Abu Ali (previously the Ibis)
Abu Ali is now closed The Abu Ali is on the West bank. If you are staying on the East Bank, as most people do, you may only go to the West Bank on a tour: to the tombs, Medinet Habu etc. But it is worth catching the ferry over the river to have a meal or a snack, or just for somewhere different to have a drink.
The Abu Ali is above a souvenir shop, almost immediately opposite Luxor Temple. To get to it, leave the national ferry and turn left, along the edge of the Nile. Look for a small square where camels are kept, waiting to take people for a ride. Immediately past this camel waiting area, on the edge of the Nile, is the Abu Ali.
The Abu Ali restaurant inside with view to Luxor Temple
From the outside it does not look very inviting, so you need a certain amount of courage before you commit to going in. It is accessed via a narrow and rather dingy staircase. Once you have made the commitment and arrive at the top of the stairs, the restaurant doesn't look so bad after all. It is lighter than you expect with cloth covered sturdy tables and an excellent view across the Nile to Luxor Temple. The Winter Palace and other sights can be seen, too, as well as the boat movements along the river.
The prices are much cheaper than Nile-side restaurants on the other bank, and closer to the open air restaurants behind Luxor Temple. Most soft drinks and fresh juices are LE6 - LE7 and hot drinks are LE5 - LE6. Most soups and salads are LE5. There is a fair range of vegetarian dishes between LE5 and LE12. Pizzas vary from LE15 and LE25. They are made to order, so you have to wait but can be tailored to your preferences. Like the Sindbad and Hamees across the river, omelettes are popular and cost just LE5 - LE7 depending on the filling. The usual variety of international and Egyptian meat, fish and poultry main dishes are also excellent value, mostly between LE20 and LE25. Most desserts are LE7.
Whenever we have been to the Abu Ali it has been very quiet so service has been very quick and attentive. We understand that it opened only recently and has not yet built up a clientele. If the tour firms start using the Abu Ali it could become very busy and service then might be tested.
Don't expect haute cuisine, but for a decent meal at a good price and a spectacular view, the Abu Ali is definitely worth a visit. Instead of using one of the East Bank Nile-side restaurants, none of which is particularly good, and all of which are expensive, take the ferry to the West Bank and look at the view from the other side. The ferry is only LE1 each way, so as well as having a different experience, the total cost including the journey will be a lot lower.