El Dar Darak

El Dar Darak was fantastic. We were looking for an Egyptian food place to eat nearest to the Grand Egyptian Museum, and El Dar Darak showed up as the most highly rated place. We took a chance. When we were approaching the Restaurant, the busy crowded street (which used to be the old entrance to the Giza Pyramid), gave me an initial impression that we will land in some of "tourist trap" place. But we were PLEASANTLY surprised. The host will remind you of laughin buddha or a happy santa claus - who welcomes you with his trademark joke. The food was simply yum, and the portions generous. They have an interesting menu, with meals (with specific numbers) - imagine it like a course meal with different options. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, and the hospitality.

26/1/26 Monday evening dinner We three middle aged guys from London had returned directly from GEM and were tired, needing some food. It was tempting to return to the hotel but we would never have left again! Whilst at GEM I took advantage of their wifi to look up restaurants in this area. I found a very cheap felafel place and a roof top restaurant which looked reasonable but not in the tourist area. We searched for that fruitlessly and returned via the main dual carriageway with eating joints running along the middle! We therefore stumbled on this place and after checking the menu inside decided to take a chance. The clientele was obviously older and European. We thought the set menus were interesting enough at a reasonable price. There was a surplus of smart staff and we were shown a table for six. They seemed to be training a young boy in the art of table laying and service. The three of us got a set of seven small bowls of 'mezes' which is probably what a single or couple get in their menu. Another couple of bowls of something else were added but we felt a bit shortchanged as a result. A local large family arrived at around 8, took the table behind us and promptly left after seeing the prices. There are no menus displayed outside, that could have saved their embarrassment. The restaurant was more touristy (and relatively expensive) than local. We normally avoid touristy places but we were 'desperate' and the offerings looked reasonable. At the end of the meal we were looking forward to a coffee or pastry (included in the deal). However when we had finished our main course a young waiter just put plates of sliced oranges (albeit ripe, juicy and tasty) in front of us and gave us the bill. That was rather abrupt. We were almost the last people in the restaurant and thought it a bit rude we were being told to leave in effect without having completed our set menu choices. Another reviewer seems to have had the orange slices but maybe they chose them? The bill was 1587 for food and 228 for drinks which turned out to be the most expensive meal of our fortnight in Egypt despite the 'set menu' looking reasonable. I paid by card and left, leaving 50 as a tip as we were cheesed off with the orange. In the end we had had plenty of good tasting food but at a price. The last 'course' left a sour note though, nothing to do with the citric acid.

First day of Egypt and first day of the year 2026 with many disappointing experiences with people doing their best to take money from my partner and I, BUT El Dar Darak was exceptionally good in terms of respect and professional conduct and mindset! The food was excellent! Definitely coming back within the next days as our motel is nearby! Update (7 January): as stated we went back the next day for our second time on 2 January. We brought with us two travellers (son and his father) from Sweden we had met earlier the day at the GEM! Our third time was on 5 January (see pictures)! You can choose between various fish and meat dishes which come with either a fish soup or meat based broth, 7-9 mezze plates of assorted traditional Egyptian food, eish baladi (pita), the main dish (fish or meat or both plus fries and rice) and a dessert (slices of oranges or an almond based pastry). Apart from the fish/meat menu they offer a few meat-based tajines which come with fries and rice. Really enjoyed having dinner there and a special thanks to the head waiter! Shukran!

Nice small restaurant to dine in, reasonably priced. Tried grilled half chicken and shrimp, both were very good and tasty. Portion was good, with many small dishes offered. Will go back next time.

We visited this restaurant as part of a pyramids tour. Food was decent. The chicken was very well cooked, and Baba ghanoush tasted the best among starters. Beef didn't taste good, and the beans curry was probably the worst.