Hemingways Eden is a boutique hotel located deep in the heart of Karen. Like really deep in Karen, if you don’t live in or near the Karen environs just put aside a good 40min to drive there. Once the roadtrip is done though, you are welcomed into a most serene space! The hotel’s restaurant, the Deck, is perfectly positioned next to a lagoon and borders the Giraffe Sanctuary forest, giving it such a picturesque view.

I saw a reel somewhere that said Nairobi is being dominated by 3 things: Matcha, Padel and that run club They’re not wrong! If you haven’t tried the very famous Karak & Go vanilla Matcha latte then I applaud you for not giving into peer pressure. But also - where are you hiding? Personally - I tried the matcha, I didn’t like it at all. The milk is way too much for me and the only thing that makes that drink palatable is the vanilla syrup they add to it.

Hooyos is a nice and spacious cafe along Dennis Pritt road. There’s lots of greenery both inside and on the outdoors, lots of seating space and I love the big windows which bring in so much natural light into the space. Being a Somali establishment, the menu boasts lots of Somali cuisine plus continental breakfast items and typical menu items you find in most menus. Of course it goes without saying that this place is halal.

The rooftop culture in Nairobi is really growing and I’m here for all of it, I love a good rooftop hang. The 270° rooftop is a restaurant located on the 18th floor of the Escada building along Lantana road. Being on the 18th floor already is quite high up so you can imagine the views you’ll see up there. The restaurant has both an indoor and outdoor section, so if you’d like a bit more privacy or more quiet you can choose to sit inside or if you want the full 270 degree experience - step out onto the rooftop and pick a spot to enjoy basking in the Nairobi sun.

Late last year I got introduced to this vegan ice cream at a friend’s exhibition show and I loved it so much that Joshua (the proprietor) offered to send me a sample pack to try some of the other flavours he makes. Yes makes. He makes all this ice cream from scratch by himself! The packaging already is quite vibrant, I love the little pop of colour on each label, really elevates the simple packaging.

The season of love is around the corner and I want my guys and girls to stay ready so they don’t have to get ready:) I’ve compiled a small list of places that I think would make for a great Valentine’s lunch/dinner plan for you and your significant other/s (we listen and don’t judge over here lol).