Create meetup in Port Sudanchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Port Sudan Guides
Best Food in Port Sudan (2026)
Port Sudan's location on the Red Sea means you are never far from fresh fish. For the best grilled fish, head to the waterfront near the Fish Market in the Transfaya area… 🍽️ Seafood by the Red Sea
Port Sudan's location on the Red Sea means you are never far from fresh fish. For the best grilled fish, head to the waterfront near the Fish Market in the Transfaya area, where small stalls serve catch of the day with rice and salad for around 2,000 to 3,500 SDG. Another reliable spot is Al-Mouled Restaurant on Al-Nasr Street, known for its shrimp and calamari dishes, open daily from noon to 10 PM. Expect to pay between 4,000 and 6,000 SDG for a full seafood platter.
🍲 Traditional Sudanese Dishes
No visit to Port Sudan is complete without trying ful medames, a hearty fava bean stew often eaten for breakfast. Head to any local ful stall in the Souq al-Sha'bi (popular market) in the city center, where a bowl costs around 500 to 800 SDG and comes with bread and tea. For lunch or dinner, look for tagaliya, a rich meat stew with vegetables, served at home-style restaurants like Al-Baraka on Al-Jumhuriya Street. Prices range from 1,500 to 2,500 SDG per plate.
🥙 Street Food and Snacks
The streets of Port Sudan come alive in the evening with vendors selling shawarma, falafel, and sambusa. Try the shawarma stands near the Central Bus Station on Al-Salam Street, where a wrap costs about 700 to 1,200 SDG and is made fresh to order. For a quick bite, grab a plate of koshari from a cart in the Deim neighborhood, a mix of rice, lentils, and pasta topped with spicy tomato sauce for under 1,000 SDG. Most stalls operate from 5 PM to midnight.
🍹 Refreshing Local Drinks
To beat the heat, try fresh mango or guava juice from juice bars scattered around the city. One popular spot is Al-Faisal Juice Center on Al-Waha Street, open from 8 AM to 11 PM, where a large glass costs 500 to 800 SDG. Another favorite is karkade, a chilled hibiscus tea, available at most cafes for around 300 SDG. For something creamier, order a glass of gongolez (a milky drink with nuts) at Al-Nile Cafe near the port.
🍛 Where Locals Eat Lunch
For an authentic lunch experience, join the crowds at Al-Samak Restaurant on Al-Bahr Street, which serves generous portions of rice and grilled meat for 2,000 to 3,000 SDG. The restaurant fills up between 1 PM and 3 PM, so arrive early to get a table. Another local favorite is Al-Waha Restaurant in the Deim area, known for its chicken and okra stew, open daily from 11 AM to 4 PM. Both places offer free tea after your meal.
🍢 Evening Grilled Meats
As the sun sets, the aroma of grilled meat fills the air around the Suq al-Lahm (meat market) in the north of the city. Small kiosks here serve shish tawook and kofta skewers with flatbread and salad for 1,500 to 2,500 SDG. One standout is Abu Tarek Grill on Al-Matar Street, open from 6 PM to 1 AM, where you can watch your order being cooked over charcoal. Pair your meal with a cold soda or a glass of tamarind juice.
🍰 Sweet Treats and Desserts
Sudanese sweets are a must-try, especially basbousa and halawa. Visit Al-Helwiyat Bakery on Al-Nasr Street, open from 9 AM to 9 PM, where a box of mixed sweets costs around 1,200 to 2,000 SDG. For a cold dessert, try the ice cream at Al-Jazeera Cafe near the Corniche, with scoops priced at 400 SDG each. During Ramadan, look for special sweets like lugaimat at street stalls after sunset.
💡 Practical Food Tips
Most restaurants in Port Sudan accept cash only, so carry enough Sudanese pounds. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill is appreciated. Street food is generally safe, but stick to busy stalls with high turnover. If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid raw salads and drink bottled water. Finally, note that many places close on Fridays until after midday prayers.
this is a solid list, covers way more than most writeups. one thing though, the prices are already stale if you're reading this in 2026. the pound keeps sliding so double check before you budget, that 2500 SDG plate might be 5000 by the time you land.
also worth knowing the fish market in Transfaya is best around 6 to 7am when the boats come in. you can pick your fish straight off the ice and they'll grill it for you on the spot. way fresher and cheaper than the evening stalls, plus you skip teh midday heat.
good rundown, esp the ful stalls in Souq al-Sha'bi. one thing nobody ever mentions: the tea ladies. after any meal, look for the jabanaya carts on the corners, the ones with the big kettle and rows of glasses. she'll pour you shai with milk and a fistful of sugar for like 200 SDG, and honestly its the best part of eating out here. my go to is the cart right outside the market on Al-Jumhuriya, been run by the same lady for years.
also if you want seafood without the restaurant markup, ask around for the gulf fish. the small silver ones, sometimes called "the sardines of the red sea." locals fry them whole at home. the stalls dont always advertise them but ask and theyll pull some out. cheaper and sweeter than the big groupers everyone orders.
