TOP 10 AFRICAN CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN NAIROBI 2023

Nairobi is endowed with so many African cuisine restaurants that give you an array of authentic African dishes including rare indigenous delicacies from East , Central and West Africa. Enjoy sterling African food with rich flavors and taste in Nairobi and couple that with cultural exploration by checking out my first list of my favorite African Cuisine Restaurants in Nairobi .

1.) GOLDEN STOOL KITCHEN AND BAR

The Golden Stool Kitchen , ristorante extraordinaire, has taken West African cuisine to a new level in Nairobi. A trailblazer that has focused on bringing the best of West Africa almost 16 countries to the heartlands of East Africa.

Golden Stool is an elegant lounge , with simple ambiance that showcases a beautiful stage for a live band performance coupled with the enticing smell of West African food.

Golden Stool is located at The Village Market new wing and its among the latest restaurants in town. Golden Stool’s menu has dishes ranging from Kshs. 600 to Kshs. 1800.

Go ye savor authentic regional West African fare with their seasoned chefs and thoughtfully crafted culinary offerings . They operate from 11am to 10:30pm from Monday to Wednesday and 11am to 11:30pm from Thursday to Saturday and have a buffet at Kshs. 2000 every Sunday .

2.) ANKOLE GRILL

Ankole Grill named after the iconic cattle bred of East Africa, the Ankole Watusi, aspire to bring a unique African steakhouse experience. Ankole Grill open daily from 7:30am to 11:00pm for their Kilimani branch and 9am to 11pm for their Kitisuru branch.

Ankole Grill’s food and drink items range from Kshs.200 to Kshs.2800. I highly recommend making a reservation beforehand. You can make orders for takeaway through their WhatsApp contacts at 0710202020 or 0702202020.

Ankole Grill also offer event packages and space in which every event they host is a fully tailored affair, designed to meet your specific needs and represent your personal style . With a professional team that ensures your event runs smoothly and their only limit is your imagination .

3.) MAMA NILISHE

Mama Nilishe is a Swahili cuisine restaurant based in Kilimani Nairobi. As the name suggests they serve up traditional mama’s favorite Swahili homecooked meals such as biryani , matoke ya njugu , pilau , chapati , mshikaki , coconut plantains and my favorite mitais.

They open from Monday to Saturday , 7am to 7pm. Mama Nilishe have the most affordable food prices in town and their items range from Kshs. 100 to Kshs. 500 . They do door step deliveries at a fee depending on your location .

Highly recommend trying out their mitais ( coconut sugar dusted mandazis) which is 200 /= a plate of four pieces.

4.) JIKO AFRICA

Jiko is an African inspired restaurant housed at the Tribe Hotel , The Village Market. Jiko takes inspiration from age-old cooking methods and ingredients from across Africa. The menu is creative but not pretentious and quite luxurious .

Jiko delivers an informal and social setting, where the surroundings are as vibrant as the food. Jiko is open daily from 7am to 11pm and food items range from Kshs. 400 to Kshs. 4150.

I love their skillfully crafted cocktails and their ambience is perfect for date night .

5.) KIENYEJI’S STORE

Kienyeji store is an African restaurant that serves up authentic traditional cooking. They cook the most delectable and most loved traditional food from the Western and Nyanza counties . Healthy meals and healthy living is all they’re about and their meals feed you to the depths of your soul.

Kienyeji Store have a simple menu with a couple of items on it that are equally simple yet flavorful meals. Their dishes range from Kshs. 100 to Kshs.1500. Kienyeji store is open from 9:30 am to 8:30pm daily and they offer a grab and go service in which they sell precooked healthy traditional vegetables.

Kienyeji Store is located opposite AD life plaza , it’s a small place definitely worth checking out.

6.) MAMA ASHANTI

Mama Ashanti is a West African cuisine restaurant located at Muthangari Garden road in Lavington , it has indoor and outdoor bar and dining areas , an outdoor children’s playground and a green garden chilling area. They have a smaller restaurant space located at The Waterfront Karen too .

Mama Ashanti name strikes the chord of African pride and maternal care. Ashanti is a tribe from Ghana in West Africa which birthed the founder of the restaurant . The Ashanti tribe is associated with female strength hence Mama Ashanti is targeted at providing good quality home cooked meals at a treasonable price. They bring the essence of true West African dining to Kenya .

Mama Ashanti provides a much needed fulfilment to the cravings of West Africans in diaspora with a taste of first class home food. Mama Ashanti specialize in recipes from across West Africa including Nigeria and Ghana. Food items range from Kshs. 150 to Kshs. 3300.

I highly recommend trying out kelewele , suya and any of the mama ashanti’s shareable platters .

7.) ABYSSINIA

Abyssinia Exotic Ethiopian Restaurant is an authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant that is set to introduce people to the culture , food , coffee and the way of life of the Ethio-Eriterian community . Abyssinia is one of the finest eateries in Nairobi.

They offer an unparalleled experience of authentic, delicious and affordable Ethiopian food in a welcoming setting-showing the true spirit of Ethiopia.

Abyssinia is located at two locations , one at Muguga Green Off Brookside Grove and Waiyaki Way Westlands and Kilimani Branch Off Ring Road , opposite Yaya Centre . They open seven days a week , from 11am to 11pm and their kitchen closes at 10.30 p.m.

Their menu is extensive so you’re definitely spoilt for choice.

8.) ASMARA

Asmara Restaurant is a casual and friendly dining atmosphere offering a unique dining experience. The modern indoor and outdoor setting perfectly complements the afro-contemporary Eritrean and Continental cuisine offered there.

Asmara are holders of the Winner of Best African Cuisine by UP Magazine reader’s poll and Best Eritrean/Ethiopian Cuisine at the Chef’s Delight Awards. Asmara have a couple of branches across Nairobi that include Pangani , Westlands, Karen and Lavington . They all offer unique dining experiences infusing culture and culinary excellence in afro-contemporary setting.

Asmara food items range from Kshs. 200 to Kshs. 7550.

I absolutely love their asmara garlic mushrooms and injera .

9.)LITTLE ADDIS

The Little Addis is a cloud kitchen serving the latest novelty on Ethiopia’s culinary scene.

Little Addis has a vast menu of Ethiopian culinary delights, utilizing the freshest ingredients to bring homemade dishes straight to your table. They have a goal of providing an enjoyable Ethiopian Injera experience to the Nairobi area.

They serve sumptuous Injera dishes that are fresh , hearty and simply unforgettable right to your doorstep . I recommend trying out their perfect derek tibs which is a good platter of strips of tender beef , cooked dry , kind of like stir fry but just with some butter in a pan and searing meat until some pieces get crunchy.

They are open for deliveries only and closed on Saturdays unless communicated otherwise. The kitchen closes by 4pm.

10.) MANARA RESTAURANT

Manara Restaurant is a house of authentic cuisines serving Arabic and Swahili inspired food from 8am to 10pm daily. Manara is located at Gitanga Road next to Quickmart .Their menu consists of Swahili’s best dishes , ranging from Kshs. 100 to Kshs.2700 .

Manara is a cute spot for a lunch or dinner date. It is a cute space with the best tamarind juice and mutton biryani. They serve aunthentic Middle Eastern desserts like the kunafah that I’m yet to try out.

I’m in love with Manara’s mahamri and mbaazi which is a coastal favorite of green peas cooked in low flame with coconut milk served with 3 pieces of mahamri.