After dining at dozens of establishments across the capital and speaking with regular patrons, here's what's actually worth ordering—and what to skip.
The Nairobi dining scene has matured considerably in recent years. What was once dominated by hotel restaurants and niche ethnic eateries has expanded into a more diverse landscape. But hype doesn't always match reality. This guide cuts through the marketing speak to examine ten restaurants that consistently deliver—with honest assessments of where they excel and where they fall short.
Location: 154 James Gichuru Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Price range: KES 1,500–3,500 per person
Best for: Quiet dinners, business meetings
The rooftop location offers decent views of upper Westlands, though you're essentially looking at traffic and mid-rise buildings. What Inca does well is maintain a low-key atmosphere—rare in Nairobi's see-and-be-seen restaurant culture. The space attracts an older crowd, which translates to actual conversation being possible.
The food itself is competent if unexceptional. The sharing platters lean heavily on standard bar food—think chicken wings, samosas, spring rolls—but portions are generous and execution is reliable. Service is genuinely attentive without being intrusive, and the no-vaping policy is a welcome touch that's actually enforced.
Worth ordering: Any of the sharing platters if dining with 3-4 people
Skip: Individual entrees, which feel overpriced for the portion size
When to go: Happy hour (specific days vary), or for a work dinner where ambiance matters more than culinary innovation
Location: Longonot Place, Kijabe St, Nairobi, Kenya
Price range: KES 2,500–5,000 per person
Best for: Seafood enthusiasts, special occasions
Mawimbi positions itself as Nairobi's premier seafood destination, and in a landlocked capital city, that's both an advantage and a challenge. The fish arrives from the coast several times weekly, but freshness can be inconsistent—something to ask about when ordering.
The kabai (grouper) is the safest bet: firm flesh, typically well-prepared, served with a competent cream sauce and seasonal vegetables. The ambiance works—dim lighting, white tablecloths, attentive service—though the layout feels oddly segmented with too many small rooms.
What's missing is consistent execution. On a good night, Mawimbi justifies its premium pricing. On an off night, you're paying fine-dining prices for what amounts to well-plated but unremarkable fish. The wine list is limited and markups are steep, even by Nairobi standards.
Worth ordering: Kabai, daily catch (ask when it arrived), grilled prawns
Skip: Anything deep-fried, pasta dishes
When to go: Lunch service tends to be more consistent than dinner
Location: Peponi Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
Price range: KES 2,000–4,500 per person
Best for: Brunch, Mediterranean cuisine
The open kitchen is Meko's signature feature, and it works—watching your eggs being prepared offers both entertainment and accountability. Breakfast service is genuinely strong, with made-to-order dishes that justify getting out of bed on a weekend.
The evening Mediterranean concept is more ambitious than successful. The menu tries to span Spain, Greece, and Lebanon, which results in a lack of focus. Individual dishes can be excellent, but there's no coherent culinary point of view. The raw bar offers fresh seafood, though at prices that reflect Nairobi's inland geography.
Service quality varies significantly by staff member. When you get someone knowledgeable like Julius (mentioned frequently by regulars), the experience elevates. When you don't, expect long waits and confused explanations of dishes.
Worth ordering: Any breakfast item, grilled octopus, mezze selection
Skip: The paella (underseasoned and overpriced)
When to go: Weekend brunch; dinner only if you know what to order
Location: Waiyaki Wy, Nairobi, Kenya
Price range: KES 800–2,000 per person
Best for: Coffee meetings, casual brunch
ORA arrived with significant Instagram buzz, and the minimalist aesthetic is indeed photogenic—all blonde wood, white ceramics, and strategic plants. But unlike many style-over-substance cafés, the food holds up to scrutiny.
The pistachio croissant has earned its reputation: properly laminated, generous filling, not overly sweet. The Dolce French Toast is indulgent without being cloying. Avocado toast with poached eggs meets the considerable challenge of making this overdone dish feel fresh, largely through perfectly cooked eggs and quality bread.
The iced matcha is excellent—smooth, not bitter, proper temperature. Regular coffee is decent though not exceptional. The Halal certification broadens the potential customer base, which is forward-thinking for an upscale café.
Main criticism: It can feel precious. The Instagram-ability is obviously intentional, and during peak hours, you're navigating around people staging photos of their meals.
Worth ordering: Pistachio croissant, Dolce French Toast, iced matcha
Skip: The salads (underwhelming for the price)
When to go: Weekday mid-morning to avoid crowds
Location: Karura Gigiri Rise Tribe Hotel, The Village Market, Kenya
Price range: KES 2,000–4,000 per person
Best for: Groups, celebrating African cuisine
Jiko attempts something genuinely interesting: contemporary African cuisine that doesn't feel like a museum exhibit. The menu draws from across the continent, using traditional techniques and indigenous ingredients in ways that feel current rather than nostalgic.
When it works, it's exceptional—bold flavors, thoughtful presentation, genuine creativity. The cocktail program deserves specific mention; these aren't just renamed classics with African spirits substituted in, but actual original creations.
The downside is inconsistency. Kitchen execution varies noticeably, and the ambitious menu means some dishes simply work better than others. The informal, high-energy atmosphere is polarizing—great for celebrations, exhausting if you want a quiet meal.
Worth ordering: Daily specials (ask server for recommendations), any of the signature cocktails
Skip: The "safe" options—you're here for adventure
When to go: Dinner with a group; solo dining feels awkward in this environment
Location: GTC Mall 2nd Floor - Westlands, Moi, Nairobi Area, Kenya 00100
Price range: KES 1,200–3,000 per person
Best for: Authentic Chinese cuisine, family meals
Opening in 2024, Fasic addresses a real gap: authentic regional Chinese food beyond the standard Americanized offerings. The dim sum shows genuine technique, noodles have proper chew, and the sizzling stir-fries deliver the wok hei (breath of wok) that's often missing in Nairobi's Chinese restaurants.
