
Continuing our series of where to eat in the major African cities, we look at the Kenyan capital Nairobi. There is no doubt that there has been a huge increase in both choice and quality of food and restaurants over the last ten years. As always, these lists are subjective but represent a good cross-section of what's on offer when you are looking for a good bite to eat.
Best Restaurants In Nairobi
In no particular order of preference, here are our Top 5:
- The Restaurant at HEMINGWAYS NAIROBI is undoubtedly one of the best fine dining experiences to be had in Nairobi and has raised the bar considerably for other upmarket restaurants. This newly opened hotel and restaurant in the suburb of Karen has set tongues wagging for its European cuisine pepped up with local ingredients. For a more relaxed meal, try the Brasserie with its indoor barbecue.
- Link; Hemingways Nairobi (The above image is courtesy of Hemingways Nairobi)
- HAANDI; In Nairobi, it would be amiss not to try the local Indian cuisine. HAANDI, located in the central suburb of Westlands, has now expanded internationally and is regularly recognised as one of the best restaurants in Nairobi with its speciality in North Indian Frontier cuisine. A glass-fronted kitchen is a nice touch for those nervous about how their food is prepared.
- Link; Haandi Nairobi
- The TALISMAN restaurant; Back in Karen, the TALISMAN restaurant is a traditional favourite with locals and ex-pats alike. Located in a colonial-era bungalow, this al fresco restaurant offers a mixed menu of international favourites with ingredients sourced both locally and abroad. This place has a good vibe and offers live music on the weekends.
- Link; The Talisman
- The SEVEN SEAFOOD & GRILL; Restaurant in Westlands is regularly in the top 10 list in Nairobi. With fresh fish brought in daily from Mombasa, the head chef describes the food as " Afro-Mediterranean fusion with a touch of the east to spice things up." Undoubtedly the best seafood restaurant in Nairobi combines well with uncompromising modern decor.
- Link; Seven Seafood & Grill
- SANKARA HOTEL RESTAURANTS; in the suburb of Westlands. One of the latest 5-star additions to the Nairobi hotel and dining scene. This hotel offers a variety of Afro Chic dining experiences. Not cheap, but it is very much of the highest international quality coupled with a relaxed local feel. Local ingredients are used extensively, and if you want to wash it down with a glass of Veuve Clicquot, this is the place for you. Numerous dining options are available.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST (I know we said five restaurants, but you really can't miss out on this institution). A stay in Kenya is not complete with a meal at the Carnivore Restaurant.
- CARNIVORE RESTAURANT in Langata (near Wilson Airport.) This has been a Nairobi institution since 1980, offering choice cuts of meat from traditional lamb and beef to crocodile and ostrich. There are other offerings on the menu, even vegetarian, it has been said, but it defies the point of going there; meat is what it is all about. At night, people make a straight line to the popular nightclub of the Simba Saloon.
- Link; The Carnivore Restaurant
See Hotels options available in Nairobi.
Top 5 Nairobi Restaurants by the team at Uyaphi.com
Sanctuary Olonana Camp
Olonana Camp with 14 canvas and extremely comfortable and spacious tents is an award-winning camp on a private stretch of the Mara River in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Olonana Camp is close to the foot of the Siria Escarpment, close to where the last scene of "Out of Africa" was filmed.
Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs
The luxurious Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs lodge offers up incredible views out over the 57 000 acre Loisaba Conservancy, a Laikipia Conservancy famed for its huge herds of elephants, large lion population, wild dog, leopard and cheetah.
Saruni Samburu
Perched on the top of the Kalama mountains with an all-round view of Northern Kenya all the way to snow-covered Mount Kenya, Saruni Samburu is a design lodge that is introducing a fresh concept to a well-known safari destination.
Mara Plains Camp
Masai Mara Plains Camp, one of only three Relais & Chateaux establishments in Kenya, offers guests a private and intimate safari experience within the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
The ultimate in luxury while paying homage to that classic tented safari that Kenya is so famous for.
Little Governors Camp
Little Governors Camp in the Masai Mara with just 17 tented suites casts its spell over all who visit, from honeymoon couples to Presidents, is reached by boat and the exquisite, romantic setting has a serenity all of its own.
A classic Masai Mara safari camp that can and does compete with the best in Kenya.
Palacina Hotel
Palacina hotel in Nairobi is ideally located within easy access to downtown Nairobi and is surrounded in the tranquil gardens of the State House Valley, the ideal venue for those who wish to be centrally located but away from the noise of Nairobi.
Looking for the utmost in luxury, then the Palacina is one of the top hotels in Nairobi to consider.
Elsas Kopje
Elsa's Kopje is a luxurious oasis in the wilds of Meru National Park. Elsa's Kopje was named after Elsa the lioness made famous by George and Joy Adamson in the film 'Born Free', released into the wild here in Meru.
Samburu Intrepids Camp
Samburu Intrepids Camp with 30 tented rooms is located 345 kilometres north of Nairobi, each tent sits on a raised deck overlooking the river where the elephants make an appearance or the crocodiles come out onto the river's banks.