Casa di Napoli

Casa di Napoli is the Italian restaurant inside the Steigenberger Nile Palace on Khaled Ben El-Walid Street, and one of the most popular places in Luxor for pizza and pasta. Unlike some hotel restaurants it is open to non-residents, so it draws visitors from the many hotels along this stretch of the East Bank as well as guests of the Nile Palace itself.

The centrepiece is the wood-fired oven used for the restaurant's pizzas. Pasta dishes and other Italian classics fill out the menu, and it is a welcome option for children and for anyone who has eaten their fill of Egyptian grills.

There is seating both indoors and outdoors, and in the evenings the restaurant often has entertainment, giving it a livelier feel than some of the quieter hotel dining rooms. As it is part of a large international hotel, alcohol is served, so you can order wine or beer with your meal, which is not possible at many independent restaurants in town.

Casa di Napoli suits families, groups and couples looking for a relaxed meal with familiar food, and it is a practical choice if you are staying nearby. Prices are higher than in local restaurants but in line with other hotel dining in Luxor. The Nile Palace also has other restaurants, including El Tarboush for Lebanese mezze and grills, if your group cannot agree.

The hotel stands on the Nile south of the town centre, a short taxi or horse-carriage ride from Luxor Temple and the souq. Booking is sensible in the busy winter months and at weekends; call the hotel to reserve a table and to check opening times, which are not published online. Afterwards you can walk along the street to the King's Head Pub or one of the cafés nearby for a drink.

A small tip for good service is customary in Egypt and appreciated by staff even when a service charge appears on the bill. During the hottest months, outdoor tables are most comfortable after sunset, while in winter evenings can be cool enough to want a light jacket. If you are travelling as a family, the pizza menu is one of the easiest ways to keep younger children happy after a long day of sightseeing.