King Jamaica Restaurant & Café – Best Restaurant in Aswan

The view is beautiful, and the Nubian style of the restaurant makes the whole place feel warm and authentic. The staff are incredibly kind, and we even had the chance to speak with the owner, who shared stories and explained how he looks after the young boys working with him - truly remarkable and heartwarming. Food-wise, the oxtail was excellent. I recommend mixing the rice with what’s left at the bottom of the casserole. The Om Ali is also very good, but it’s quite sweet, so it’s perfect if you have a sweet tooth. Overall, a lovely place with great people and a wonderful atmosphere.

Lovely restaurant next to the river with a very nice decoration and views. We had vegeterian tagin, the soup of the day and it was both nice and reasonable in price. We also had some fruit juices that were also very good (natural with no sugar and ice). You can get a free boat to the restaurant. If you are nearby I really think it's a very good choice and highly recommended place

We'd heard about the Nubian community in Aswan and decided to go in search. We arrived at King Jamaica via his own boat across the Nile (free of charge). The atmosphere was warm and welcoming and the food simple but delicious. We also met King, the restaurant owner and he offered to give us a tour of his village. We visited a school, a shop selling beautiful scarfs and a lovely oasis in the middle of the island where people work the land. It was a wonderful experience and highly recommended.

We had a very good lunch at King Jamaica. They brought us with a free boat ride, the port is easy to find just left of the KFC. We ordered the beef tagine and camel tagine, both were full of flavour and tender meat! We tried the hibiscus and the Vitamin C drink which is a nice fresh smoothie. As a desert we had the Sahlab, which was very nice and tasted like vanilla. The food was very good, service was fast and friendly. We could pay by card. Afterwards we asked for a felucca to take us back to Maghrabi Guesthouse where we are staying. Mustafa brought us with his sailboat for a very good price. We had a lot of fun talking and sailing with him and Chocolate, who joined us on the trip.

Very delicious food with good service and reasonable prices. They offer a free boat shuttle from the city (near KFC) to the restaurant, which is a nice touch. I ordered the meat tagine and Jamaican chicken. The chicken was well seasoned and highly recommended. Loved the ambience, lively and happening!

Atmosphere is great at Nile river bank, peaceful, service is slightly on slower side. Could have been better and faster. Staff were nice and welcoming. It’s on elephantine island so haven’t take a boat from the the ferry terminal near KFC.

We really enjoyed our dinner at king Jamaica. The ambience can't be beat. It lights up at night and you can watch the boats on the Nile. The service is a bit slow but that doesn't matter because the view is great. The staff are friendly too. If we were here longer we would have come again to try more of the menu. We tried the jerk chicken, chicken negresco, strawberry juice and mango juice. All were great.

The Gateway of Granite and Jerk: A Review of King Jamaica, Aswan King Jamaica is more than just a restaurant; it’s a cultural intersection perfectly situated in a place defined by its geography. 🧭 Geographical Briefing of Aswan Aswan, the capital of Egypt's southernmost governorate, is historically and geologically one of the most significant cities in the country. It marks the ancient southern frontier of Egypt and sits right at the First Cataract of the Nile River. The Nile's Barrier: The "cataract" is a stretch where granite outcrops interrupt the Nile's smooth flow, creating rapids and beautiful islands (like Elephantine Island, near King Jamaica). This natural barrier was the historical gateway into Nubia and sub-Saharan Africa. The Granite City: The surrounding landscape is dramatic, dominated by granite, sandstone, and diorite hills. Aswan was the source of the pink and black granite used for countless statues and obelisks in ancient temples all over Egypt. A Desert Oasis: Located far south, Aswan experiences an extremely arid, hot desert climate, making the Nile the absolute lifeblood of the city and its surrounding, narrow, fertile floodplain. This powerful, sun-drenched, and granite-filled landscape is the backdrop for King Jamaica's vibrant, Caribbean-inspired fusion. 🍽️ The Review: A Taste of the Tropics on the Nile King Jamaica offers a delightful and completely unexpected culinary fusion that feels right at home in Aswan’s sun-drenched setting. Overlooking the legendary Nile, the restaurant perfectly blends Nubian hospitality with the laid-back, spicy flavors of the Caribbean. We thoroughly enjoyed our culinary journey, featuring the restaurant’s unique blend of cuisines: the classic Jamaican Jerk Chicken, the local favorite Chicken Negresco, and the regional Fish Tagine. Despite our dishes, particularly the chicken, being a little overdone—a common challenge when balancing rapid service with unique recipes—the flavors were undeniably great. The Jerk Chicken delivered the expected authentic, smoky spice, while the Fish Tagine was a beautiful, earthy complement that truly grounded the meal back in its Egyptian roots. The Chicken Negresco provided a satisfying, creamy richness that spoke to the local palate. The atmosphere, with its reggae soundtrack and stunning views across the Nile’s swirling waters and granite islands, makes this a must-visit experience. It’s not just about the meal; it’s about savoring a beautiful, cross-cultural moment in a city defined by millennia of history and geology. Go for the view, stay for the fusion, and forgive the kitchen for an occasional dry moment. Recommendation: Highly recommended for the atmosphere, the stunning view, and the unique fusion of flavors!