The Birdcage is one of a handful of restaurants in the five-star Semiramis hotel. It specializes in Thai food, and is an upmarket restaurant catering mainly to hotel guests and business travelers.
The restaurant is very clean and the setup is beautiful. It is well decorated, and has an exotic Asian feel to it. The restaurant was very quiet when we were there for dinner and staff were very attentive. At times service was a little too much, with plates being taken away quickly when it would have been nice to linger, and drinks topped up every 10 minutes.
As we were waiting for our food they also brought us a complimentary ginger and hibiscus drink which was amazing. It was unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted, and made me anticipate our main meals even more. The menu is not particularly varied, but many of the options sound extremely good. To start with I had spring rolls which came with two sauces, both of which were nice, and one of which was very unusual but absolutely great. As a main I had chicken and cashew nut dish which was delicious. All meals come with a complimentary bowl of white rice, which is a nice touch. They offer alcoholic beverages, and we also ordered a red wine. All the food we ate was delicious, with smells and flavours which tasted very authentic.
However, despite the cleanliness, delicious food and polite service, the Birdcage lacked a certain charm. As I sat back to enjoy the evening, it felt that the venue was a little too clinical, and without enough character. I imagine it would be a suitable location for a business lunch with a client, but for a relaxed evening to enjoy yourselves it lacked the atmosphere I was looking for. The restaurant lacks charisma which, to me therefore, made it less appealing. Whilst I don’t know if there are better Thai food options in Cairo, I’m sure that there places just as classy, with more panache, and for a slightly lower price as well.
If you are looking for Thai that won’t disappoint, Birdcage at the Semiramis Intercontinental is this reviewer’s top pick. Nestled in the second floor of the hotel, the restaurant’s richly decorated stained wood and glass decor echoes the posh design of the hotel in general. While geared toward business travelers and hotel guests, anyone looking for a nice meal in a quiet place would appreciate the ambiance.
Upon arrival we were promptly seated and well attended throughout our meal. The staff was pleasant, knowledgeable and available to answer our questions about their various dishes.
The flavor combinations are distinctly Thai, with dishes laced with lemongrass, ginger and chili. The variety of dishes that was more than enough to cater to every palate. Appetizers ranged from your average spring rolls to more decadent seafood options alongside miso soups and salads. For main courses there was an interesting selection of curries, rice and noodles dishes featuring seafood, chicken and beef as well as a page of vegetarian options.
Unlike many restaurants in Cairo, they also had an extensive wine listing including both local and imported varieties.
Cairo can be hard place to find spicy dishes, but Birdcage has many dishes to tempt the adventurous palate. Be forewarned: the number of chilis next to each item on the menu are a good indication of spice. If spicy food is not your thing, there are a number of other dishes that are mild yet flavorful. I would recommend the Pla Samoon Plai (fried whole sea bass).
Between the private yet upscale atmosphere and the well-trained staff, the Birdcage lives up to the standards of a luxury hotel. For a business dinner, a romantic evening out or a traveler simply looking for some good Thai, Birdcage would be one of my top recommendations.
Expert Review
The Birdcage is one of a handful of restaurants in the five-star Semiramis hotel. It specializes in Thai food, and...
The Birdcage is one of a handful of restaurants in the five-star Semiramis hotel. It specializes in Thai food, and is an upmarket restaurant catering mainly to hotel guests and business travelers.
The restaurant is very clean and the setup is beautiful. It is well decorated, and has an exotic Asian feel to it. The restaurant was very quiet when we were there for dinner and staff were very attentive. At times service was a little too much, with plates being taken away quickly when it would have been nice to linger, and drinks topped up every 10 minutes.
As we were waiting for our food they also brought us a complimentary ginger and hibiscus drink which was amazing. It was unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted, and made me anticipate our main meals even more. The menu is not particularly varied, but many of the options sound extremely good. To start with I had spring rolls which came with two sauces, both of which were nice, and one of which was very unusual but absolutely great. As a main I had chicken and cashew nut dish which was delicious. All meals come with a complimentary bowl of white rice, which is a nice touch. They offer alcoholic beverages, and we also ordered a red wine. All the food we ate was delicious, with smells and flavours which tasted very authentic.
However, despite the cleanliness, delicious food and polite service, the Birdcage lacked a certain charm. As I sat back to enjoy the evening, it felt that the venue was a little too clinical, and without enough character. I imagine it would be a suitable location for a business lunch with a client, but for a relaxed evening to enjoy yourselves it lacked the atmosphere I was looking for. The restaurant lacks charisma which, to me therefore, made it less appealing. Whilst I don’t know if there are better Thai food options in Cairo, I’m sure that there places just as classy, with more panache, and for a slightly lower price as well.
Expert Review
If you are looking for Thai that won’t disappoint, Birdcage at the Semiramis Intercontinental is this reviewer’s top pick. Nestled...
If you are looking for Thai that won’t disappoint, Birdcage at the Semiramis Intercontinental is this reviewer’s top pick. Nestled in the second floor of the hotel, the restaurant’s richly decorated stained wood and glass decor echoes the posh design of the hotel in general. While geared toward business travelers and hotel guests, anyone looking for a nice meal in a quiet place would appreciate the ambiance.
Upon arrival we were promptly seated and well attended throughout our meal. The staff was pleasant, knowledgeable and available to answer our questions about their various dishes.
The flavor combinations are distinctly Thai, with dishes laced with lemongrass, ginger and chili. The variety of dishes that was more than enough to cater to every palate. Appetizers ranged from your average spring rolls to more decadent seafood options alongside miso soups and salads. For main courses there was an interesting selection of curries, rice and noodles dishes featuring seafood, chicken and beef as well as a page of vegetarian options.
Unlike many restaurants in Cairo, they also had an extensive wine listing including both local and imported varieties.
Cairo can be hard place to find spicy dishes, but Birdcage has many dishes to tempt the adventurous palate. Be forewarned: the number of chilis next to each item on the menu are a good indication of spice. If spicy food is not your thing, there are a number of other dishes that are mild yet flavorful. I would recommend the Pla Samoon Plai (fried whole sea bass).
Between the private yet upscale atmosphere and the well-trained staff, the Birdcage lives up to the standards of a luxury hotel. For a business dinner, a romantic evening out or a traveler simply looking for some good Thai, Birdcage would be one of my top recommendations.