Maro
Maro from the Nile
There are six restaurant or cafes along the lower Corniche. Al Soury is at the Iberotel (southern) end. The El Kababgy, Metropolitan Bowling Club and Metropolitan Cafe are in the middle. Maro was the northernmost one until the new Metropolitan Restaurant was built.
Maro's has open and sheltered sitting areas and a nearby pier to which the small motor boats bring customers in tour groups. Maro is also accessible from the Corniche although it seems to concentrate on its tour group business during the day.
As customers who were not part of a tour group we felt that service was rather poor. After about 12 minutes we asked one of the several waiters who were standing around, not doing anything, for a menu. After a further 10 minutes trying to attract attention we gave up and began to walk away. Only then was service offered.
On another visit we experienced similar problems and collected our own menu. We had to approach staff before we could place an order. After the meal we gave up trying to attract attention and took the bill and payment to a cash point.
You may not suffer these problems as part of a tour group and delays will not matter if you are whiling away the afternoon. However, if you are on a short visit and seeking quick refreshment during a busy day, Maro's may be best avoided.
Our View
Good choice of fish sishes but more expensive than nearby competition and slow service.
Maro's concentrates on fish and local dishes. The main courses are close in price to meals at the better traditional restaurants at the southern end of Luxor, and the specialist fish dishes are especially expensive. Most fish main courses are LE40, but the dearest is LE65. Kebabs, kofta and other oriental courses are about LE40 - LE45. Soups and side dishes are better priced. Soups are from LE8 and there is a spaghetti for LE15.
There is an open area where dishes are cooked so you can see fish being grilled and make your menu choice. The variety of dishes is good too, within the published specialties of fish and local foods.
This is the place to try if you want something a little different to the sameish menus at the four nearest lower corniche restaurants, especially if you want fish, and if you don't don't mind paying a little extra, but the high prices and poor service will encourage most people to try one of the nearby alternatives.
Review updated March 2010
Prices at March 2010