We finally have an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Nairobi! Măm Măm is located at the Mwanzi Market in Westlands and is the first Vietnamese restaurant to open shop in Nairobi. I was very excited to try it out because they focus on Vietnamese street food and one thing about Asian cuisine, it’s gonna slap😋 The restaurant itself is such vibes already from the thematic red flowing through the place to the colourful seats and decor, it transports you to a place of fun, food and vibes.

Taking a small break from the big restaurants today to talk about this small but cool cafe in the middle of Kilimani. Right off Lenana Road, coffee and bagels has a nice big sign so you can’t miss it and is in the same compound as possibly the busiest car wash in the area (that place is never empty!) When they first opened years ago, I was hesitant that they’d actually have good bagels and I was right… at the time.

Fiesta Farm is located in the heart of Hardy, Karen. It’s quite a drive so prepare yourself accordingly in terms of time. The restaurant is set up on a vast compound which I assume also has the farm it’s named after. Loved the large amount of green space that people can use to chill in the sun, kids to play in… perfect for a sunny Sunday out. Unfortunately we were there in the middle of June so it was the opposite of sunny - more like freezing, but because they know how to make their customers happy, there are plenty of Maasai blankets for you and your group to use to keep warm.

Open House is a very traditional family style restaurant. This was my first time visiting even though I know it’s been in existence in Nairobi for ages! I went to the Karen branch which is located at the crossroads shopping centre. I loved the homey ambience you feel when you walk in, it feels like you’ve walked into someone’s (very grand) but very comfortable dining room. The waiter was quick to get us a table and give us a breakdown of the menu since we wanted to try a bit of everything!

Located in the leafy suburbs of Gigiri, Traventure cafe feels very welcoming from the onset and I think that’s mostly because it was someone’s home before. You get into the lobby/living room area and you’re immediately drawn to the back garden where the majority of the restaurant sits. There’s lots of seating areas, lots of greenery, lots of grass and a swimming pool! So you can already tell this is a more big group, family style setting.

I’ve been wanting to visit the Arbor for many years now and finally got to do so a month ago with my aunt. Located on Manyani East road, the Arbor is a serene garden cafe that feels like a little escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. When you enter, the restaurant opens up to a vibrant garden with outdoor and some indoor seating as well. I came here on a sunny Sunday afternoon so it was nice to sit out in the sun but also get a nice shade from the big trees enveloping the whole garden.