Carnivore
Nairobi
Love it or hate it, Carnivore serves up Kenya's most famous nyama choma (barbecued meat) – it's been an icon for tourists, expats and wealthier locals for…
Talisman
Nairobi
This classy cafe-bar-restaurant remains fashionable with the Karen in-crowd and it rivals any of Kenya’s top eateries for imaginative international food…
Roadhouse Grill
Nairobi
Out beyond Milimani in the west, Roadhouse Grill is widely touted by locals as the best place for nyama choma (barbecued meat). The meat (choose the goat)…
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden
Nairobi
The Coffee Garden offers diners five areas in which to enjoy its varied menu, including the plush L’Amour dining room, the historic 1901 Swedo House and…
Mama Oliech
Nairobi
Fish dominates the menu here: the whole fried tilapia from Lake Nakuru is the signature dish, especially when ordered with ugali (a maize or cassava-flour…
Al-Yusra
Nairobi
Roast camel, fried goat and plenty of pilau rice dishes just like Somalis and like-minded Kenyans love them make this busy 1st-floor place a hit,…
Mama Rocks at the Alchemist Bar
Nairobi
Nairobi's first and best food truck is very cool. With an African take on burgers and a location primed and ready for Westlands' night-time crowd, Mama…
About Thyme
Nairobi
In a welcoming garden setting in the city's north, About Thyme does some fine international dishes such as pumpkin-and-amaretti tortellini or battered red…
Bao Box
Nairobi
If you want a little fun with some food, this is a go-to place, particularly if there are a few of you. Serving a variety of snacks and drinks (the pizzas…
Urban Eatery
Nairobi
This smart and upmarket place has a huge menu that takes in everything from pizza to sushi, including great salads, sandwiches, burgers and meat grills…
Tin Roof Cafe
Nairobi
This place has all the ingredients to be a Nairobi favourite: a quiet garden setting in Karen, great coffee, amazing juices, an Ottolenghi salad bar and a…
Haandi Restaurant
Nairobi
Widely regarded as the best Indian restaurant in Kenya, Haandi rises above its nondescript shopping-mall location. The expansive menu includes wonderful…
Nyama Mama
Nairobi
Nyama Mama is a small Afro-fusion restaurant chain, characterised by its colourful decor. This restaurant draws a young, urban clientele. Favourite dishes…
Nairobi
J's is one of Karen's most popular venues. The food that emerges from the open kitchen is excellent, from creamy risotto with beetroot, ginger and veggies…
Ankole Grill
Nairobi
Ankole is named after the iconic cattle of East Africa, so it's unsurprising that this trendy steakhouse is all about grilled meat (nyama choma). The top…
Abyssinia
Nairobi
Consistently good reviews from expats, locals and travellers alike make this an excellent choice for high-quality Ethiopian cooking. Aside from the rich…
Artcaffe
Nairobi
Despite its location inside a shopping mall, Artcaffe has sleek and inviting premises with a large terrace as well as a stylish dining room and full bar…
Taco 254
Nairobi
Taco 254 is a small but mighty addition to Nairobi’s Mexican food scene, focusing exclusively on, you guessed it, tacos. Choose from chicken, fish, beef,…
Open House
Nairobi
Ask any long-term resident of Nairobi to nominate their favourite Indian restaurant and a fair few of them will plump for Open House. The service is…
Amaica
Nairobi
Dining at this wonderful place magically takes you out of the city for an hour or two, with views into the lush Karura Forest from the open terrace. The…
Thorn Tree Café
Nairobi
The Stanley Hotel’s legendary pavement cafe is still a traveller favourite, and it caters to most tastes with a good mix of food. The original thorn-tree…
Seasons Restaurant
Nairobi
The cafeteria vats here always brim with Kenyan and Western favourites, which is probably why this local chain has a strong following. The buffet is small…
Olepolos Country Club
Nairobi
If you have your own wheels and a taste for barbecued meat, take the road southwest out of Nairobi, past Kiserian on the road to Lake Magadi, to Corner…
Nairobi
This popular rendezvous spot has been the unofficial starting and ending point for East African safaris since 1904. While the atmosphere may be a bit too…
Trattoria
Nairobi
Some things just don't change (this place has been around since 1981) and thank heavens for that! This classy Italian restaurant, swathed in trellises and…
Habesha
Nairobi
Habesha is a favourite among Ethiopian cuisine enthusiasts. Let the aromas of frankincense and Ethiopian coffee waft around you as you devour traditional…
Silk Noodles
Nairobi
Silk Noodles offers the best hand-pulled Chinese noodles or lamian in town. This tiny restaurant in Remax Shopping Village churns out bowls of fresh,…
Sigiria Cafe
Nairobi
This sweet little cafe is tucked away under the shade of eucalyptus trees. It is the perfect pit stop after a walk, run or bike ride. Indulge in one of…
Mama Ashanti
Nairobi
Pan-African cuisine can be surprisingly difficult to find in Nairobi, which is one of many reasons to make the pilgrimage out to Mama Ashanti. Here, the…
PoCha 254 Bar
Nairobi
Located in the new food hall of the revamped Village Market shopping complex, PoCha 254 Bar has just four chairs looking onto the little kitchen, evoking…
Mint Shack
Nairobi
This is the koroga (meaning to stir in Kiswahili) place in town. This uniquely Kenyan style of dining involves groups cooking their own Indian dishes over…
Malindi Dishes
Nairobi
This small Swahili canteen serves great food from the coast, including pilau (curried rice with meat), birianis (spicy rice casseroles) and coconut fish,…
Arbor
Nairobi
So many cool Nairobi venues and cafes are set in a garden, and The Arbor knows the formula well. The Southeast Asian cooking (think curries and laksas) is…
Ranalo Foods
Nairobi
There's nothing all that special going on here, but that's partly the point. It's all about good, honest local cooking, with dishes like fried tilapia –…
Harvest Restaurant
Nairobi
Situated in Village Market's new Trademark Hotel, the modern and spacious restaurant on the second floor serves fusion cuisine with a good selection of…
Seasons Restaurant
Nairobi
One of a number of Seasons outlets around the city serving Kenyan and Western dishes. This branch has a popular bar and beer garden, where you can bring…
Off The Rocks
Nairobi
Situated in the eclectic new food hall of the Village Market shopping complex, Off The Rocks is the place to sip a cold glass of champagne and sample…
Pomodoro
Nairobi
It is always the source of a heated debate, but Pomodoro is the best pizza in town for many locals. This unassuming little pizzeria in the Village Market…
Beneve Coffee House
Nairobi
This small self-service cafe has locals queuing outside in the mornings waiting for it to open. Food ranges from African- and Indian-influenced stews to…
Som Tam Thai
Nairobi
This hole in the wall restaurant isn’t set in the fanciest of locations, but it serves up authentic, flavourful dishes such as pad Thai and crunchy papaya…
More destinations you need to see
- Diani Beach
- Mombasa
- Malindi
- Kilifi
- Kisumu
