Jem's

Jem's is to the south of the town, more or less opposite 7Ways, on the way to the Sheraton. It is a large first floor restaurant spanning several shops but is rarely busy.

The restaurant comes in the economy category, with soups and appetizers around LE7 - LE8, salads LE9 - LE14 and steak with sauce LE32. Other main courses are from LE24, chicken-based meals being particularly well priced. There is a small range of Egyptian dishes, although surprisingly there is no meat tagine on the menu. A fish tagine is LE20. Most pizzas and pastas are LE17 - LE20 and there are burger and omelette snacks for LE12 - LE16.

The owner of Jem's also runs a balloon company. Whenever we have been to Jem's we have been approached by someone trying to sell a balloon trip. In Luxor tourists get used to being approached constantly in the streets by agents wanting to sell trips, tours and rides, but the restaurant really ought to be a refuge from all that.

We have seen this restaurant recommended on other web sites. We do not agree. We try to sample restaurants at different times on different visits and with different people, to get a fair selection of impressions. We have never been very content with Jem's and have had some rather unenjoyable meals. Costs are quite low, but low cost is available elsewhere.

If you want to buy a balloon ride, there is a travel agent beneath the restaurant. If you want a meal, there are better ones over the road.

 

Review updated March 2010
Prices at March 2010