Giggling Squid, Cambridge restaurant review.
Thai restaurant, Giggling Squid, has opened its doors in the Old Library building on Wheeler Street, Cambridge.
The former home of Jamie’s Italian, the exquisite building with its grand ceiling dome has been given a bright and floral makeover. Guests can dine within huge bespoke birdcages adorned with flowers and glistening chandeliers. It’s certainly not your average restaurant. The restaurant chain has expanded throughout the UK in recent years but this is Giggling Squid’s biggest site to date.
The restaurant’s co-founder, Thai-born Pranee Laurillard, has created a flavoursome menu taking inspiration from Thai traditions and her own food memories. Her recommendations and personal tips are included in the dish descriptions on the menu.
The menu features tapas to share and a large selection of mains, plus rice and noodle sides. There are plenty of options to choose from, some spicer than others.
After much deliberation I chose the salt and pepper squid to start, it’s clear to see why it’s a bestseller. The squid is perfectly fried in a light batter accompanied by a tantalising dipping sauce. My dining guest chose chicken skewers coated in coconut milk, lemongrass and turmeric complete with A-jard pickled vegetables and peanut sauce. Both were excellent but the hawker-style moo ping, Mah Kwan pork belly and betel beef on sugar cane skewers were tempting too – I’ll have to return to sample those.
For mains we tucked into giant butterfly king prawn pad Thai and chicken paneang with coconut rice. Colourful, large portions full of flavour. It was one of those restaurants where every dish that whizzes passed looks and smells incredible.
Giggling Squid will open Monday-Thursday 12pm – 10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm – 10.00pm, Sunday 12pm – 9.30pm. A wide takeaway menu will also be available for click and collect or telephone orders. Delivery via Deliveroo will be arriving soon.
2 Wheeler Street, The Old Library, Cambridge, CB2 3QB | Tel: 01223 359037
