Nairobi is a fast paced capital, with millions of people moving into and from the city every day. It has many restaurants, some of them designed to provide essential daily meals, while others offer more relaxed and social experiences to enjoy during your free time. You might be new to Nairobi and wondering what restaurants to check out. Maybe you have already been to most eateries and you need to try out a new place. Whatever the case, here is a list of great Nairobi restaurants to add to your list.
1. The Collective Restaurant and Art Gallery
The Collective is a restaurant within the CBD that serves great food, as well as iconic art. The interior decor features paintings and drawings from various artists, and the establishment serves as both an art gallery and a place to eat. Guests can enjoy both vegetarian and vegan meals as well as food with meat while they look at the art on display.
Location: View Park Towers, Utalii Street, Nairobi
Working hours: 7 am to 8:30 pm daily
Google Rating: 4.7 stars, (190 reviews)
2. CJ’s
CJ’s is a beautiful restaurant with branches on Koinange Street as well as the Village Market. It serves halal food, and is therefore great for Muslims as well. The establishment is famous for its beautiful interior decor that is modern, classy, and breathtaking to look at. They serve large portions of great food that tastes amazing and is prepared by experts. CJ’s is affordable and worth your every coin.
Location: Koinange Street, Nairobi
Working hours: 6am to 8:30 pm
Google Rating: 4.6 stars, (7,613 reviews)
3. Le Grenier À Pain
If you are looking for the best French pastries and desserts, visit Le Grenier À Pain. It is located on the scenic Riverside Drive, and a great place to stop by for breakfast if you live in the area. Their pastries and desserts are made by experts and are beautiful to look at, as well as tasty. They offer great customer service, and the experience will definitely be worth the money.
Location: Parklands/ Highridge 9 Riverside Drive
Working hours: 8am to 5pm daily
Google Rating: 4.5 stars, (1,801 reviews)
4. Ankole Grill Kilimani
Ankole Grill is yet another great place to eat. Their dining experience is top-notch, with guests enjoying a great stream of background music from renowned Kenyan artistes. The restaurant is quiet and a great place to work or hold meetings. They also have great lighting, and their customer service is incredible. Their menu largely consists of authentic African dishes prepared with a modern twist.
Location: Galana Road, Nairobi
Working hours: 7:30 am to 11pm
Google Rating: 4.5 stars, (1,955 reviews)
5. Peppertree
Peppertree is a great location for romantic date nights, as well as lunches with friends and family. The restaurant is well-designed, with earthy colors as well as minimalistic fixtures. They make their food from scratch, using the most organic Kenyan ingredients to serve fresh and flavorful dishes. Not only do they have beautiful interiors, they also have great customer service.
Location: Delta Offices, 2nd floor, Waiyaki Way
Working hours: Open from noon to 11 pm daily. Closes at 10:30 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays
Google Rating: 4.5 stars, (326 reviews)
6. Urban Eatery
Conveniently located in the heart of the thriving Westlands Urban Centre, this restaurant is one of the most accessible ones in the city. Parking spaces are available on the ground floor of the building, as well as the basement. Urban Eatery is known for a relaxed ambience with stunning interior decor. The restaurant serves great food and you can view the menu and prices on their website.
Location: PwC Tower, Ground Floor Delta Corner Estate, Chiromo Rd, Nairobi
Working hours: 7am to 11pm daily
Google Rating: 4.4 stars, (3,494 reviews)
7. Nairobi Street Kitchen
Nairobi Street Kitchen is the newest restaurant in Nairobi and specifically the Westlands area. It is conveniently located along Chiromo Road and very accessible via public transport. Their decor features street-art murals, as well as reclaimed and upcycled interiors. The venue has many open air spaces, giving it an airy feel.
Location: Mpaka Road, Nairobi
Working hours: 8am to 11pm daily. Closed on Mondays. Closes at 10pm on Sundays.
Google Rating: 4.4 stars, (471 reviews)
8. Karel T – Lounge
Karel T-Lounge is the kind of restaurant you visit on special occasions to give yourself a treat. Located at the beautiful Village Market, it is a tastefully furnished area with lots of open space. The service is great, and the food is exceptionally good. This restaurant is perfect for long dinner dates and special lunches with a friend.
Location: The Village Market, Limuru Road, Nairobi
Working hours: 10am to 9:30 pm daily
Google Rating: 4.4 stars, (369 reviews)
9. Shamba Cafe and Shop
Next time you are feeling hungry, skip the take out and visit Shamba Cafe on Loresho Ridge. The location features a grassy lawn with outdoor benches where you can sit and enjoy your food. Alternatively, you can choose to dine inside the large red barn that is a trademark of the restaurant. The menu is great for vegans and vegetarians as well as those who eat meat.
Location: Loresho Ridge, Nairobi
Working hours: Open from 9 am to 11 pm daily. Closed on Mondays. Closes at 7:30 on Tuesdays
Google Rating: 4.3 stars, (1,340 reviews)
10. 360 Degrees Pizza – ABC Place
360 Degrees is popular for its pizzas which are prepared in an oven with direct heat, giving them a unique taste. With branches at Rosslyn Riviera Mall and the ABC Place, the restaurant is accessible for the weekends and a great place to spend an afternoon with friends. They also serve great cocktails, burgers, and pasta. The menu is available online, alongside prices and upcoming food offers.
Location: ABC Place, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi
Working hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Google Rating: 4.3 stars, (970 reviews)
Summary
Nairobi is a metropolitan place with lots of different cuisines to offer. Whatever suits your palate, the above restaurants have something for everyone.
