The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Renowned for being one of the ultimate breakfast destinations, Qahwa also boasts an often-overlooked range of tempting lunch-friendly items, which we decided to try out at The Park at Mall of Arabia branch. Right at the centre of The Park, Qahwa’s perfect outdoor spot is sunny in the mornings and relaxing at night. When the weather is not at its best, an indoor area is close at hand.

We started our meal with two appetisers, the Goat Cheese & Chicken Salad (93LE), and the Chicken Quesadillas (88LE). Served with a ramekin of honey mustard dressing, the salad consisted of mixed greens, shredded red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, dried apricots, fried goat cheese, walnuts, and chicken. We liked the overall flavours, the portion was huge, and the crispy fried goat cheese was a delightful addition.

As for the quesadillas, they were filled with caramelised onions, grilled chicken, jalapenos, mixed cheese, and served with sour cream and pico de gallo. We felt that the tortilla-to-filling ratio was off. We would rather have four properly filled quesadillas, instead of the eight with three pieces of chicken.

As for the mains, we went for the Shrimp Pasta (119LE); we loved how the fried crust maintained its crisp, despite having been drenched with the lemon cream sauce. The mushroom and cherry tomatoes balanced the plate and added some freshness. Even though we didn’t feel the presence of the lemon flavour in the sauce at all, we still think the dish was delicious.

The other main was a sandwich of our own creation, which took s five steps; choosing the bread, protein, veggies, cheese, and sauce. There are so many cool options to choose from, but we finally opted for super fresh ciabatta filled with roast beef (78LE), arugula, sun-dried tomato, Emmental cheese (12LE), and wasabi mayo. We really enjoyed the sandwich, which was quite filling, especially that it was served with delicious sweet potato fries and a garden salad.

Despite the few flaws in the food, we still had a good experience at Qahwa. The service was great, the venue is cosy in a different way, and the lunch menu is worth trying, especially the ‘make your own sandwich’ section.