Where to Eat in Nairobi: A Foodie’s Guide to the City
As I prepared for my trip to Nairobi, I did some quick research on what Kenyan food is and figured I would have plenty of time to explore the city’s food scene.
What I was not expecting was how vast and diverse the culinary scene in Nairobi is.
Offering everything from traditional Kenyan restaurants to a vast array of other African cuisines, casual dining to street food to fine dining, local favorites to broad international offerings.
Nairobi is truly a foodie’s dream.
Whether you are looking for budget friendly food in Nairobi, or splashing out on Kenya’s capital city’s fine dining, there is truly something for everyone.
I spent three and half months in Nairobi and explored many different neighborhoods and restaurants. I lucked out with some amazing local recommendations, used blogs and Google maps, and got some great insider tips from guides to find some amazing restaurants in the city.
At the bottom of this page, you will find an interactive map of all my favorite Nairobi restaurants.
The Good Trip Coffee
🗺️The Alchemist Bar, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Tues-Sun 10a-6p, Mon-closed
💵$-$$
I was introduced to Good Trip Coffee by a fellow traveler and was initially drawn to the unique, local shop and funky decor that is in this Nairovi coffee shop, but then was drawn to return by the fun staff and amazing coffee and pastries.
This is a great place to grab a quick coffee in the Westlands, or sit with a book or your laptop and slowly sip some delicious coffee.
Even if you aren’t a coffee drinker, the unique local shops in and around Good Trip Coffee, which are house in a converted industrial building, are well work a visit.
Spring Valley
Established in 2009 in a Nairobi neighbourhood historically renowned for its coffee estates, Spring Valley Coffee is Kenya’s original specialty coffee roaster.
I am usually not one to love, or recommend, chains but I was introduced to Spring Valley by a neighbor where I was staying and it quickly became my favorite cafe in Nairobi to work and sip some local coffee.
Not realizing it wasn’t exclusive to my neighborhood I was happy to find other locations throughout Nairobi. The pastries are tasty, but the coffee is the real star or the show, and can be purchased by the bag for home or as a great gift from Kenya.
🌐Click here for locations and hours
Kesh Kesh
🗺️375 Chaka Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Daily 7a-9p
💵$-$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
Kesh Kesh quickly became one of my favorite restaurants in Kilimani, if not all of Nairobi. This Ethiopian cafe has some of the best coffee I have ever had, the food is fresh and delicous, and the service is always warm and friendly, all in an beautiful setting.
When staying in Kilimani, I came to this Nairobi laptop friendly cafe on numeous occasions to work and enjoy a coffee and bite and as never disappointed.
This is also a great place to get some fresh roasted Ethiopian coffee in Nairobi.
The Veranda - Taste of the Sudan
🗺️Souk Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Wed-Mon 8a-2a, Tues 8a-12a
💵$-$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
Veranda Cafe was a bit of a random find for me, when I needed to kill some time between check out and check in, but I am so glad to have stumbled upon this Sudanese restaurant in Nairobi.
The waitress took a minute to warm up to me (I don’t think I am their typical clientele), but once we got over that, she was a lot of fun and gave me some great recommendations.
I enjoyed my meal there so much, I ordered almost the whole (small) menu to go! Everything was super tasty and the Sudanese Legemat were heavenly, and paired perfectly with my coffee the next morning.
Crafty Chameleon Brewhouse and Restaurant
🗺️159 James Gichuru Road, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Daily noon-11:30p
💵$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
I was introduced to Crafty Chameleon by a date, and he definitely scored points with this Nairobi brewhouse and restaurant.
This lowkey Nairobi restaurant feels like being at a chill backyard party, with picnic tables, bands playing frequently, and copious amounts of local beer flowing. I returned here a few times and the service was fun and friendly every visit.
The house brewed beer is the star of the show here, but the food is also a win at Crafty Chameleon. With a big menu (and huge portion sizes!) featuring a variety of food, there is something for everyone.
I had one of the best veggie burgers I have ever had here.
Geco Café
🗺️Mbaazi Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Daily 8a-11p
💵$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
This casual Nairobi restaurant was another great recommendation from a date and quickly became one of my favorite spots.
With fun, funky decor, and a chill crowd, you at once feel like you are in your best friend’s basement and a garage at the same time… in the best way.
Featuring some of the best cocktails in Nairobi, at really reasonable prices, a broad menu, live music and a great mixed crowd of locals and travelers. this is a great spot for solo travelers, date nights, meeting up with friends, or anything in between.
