People frequently associate Nairobi with savannahs, safari hats, and wildlife. Nairobi, a cosmopolitan city of cultures, spices, tales, and souls, is also a foodie’s dream.
At African Breeze, we think that a place’s local cuisine is one of the finest ways to get to know it. In Nairobi, each bite reveals a tale of community, migration, legacy, and modern fusion.
Here is our guide to the top culinary tours and local cuisine experiences in Nairobi that will wow your taste buds, regardless of your preference for gourmet dining, street food, or adventurous eating.
Street Food Safari in Downtown Nairobi
Welcome to Nairobi’s unofficial food court: the bustling, flavorful streets of the CBD. Join a guided walking food tour and dive into roadside treats that locals swear by.
- Mutura – Kenya’s spiced “African sausage” (a smoky street-side legend)
- Viazi karai – deep-fried coastal potatoes dipped in spicy tamarind sauce
- Samosas – meat or lentil-filled snacks with Indian roots and Kenyan flair
- Roasted maize – simple, salty, and sold on nearly every corner
Pro tip: Come hungry and ready to eat like a Nairobian—on your feet, over a shared laugh with your guide and fellow foodies.
Carnivore Restaurant: Nairobi’s Meat-Lover Mecca
Though touristy, this famous eatery is well worth the trip. Carnivore is well-known for its “Beast of a Feast,” which includes everything from tender lamb chops and beef ribs to more daring fare like camel, ostrich, and crocodile—all of which are responsibly sourced.
At your table, food is sliced and served on Brazilian-style skewers until you literally raise the white flag.
It’s a performance as much as a meal.
Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class: Hands-On, Home-Grown
Do you want to get your hands dirty—in a tasty way? Enroll in a traditional cooking class with a chef or family from the area. After shopping in a neighborhood market like City Market or Gikomba, you’ll go to the kitchen to learn how to prepare meals like:
Ugali is a staple made from maize flour that goes well with almost anything.
Sukuma wiki: sautéed collard greens or kale, a staple of the Kenyan evening table
Nyama choma is soft, smokey, and communal cooked meat, typically goat.
With Indian origins and Kenyan affection, chapati is a delicate, flaky flatbread.
You’ll be stuffed not only with food but also with culture and connections.
Coastal Flavors in Nairobi Westlands
The greatest of Kenya’s seaside cuisine may be found in Westlands, where it has made its way inland. Sample Swahili cuisine that combines Arab, Indian, and African flavors with strong spices, rich coconut bases, and aromatic rice dishes.
Don’t overlook: Biryani with prawns, Coconut curry (chicken kuku paka),
Chai with Mahamri (sweet, spicy doughnuts)
Without venturing outside of the city, eateries such as Ali Barbour’s Cave Café (pop-up version), Tamarind Nairobi, and Swahili Plate provide a sense of the seaside.
Coffee & Culture: Nairobi’s Thriving Café Scene
With good cause, Nairobi’s café culture is flourishing. Kenyans take great pride in growing some of the world’s greatest coffee.
On a specialty coffee tour, see how beans are produced from farm to cup by visiting nearby cafés and roasteries. Try a simple, potent cup of local Kahawa tungu with ground ginger, Chemex, or cold brews.
Favorites include: The classic Java House, Artcaffe (complete with complementary pastries),
Local and artisan coffee from Spring Valley, Connect Coffee Roasters (experience from farm to cup).
For the ideal combination, serve with a slice of carrot cake or mandazi.
Food & Nightlife Fusion: Nairobi by Night
Nairobi’s culinary scene is active even after the sun sets. Attend a local jazz club, rooftop bar, or live-music nyama choma restaurant after your evening culinary tour.
Discover the fusion of Afrobeat, grill smoke, and loud laughing that permeates Nairobi’s nighttime atmosphere. You’ll experience the vibrancy of the city whether you’re enjoying cocktails with views of the cityscape or Tusker beer and goat meat.
Come Taste Nairobi With Us
At African Breeze, we assist you in tasting the destinations rather than merely transporting you there. The purpose of our local collaborations and guided culinary excursions is to introduce you to the cuisines that characterize Nairobi’s dynamic and ever-changing culture.
Make space on your schedule (and in your stomach) for the stories that are told on every dish, regardless of how long you plan to stay.
Are you prepared to eat your way around Nairobi?
Allow us to create the ideal culinary tour for you, including everything from fine restaurants to home-cooked meals to street snacks.
Come and enjoy the beauty and culinary delight of Nairobi!