Because of most of the reviews on Tripadvisor, my wife and I chose Abou El Sid as the location of our first evening meal in Sharm. What a disappointment. After being showed to our seats, we waited about 10 minutes to get a menu, then another 20 minutes for our drinks (which came with ice when we specifically told him "NO ICE"! Then another 20 minutes for the food - which was edible but cold. I would understand about the lack of service if it had been busy, but it wasn't; most of the staff just seemed to stand around talking to each other. Compared to Mahony restaurant, which is located in Naama Bay, behind the Pyramid Mall on Peace Road, El Sid is complete rip off!

The food is great for those wishing to try the local stuff. Do not order the wine, way tooooo expensive as it is all over Sharm, even went to one restaurant in auld Sharm and they did not serve any alcohol, ah!!!

I have eaten in the restaurant now four times and have thoroughly enjoyed each visit. As previous stated it is situated on the roof top of the Hard Rock Cafe. The restaurant is authentic in this fast changing tourist resort, supporting a menu with an array of hot or cold mezza’s and an extensive list of local delicacies, including kofta’s, grilled ribs, spiced lamb and bbq mixed grills. The breads and dips that accompany the meal are substantial. Although the Abou would be my first choice restaurant for Sharm, as it delivers every time, be aware that the price of wine is expensive at 55LE per glass. Local beers were approx 25LE for a large bottle. A full meal for two, with mezza’s, mains & wine worked out at 250LE. Service was very good and of all the restaurants in Namma Bay you won't find anywhere as authentic. There are tables inside as well as under the stars and a restaurant well worthy of a visit... just watch the wine!

We ate at this restaurant on the 30th of December.

The restaurant is above the Hard Rock and is decorated in Egyptian style. The terrace is lovely.

The food is authentic Egyptian and very good.

Starter portions are huge. We had stuffed sausages, stuffed vine leaves, falafel, quail (delicious) and babaghanoush to start.

My daughter had a turkish chicken kebab, I had a mixed grill and my partner had pidgeon all of which were excellent.

Unfortunately our evening was marred by two things. Firstly all the wines on the list were imports and very expensive 220 LE a bottle. I asked for a local bottle which I expected to be far more reasonable.

When the bill arrived we were charged the same as an import and I found this to be out of order.

Then my partner had a problem with his card and couldn't get through to his bank to have it unblocked.

The bill was 800 LE including service and tax (340 of that wine!). I had £100 sterling at the hotel and we agreed to take the waiter back with us to collect it and pay his fare back to Naama.

The manager agreed this with us and off we went. When we gave the waiter the £100 the manager came on the phone demanding more and got very aggressive.

This caused me a great deal of stress and I ended up very ill and missing out on New Year's Eve due to it.

All in all this is a good restaurant serving Egyptian food, but the lesson learned is watch for wine prices and make sure your card works.

We would have happily returned to this restaurant many times during our trip had it not been for these two things which totally ruined the experience for us.