Fodor's Expert Review El-Dokka

This Nubian-style restaurant sits on one of the small islands around the cataracts of the Nile, in front of the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel. Big picture windows, as well as patio seating, command scenes of river rapids, the gargantuan boulders of nearby Elephantine Island, and the desert beyond. Those views are upstaged only by what comes to your table, starting with fresh-baked brown flatbread cut in quarters, accompanied by a plate of mixed pickles, just like in Egyptian homes. Dishes of baba ghanoush, cucumber salad, and moussaka (just grilled eggplant) are decorated with carved vegetables. The quart-sized lamb tagine arrives still bubbling hot, topped with nicely browned onions. Live Nubian music adds extra spice to your dinner. Call to have the restaurant's boat pick you up, or just flag a felucca.