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

If you haven’t made your way to the Open Air mall in Madinaty yet, then their latest new restaurant Gavi might just convince you to do so. With its chic interior and wide menu of international dishes, it’s the perfect spot for your next dinner date or family outing.  

The decor was charming with a tree situated right in the middle of the restaurant, and the staff were ready to greet us right as we walked in. The tables did feel a bit too close together. If the restaurant was packed, we could probably reach over and take a bite from the next table. 

We started off with the Crunchy Spiced Calamari (EGP 147) – breaded calamari served with chilli tomato and aioli sauce, which lived up to its name with a crispy outside fried to perfection. One starter wasn’t enough so we had to try the Beef Yakitori (EGP 265) – marinated prime beef skewers with chimichurri salsa, as well. The portion seemed small for the price, but the meat was so tender you could cut it with a spoon.

Ready for more, we decided to go for the Salmon Ponzu (EGP 326) – roast Scottish salmon with a side of mashed potatoes, and the Sizzler Butter Steak (EGP 435) – grilled prime beef fillet in a butter sauce served with fries. The peppered teriyaki sauce on the salmon was amazing with complex flavours that complimented the fish, and the side salad had a delicious tangy vinaigrette dressing. Although the mashed potatoes were perfectly fluffy, the almond topping had us confused. The textures did not mesh well with the creamy potatoes. 

When we smelled the warm Swiss butter sauce that our steak was served in, we knew we were in for a good time. It looked just as great as it smelled, and the first cut into the steak revealed a perfectly pink centre, cooked just as we had requested. The toasted baguette pieces for dipping were a welcome addition. We could never turn down some extra carbs!

For dessert, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on their Baklawa Strawberry Cheesecake (EGP 105) – layers of baklawa filled with creamy cheese and topped with strawberry coulis and pistachio, a unique twist on two beloved desserts. It was flaky on the outside, but creamy on the inside with a tart strawberry coulis to balance the flavours. This light dish satisfied our sweet tooth without giving us that familiar feeling of  post-dessert regret. 

Although we were stuffed, we couldn’t resist a refreshing drink to wash it all down. The Mango Colada (EGP 88)- pineapple and mango juice with coconut cream, was a delicious change from a regular piña colada. Sweet, refreshing and ice cold, this mocktail was the perfect end to a great meal. The Coco Banana Smoothie (EGP 84)- strawberry and banana with coconut syrup and coconut flakes, however was a bit too icy and the fruity flavours were not strong enough.  

A meal for two is definitely expensive at Gavi, but the portions are more filling than they look, and their menu has dishes to please almost everyone, making the experience worth it.