Eating out in Port Said is enjoyable, as fresh seafood abounds and most places have tables outdoors, allowing you to savour the bustling streetlife. If you fancy cruising the Suez Canal while you eat, make a reservation at the
Noras floating restaurant on the waterfront near the National Museum. The
Noras sails at least twice daily (2.30pm and 8.30pm) but schedules change so check times at the
Noras Beach Hotel where you can also reserve tickets. The 90-minute cruise costs £E10 if you settle for a soft drink, or £E36-60 including lunch or dinner. Besides the places listed below, there are lots of patisseries and coffee houses on Sharia el-Gumhorriya. The spit-and-sawdust
Cecil Bar beneath the
Reama restaurant is where to go
drinking if you want to imbibe an atmosphere redolent of the olden days, in the company of aged Greeks. The bar is open till midnight or later. There is also the standard duo of
KFC and
Pizza Hut on 23rd July if you're feeling homesick.
Abu Essam , El-Corniche St, diagonally opposite the Helnan. Excellent fish restaurant with moderate prices. A full meal costs £E20-30.
Galal , on the corner of Gaberti and El-Gumhorriya. A nice place to sit outside, drink beer and eat kofta sandwiches or seafood (£E15-20). They also do shawarma takeaways. Daily 7am-1am; closed during Ramadan.
Hamburger King , corner of Sharia el-Gomhorriya and Sharia Tarh el-Bahr (tel 066/224-877). Burger bar popular with young Egyptians. Hamburgers, (£E2) sandwiches, shawarma (£E2-6) and pizza (£E10-20). Also serves fresh fruit juice (£E3) and does home delivery.
Kastan , El-Corniche St, towards the stadium. Large and very busy 24-hr seafood and fish restaurant on the beach. Around £E30 for a full meal. Recommended.
Maxim , in the shopping centre on the corner of El-Gumhorriya and El-Corniche. Port Said's most expensive fish restaurant, with splendid views of ships entering the canal. A full meal costs £E40-60.
Pizza Pino , on the corner of El-Gumhorriya and 23rd July streets. Popular joint with slick decor and a seductive range of Italian dishes and ice cream.
Popeye's Café , Sharia el-Gumhorriya, opposite the Hotel de la Poste. A burger bar with trimmings and piped music; serves huge banana splits. Daily 8am-midnight.
Reana House , 5 Sharia el-Gumhorriya, diagonally across from the Akri Hotel. Tasty Korean and Chinese food including vegetarian dishes, at reasonable prices. Serves alcohol. Open till midnight or later.
