Karen Blixen Restaurant & Coffee Shop
Malindi
Everyone in Kenya, it seems, wants to be Karen Blixen. This place isn't sure if it's a shabby-chic Karen Blixen or a blinging Karen Blixen, so it's gone…
Must-see restaurants in Kenya
Lamu Island
This place is a backpacker institution, though food isn't quite as good as it's supposed to be. The large portions of biriyani, grilled fish and other…
Nanyuki
Friendly and utterly local, this simple place serves up Nanyuki's best barbecued meats. Choose your cuts of meat, order a chapati or samosa to go with…
Kisumu
The Laughing Buddha has a limited menu (made even more so by the fact that half the items probably won't be available) of pastas, pizzas and chips in…
Mombasa
There's nothing to bring on the blues at this cheap-and-cheerful fast-food (well, sometimes) diner. On the menu, there's a long list of sandwich options,…
Nairobi
One of two branches in the city, this bakery has a mouth-watering selection of open sandwiches and French pastries on offer. The Black Forest cake and…
Kenya
Formerly Bomas pub, patrons are still afforded unadulterated views of downtown Embu, complete with acrid diesel fumes and views of the slightly depressing…
Southern Rift Valley
Jolly by name, jolly by nature (if a little frayed at the edges). This colourful old-fashioned cafe attached to the Silverview Hotel has greasy plates of…
Nairobi
At these backstreet stalls near the Railway Museum, behind the Shell petrol station, foreigners are a rare sight, but you’ll be warmly welcomed and…
Southern Rift Valley
Located on the ground-floor terrace of Westside Mall, the Nakuru branch of the popular Java House coffee chain is probably the best place to eat in town,…
Mwana Arafa Restaurant Gardens
Lamu Island
Mwana Arafa has the perfect combination of garden seating and views over the dhows bobbing about under the moonlight. With barbecued giant prawns, grilled…
Mombasa
This smart and cool cafe serves up great breakfasts, but as it doesn't open until 9am it's not much use to early risers! However, if you can wait until…
Lamu Island
Built around a sturdy tamarind tree, this wonky tree house–restaurant overlooks the dhows on the waterfront. Lobster, prawns, squid and catch of the day…
Mombasa
Most people come to this open-air, parkside restaurant for the chicken tikka and the beef mishkaki (marinated, grilled meat kebabs). Eat it with lovely…
Northern Kenya
Inside the popular hotel of the same name, JeyJey serves local favourites as well as the odd curry. Take a good book to read while your food is prepared,…
Lake Naivasha
This local joint has bright-blue walls and long, communal benches. It serves beef dishes, beans, gari (cassava) and chapati, with sides of village gossip…
Kenya
There are two storeys of bustling eating goodness at this cheap hotel. The downstairs restaurant specialises in all things fried, while upstairs houses…
Western Kenya
Along with New Sunshine Hotel, this is regarded as one of the better restaurants in town, though in truth the fried chicken and chips here were no…
Kilifi
Atop a cliff on the edge of the bay, this restaurant/bar has the best location in Kilifi. Unfortunately, not all of the staff seem so thrilled to be here…
Mombasa
This canteen-style restaurant is constantly packed with ravenous locals – and you have to be ravenous to tackle one of the monster portions of mutton or…
Kenya
Pretty much anything you want to eat (well, anything Kenyan or Western) from pizza to nyama choma is available and cooked passably well here. You may want…
Diani Beach
Good for a quick bite or a coffee, Avanti has an outdoor terrace and indoor booths. On the menu, there's freshly squeezed juice, posh hot dogs, salads and…
Northern Kenya
While the atmosphere is far from coastal, this place, run by a couple from the sultry coast, offers daily dishes such as pilau – it's made with goat…
Malindi
The outer walls look a bit like the children's ward of a hospital, but there's nothing sterile about this circular roadside lunch spot. Expect friendly…
South Coast
Locals rate this pricey Japanese restaurant highly, but the sushi and sashimi are underwhelming. There's an extensive menu of Japanese standards, though;…
Diani Beach
This thoroughly authentic Italian restaurant is a mainstay among holidaymakers in Diani, and is a great place to enjoy an evening out among the local…
Lamu Island
For a decent but cheap feed right on the seafront, Hapa Hapa is a safe bet. It offers good seafood curries and substandard international fare, but the…
Lamu Island
The best of the Shela cheapies. Hidden away in the alleys behind the shorefront mosque, this tiny greeny-turquoise cafe does the usual stews and ugali (a…
Northern Kenya
With a wooden fenced-off terrace, this place is the height of Marsabit style. There is no menu, so just ask what the special is for the day. The owner is…
Southern Rift Valley
This quaint old diner does the usual chicken and choma plates, plus Indian variations. Outside on the pavement terrace, you'll sit on shabby blue parlour…
Kenya
Popular with locals, this restaurant is cheap as chips, but has really good traditional Kenyan cuisine. Start with the samosas, then have the beef stew…
South Coast
Sister to the original branch in Mombasa, this place has a wide menu, serving customary Indian cuisine and a handful of Western dishes. Ironically, the…
Lamu Island
This pretty garden cafe has tables set about a lily-bedecked pond. The small menu includes lots of healthy salads, smoothies and various snack foods. It…
Northern Kenya
A rare place serving more than the local usuals, with fried tilapia (Nile perch), pepper steak, goulash and curries up for grabs. Has an attached bar with…
Northern Kenya
The most popular place in the town centre. The culinary highlight of the Salama has to be its giant bowl of pilau. There’s always a crowd of people here…
Diani Beach
One of the only dedicated Indian options in town, this makuti (thatched-roof) restaurant is good value, with plenty of vegetarian options such as palak…
South Coast
The best-value nyama choma (barbecued meat) joint in town also offers big plates of chicken, other kinds of meat, and chapati, served with a soda. A…
Southern Rift Valley
Out in Buffalo Mall where Moi Ave meets the Nakuru–Nairobi road, Tuskys is a well-stocked supermarket; their beef samosas (available from the bakery deli)…
Kenya
This tiny canteen is usually packed with customers, including bus and matatu drivers, notoriously good judges of cheap places to eat. Emphasis on fish …
Northern Kenya
Set up just outside the prison for the staff, this canteen offers ample room to eat nyama choma (barbecued meat) and drink slightly warm beer surrounded…
