There are literally hundreds of places to eat in and around Nairobi. Most are small restaurants that serve traditional Kenyan foods at quite inexpensive prices (KSh 50-100) - after all, most of their customers are locals. We recommend that you look for one that appears to be busy, and to go ahead and try some of the local cuisine. You may be pleasantly surprised by some of the tasty dishes on offer.
If the restaurant is well frequented, the food will be hot and the conditions will be clean.
This Nairobi Restaurants Guide lists some of the dining options available to you during your visit. General information about the cuisine in Kenya can be found by going to our Kenya Restaurants Guide. As well, don't forget to check out some of the souvenirs and other items on sale in some of the Nairobi Shopping areas.
Nairobi Restaurant Guide
There is an excellent range of dining options available in Nairobi. Great restaurants can be found in both the city centre and the suburbs, and they offer a fantastic variety in terms of price, cuisine and general dining experience. The restaurant culture is well entrenched in Nairobi, and the competitiveness amongst restaurants that this has bred ensures some of the best dining in all of Africa.
Most of the traditional and common dishes of Kenya can be found in Nairobi. Some restaurants where you are able to try these dishes are listed below. If you get a bit overloaded on local cuisine and would like a bit more of a familiar taste from home, Nairobi also offers a lot of choice.
For those in a hurry, there are many options of fast food to tempt you. Two burger restaurant chains in Nairobi are Steers and Wimpy's, which have a number of locations around town. Other fast food restaurants around Nairobi include Chicken Licken, Creamy Inn, Nando's and Pizza Inn, all conveniently located next to each other on the corner of Moi Avenue and Mama Ngina Street. A standard meal at any of these places will generally cost around KSh 200-350. For a cheaper meal at a local favourite, try one of the abundant Kenchic Inns, which offer a quarter, half, or full chicken for KSh 85, 170, or 340.
For something a bit more upmarket, you can choice from the wide array of international cuisine that dining in Nairobi offers. French, Indian and Italian are all popular choices, and other African cuisines, such as Moroccan and Ethiopian, are also available. Plus there are game restaurants, where you are able to sample local meats such as ostrich, zebra and crocodile.
Restaurants List
Carnivore
Located in Langata. The ideal place to try Game meat.
Game meat
Langata
00:00
to 00:00
Tamambo
Located in the Mall Westlands and is part of the Carnivore group. Has more or less the same stuff as Carnivore.
Game meats
The Mall
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Slush
Chain of restaurants offering budget Indian and South Indian cuisines. Try the Bhajia here.
Indian
Nairobi
00:00
to 00:00
Haandi Restaurant
Located in Westlands it offers some of the best Indian curries and Muglai dishes
Indian
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Tamarind
Located in Mombasa and owned by Carnivore, in addition Tamarind is the place for sea food enthusiasts
Seafood
Mombasa
00:00
to 00:00
Siam Thai
Located in the heart of Westlands in Unga House. It is one of the leading Thai food restaurants in Nairobi.
Thai
Unga House
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Exotica
Located in Westlands Waumini offering budget food. House. A must to try the Masala chips.
Budget food
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Burger Hut
Located Westlands in Epic Centre offering some of the best burgers and fish.
Variety
Epic Centre
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Open House
Located in Westlands in Bishan Plaza. Very good Indian food.
Indian
Bishan Plaza
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Liza Apartments
Located on Raphta road and has some amazing Chinese dishes.
Chinese
Raphta Road
00:00
to 00:00
Chinese Corner
Located in the food court in Sarit and Westlands.
Chinese
Food Court
Sarit Centre & Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Sarit Centre Food Court
Try some of the local African dishes such as Githeri, Ugali & Sukuma Wiki and Irio which can be obtained from the Sarit Centre food court.
African
Sarit Centre
00:00
to 00:00
Carnivore Night Club
Located in Langata. Most popular nights - Wednesday Rock Night & Saturday nights. Dress code: casual.
Night Club
Langata
00:00
to 00:00
Pavement Night Club
Located Westlands. Dress Casual/smart.
Night Club
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
K2 Clubhouse
Nice chill out place to have a drink or two and shoot pool.
Bar
Nairobi
00:00
to 00:00
Cosmic
Located Sound Plaza Westlands. Teenager hangout, good cheap pool and bowling as well.
Entertainment
South Plaza
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Iguanas Bar
Located Westlands. Cozy place to have a drink or two before heading off clubbing.
Bar
Westlands
00:00
to 00:00
Kengeles
Chain of bars located all over Nairobi.
Bar
Nairobi
00:00
to 00:00
Tusks
Located Gigiri. Excellent bar to chill out with a bunch of friends. Unique pub layout.
Meet Ben and the team, your local connection in Nairobi. In recent years we've seen our city transform itself from a dusty city, at times dangerous and lacking in glamour, into one that is clean, vibrant and safe. We greatly welcome the increased numbers of visitors that this has brought our country, but we also recognize the potentially harmful nature of tourism as well. Due to this, we are involved in preventing exploitation of Maasai villages by overzealous and unscrupulous tour operators, as well as working with hotels and conference organizers to encourage more contribution to worthwhile Kenyan charities.