dish, their creamy and al dente risotto is remarkably authentic.
The burgers are also tasty and juicy, especially the brisket jalapeño burger that will have you coming back for more.
For dessert, the churros are crispy, rolled in sugar, and served with chocolate.
- Swiss House
A restaurant that offers both great food and a unique experience is always worth returning to. This is especially true when you’re with family or a group, as you’ll likely want to capture many pictures and videos of the experience.
Swiss House is famous for their hot stone steak, where you get to be the chef. They serve slices of juicy beef filet alongside buttery mashed potatoes. You’ll don your apron, add your butter cubes and rosemary, then start cooking your steak to your liking. If you’re unsure whether you prefer your steak medium or well-done, you can mix and match while cooking to create the perfect balance.
- IL Gelato
Ending the day with a sweet treat, IL Gelato is the most authentic Italian gelato you’ll find not only in El Gouna but in Egypt. The Cookies n’ Cream was definitely our favorite.
If you’re a chocolate lover, you can choose between the Ferrero Rocher or Chocolate Milk. And indeed, you have the basic options like Mango or Lemon
El Gouna food gems aren’t over yet! Send us your favorite restaurants and dishes in El Gouna through our Instagram so we can feature your response in part two.
Click here to check out our recommendations for top restaurants in New Cairo.
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