Egyptian · Slow-Cooked · Grills
⭐ 4.8 (2071 Google reviews)
What it is
ZANOOBA Slow Cooking sits on El Malel Street, off the main seafront strip, and has built a steady reputation among Dahab's most-reviewed kitchens. The room is casual and a little hip, with outdoor seating and a cosy feel that suits couples, solo diners and groups equally. The cooking leans on long, slow methods: clay-pot tajines, simmered stews and chargrilled meats. By 8pm in season the tables fill quickly, so calling ahead is sensible. Halal kitchen, vegan and vegetarian dishes available, and a short wine list. The location off the corniche means it pulls a quieter, food-focused crowd than the seafront pizzerias and shisha cafes nearer the water.
Menu
The menu groups itself around slow-cooked clay-pot dishes, grilled meats and traditional Egyptian stews, with a separate run of mezze, salads and small plates to share. Breakfast and brunch are served, dessert and tea are flagged as notable on Google, and the kitchen lists vegan, vegetarian and halal options as well as healthy and small-plate choices. Late-night food is on the listing too. The full menu is not posted online via a dedicated link, so callers usually phone the restaurant on +20 109 699 2699 or check the day's specials at the table.
Sample prices: Mezze and small plates 80–180 EGP · Soups and salads 70–140 EGP · Slow-cooked tajines 220–380 EGP · Grilled meat plates 260–450 EGP · Vegan and vegetarian mains 180–300 EGP · Desserts 70–140 EGP · Tea and coffee 30–80 EGP · Glass of wine 120–200 EGP
Practical
| Reservations | Reservations recommended for dinner, especially in high season. Call +20 109 699 2699 to book a table. |
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| Payment | Cash and credit card both accepted. |
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| Suitable for | couples · solo diners · families with kids · vegan and vegetarian · halal-only · group dinner · late-night · brunch |
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| Accessibility | Indoor and outdoor seating with table service. Step-free access at street level; no specific wheelchair accessibility note from Google. |
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| Parking | Free street parking on El Malel and surrounding lanes. |
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The basics
How to get there
El Malel St, Dahab — see our Dahab map guide for the area layout.
Worth it?
One of Dahab's most reviewed restaurants. Famous for slow-cooked Egyptian dishes — tajines, grilled meats and rich stews. Arrives busy by evening, book ahead in high season. A solid recommendation if you're in the area.
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FAQ
Where is ZANOOBA Slow Cooking in Dahab?
ZANOOBA Slow Cooking is on El Malel Street in Dahab, just off the main El Masbat seafront strip. It is roughly a five-minute walk inland from the Lighthouse area and the central Fanar Street promenade. The neighbourhood is residential and quieter than the corniche, which keeps the dining room calmer in the evenings.
What are ZANOOBA Slow Cooking's opening hours?
ZANOOBA Slow Cooking is open every day from 12:00 to 23:00. The kitchen runs the same hours all week, including Fridays and weekends. Lunch service starts at noon and the kitchen continues serving late, so dinner orders are still possible close to the 11pm closing time.
Does ZANOOBA Slow Cooking take reservations?
Yes, ZANOOBA accepts reservations and the restaurant flags dinner reservations as recommended on Google. Phone +20 109 699 2699 to book, especially in high season when the dining room fills up by 8pm. Walk-ins are welcome at quieter times, mostly early lunch and shoulder season.
How much does ZANOOBA Slow Cooking cost?
ZANOOBA sits in the mid-range bracket for Dahab, marked $$ on listings. A two-course dinner with a soft drink typically lands between 350 and 600 EGP per person. Slow-cooked tajines run 220–380 EGP and grilled meat plates 260–450 EGP. Mezze and salads keep lighter meals under 250 EGP.
Is ZANOOBA Slow Cooking good for vegans?
Yes, ZANOOBA serves both vegan and vegetarian dishes alongside its meat menu. Google lists vegan, vegetarian, healthy and small-plate offerings. Expect plant-based mezze, vegetable tajines and salads. Tell the server when ordering if you want a strict vegan plate so the kitchen can adjust dressings and sides.
Is ZANOOBA Slow Cooking halal?
Yes, ZANOOBA serves halal food, which is confirmed in the restaurant's Google attributes. The kitchen also has wine on the menu, which is held separately from the food preparation. If you want a fully alcohol-free table, ask the server when you sit down and they will keep wine off the order.
Does ZANOOBA Slow Cooking accept credit cards?
Yes, ZANOOBA accepts credit card payments according to its Google profile. Cash in Egyptian pounds is also fine and often quicker for small orders. ATMs sit on El Mashraba and El Fanar streets nearby. Card terminals can occasionally drop offline, so carrying some cash as backup is sensible.
What does ZANOOBA Slow Cooking serve?
ZANOOBA serves slow-cooked Egyptian food: clay-pot tajines, long-simmered stews, grilled meats and a mezze section of small plates and salads. The kitchen also handles vegan and vegetarian mains, breakfast and brunch dishes, late-night food, desserts and a small selection of wines, teas and coffees.
Is ZANOOBA Slow Cooking good for families with kids?
Yes, ZANOOBA welcomes children, has high chairs and offers a children's menu, all noted on Google. The casual room and outdoor seating give kids space, and the slow-cooked menu has plenty of plain rice, grilled meat and bread options that suit younger palates. Earlier seatings before 8pm are calmer for families.
Is ZANOOBA Slow Cooking expensive?
No, ZANOOBA is mid-range by Dahab standards and Google marks the price level as inexpensive. Tajines and grills cost less than at hotel restaurants and most seafront tourist spots. Two people sharing mezze plus a main and tea typically spend 500–800 EGP total, which is solid value given the slow-cooking style.
Does ZANOOBA Slow Cooking serve breakfast?
Yes, ZANOOBA serves breakfast and brunch and the kitchen opens at 12:00 daily, which means the first breakfast orders go in around midday. Google flags breakfast as popular at this restaurant. It is a late-morning, slow-paced breakfast rather than an early traveller's first meal of the day.
Is there parking near ZANOOBA Slow Cooking?
Yes, free street parking is available along El Malel Street and the smaller lanes around the restaurant. Parking is informal in this part of Dahab, so spaces depend on what is open when you arrive. Walking from the El Masbat or Lighthouse areas takes about five to ten minutes.
Does ZANOOBA Slow Cooking allow dogs?
Yes, ZANOOBA welcomes dogs and Google notes that dogs are allowed both inside and on the outdoor terrace. This is unusual in Dahab restaurants, so it is a useful option for long-stay visitors travelling with pets. Bring water for your dog and pick a quieter time outside the dinner rush.
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