One more of my lists this time for Nairobi, Kenya. Things and places and stuff. Last updated: 5 December 2016.
<3 to A.R. who shared the Nairobi she loves with me and her memories of the place
My lists are always incomplete.
Food & coffee
Capital Club East Africa: Upscale membership club with one of the best terraces I have ever seen. A must for meetings if you want to impress with the location. Great dessert and coffee. Not sure if you can’t get in without a membership so be friendly with people who are members.
4-7 Floor Imperial Court, Westlands Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
Java Cafe: Lots of branches around Nairobi. The best coffee, try Iced Coffee. Good quality quick food (loved the Nashville chicken burger).
Branches all over Nairobi, including in shopping centres.
Secret Garden Cafe: Hidden away. Great for coffee and lunch. Good place for meetings. Balcony rocks, smoking permitted.
14 Riverside Office Park, Ground Floor, 14 Riverside Dr, Nairobi City, Kenya
Abyssinia Exotic Ethiopian restaurant: Tried by first injera here and it rocked. Surroundings not great but food amazing. Bring your own wine.
Muguga Green, off, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, Kenya
SOI: Thai restaurant and very romantic, in the DusitD2 grounds. Ask for a table outside. I believe it would be great for a lunch meeting too.
dusitD2 nairobi, 14 Riverside, off Riverside Drive, Nairobi, Kenya
Stuff
Kenya National Museum, Nairobi: I wouldn’t say I was impressed but if you have some spare time it’s worth it. I’m not into palaeontology but they do have an impressive skull collection. I found the exhibits on the history of Kenya far more interesting, particularly the bits about the political and armed struggle for independence.
Kipande Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
Karen Blixen Museum: Totally and absolutely worth it if you’ve read the book or seen the film. Amazing insight into colonial times – I was totally taken aback by the space and lifestyle – especially when one thinks about the reality of the locals at those times.
Karen Road,Langata,Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Kibera: According to Wikipedia: Kibera (Nubian: Forest or Jungle[1]) … is the largest slum in Nairobi, and the largest urban slum in Africa. I was invited by some contacts and visited some of the Shofco projects in the area. There are tours that you can do and I recommend you look for one that is respectful (as much as such a tour can be). I re-evaluated a number of things after my visit.
Transport
- Uber works well – expect to call the driver to explain where you are.
- A lot of people seem to use dedicated private drivers – get a recommendation from a local.
- Matatus if you are feeling adventurous – didn’t try them.
Heading photo: Nairobi skyline by Babak Fakhamzadeh – Creative Commons on flickr
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Disclosure: This is my *personal* list of stuff in Nairobi. No deals with any of the places mentioned.
