10 Best Restaurants in Nairobi to visit in 2023 - Discover Africa Blog (2024)

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10 Best restaurants in Nairobi – Our Top Picks

Nairobi’s culinary industry has been rising in recent years, with new restaurants, cafes, and pubs opening on a near-weekly basis. Nairobi’s top dining experiences range from roadside food stalls to five-star dining facilities, as it is a metropolitan city with diversified restaurant culture. With our 10 Best restaurants in Nairobi list below, we hope you find your best fit and preference to enjoy a sumptuous meal in Nairobi.

In 2022, finding the ideal restaurant to wine and dine in is essential, as the establishment must offer outstanding cuisine and drinks and a bright and exciting ambiance. Don’t miss out on the best local specialties like nyama choma (grilled beef) and other international cuisines. Here are the best ten restaurants to visit in Nairobi in 2022.

1. Tamarind Restaurant

The Tamarind Group owns and operates some of Africa’s most successful restaurants and leisure operations. Founded in Mombasa, tamarind is an iconic seafood restaurant in Kenya. Tamarind restaurant in Nairobi was first opened in 1977 in the CBD. Currently, tamarind restaurant is located in the leafy suburbs of Karen at the Karen Blixen coffee garden.

Over the past several years, the Nairobi tamarind has won several best Kenya restaurant awards, establishing a fantastic reputation. The Nairobi tamarind offers an outstanding cuisine majorly specializing in seafood. Enjoy Kenya’s best dining experience severed in a quiet and elegant atmosphere.

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2. Tatu Restaurant

In Nairobi Central Business District, Tatu is a signature restaurant with exquisite and personalized attentive service. The restaurant is the new trendsetter for modern contemporary European cuisine in Nairobi, setting indoors and outdoors to suit different dining experiences. Tatu defines the conceptualization of Fresh, top-quality food, warm prompt service, and vibrant, lively ambiance, bringing guests an elevated dining experience.

Tatu’s ala carte menu offers fresh seafood, the best cuts of organic meats, and a variety of vegetarian options. The Chef’s table experience gets you up close and personal with our engaging culinary team. Enjoy a contemporary dinner in delight in your preferred spot and menu while interacting with the Chef as he creates a magical dish.

3. Talisman Restaurant

From humble beginnings in the 1990s, Karen’s Talisman began as a modest old house. Alan Root, a well-known wildlife photographer and author, lived at the restaurant. Talisman has become a household name over the years, combining the finest cuisine in Nairobi with uncontrolled diversity.

The restaurant is housed in a historic building with a blend of colonial and east African flair. Talisman combines exquisite food with the perfect setting to meet all of your eating demands. Enjoy the best African dishes in the lovely gardens and outdoor dining With your family and friends.

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4. About Thyme Restaurant

Located in Westlands central Nairobi, About Thyme is a tranquil restaurant that serves European cuisine. With a good ambiance fitted with hanging fairy lights, cushions, and lanterns, About Thyme is among the best restaurants where you and your friends can hang out. With a variety to choose from, the restaurant caters to all tastes and preferences of its guest, making it one of the famous restaurants in Nairobi.

Enjoy beautifully presented dishes from around the world offered from the eclectic menu. The restaurant is perfect for business lunches or dinners as one can book one hidden table.

5. Open House Restaurant

Specializing in Indian cuisine, The open house restaurant is located at the Karen crossroads Mall. The open house offers a delicate balance of delicious food and personalized service with an authentic ambiance to ensure guests have a memorable experience among the best dishes offered, including chicken Makhanwala, Tandoori Chicken, or the Mutton Rogan Josh. Explore an array of flavors with family and friends at one of the best Indian restaurants in Kenya.

6. Fogo Gaucho Restaurant

Opened in 2007 by native Brazilian Gaucho Chefs, Fogo Gaucho has established itself as Nairobi’s Favorite Steakhouse. Fogo Gaucho is an authentic Brazilian steakhouse that offers the best selection of charcoal-grilled meats. Enjoy a variety of grilled meats along a full buffet to meet all your tastes and preferences. The ambiance in the restaurant is created to make you feel like you are right in the heart of Brazil, churrascaria, enjoying a delicious meal for whatever occasion you are celebrating. Currently, Fogo Gaucho has two branches at Viking house Westlands and Galana plaza Kilimani.

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7. J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen Restaurant

Being Among the most popular restaurants in Karen, J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen is one place you should hang out with your friends. The restaurant has an open kitchen that serves its guest some of the most amazing dishes, with choices from South Africa, France, and Australia. Enjoy a laid back cozy atmosphere decorated with wooden interiors colored Kenyan Kitengela glass. With live music every Thursday eve, it’s as good for a night out as for a great meal.

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8. Ocean Basket Restaurant

The world’s favorite seafood restaurant, ocean basket, is from South Africa. It began with an ingenious dream to make seafood available to everyone. Located in the heart of Westlands, Ocean basket is among the best restaurants in Nairobi. Enjoy a variety of tasty seafood served in a spectacular atmosphere to make you comfortable as you enjoy your meal. Are you Looking for the best seafood in town! Ocean basket is a place you should visit.

