A few months ago, I chanced upon the page of a new Vietnamese cafe called Ôkia and made a mental note to check it out. A few days after that I saw that the proprietor of Măm Măm, the Vietnamese spot in Westlands, was also the proprietor of Ôkia Cafe and made an even more solid note to check it out because she had done such a great job at măm măm already.

The wine shop is a premier wine bar and restaurant located on Loresho ridge. It’s quite a drive to get there if you don’t already live in the suburbs but definitely worth it for a sunny afternoon of food, wine and good vibes. There is very limited parking here so if you can cab, that would be better and the restaurant itself is not massive so to avoid any disappointments, make reservations in advance.

Onza is a very chic Mediterranean and French restaurant and bar located at Westgate mall. It’s been on my list for quite some time so glad I got to finally tick it off this past weekend. The setup is stunning, the decor, the mood lighting coupled with the ambient music - perfect setting for a dinner and drinks plan with friends or a date. I came here for dinner with my cousin for her birthday.

Haru is a Japanese restaurant located in Karen, just along Karen road. They’ve been in business for over 16 years and are a staple in the Nairobi food scene. I’ve been here a good amount of times in the recent years mostly because I’m surrounded by people who love sushi. I’m not a sushi fan like that but I do enjoy Japanese cuisine overall so I tend to have their other ‘cooked’ dishes when I visit.

Pop’s Diner, located in Mwanzi Market, Westlands is possibly Nairobi’s first American style diner and as someone who spent a good chunk of her life on that side of the world, I was very excited to have a classic diner experience right here without incurring a flight cost. They really hit the mark on the decor, working in different elements of classic America like the juke boxes (wish they had one that actually works!

Bonjour from the picturesque Dijo rooftop bar & restaurant! Located at the top of the Mandrake in Westlands, Dijo is a contemporary French restaurant and gastro bar that serves unique French bistro cuisine, distinct cocktails and a stunning 360° panoramic view of the city. As you step out of the elevator and into this expansive establishment you’re greeted by a myriad of vibrant colours and prints right from the doorstep. There’s a stunning waiting area by the entrance which makes for a great photo backdrop (I think that was their intention with that section).