Under the Swajili Tree
🗺️40A Marula Ln, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Wed-Mon 9a-11p, Tues-Closed
💵$$
🥬Vegetarian friendly
🌐Home - Under the Swahili Tree
While I wouldn’t recommend going all the way to Karen JUST to go to Under the Swahili Tree, if you happen to be in Karen, this is a great spot for lunch of dinner.
With a vast menu, chill environment, large outdoor space (with kids play area), music and entertainment in the evenings, and tasty drinks, this is an ideal spot in Karen for families, digital nomads, friends, solo meet ups, etc.
This family friendly Nairobi restaurant is great for parents who wants to enjoy a meal of drink while the kids are entertained in the play area and have space to run around outside.
I worked from this Karent restaurant on a few occasions and found it perfect to sit for a few hours whole enjoying a good meal and cocktail.
254 Beer District
🗺️Delta Towers Clubhouse, Waiyaki Wy, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Sun 10a-11:30p, Mon 10a-9:30p, Tues-Wed 10a-11:30, Thurs-Sat 10a-2a
💵$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
I stumbled upon 254 Beer District as a bit of an accident when I was heading to Peppertree for dinner and found this Nairobi Brewery right downstairs. It was early so I decided to pop in for a beer… and ended up having a couple of beers, as well as a snack and listening to some live music.
I immediately loved this lowkey Nairobi bar restaurant with its funky and welcoming decor, fun servers, great beer selections, and entertainment. When my friend and I had one night in Nairobi before she headed home, we went to 254 Beer District to meet come local friends and had an amazing time.
This Nairobi brewery really is the perfect spot for anyone looking for some good beer, bites, and entertainment in the evening, or chill time to talk with friends or work remotely.
Wasp & Sprout
Wasp and Sprout started as a hobby of making our own furniture when we relocated back to Nairobi in 2010.
We have since grown into our independent family run workshop, retail shop and cafe in Nairobi.
🗺️Old Loresho Shopping Centre, Loresho Ridge, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Mon-Thurs 8a-4pm, Fri 8a-9p, Sat-Sun 8a-5p
💵$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
🌐Wasp and Sprout | Cafe in Nairobi | Loresho Shopping Centre, Loresho Ridge, Nairobi, Kenya
Wasp and Sprout was a recommendation from a local friend that quickly became a favorite for a casual dinner or brunch. The space is warm and welcoming, the menu is small but with a good variety of lunch and dinner classic favorites like burgers, salads, and tacos.
The brunch menu has a little bit of everything from healthy options to savory chicken and waffles. This Nairobi brunch spot also has a fantastic coffee menu and is a great spot to sit and enjoy a drink with friends, a book, or go a little work on your laptop.
Ayeyo
🗺️Timau Plaza, Argwings Kodhek Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Daily 8a-11p
💵$$-$$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
Located in the same plaza as Kesh Kesh, Ayeyo should definitely be on your Nairobi restaurant short list. When this beautiful Samoli restaurant says you can “taste the love”, they are not kidding.
My meal here was nothing short of amazing with the most delicious samosas I have ever had (and I have had a LOT of samosas) and a surprisingly incredible iced tea to accompany my savory, perfectly seasoned meal. This was definitely one of the most flavor-packed meals I had while in Nairobi.
The portions are very generous, so come hungry!
Amalayi African Cuisine
🗺️Kilimani, Chaka road behind Kiluwa apartments, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Mon-Sat 8a-10p, Sun 11a-8p
💵$$-$$$
Amalayi is the kind of place you leave and think about long after.
My friend and I went here on the first night she came to Nairobi because we really wanted to dive into local cuisine and this was the perfect place to do it!
Everything about our meal here was perfect: the food, the service, the wine, the price point. The waiter was very patient with us and explained different dishes, how to eat them, made recommendations and made sure we were happy start to finish.
I would highly recommend this Nairobi restaurant for anyone looking to enjoy an authentic, local East African meal at a very reasonable price.
Peppertree
Peppertree is a craft cocktail and global flavours concept that offers exciting food and drinks in a design centric environment
🗺️Delta Towers, 2nd floor Waiyaki Wy, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Sun-Wed 11a-11p, Thurs-Sat 11a-11:30p
💵$$-$$$
🥬Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly
Situated above 254 Beer District, Peppertree gives elevated-meets-casual vibes with a beautiful space and elevated menu, but lowkey setting an unpretentious service.
The interior or Peppertree feels like an escape from the city, while offering beautiful views of it.
I dined here solo and had a lovely experience but can also see this being a perfect date spot or somewhere to meet friends for a tasty bite.
Cave à Manger
🗺️MPC9+C67, Karen Plains Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Daily 10a-11p
💵$$-$$$
🥬Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly
Worth making the trip to Katen for, this gorgeous restaurant “hidden” behind a lovely wine shop not only has an amazing wine selection, but delicious cocktails, an incredible menu, great service, and features live music on the patio.
Cave à Manger caters to a diverse crowd and is the perfect place for a solo meal at the bar, meeting up with friends for a cocktail, or diving in to a tasty meal; all at a very reasonable price point.
⭐Though this “secret” restaurant is much bigger than I expected, it does fill up quick, so reservations are highly recommended.
Cultiva Farm Kenya
🕰️Wed-Sun 8a-10p, Mon-Closed, Tues 12p-10p
💵$$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
Cultiva Farm was highly recommended by my housesit host, as well as many blogs and Nairobi forums so it seemed the perfect place to have Christmas Eve dinner with my friend who was visiting.
We could not have asked for a better meal, service, and atmosphere for our holiday dinner! Everything as absolutely perfect. The food is fresh, delicious and perfectly prepared, our cocktails were spot on, the waitstaff was fun, engaging, and attentive, and the space itself is beautiful and welcoming.
My only regret about Cultiva Kitchen in Nairobi is not having gone back for their very highly rated brunch.
⭐Dinner reservations highly recommended
Oyster Bay
🗺️Kilungu Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Daily 10a-11p
💵$$$-$$$$
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
Oyster Bay claims to be “fine dining”, but that is a bit of a stretch. The food was very good, and I would go back, but it certainly wasn’t fine dining. The atmosphere is not what my friend and I expected, but that was our fault for not looking a little deeper at photos and descriptions.
I would describe Oyster Bay, as: a daytime club/hookah bar offering bottle service, cocktails and a huge array of menu items.
It definitely has a vibe, but I’m not entirely sure what that is. This is somewhere locals and visitors definitely come to be seen, so come dressed to impressed (even for brunch or 8p dinner). The cars in the parking lot and crowd suggest this is somewhere you may find some of Nairobi’s who’s who, but it still gives chill-club vibes, making it the ideal spot for some cocktails, food and people watching.
Variety in One Location
Nairobi Street Kitchen
Whether it’s for a special celebration, drinks with friends, or a business lunch, the eclectic collection of Nairobi Street Kitchen restaurants, bars, and entertainment spaces set the perfect mood for any occasion.
🗺️1870 Mpaka Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
🕰️Fri 8a–3a, Sat 8 a–5 a, Sun 8 a–11 p, Mon 8a–10 p, Tues-Wed 8a–11, Thurs 8a–5a
💵$$-$$$
🥬Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly
Looking for a wide range of options in one place? Seeking out the best happy hour in Nairobi? Solo traveler looking to meet other people in Nairobi? Meeting friends who all have different tastes? Want a cute, casual date spot?
Nairobi Street Kitchen is the perfect place for all of that!
This collection of food stalls and restaurants, fun shops, and great bars offers tons of variety all in one space. I went here on a date, where we took advantage of the great buy one get one free happy hour and ate some delicious burgers.
Marula Green Market
🗺️Marula Lane 16, Karen
🕰️Saturdays 9a-6p
💵$-$$
🥬Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly
The Karen Market, now Marula Green Market, quickly became my Saturday spot.
Here you will find a big variety of stands selling a range of freshly made food from diverse backgrounds. I loved this market for the food diversity, diversity of people, great prices and amazing atmosphere.
Over the course of 3 months in Nairobi, I spent several Saturdays at this market and made my way around most of the food stalls. I can confidently say I was not disappointed by a single thing I ate from here.
As a bonus, the Marula Market has some of the best people watching I have ever seen.
China Town Nairobi 中华街
🗺️Kindaruma Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
Okay, I know most people aren’t going to Kenya for Chinese food, BUT if you are looking for some noodles or amazing dumplings, this is the place to go.
While Nairobi’s China Town is small compared to most Chine Towns, if has an abundance of options and a great Asian Grocery Store, as well as an Asian bakery.
I stayed directly across the street from Nairobi’s China Town for a few days and ran across the street to grab snacks at the Asian market and for take away dumplings and spicy tofu more than once. If you are looking to mix up your culinary experience while in Nairobi, this is a great option.
Interactive Map of Favorite Nairobi Restaurants
Use this interactive map to find your new favorite restaurants in Nairobi!
