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

Opening its doors to customers in January of last year, Willow’s is all about calm and stylish aesthetics. Their overall design spells out boho-chic in every corner, from the creamy white outdoor furniture to the cosy indoor atmosphere filled with framed artwork, laid-back interior, and greenery. Aside from their Instagrammable ambience, their menu is also quite versatile, with some of our favourite feel-good food options, such as Neapolitan-style pizza, pasta, salads, and French desserts.

We headed there to try out some of their delicious-looking dishes; unfortunately, we had just missed their breakfast service by 20 minutes, so we opted for lunch instead. We took a seat inside on one of their cosy couches, which was great because the vibe was very homey and inviting. We looked through the menu and finally decided to share the Arugula Beet Orange Salad (140 LE) – fresh arugula with goat cheese, beetroot, orange segments, roasted almonds, chia seeds, and balsamic vinaigrette. The salad was exceptional; the earthy tones of the beetroot went well with the citrusy orange and creamy goat cheese, resulting in a very flavourful starter. We also had ordered the Spicy Strawberry (55 LE) from the Healthy Drinks section. It’s a very unusual mix of strawberry juice and hot Spanish red pepper – if you’re a fan of mixing flavour profiles, then this one is for you! The sweetness of the strawberries complement the spicy peppers perfectly, but make sure to tell your waiter how spicy you’d prefer your drink.

Then we shifted to the mains; we decided to go with the Magnolian Beef (260 LE) – marinated beef tenders, fresh green onions in homemade Mongolian sauce served with steamed rice. And we also got the Creamy Tuscan Salmon (270 LE) – 200gm of grilled salmon fillet smothered in garlic butter, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and cream sauce, served with lemon dill rice. The beef dish was quite sizable, and the meat itself was very tender and seasoned. However, adding the beef with the sauce on top of the rice slightly ruined the plate for us because the sauce was a bit on the sweet side. As for salmon, the steak was perfectly-cooked and fork-tender; however, the dish needed more of that tasty butter sauce for sure. The dill rice was herbaceous and complemented the vegetables impeccably. 

After a filling and satisfying meal, we went ahead and ordered one Crème Brule with Orange and Cinnamon ( 110 LE) from the dessert section. The portion was one of the largest we have ever seen. Size aside, the crème brule was velvety, creamy, and heavenly, to say the least. The spicy cinnamon flavour with zesty orange captured the delicate taste of the dessert while offering a tasty little twist. We ended our experience on a gratifying note, but the prices are a bit high for a casual meal out, so only visit if you’re willing to splurge a little.