Top 25 of the best restaurants in Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi’s multicultural best restaurants in Nairobi scene is attracting cull-edge, international traveling culinary talent. Kenya’s bustling capital is already renowned for its artistic style designers, amazing landscapes and coffee and tea trade, but it should also be recognized for its quick-growing foodie culture. From slow-cooked Indian BBQ to sushi with a best restaurants Nairobi with a view. Check out our selection of the top 25 best restaurants in Nairobi, Kenya:
Here are the top 25 best restaurants in Nairobi, Kenya spots to eat.
1) Tamarind
Placed in wonderful Karen, home to the sought-after Kitengela glass-blowers and domestic wildlife park, Tamarind cooks up the top in Kenyan seafood. The menu is continental and provides a big range of meat dishes and seafood. Local favorites contain garlic jumbo prawns and deep-fried crab claws. The serene and elegant area is inviting and best for sampling a cold glass of a South African sauvigon blanc. Do not be put off if you are not a fan of seafood, Tamarinds meat and vegetarian selection are largely recognized as being equally exceptional.
2) Seven Seafood & Grill
A big selection of fresh seafood, big steaks and huge fishbowls of well liquor. It makes for a bit of a relaxing atmosphere, as some thinking they are in for perfect dining at a location with Japanese fighting fish swimming in the flower vases, while others seem to be on spring break downing big fishbowls of booze. Anyway, for the select few that love this combo, the seafood is tasty and the fishbowls do their work.
3) The River Cafe
The River Cafe is paled right in the center of the big Karura Forest, a tranquil swath of wilderness in the center of the city. The dining place, on a big expanse of wooden deck under an open-sided canvas roof, gets extra environment from the surrounding plants and forest treetops. The menu is varied with a best vegetarian section as well as light bites and more sweet meals. The salads and the French onion soup are advised. This location gets busy on the weekends, when Nairobians stop in for brunch after church or walk around the forest, so book best restaurants Nairobi in advance.
4) Maru’s Bhajia Cafe
For the best savory fast food, Maru Bhajia Cafe hits the spot. It was actually well-known as a drive-thru on River Road, capitalizing on the hoards of coach passengers to Mombasa, anyway, the restaurant and cafe has now settled very well into it is new house in the hustle and bustle of Diamond Plaza. Expect good, tasty food such as crunchy turmeric yellow bhajia served on paper plates decorated with lashings of tamarind and tomato chutney. Wash this down with a chill glass of fresh tree tomato juice from the food court.
5) AA Mithaiwalla
It is all about Mithai and biryani at AA Mithaiwala, one of best restaurants in Nairobi. Found over fifty years by Abdulahi Alibhai Mithaiwalla, his son, Shabir takes pride in continuing the family legacy. This is a friendly eatery loved by the locals in Pangani for its big range of cost-friendly sweet and savory Indian treats. Favorites like malai Ka khaja and lamb biryani offer up a flavor of traditional Mughlai cuisine preserved by the founders own Indian heritage. This quaint warm spot, 10 minutes from the CBD, is top for impromptu takeaways and casual dining.
6) Talisman
The NYC Times has proclaimed Talisman best restaurants in Nairobi. Its interior comprises Middle Eastern Kenyan and tapestry craft, and Talisman is the location to go for unrivaled candle-lit al fresco dining. It plays host to a series of regular shows on African art and hosts monthly foodie events. The continental menu stretches from Limuru to Mombasa, Japan to Zanzibar. Begin with the coriander and feta samosa covered in chili-ginger jam, followed by the deluxe burger coated with bacon, apple slaw, and cheese, and finish with spicy and soft Turkish coffee paired with popular Malindi Italian halwan. Booking best restaurants in Nairobi 2020 is highly advised.
7) The Arbor
If you like outdoor best restaurants in Nairobi and cafe, the Arbor is just the location for you. The Arbors staff are extremely friendly and the restaurant is eco-friendly. They call themselves the healthiest restaurant in town which is a bold thing to say but as far as we are concerned they are right. We advice you go on a brunch time when there are unique offers with remarkable flavours. With big portions and cost-friendly prices, you and your friends would love it here with classic cocktails on a cosy and peaceful garden.
