I love café culture deeply. My digital nomad routine revolves around finding cafés; where I can work, read, write, and occasionally converse with strangers. Nairobi has no shortage of coffee spots, but these are the ones I’d genuinely return to.
Below are my favorite cafés and work-friendly spaces around Nairobi that consistently deliver on atmosphere, comfort, and internet.
1. Kesh Kesh Café – Kilimani
Favorite overall
Kesh Kesh is large, green, calm, and you can sit for hours. The food is good, the coffee is reliable, and there’s plenty of space. There’s actually two locations right next to each other, Cafe and Coffee shop and they’re both great.
2. Pickled Café – Lavington
Popular, social, drink-focused
Pickled is always busy, and every time I go it’s about 100% expats. It has an upstairs area, decent drinks, and a very social feel. I wasn’t impressed with the food — I’d recommend sticking to drinks and using it more as a meeting spot.
3. Pallet Cafe – Lavington
Green garden and Designers on Campus
Gorgeous setting with hanging plants, bunnies, and a roaming turtle. The staff here is mostly non-hearing and they encourage you to learn and use some basic sign language. I would just order drinks here. I enjoyed my smoothie and cappuccino but found the food extremely bland. There are shops and local designers. I bought some high-end jeans that I LOVE.
4. Sacred Mill Coffee Roasters – Westlands
Everyone’s got their laptops out, you’ll fit right in. I loved their iced chai latte. After you’re done working, you can go upstairs and go to the market Naivas for groceries, have something more to eat and the very beautiful restaurant, Mythos Taverna. Or make your own flower bouqet at the Corner Shop like I did.
5. Canteen Nairobi – Lavington
Art Gallery turned Cafe
Industrial space with loft upstairs and large windows. Popular work-from-home destination.
6. Froth Coffee – Rosslyn
Big, dog-friendly, and staffed by a cat
Froth Coffee is huge, which immediately makes it great for working. It’s dog-friendly, with a massive back yard and fenced in play area. It’s very relaxed, and has a cat on staff that lets you hold him.
Plenty of space, solid coffee, and a generally wholesome vibe with the dogs outside playing.
7. Beit e Selam – Westlands
Not just a café, and very sexy bar
This place isn’t just a café — it’s also a bar and restaurant and it’s very sexy. The atmosphere is stylish without trying too hard, and it works surprisingly well for daytime productivity before turning into more of an evening spot.
8. Unseen Nairobi – Kilimani
Part Cinema, part Café, and part Asian fusion
I’m just happy Unseen Nairobi exists. It’s a cinema that focuses mostly on political and alternative films, and it also has good Asian fusion food. I love the concept, the menu, and the fact that it doesn’t feel like every other café in the area. A good spot if you want your workday to feel slightly more interesting than usual. Come at night to watch their films at 7 and 9 PM.
9. Tin Roof Café – Karen
Karen classic
This is one of the most popular work cafés in Karen, and for good reason. It’s comfortable, familiar, and clearly built for people who plan to sit and work for a while.
10. Sheraton Rooftop – Kilimani
Touristy, but functional
Yes, it’s a hotel rooftop and mostly tourists, but I’ve also saw business meetings held here. The WiFi is solid, the space is calm, and the view is good. It’s a good place to work if you want something polished and don’t mind hotel energy.
Honorable Mentions
These are not really marketed as a cafe, but serve very well for a beautiful space to work with a nice cup of joe.
Matteo’s Lounge – Karen
Large event space that’s green and gorgeous
A huge compound that’s part restaurant, part event space with multiple sitting areas. I loved sitting up top and looking into the grassy yard while working. Not a cafe but a beautiful space to come and work nonetheless.
Location Rooftop – Kilimani
This is actually a club
Location Rooftop doubles as a nightclub, but early in the morning it’s a completely different experience. No crowds, no noise — just a cappuccino and a really good view. Highly recommend going early and leaving before the speakers come out.
More Nairobi Guides
If you liked this list, check out my other articles on Karen, Kilimani, and general things to do in Nairobi — art, outdoors, food, and places that make the city feel livable.