African restaurants in Kenya
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A
Carnivore
Vegetarians, please look away now. This is hands down the most famous nyama choma restaurant in Kenya. At the entrance is a huge barbecue pit laden with real swords of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, camel, ostrich and crocodile. As long as the paper flag on your table is flying, waiters will keep bringing the meat, which is carved right at the table.
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B
Olympic Restaurant
Further south near the waterfront woodyards, the Olympic serves the usual favourites. It's less popular than its more central rivals, but no worse off for that. The owners are very friendly and it's a favourite with a slightly older crowd.
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C
Hapa Hapa Restaurant
Advocated vehemently by its regulars, this waterfront eatery is a bit more informal and African under its low thatch than your average.
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D
Chic Joint
One of our favourite new bar-restaurant discoveries, chic might not be the first word that springs to mind but grills, stews and nyama by the kilo should never go out of fashion. Fresh fish is delivered daily and the tilapia is generally excellent. The patio seating is separated from Uhuru Hwy by a thick hedge, with some sizeable speakers providing music in the evening.
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E
Nyama Choma Place
This place is highly rated by Kenyans. There's a butchery where you select your meat and then it's tossed on the barbie - any day of the week you'll see clouds of delicious-smelling smoke rising from the restaurant. It's best to come in a group as meat is sold in the form of whole goat legs or complete racks of ribs. Chips or ugali are also available.
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F
Seasons Restaurant
Whatever the season, the cafeteria vats here always brim with cheap Kenyan and Western favourites. The Nairobi Cinema outlet has a popular bar and beer garden, and there are a couple of similar branches around the centre. You can bring in your own booze, food or miraa (twigs and shoots chewed as a stimulant) for a 'cockage' fee.
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G
Malindi Dishes
A great little Swahili canteen. As the name suggests, this place serves great food from the coast, including pilau (curried rice with meat), biryanis and coconut fish, with side dishes such as ugali, naan bread and rice. You'll get a grand feed here, but it's a Muslim place, so it's closed for prayer at lunchtime on Friday.
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Mangrove Centre
Facing the main jetty, you'll find a video store and an informal cinema behind the eating area here, though sadly you can't watch the films as you eat. The restaurant does a lively trade at lunchtime, and it's handy for a juice while you wait for a boat, or while you find your feet on arrival.
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H
New Minaa Café
On the road towards the Riyadha Mosque, this busy, clean rooftop café serves Swahili favourites such as beef kebabs, maharagwe (beans in coconut milk), chicken tikka and samaki (fried fish). It's cheap and popular with both locals and travellers.
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Tropez
A handy modern restaurant offering fast grills, curries, chicken and the like. The lunchtime buffet is top value, and the breakfast isn't bad either. There's another branch of the same chain, with sports bar, at Zeep (Norwich Union Towers, Mama Ngina St).
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I
FK Restaurant
This immaculate daytime cafeteria at the rear of an office block makes an appealing alternative to the grubbier canteens around it; there's an interior gallery area if you like to look down on your fellow diners. The special breakfast is good value.
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Geothermal Club
Set in a beautiful spot looking down over the lake about 45 minutes' walk from Fisherman's Camp, this relaxed restaurant caters for KenGen thermal power plant's employees but will happily serve visitors. Cold beer is always available.
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J
Palentine Tea Room
A recommended all-hours Muslim canteen opposite the old market, serving stews, curries, pilau and soups in tiled surroundings. It's friendly and almost always busy.
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Ujamaa Bar & Restaurant
A central village eatery with some tourist standards such as steak and spaghetti thrown in to complement the local favourites (and up the prices).
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K
Dancing Spoon Café & Wine Bar
This bright canteen serves good Western and Kenyan food into the evening, and it's a great place for a steak and beer before you take in a movie.
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L
Baobab Restaurant
On the seafront near the boatyards, Baobab is reasonably popular and offers decent Western and African food and beers.
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New Farmers Hotel
Kenyan restaurant serving cheap local dishes such as matoke (mashed plantains) and stew.
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M
Kimwa Café Annex
Kenyan restaurant serving cheap local dishes such as matoke (mashed plantains) and stew.
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Tot Coffee House
Kenyan restaurant serving cheap local dishes such as matoke (mashed plantains) and stew.
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O
Stars & Garters
A large makuti-roofed bar with pool tables, cable TV, beers and a quite reasonable menu offering all the usual grills and spills.
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