Hamees

Hamees is at the back of Luxor temple, sandwiched between Ali Baba and Sindbad, in front of the (closed) Luxor Hotel.

Although neighbouring Sindbad has a shingle floor, Hamees is paved, so it is easier to walk on. It also has more sturdy and steadier tables. Hamees is in two halves. The front half, with superb views of Luxor Temple, is uncovered. There are umbrellas and there is also shade from trees and bushes but it can still get very hot. The second part is in the shade of a trellis and cloth shelter, so it is far more comfortable, although you do miss most of the temple view.

The restaurant uses toilets in the Luxor Hotel. The hotel is not open to guests and the toilets are awful. Avoid.

Prices are very keen indeed, but a 12% service charge and 10% tax are added to the bill, so you need to add about a quarter to the menu prices to get to the actual cost. Many people just come to Hamees for a drink. Fresh juices are just LE4, and even allowing for the service change and tax supplements, this is only LE5: less than a third of the cost of a juice at the nearby Emilio hotel. Other soft drinks are LE3 - LE4, which is not much more than buying from in a supermarket. A good range of hot drinks are about the same price. There is also a well stocked bar with beers from LE8, a glass of local wine LE13 and local spirits around LE25.

Food is cheap too. A choice of pizzas are all LE20. Other pasta meals start at LE8, soups and salads start at LE6 and sandwiches and burgers are from LE12. Omelettes at LE8 are very well cooked and served with chips at no extra cost, which makes the meal cheaper than at neighbouring Sindbad. Bigger meals including a mixed grill and Egyptian favourites such as tagen are mostly LE25. These prices are all before the service charge and tax additions.

There are plenty of places for a snack in Luxor. Hotels tend to be a lot more expensive, even the Susanna and Emilio basic hotels don't get anywhere near these prices. If you want to sit on the edge of the Nile, there are five restaurants to choose from, but they are also much more expensive and the meals are no better for the extra cost. The other restaurants behind the Luxor Temple probably provide the closest competition. McDonalds and Snacktime are fine if you want something air conditioned. Ali Baba is a bit tired now. We think the best choices are Sindbad and Hamees. The Sindbad has less attractive views, more flimsy furniture and slightly higher prices. However, sitting on slightly rickety furniture under the shade of a tree is quite quaint and has a unique and popular charm. Hamees has better views from the front part and the paved surface and sturdier furniture are a bit more practical. There isn't too much difference in the prices so it depends on whether you want practicality or charm. We think they are both worth a try.

Where else can you sit in the view of such a famous monument and pay around 50p for a fresh orange juice? Or a simple lunch for 2 with change from LE50!

 

Review updated March 2010
Prices as at March 2010