Fresh Fish Market ‘Marinella’ Lands in Egypt's El Gouna

As the brisk Autumn breeze signalled the end of the summer season, I found myself reminiscing about my latest summertime escapade in El Gouna. During those sun-drenched days, I immersed myself in the ample warmth of the sun, savoured cocktails on yachts, and indulged in the freshest seafood. As an adventurous foodie at heart, my cravings led me to a hidden gem known as Marinella – an unassuming seafood mobile kitchen.

Founded by lifelong fisherman Fady El Daba, Marinella offers the freshest catches, sourced directly from their family-owned vessel in the Red Sea and delivered straight to your plate. They provide simple yet flavorful piscatory delights, reminiscent of upscale seafood restaurants in Mykonos.

Intrigued by the tantalising flavours of their creations, I decided to embark on a culinary quest, channelling my inner detective, much like a character from my childhood dreams. While curiosity may have a reputation for harming felines, it certainly hasn't silenced mine.

To quench my unending curiosity, I arranged a virtual interview with Marinella's founder, Fady El Daba, who generously revealed the secret behind the delectable flavours of their culinary creations, “It goes without saying, the source of the fish makes all the difference in its taste. While the majority of seafood establishments procure their fish from the market, our fish is freshly caught by me and my dad, just hours before serving it,” he tells Scene Eats.

Fady's profound passion for fishing can be traced back to his upbringing, where he sailed the waters of the Red Sea with his father on a yacht they built themselves. El Daba has always been dedicated to fishing, "The yacht became our family's second home. We'd embark on long fishing trips for days, using it as a form of meditation to disconnect from reality."

Originally starting as an online fresh fish market, with Fady personally managing packaging and delivery, Marinella has recently introduced its first physical food truck, parked on the sidewalk at Mangroovy Residence, allowing customers to witness their delicious fish sizzling over the grill.