Restaurant
Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant
A lively lane-side and rooftop restaurant beside the souq, serving Egyptian, Bedouin and international dishes with views towards the Nile and the West Bank hills.
Sofra Restaurant & Café
A much-loved Egyptian restaurant in a restored 1930s house in central Luxor, serving mezze, stuffed pigeon and clay-pot dishes on a shaded upstairs terrace.
At a glance
- Type
- Egyptian
- Area
- Al Manshiya, East Bank, Luxor, Egypt
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Rooftop terrace
- Vegetarian and vegan options
- No alcohol
Why we recommend it
Sofra is the restaurant most often recommended to visitors who want to try Egyptian home cooking in comfortable surroundings. It occupies a tile-decorated house from the 1930s on Mohamed Farid Street in Al Manshiya, a few streets back from the tourist strip, and has been a Fodor's Choice pick. Inside, the rooms are decorated with old wooden furniture, copper tables, coloured lanterns and drapes, and the upstairs dining area and rooftop terrace are open to the air but shaded, making them a calm place to eat even on warm evenings.
The menu covers dishes from across Egypt. Start with a selection of hot and cold mezze, such as baba ghanoush, yoghurt salads and the baby aubergines that diners often single out. Main courses include classics such as hamam mahshi, pigeon stuffed with spiced rice, lamb fattah with rice, bread and yoghurt sauce, molokhia, and stews cooked in clay pots. For dessert, try om ali, the warm Egyptian bread pudding, or sahlab, a hot milk drink thickened and flavoured with rosewater. Fresh fruit juices are also on offer.
Sofra does not serve alcohol, which keeps the focus on the food and the juices. Vegetarians and vegans are well looked after, with a good range of meat-free mezze and mains, and portions are generous for the price. Sofra has also offered cooking classes and felucca trips, so ask the staff if you are interested.
It suits couples, families and groups who want a relaxed meal with local flavour rather than a hotel buffet. The upstairs terrace is popular, so book ahead in the evenings, especially in the busy winter season. Lunch is a good alternative if you are visiting Luxor Temple or the souq, and the shaded rooms make a welcome break from the midday heat.
The restaurant is a short walk from Luxor Temple and the souq on the East Bank, or a quick taxi or horse-carriage ride from the hotels along the Corniche and Khaled Ibn El Walid Street. Combine it with an evening visit to the floodlit Luxor Temple, or a stroll along the restored Avenue of Sphinxes before dinner.
Sofra Restaurant & Café FAQs
Where is Sofra?
At 90 Mohamed Farid Street in Al Manshiya, central Luxor, a short walk from Luxor Temple.
What kind of food does it serve?
Egyptian dishes from across the country, including mezze, stuffed pigeon, fattah, molokhia and clay-pot stews.
Does Sofra serve alcohol?
No, it does not serve alcohol.
Is it good for vegetarians?
Yes, there is a good range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Should I book?
It is a good idea to book ahead in the evenings, especially for the upstairs terrace.
What should I order for dessert?
Om ali or sahlab are popular choices.
Is it expensive?
It is mid-priced, with generous portions for the price.