Snobs phone (landline) (+2 095) 2276156

Snobs used to be in very small premises located amongst recently-built flats in the residential area on the way to Television Street, a little way off the tourist trail. Even so, it became very popular with people who were willing to seek it out to enjoy the quality food for which it soon gained an excellent reputation.

In the autumn of 2005 Snobs moved to much larger premises in El Rhoda El Sherifa St, opposite the Lotus hotel, much closer to the hotels at the southern end of town. At the time the road was a side street with no other tourist restaurants and little else of interest to visitors. Since then many other restaurants have followed Snobs into the road.

The restaurant was restyled a year or so ago and now has burgundy and white cloths over wooden tables. The waiters blend in too, with burgundy shirts and cream ties.

Snobs is run by Moamen Abdel Fatah, an extremely talented young chef, providing the kind of individuality and finesse rarely seen in hotels and busy restaurants. The management at the Old Winter Palace could learn a thing or two from Snobs.

Uniquely for Luxor, as far as we can recall, you are offered a refreshing towel soon after arriving. This is a most welcome freshener in a climate that is usually hot and quite dusty. There is also a complimentary aperitif. Service is attentive without being obtrusive and overseen by an excellent maître d' as well as the owner.

The menu has English and international options, including Egyptian and oriental choices with a good variety of vegetarian dishes. We have tried many of the menu options and have never been disappointed. Well cooked, well presented and ample portions provide just what you look for in a meal.

Prices are very keen for a restaurant of this quality. Three courses with soft drink can cost under LE80, or less if you want a pizza. Soups are from LE12.50, which compares very favourably with local competition (LE22 at Lantern across the road, for example), and a range of salads are LE25 or less, starting at just LE15.50. Our favourite salad in Luxor is the Snobs salad, a blend of traditional salad ingredients and fruit, beautifully presented, fresh, tasty and so large it could be mistaken for a main course. Pasta and pizza dishes start at LE30 and steaks with sauce are mostly LE55. An impressive range of fish, meat and poultry main courses start at around LE42, less if you go vegetarian. These meals are overseen by a trained and experienced chef. And it shows.

As well as excellent dining in the evening, Snobs has a full lunchtime menu including some of the best omelettes in town from around LE123 sandwiches, jackets and other favourites.

Snobs does not sell alcohol but you can take your own wine if you are discreet. There is no formal dress code, but you may feel out of place if you are not smartly dressed.

We have high regard for several restaurants in Luxor that offer extremely good value for a simple but wholesome meal, such as Jewel of the Nile for Egyptian and international dishes in a very friendly environment and Ritz. We also like Sofra, near the railway station, for excellent value and reasonable (but not faultless) Egyptian food in a colonial setting. However, if we really, really had to choose just one place to eat in Luxor, for variety, for quality food cooked impeccably, for excellent presentation, for service the way it should be and for value, we would choose Snobs.

 

Review updated March 2010
Prices as at March 2010