solid effort putting all this together, most people just say "eat at the corniche" and call it a day. one thing you left out is breakfast timing, the ful stalls in souq al sha'bi are basically done by 9am so if u roll up at 10 expecting ful ur getting tea and nothing else. also the shawarma near the bus station is fine but the real move is the liver sandwiches at the little place off al salam, few doors down, they do kibda with onion and lime in a bun for like 800 and its done in 3 min
one correction on the fish market though, transfaya is great but ask for the fish to be weighed in front of u, some stalls eyeball it and u pay for air. learned that one the hard way
3 Days in Port Sudan: 2026 Itinerary
Start your day at the Port Sudan Central Market on Sharia Al Souq, which opens at 7:00 AM and is best explored before the heat sets in. From there, walk 10 minutes to… 🗓️ Day 1 Morning: City Center
Start your day at the Port Sudan Central Market on Sharia Al Souq, which opens at 7:00 AM and is best explored before the heat sets in. From there, walk 10 minutes to the Red Sea Museum on Sharia Al Bahr to see maritime artifacts and learn about the city's history. Grab a quick breakfast of foul and tea at a local stall for around 500 SDG. Allow 2 to 3 hours for this area.
🕌 Day 1 Afternoon: Corniche and Mosque
After lunch, head to the Corniche, the waterfront promenade, where you can stroll and watch the fishing boats. Visit the Al-Nour Mosque on Sharia Al Corniche, a prominent landmark with distinctive architecture. The area is walkable, but you can take a rickshaw (tuk-tuk) for short hops at about 300 SDG. Spend the afternoon here, then stay for sunset.
🐟 Day 1 Evening: Seafood Dinner
For dinner, try the fresh seafood at the Fish Market near the port, where you can pick your fish and have it grilled on the spot. A meal for two with rice and salad costs around 3,000 to 5,000 SDG. The market is busiest from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. After dinner, take a taxi back to your hotel; expect to pay 1,000 to 1,500 SDG within the city center.
🏛️ Day 2 Morning: Suakin Island
Take a day trip to Suakin, a historic island city about 60 kilometers south of Port Sudan. Shared minibuses leave from the main bus station early in the morning and cost around 1,000 SDG per person; the journey takes about 1 hour. Explore the coral-stone ruins of the old city, including the Shafai Mosque and the Customs House. Bring water and sun protection, as there are limited facilities.
🏖️ Day 2 Afternoon: Beach Relaxation
Return to Port Sudan by early afternoon and head to the Red Sea Resort beach on the northern outskirts. Entry fees are about 2,000 SDG for adults, and you can rent a lounger for 1,000 SDG. The water is calm and perfect for swimming. Stay until sunset, then take a taxi back to the city center for around 2,000 SDG.
🍽️ Day 2 Evening: Local Cuisine
For dinner, try the popular Al Fanar Restaurant on Sharia Al Riyadh, known for its grilled meats and fresh juices. A hearty meal costs about 4,000 SDG per person. The restaurant is open from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. After dinner, walk along the nearby corniche for a night view of the port.
🛍️ Day 3 Morning: Shopping and Crafts
Spend your last morning shopping for souvenirs at the Handicrafts Market on Sharia Al Nasr, where you can find woven baskets, leather goods, and spices. Prices are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain; start at half the asking price. The market opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 1:00 PM. A taxi from the city center costs about 1,000 SDG.
✈️ Day 3 Afternoon: Departure Prep
After lunch, visit the Port Sudan International Airport to confirm your departure details if you're flying out. The airport is about 5 kilometers from the city center, and a taxi ride takes 15 to 20 minutes, costing around 2,000 SDG. If you have time, stop by the nearby Al Taka Mountains viewpoint for a final photo. Allow at least 2 hours before your flight for check-in.
good writeup, saving this for when my cousin visits next month. one thing on day 1 though, the fish market near the port is great but if u go on a friday it's chaos after 7pm, better to hit it around 5:30 before the families roll in. also the guys there will grill whatever u pick but ask for it with the tamarind sauce on the side, not dumped on top, otherwise it drowns the fish. for the corniche stretch, tbh i'd skip the tuk tuk and just walk it, the whole thing is maybe 20 min end to end & the breeze is the best part
solid itinerary overall, u clearly did ur homework. one thing i'd flag on day 3 is the handicraft market timing, it basically dies by 11am not 1pm, most of the sellers pack up once the morning rush is done so go right at 8 if u actually want the good woven stuff. also the airport taxi at 2000 is on the high side, metered or shared rides from the center run closer to 1200 to 1500 if u don't mind waiting a few min, the 2000 is the tourist rate. oh & the Al Taka viewpoint is nice but the light is way better in the late afternoon than midday, so if ur flight is evening it works, if it's early just skip it
This is a solid plan and it covers the main stops well. One thing I'd add from living here: the Suakin trip on Day 2 is worth leaving earlier than you think, because the shared minibuses from the main bus station fill up fast and the first ones leave around 6 AM, not later. Also, the ruins have almost no shade, so by 10 AM it's brutal, and there's really nowhere decent to eat on the island itself, pack food or plan to eat back in the city. If you're into history, ask around for a local guide near the Shafai Mosque, a few of them know the Ottoman and Funj layers of the site and it makes the ruins come alive.