For anyone who's eaten extensively in China, this won't revolutionize your understanding of the cuisine, but by Nairobi standards, it's a significant step up. The "street-market-inspired ambiance" mentioned in promotional materials translates to loud, crowded, and energetic—authentic in that sense, though not everyone's preference.
Portions are genuinely generous, making it good value for money. Service is enthusiastic if occasionally overwhelmed during peak hours. The menu is extensive; don't be afraid to ask for recommendations based on your spice tolerance and preferences.
Worth ordering: Soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, mapo tofu
Skip: The "fusion" items (unnecessary gimmicks)
When to go: Lunch for a quieter experience; dinner for full energy
Location: Ngong road (opposite Karen road junction), Karen, Kenya
Best for: Italian classics, outdoor dining
Matteo's has been around long enough to settle into comfortable competence. This is Italian food as most people imagine it: creamy pastas, wood-fired pizzas, generous portions. It's not reinventing anything, nor does it try to.
The risotto is properly prepared—creamy, with some tooth left in the rice. Pizzas have decent char on the crust and quality toppings. Seafood is generally fresh, though prices reflect the distance from the ocean. The Aperol Spritz is mixed correctly, which shouldn't be remarkable but is.
The outdoor setting surrounded by greenery is genuinely pleasant, particularly in good weather. Service is professional and practiced. The vegetarian options are thoughtful rather than afterthoughts.
Where Matteo's loses ground is ambition. Everything is safe. The menu hasn't evolved noticeably in years. You know exactly what you're getting—which is sometimes exactly what you want but won't surprise anyone who's eaten Italian food elsewhere.
Worth ordering: Risotto, margherita pizza, tiramisu
Skip: The most expensive seafood dishes (not worth the premium)
When to go: Weekend lunch in the garden
Location: 4th Floor, JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi, Chiromo Lane, Westlands, Kenya 66395-800
Price range: KES 2,500–5,000 per person
Best for: Hotel dining, breakfast buffet
MYNA benefits from JW Marriott's infrastructure and standards, which translates to consistent quality and professional service. The breakfast buffet is legitimately excellent—extensive selection, food kept at proper temperatures, items replenished promptly.
For dinner, it's competent hotel restaurant fare: well-executed but rarely exciting. The space is polished and comfortable, with all the amenities you'd expect from an international hotel brand. The wine list is more extensive than most Nairobi restaurants, though markups are predictably steep.
The Prosecco mentioned frequently by reviewers is fine, though nothing special—it's more about the occasion than the wine itself. Main dishes show good technique but rarely transcend "this is a very nice hotel restaurant."
Worth ordering: Breakfast buffet, daily specials
Skip: Standard menu items you could get elsewhere for less
When to go: Breakfast if staying at the hotel; otherwise, only if convenience matters most
Location: Legend Valley Business Park, opposite Quickmart Lavington, Otthaya Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Price range: KES 1,500–3,500 per person
Best for: After-work drinks, casual dining
Lavy earns points for atmosphere—clean, well-maintained, with thoughtful music selection that enhances rather than overwhelms. The BBQ wings have developed a following for good reason: properly crispy skin, flavorful sauce, cooked through without drying out.
Portions are generous, which matters in a city where restaurants often serve Instagram-sized plates at full-sized prices. Happy hour pricing makes it accessible for after-work gatherings. Service is generally friendly, though speed can lag during peak times.
The menu is broader than it needs to be, and quality predictably varies. Stick to what they do well—grilled items, bar food staples—and you'll leave satisfied. Venture too far into the more ambitious offerings and results become unpredictable.
Worth ordering: BBQ wings, burgers, grilled meats
Skip: Pasta dishes, salads
When to go: Happy hour (check current schedule)
Location: Vision Plaza, Mombasa Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Price range: KES 600–1,800 per person
Best for: Casual meetings, coffee and pastries
Artisan Blend Cafe functions well in the growing Nairobi café scene—good coffee, competent light food, pleasant atmosphere. The décor is thoughtfully done without being precious about it. Service is quick and friendly.
The mushroom soup earns specific mention for being properly seasoned and textured—simple done well. The French toast and avocado toast hit their marks without trying too hard. Coffee is consistently good, which shouldn't be notable but is.
The "pocket friendly" pricing mentioned by reviewers is relative—this isn't cheap by Nairobi standards but represents decent value for the quality delivered. The menu evolves based on feedback, suggesting management that actually pays attention.
Worth ordering: Mushroom soup, avocado toast, any espresso drink
Skip: The more elaborate lunch items
When to go: Weekend brunch, mid-morning coffee break
Nairobi's restaurant scene continues to mature, with genuinely good options across price points and cuisines. What's still missing is consistency—too many establishments swing wildly between excellent and disappointing depending on the day, the chef on duty, or apparently the alignment of the stars.
The restaurants on this list won't all wow you, but they're generally reliable choices that deliver what they promise. Set appropriate expectations, order thoughtfully, and you're unlikely to be disappointed. That's not nothing in a dining scene that still has room to grow.
Methodology Note: This assessment is based on multiple visits to each establishment over several months, supplemented by conversations with regular diners and industry professionals. Prices listed are approximate and subject to change. All meals were paid for independently with no promotional consideration from any restaurant listed.
Varies wildly. Westlands and Karen have decent parking. CBD is tough—consider Uber.
Yes! Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are increasingly common. Just ask your server.
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