8) Wasp & Sprout
Wasp & Sprout is a special and eco-friendly coffee house-restaurant placed in Loresho Ridge. It has vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. One some days, you can run into an Open Mic right or a Board Game night. It is a simple, friendly, transparent and full green location where you can enjoy a powerful and healthy breakfast, fast lunch or even a long & nice brunch with your dear ones. You may also, grab a book from one of the shelves and read while enjoying your coffee outside or on the inside.
9) Tin Roof Cafe and Restaurant
Tin Roof Cafe is actually started against the technique of Nairobi fast-growing mall culture. The owners thought that people need more green locations than they ever were. As an outside and green location, Tin Roof Café invites people to have lunch under the sunlight with your kids or friends. This eco-friendly best outdoor restaurants in Nairobi has vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices in every section of the menu. They prepare their food with organic produce and do not use plastic straws or any irreversible items. Tin Roof Cape also has a twin a Langata with same opinion against the malls.
10) Petma Restaurant
Petma Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Nairobi which is a mixture of an extensive menu of romantic environment, varieties, and stylish interior. They favor to use organic foods as much as easy even when they are catering. If you want to enjoy delicious traditional African food, you can even book for an event such as: a business meeting, a cocktail party or a wedding this is the right location for you. On a hungover day, please enjoy the taste hungover soup.
11) Marula Mercantile
One of Nairobi’s hottest eateries, Marula Mercantile is making a name for itself as a remarkable brunch spot, as well as relaxed venue to get stuck into some creative drinks. For brunch, try the French toast with orange-cardamon butter or buckwheat pancakes. The decoration is modern, chunky wooden tables set on decking with views out of the grassy garden. Keep area for one of the homemade doughnuts, or take a box house with you for later.
12) Hashmi BBQ
This family-run Indian BBQ joint is placed within Nairobi ever-famous mall, Nakumatt Ukay. Hashmi boasts a divine take on Indian BBQ with must-try dishes adding the chooza chicken with sauce, the khima chapatti served with a kind helping of garden salad, and fish tikka eaten with fiery poussin chips. The food is tasty spicy and not advised for the fainthearted. With affordable dishes and interiors, it is no shock that Hashmi is forever heaving.
13) Mama Rocks Food Trucks
The owners of Mama Rocks, 2 sisters from London with Kenyan heritage, planned to introduce the food truck revolution to Kenya. Their pale pink truck, placed most days outside the Alchemist bar in Westlands, has sent Kenyans wild with praise and fun for the gourmet burgers. Mama Rocks recipes infuse American/western traditional food with an African twist, like the Nollywood Suya Saga burger, served with fried plantains on the side. Despite identifying as a burger truck, Mama turns out tasty drinks and salads, too. The veggie burger is one of the most famous items on the menu.
14) Chowpaty
Chowpaty, best vegetarian restaurants Nairobi, serves outrageously delicious dishes from across the Indian subcontinent. On arrival, customers are prepared first with a little bowl of hot water to wash their hands in and then with epic menu. The top item on the menu is the dahi puri: Crispy puffed puri shells are packed with Bombay mix and then drizzled with a sour and sweet sauce. Many items on the menu can also be made vegan. Chowpaty has several places around town, but the most famous sits in the courtyard at Diamond plaza, an active shopping mall where the Indian community for electrical goods, fabrics, and supermarkets.
15) Nyama Mama
Nyama Mama is a fun location in Westlands serving African cuisine and homey Kenyan. The decoration is funky and hop: bright yellow sofas adorned with colorful kanga cushions, kitchen set with a shipping container, and chunky metal lights. One the top items on the menu is the lentil dal served with chapati and a side of your choice, sauteed sukuma wiki, fried plantains to kachumbari salad (chopped onions and tomatoes). Nyama Mama is also provides a limited late-night menu until 4 a.m. perfect for those lingering at the cocktail bar upstairs.
16) Lucca
This stylish Italian restaurant dishes out the best pizza in Nairobi from the majestic Villa Rosa kempinski complex. The chef has come over from his Italian homeland and every item from the focacia bread with olive oil to the pesto pasta is amazingly cooked and presented. There is a shady open-air patio that would not look out of place on a Parisian boulevard, and a balcony dining place at the front of the best restaurants Nairobi with wicker chairs and glass-topped tables.
