If you work in Nairobi, finding a reliable restaurant where you can have lunch daily is very important. Especially if you want to stay productive after your lunch break. There are a lot of restaurants in Nairobi to choose from. They all have different menus and offer meals at different prices. So, it might be hard to find a place that meets all your lunch needs. That’s why I have made a list of the Top 10 Places to have Lunch in Nairobi. Included are both budget-friendly and expensive restaurants. I only recommend the expensive ones for days you want to treat yourself to a fancy lunch.
1) CJ’s
If good ambience could be bought, this is where they’d sell it. CJ’s has one of the best atmospheres in town, thanks to its beautiful interior design and décor. The staff here are really friendly and the service really fast. Which is exactly what you would need on your short lunch break. CJ’s menu has a wide variety of food, so eating here is never going to get boring. The prices of their main meals range between KSh1000 to KSh2000. Which is a fair price in the Nairobi CBD. If you work in the CBD, its location in Koinange street makes CJ’s a convenient place to have lunch.
2) La Terrazza
Located at the Greenhouse Mall on Ngong Rd, this Restaurant, Lounge & Art Gallery is one of my favourite places to wine and dine. The pizza at La Terrazza is made from authentic Italian ingredients and always leaves me craving for more. La Terrazza offers scenic rooftop views of Nairobi, which creates the perfect ambience that is great for dates. The price of pizza ranges from KSh 950 to KSh 1500. This is expensive compared to other restaurants in Nairobi. However, the tasty pizza coupled with the service and beautiful location makes it worth it. This is why it has made it into my “Top 10 Places to have Lunch in Nairobi” list.
3) Lucca
Lucca is one of the fanciest restaurants in Nairobi, with a world-class team of chefs, preparing world-class meals. However, the prices are surprisingly friendly for the quality of food you get and the world-class service you receive. Lucca is located along Chiromo Lane, inside the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel. The restaurant serves Italian food with prices ranging from KSh850 to KSh2500. Surprisingly friendly prices, if you ask me. This is why Lucca has made it into my Top 10 Places to have Lunch in Nairobi list.
4) Tin Roof Café
Vegetarians and vegans are an underserved market in Nairobi, and Tin Roof Cafe aims to address that. Located in Karen and Langata, Tin Roof Café offers a wide variety of food for vegetarians and vegans. But if you aren’t a vegetarian, they also sell burgers and pizzas that contain meat. The pizzas can be made vegan on request. The prices of meals in this restaurant range between KSh650 and KSh1500. This is a pocket-friendly price range, and I recommend it to vegans and vegetarians.
5) The Grilll Shack
If you love eating grilled meat and burgers for lunch, then you have to try Grilll Shack. They sell some of the tastiest burgers and meat in Nairobi. And the service at Grilll Shack is really fast, making it perfect for people with a short lunch break. Their staff and manager are also really friendly, making you feel welcome at the restaurant. The price of their meals ranges from KSh470 to KSh8,280. This is high, but some meals on their menu are quite affordable.
6) Tapas Ceviche Bar
Tapas Ceviche is a Spanish themed restaurant located in the Westgate Mall in Westlands. This restaurant has one of my favourite menus. This is because the menu has a wide variety of food, and they sell them at really friendly prices. They also have a vegetarian menu, with a wide selection of meals. The décor and ambience of Tapas Ceviche are also really good. Prices of meals in this restaurant range between KSh1250 and KSh1750.
7) Thai Chi Restaurant
Located inside the Sarova Stanley Hotel along Kimathi street, Thai Chi is one of the very few Thai themed restaurants in Nairobi. The restaurant has a strict dress code which is easy to meet if you dress in suits at work. However, if you dress casually for work, they won’t let you in. The food in Thai Chi is top quality and the service is really good. The waiting staff are helpful and give really good recommendations if you have never had Thai food before. Prices for the meals range from KSh3850 to KSh5400 which is quite expensive.
8) Thorn Tree Restaurant
Thorn Tree Restaurant is located along Standard Street inside the Sarova Stanley Hotel. It is an upscale restaurant and its very luxurious. It has an indoor and outdoor seating area, with the outdoor area having a thorn tree. The restaurant offers a wide variety of meals including Biryani, Kebabs and Pizzas with prices ranging from KSh1500 to KSh2000. The prices are quite reasonable considering the quality of food you get. The service at Thorn Tree Restaurant is also really fast and efficient making it perfect for lunch breaks. Its location, right in the middle of the CBD also adds to its convenience. Hence its placement into my “Top 10 Places to have Lunch in Nairobi” list.
9) Emerald Garden
Emerald Garden is a Thai restaurant located along United Nations Avenue in Gigiri. The restaurant is very beautiful with good interior décor and wonderful ambience. The food is also extremely good and the waiting staff are friendly. The prices are however quite high. The Tom Ka Gai served here is one of the best in Nairobi, I highly recommend it.
10) Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro restaurant is a favourite among Nairobians. This is due to its friendly prices, and their generous servings of food. If you want to eat to your fill, Kilimanjaro is the best place to do it. Their menu has a wide variety of meals, and all are really tasty. However, during lunch hour their service can be really slow, making it unsuitable for people with short lunch breaks. So, make sure you make an early order if you want to eat here.
Make sure you try out the restaurants in my “Top 10 Places to have Lunch in Nairobi” list.
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