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9. Misono Restaurant

Misono is Nairobi’s go-to spot for all things Japanese, including sushi, sashimi, and teppenyaki, a local favorite. This family-run jewel, located in the bustling hub of Ngong, exudes a classy and opulent eating experience. Three teppenyaki tables are available downstairs, while the à la carte sitting above is exquisite and polished. The six-course teppenyaki menu includes local lobster from Lake Naivasha and dynamite and California rolls to order. With a variety to choose from Misono, enjoy unique dishes In a relaxed environment.

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10. Cj’s Restaurant

Featuring a unique ambiance, with tasteful decor designed for guests’ comfort, Cj’s is a well-developed restaurant specializing in delivering a relaxed, exquisite, memorable dining experience. The restaurant offers over 300 carefully selected menu items that cater to every client’s tastes. In The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee, Enjoy mouthwatering delicious dishes. Cj’s has four branches in Nairobi. One in Koinange street, village market, the waterfront mall Karen and another in Kilimani. With excellent service from the experienced wait staff, each branch is specifically designed to suit guests’ comfort.

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10 Best Restaurants in Nairobi to visit in 2023 - Discover Africa Blog (2024)

FAQs

What type of food do they eat in Kenya? ›

The main staples of Kenyan food and cuisine are: Maize meal (called Ugali when cooked and unga when raw) and rice. Ugali is usually served as a white stiff porridge, good for dipping in stews or making into a makeshift spoon when you eat with your hands.

What is Nairobi Restaurant Week? ›

Restaurant Week takes over Nairobi around January or February, offering you the chance to eat at some of the city's most acclaimed restaurants at a very pocket-friendly price. Whether you're a foodie or not, delicious meals make every holiday better.

How many CJs are in Nairobi? ›

About. Welcome to CJ's, a fully fledged restaurant specializing in delivering a relaxed and memorable dining experience. We're currently in 14 locations; 5 in Nairobi, 8 in Kampala and 1 in Entebbe. Each location features a unique ambience with tasteful décor, specially designed for your comfort.

What is a typical breakfast in Kenya? ›

Corn meal, rice, wheat, maize, and millet and their flours are the starches of choice. Breakfast is typically bread (mkate) or porridge (uji) with chai.

What is the most delicious food in Kenya? ›

Top 10 Must Try Best Foods In Kenya
  • IRIO.
  • GITHERI.
  • MUKIMO.
  • BHAJIAS.
  • MADRAS.
  • CHAPATI.
  • KENYAN PILAU.
  • CHOMA NYAMA.

Do you tip at restaurants in Nairobi? ›

Plan to tip around 10-15% in Kenyan restaurants. However, the exact tip amount when eating out in Kenya depends on the place, occasion, and order size. It's customary to give your waiter or waitress a slightly higher tip than you would a bartender, as they are likely sharing their tip with the kitchen staff.

How much does dinner cost in Nairobi? ›

While meal prices in Nairobi can vary, the average cost of food in Nairobi is $7.63 (KES971) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Nairobi should cost around $3.05 (KES388) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner.

What should I eat for supper in Kenya? ›

Food in Kenya – What's for dinner?
  • Stew with ugali (made from maize flour) and sukuma wiki (spinach)
  • The dining hall.
  • Fried rice with cabbage.
  • Chicken, peas and mashed potatoes.
  • Something with beans and rice.
  • Chapati (Kenyan flatbread) and vegetables.

How many cars are in Nairobi? ›

Approximately, Nairobi has 1.2 million of registered vehicles in respect of a global number of 3.5 million registered vehicles in the country, while the city hosts 4.4 milion people.

What is the meaning of CJ restaurant? ›

Café Javas, popularly known as CJs, is one of the. popular restaurant chain in Nairobi attracting a large. clientele drawn from the middle and working class. Kenyans.

Who owns CJs in Nairobi? ›

CJs is part of the Mandela group of companies owned by Ugandan business mogul Ahmed Omar Mandela.

What kind of meat do they eat in Kenya? ›

So much so that nyama choma, - translated as grilled meat - is considered a national dish/ The most common meat used in nyama choma is goat, but there are also variations that use beef, chicken or other birds, and in some places, exotic meats such as zebra or antelope are used.

What do Kenya eat and drink? ›

Potatoes, rice and especially ugali (a stiff, cornmeal porridge) are the national staples, eaten with chicken, goat, beef, or vegetable stew, various kinds of spinach, beans and sometimes fish. Portions are usually gigantic; half-portions (ask for nusu) aren't much smaller.

What is traditional eating? ›

Traditional diets are patterns of eating inspired by the rich culinary histories of cuisines around the globe. From hummus and Greek yogurt, to quinoa and collard greens, traditional ways of eating are the ideal guide to good food and good health. Traditional diets are a delicious roadmap to healthy eating.

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