Where to eat in Nairobi

18 independent restaurants, bakeries and food spots in Nairobi. Chains are left out.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Eat
Alan Bobbe's Bistro
A venerable, legendary restaurant now located on Rhapta Road (near St. Marys School). Founded in 1962, the restaurant features French haute-cuisine at about a third of what you would pay in Paris!
Eat
Furusato
Located in Westlands, has fantastic Japanese food. For a price.
Eat
Habesha
Near Yaya centre- great Ethiopian food for around USD5-6, although they serve Nescafé coffee rather than the traditional Ethiopian freshly-roasted beans.
daily 9AM-11PMaround Ksh 1000
Eat
Havana Bar
Popular bar and restaurant with a laid-back Latin theme. Renowned for their sizzling fajitas, steaks and seafood dishes. The kitchen is open daily from noon until late.
Eat
Hot dishes
A chain restaurant serving local food. Several venues in Nairobi CBD. Spacious with ample seating, reasonably clean.
Mains Ksh 180-450 ksh
Eat
KK Restaurant
A downtown eatery well-known for featuring economical African fare such as beef stew with managu, goat meat, grilled tilapia, porridge, maize, njahi, minji, kienyeji, etc, plus breakfasts. Sometimes service can be a bit slow, but it is a well-liked place.
Closed · opens 6 am tomorrow
Eat
Le Palanka Pan
Many Kenyan dishes, but also many dishes from other African countries
Eat
Motherland
An authentic Ethiopian restaurant with great and affordable food (typical of Ethiopian restaurants in Nairobi!)
Eat
Palacina Bistro
On State House Hill at the Palacina Hotel, a very upmarket bistro fusion grill restaurant in a lovely outdoor setting. Fantastic food.
Eat
Red Sea
An authentic Eritrean restaurant located on the top floor of China Centre on Ngong Road near the Chinese embassy. Meals cost around Ksh 500 and the food is excellent, with nice traditional coffee ceremony.
Eat
Roast House
In the city centre facing the matatu station on Tom Mboya Rd. Regular local prices with more selection, excellent food, friendly service. Very busy at lunchtime.
Eat
The Carnivore
Just outside the city, close to the Uhuru Gardens along Lang'Ata road, it is a luxury restaurant famous for its meats. Once seated, different masaai grilled meats will be carried around on sticks and carved to your plate at request. Very expensive by Kenyan standards, beware of additional taxes and catering levies. Reservations might be a good idea, ask at your hotel.
Eat
The Lord Errol
Past Village Market and into Runda, is said to have very good food, and is popular with the expat crowd.
Eat
Trattoria
An Italian restaurant. Do not expect anything decent when it comes to the mains (all around Ksh 700). However, there is a fabulous and extensive dessert menu, including crepes, tiramisu, souffle, and a coffee granita with fresh cream (Ksh 250-500).
Eat
Village Market Food Court
Has an array of different ethnic cuisines, including Thai, Italian, Chinese and German, as well as a Mongolian Barbecue. Good prices as well. Venture further into Village Market to find a good Japanese restaurant as well, though with slightly steeper prices. There are also food courts at other malls in the city.
Eat Not mapped
Java House
With quite a few locations, including The Junction, ABC Place, and close to the United Nations, features a western coffee house menu, from bagels to burritos, with excellent coffees and milkshakes, and a full breakfast menu. Another popular coffee house is Dormans.
Ksh 500-750 for a complete meal.
Eat
Abyssinia Exotic Ethiopian Restaurant
An Ethiopian restaurant with delicious food.
Mains from Ksh 500-800
Eat
Seven Seafood & Grill
Amazing seafood and spectacular decor a must visit.
24Ksh 2000

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nairobi (CC BY-SA 4.0).