Madinaty’s Lodge serves up international comfort food

Restaurants that do it all are an old staple slowly finding their way back into Cairo’s F&B scene — and Lodge is one spot bringing the concept back exceptionally well. Nestled in Madinaty’s Open Air Mall, Lodge shares a grand but cozy space with specialty coffeehouse Social. Its kitchen serves up a surprisingly well-executed range of international dishes, spanning Egyptian and Turkish to French, Italian, and Greek.

First impressions: We visited on a weekday evening and opted for an indoor table, given the chill settling over Cairo right now. It’s spacious with plenty of tables and a distinctly welcoming atmosphere — warm lighting, modern wood-panelled walls, ceilings adorned with artificial greenery, and open kitchens and displays throughout give the restaurant plenty of character. In the background, a playlist of romantic Julio Iglesias tracks sets an even cozier tone for our dining experience.

What’s on the menu? Lodge takes diners on a European-Mediterranean culinary tour, with a little flag next to each dish signalling where it comes from across a wide-ranging menu. To start, there’s an assortment of unique fried bites, a couple of soups, a few classic salads, and a selection of Palestinian, Levantine, and Greek dip favorites. Main courses cover a wide range of protein dishes, pastas, risottos, pizzas, and sandwiches. A kids menu is also on offer, as well as a selection of desserts and a lengthy list of cocktails, smoothies, and fresh juices. Not to mention a tempting, diverse breakfast menu, which will have to wait for another morning visit.

What we tried, and enjoyed: For starters, an exceptionally friendly waiter helped us settle on the French-inspired chicken bites and fries. For our main meals, we opted for an Italian affair, going for the chicken contadino and the truffle beef burger. The chicken bites and fries made for a strong start, with tender pieces of chicken and crispy shoestring fries drenched in a deliciously tangy creamy sauce. The chicken contadino featured a perfectly tender chicken breast topped with an assortment of sautéed vegetables and a tangy white sauce. It was a light, flavorful dish that left little to fault.

The truffle burger was another hit, with a gourmet beef patty elevated by layers of delicious melted cheese and truffle mayo, served alongside a portion of soft-centered, crispy wedges. The serving was on the smaller side, but still left us satisfied, especially after the appetizer.

The verdict: If you’re after an all-inclusive menu with plenty of variety, reminiscent of a homely international dining house, Lodge is an underrated spot worth visiting. Its warm atmosphere and breezy location make it a good choice for a light meal, a relaxed brunch with friends, or even a casual but reliable business dinner.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Lodge at the Open Air Mall in Madinaty.

💵 Per person: EGP 800-900

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes