Restaurants in Nairobi

The Mandhari Restaurant

Tucked away in the luxury Serena hotel, the Mandhari is one of the fanciest dining spots in Nairobi and perfect if you're in the market for candle-lit romance. The dining room is pared back and elegant, lit with tea lights come nightfall, and looks out over the Nairobi skyline. The menu is mostly Italian, although several French and Spanish dishes have crept on. Either way, nearly everything is delicious and much lighter than the local fare.

Seven Grill and Lounge (Temporarily closed)

A glamorous addition to Nairobi's dining scene, Seven has proved a huge hit with expats and well-heeled locals alike, largely as a result of its sleek interior (including an agate bar) and a well thought-out menu of international classics. Although it describes itself as 'Afro-fusion', most of what's on offer is upmarket nyama chomo (grilled meat) – not a bad thing. Expect tender cuts of dry-aged local meats spiced up with Indian flavours, plus well-cooked chips and really good side salads.

Nairobi Tamarind

Nairobi's premier fish restaurant is elegant and expensive but well worth the money. Fresh fish, crab, lobster and prawns are flown in from the coast daily, and the menu also runs to venison and excellent steaks. Specialities include delicious mangrove oysters and prawns cooked in just about every way imaginable - although battered are most popular. Local freshwater fish such as Nile Perch and tilapia from Lake Victoria are also worth a try. Service in the Arabic-styled dining room is excellent and the atmosphere outstanding.

Carnivore Restaurant

An outing to this restaurant, just outside the city, is an essential part of any visit to Nairobi. The city's most famous nyama choma (grilled meat) eatery is arranged around an enormous roasting pit upon which meat of various kinds is skewered upon Masai swords, and the food only ends once the diners put down the white flag in defeat. Carnivore no longer serves plains game, but you can dine on farmed camel, ostrich and crocodile as well as mainstream meats like beef, lamb and pork. It's as much a show as it is a restaurant, and one that doesn't disappoint at that.

Thorn Tree Café

Travellers have been gathering in this historic café-cum-brasserie since 1959 to escape the bustle of downtown Nairobi and post messages on the thorn tree in the courtyard (the current tree is actually the third to stand on the site). Located within the historic Stanley Hotel, the clientele is a mix of expats and well-heeled locals, with ladies who lunch making up much of the midday traffic. The menu runs to sandwiches, pizzas and cakes, and live bands play most evenings.

Trattoria

Nairobi's longest-running Italian restaurant has been doing business since 1981, and it remains popular with locals and expats alike. A bustling downtown bistro with waiters in blazers, convincing pizzas and street-facing balconies that spill over with pot plants, its convivial atmosphere and to-die-for squid ink pasta are reasons alone to visit. Easy to find, it's an excellent bet when a taste of home (or Europe at the very least) is exactly what you need.

Nook Cafe

If you’re looking to get some value out of your holiday funds then Nook Cafe is not a place to skip out on. This small, hidden gem offers more of a brunch/snack than a full meal, but with a menu that’s different every week (based off whatever fresh ingredients owner/chef Nicole can get her hands on), it’s an experience worth going for if you’re in it for the flavour.

Nairobi Java House

This justifiably popular coffee shop is Kenya's answer to Starbucks. Once confined to a single branch on Mama Ngina Street, it now boasts several Nairobi branches all over the city. This is no surprise given that it is one of the best places for a decent coffee in the country, with excellent Ethiopian and Ugandan blends as well as the usual South American suspects. They have since expanded their menu to both lunch and dinner, though the extensive breakfast options remain a highlight.

Malindi Dishes

Just northeast of the centre of Nairobi, this lively canteen is a great place to sample food from the Swahili coast, including fresh fish cooked in coconut milk, goat curry and Indian-style biryani (fried rice). When it comes to starch, take your pick from naan bread, boiled rice or ugali (maize porridge). It’s no-frills dining but delicious fare, cheap prices and cheerful clientele all make up for it.