Nairobi
There's nothing all that special going on here, but that's partly the point. It's all about good, honest local cooking, with dishes like fried tilapia –…
Must-see restaurants in Kenya
Lamu Island
The family that runs the Olympic makes you feel as if you’ve come home every time you enter, and their food, particularly the curries and biriyani, is…
Mombasa
A great Indian restaurant steeped in Mombasa history: the owner first opened the doors in 1962 to serve arriving and departing railway passengers. The…
Kenya
The full buffet here (when numbers permit) is an impressive piece of work, with some tasty mixed-grill options done up in a satisfyingly fancy fashion…
Western Kenya
It’s got style, it’s got glamour, it’s got big-city aspirations and it’s totally unexpected in Kitale. With cheap dishes and an old Morris car hanging…
Nairobi
Situated in Village Market's new Trademark Hotel, the modern and spacious restaurant on the second floor serves fusion cuisine with a good selection of…
South Coast
This legendary restaurant is on a floating pontoon on the north bank of Mtwapa Creek. It’s a fine place for a beer and serves great seafood and…
South Coast
We know, we know. It's a chain, but it's Kenyan and it's a good one. Java House's coffee always goes down a treat, and we're big fans of its BLT…
Nairobi
One of a number of Seasons outlets around the city serving Kenyan and Western dishes. This branch has a popular bar and beer garden, where you can bring…
Laikipia Plateau
The most upscale restaurant in Nyahururu; you can order off the menu though everything is also offered at the buffet. While there is no mistaking that the…
Mombasa
Right opposite the entrance to Fort Jesus, Mombasa's main sight, this excellent restaurant is an obvious place for a meal after your visit. The speciality…
Nairobi
Situated in the eclectic new food hall of the Village Market shopping complex, Off The Rocks is the place to sip a cold glass of champagne and sample…
Kilifi
The picnic tables under the trees and the welcoming interior of this makuti (thatched-roof of palm leaves) cafe entice travellers to break their journey…
Nairobi
It is always the source of a heated debate, but Pomodoro is the best pizza in town for many locals. This unassuming little pizzeria in the Village Market…
Northern Kenya
Burgers and toasted sandwiches join local curries and various meaty fried dishes on the menu, all served in an open-air boma on the large grounds. It…
Nanyuki
If you are a plane enthusiast, then this is the place for you. Located inside the Nanyuki Airport, next to the runway, you can enjoy a pizza from the wood…
Malindi
This Old Man’s been serving excellent seafood, using a combination of local ingredients and fresh recipes, for years. However, don't come to eat at this…
Nairobi
This small self-service cafe has locals queuing outside in the mornings waiting for it to open. Food ranges from African- and Indian-influenced stews to…
South Coast
This beachfront pizzeria makes the best ice cream in town. (We've never heard anyone disagree.) The pizzas are pretty good too, as are the burgers, only…
Diani Beach
For a theme restaurant set in a coral cave, this is actually quite good and not cheesy at all. The focus is seafood and steak, cooked up poshly and…
Nairobi
This hole in the wall restaurant isn’t set in the fanciest of locations, but it serves up authentic, flavourful dishes such as pad Thai and crunchy papaya…
Lamu Island
There are waterfront restaurants all over the place, but the Stopover’s friendly staff and excellent grub (of the spicy Swahili-seafood sort) make it a…
Diani Beach
This roadside crowd-pleaser is your one-stop shop for anything from good coffee and banoffee pie to daily specials such as baked oysters and BBQ pork ribs…
Diani Beach
Want to give the overpriced tourist restaurants a miss? Want to eat where the locals eat? Coast Dishes ticks both of these boxes and, if you’re sensible,…
Masai Mara
Just 400m from the Sekenani Gate, this casual roadside shack has a few tables out the back where they serve up breakfasts, home-baked bread, vegetables…
Laikipia Plateau
To eat with the locals, head here and unleash your inner carnivore as you chow down a 1kg plate of nyama choma. The food isn't the quickest, so bring a…
Nanyuki
This family-run hip and artsy place across from Barclays offers a large variety of milkshakes and smoothies, along with the essential burgers and Kenyan…
Mombasa
The legendary, decades-old Moi Ave eatery has migrated to a new location, but the shish kebabs are as flavourful as ever. The coconut prawns and fruit…
Lamu Island
This craft-shop-cum-cafe serves the tastiest samosas in Lamu – spicy, flavourful triangles with vegetable, prawn or meat filling. Wash them down with a…
Watamu
A favourite for romantic dinners, Ascot consistently gets good feedback and is famous for its wood-fired pizzas. It occasionally closes during the low…
South Coast
This reliable Italian restaurant is behind Nakumatt Nyali shopping centre, with a big pizza oven, al fresco dining on the verandah and reasonable prices.
Lamu Island
Casual little cafe that serves good samosas and other snacks, and more substantial mains such as Swahili pizzas and seafood, chicken or mutton biriyani.
South Coast
Even if this friendly, air-conditioned place didn’t serve fantastic ice creams, we’d still consider including it just because of the name!
Watamu
Opening onto a little garden area, this pretty coffee shop has freshly baked cakes, gooey brownies, pastries and quiches, plus decent coffee.
Nairobi
This family-run Greek deli is part of a new food hall in the Village Market shopping complex. The shelves are full of traditional Greek treats from…
Mombasa
Mombasa’s dilapidated ‘covered’ market is packed with stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Roaming produce carts also congregate in the surrounding…
Nairobi
This is the spot for all your cheesy needs. Established in 1979, the family-run Brown’s Cheese has opened a small shop in the new wing of Village Market…
Kenya
The food here is great value and only a few shillings more than the town’s cheap eateries. Steaks come with a soup starter, mounds of veggies and starch …
Laikipia Plateau
Next to the Morani Information Centre, this terrific little cafe with outdoor tables serves up excellent dishes that range from the Morani burger made…
Eldoret
Looks and feels like an English pub, with similarly heavyweight food – steak and fried breakfasts – but it also produces a few African dishes of the ugali…