17) The Carnivore
The Carnivore is famous as African Great eating experience. Every type of meat imaginable adding a range of meat roasted over charcoal and carved at your table. Taste side dishes and a wonderful range of sauces complement this fixed price feasts that also contains soup, selection of desserts and Kenyan coffee. Set in a wonderful tropical gardens, the service and the decoration are stunning. The decoration of Carnivore itself is green and luscious with an open air sitting place.
18) Tatu Restaurant
Tatu is a prize winning restaurant featuring the finest cuts of organic meats, fresh sea food and range of vegetarian choices paired with premium drinks in a hot contemporary African themed setting.
The restaurant specs both outdoors and indoors to suit different dining experiences adding intimate dining with family and friends for unique anniversaries and celebrations, business networking and groups.
19) About Thyme
About Thyme is a hidden gem that would be remarkable location for an early lunch or an intimate dinner because of the wonderful lighting and aesthetics. The restaurant motto is Drink, Eat, Do not Think” and the surroundings are pretty fitting. There is an open-air seating area, and outside tables and are surround by leafy plants, flowers and trees.
The place is great for people living in the Westlands region of Nairobi because of its proximity to the place. If you are hanging out in Nairobi, do yourself a favor and check out About Thyme.
20) Mambo Italia
Their rooftop is pretty, not overcrowded is the slightest with a thrill view over Lavington but two things, it is not so much thrilling when it is windy as there is no shade and they truly need to put that Gazebo-ish sort of things in the center of best use. The inside of the restaurant is extremely pretty, cute little wooden tables and chairs, bright colours and a slight market feel – all makes for a yet modern, homely, Italian restaurant.
The waters are very accommodating and handled all our requests in the best expert manner – all our food orders, moving from terrace to inside the restaurant. Services at Mambo Italia is top standard in my point of view, helpful, friendly, and definitely knowledgeable.
21) Urban Eeatery
Urban Eatery is Kenya first multi kitchen gourmet place. With 4 kitchens, a frozen yogurt counter and a speciality bar, we have a big range of menu of tasty dishes that will satisfy many a palate. From Lebanese and Mexican at Fireplace, to noodles and sushi at Bar Asia, from Dakhsin to Pastas, Salads and Italian at the Daily, we have so much option. Top it off with amazing combined cocktails and beverages from bar and ice-covered Yogurt from Yog, and Urban Eatery is the location to eat when you want choice, best service and ambience.
22) Furusato Restaurant
Furusato is the hometown of the top Japanese cuisine. They provide friendly service and standard food that will make your dining experience unforgettable. The specailise in true Japanese food, Sashimi, Sushi and Teppanytaki among others.
Furusato is a pretty little house turned restaurant, and is full of special funky furniture, all contributing to its authenticity. They have both outdoor and indoor seating and a bunch of Teppanykai tables so you can pick the eating style you are feeling that night!
23) Thai Chi Restaurant
Thai Chi is a Thai food restaurant placed in the Sarova Stanley hotel, opposite the Exchange Bar on the initial floor. It has been explained as being one of the top Thai restaurants in Eastern Africa. The menu was designed by an executive Thai chef who has worked at some of the top restaurants in Thailand, and specs a host of staple Siam Thai ingredients (lemongrass, curries, coconut, etc), and dishes (satay, seafood, jasmine rice, etc). The restaurant formal setting specs a classic Thai decoration with different artistic pieces. Lots of on-site parking is accessible at the hotel, but due to its status, it is advised that diners reserve a table in advance and dress in formal attire.
24) Abyssinia Restaurant
Abyssinia has an extremely casual environment with a little play area for kids and a laid back bar section where you can watch football games over coffee and popcorn. Their menu is rather extensive with a range of mouth-watering fish dishes that are hard to find at any of the other Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants in town.
25) Mercado – Mexican Kitchen and Bar
The Mercado placed at Kendril Towers in Westlands is a must go if you are foodie who loves special ambiance, and does not mind trying something fresh. From the name you can tell it is Mexican, so it is definitely a different from the Italian, continental, and Indian restaurants that can be found all through Nairobi.
