Nairobi has surprised me. It’s way crazier than I thought.
Many tourists treat it like a quick stop before safari, but Nairobi is a full-on lifestyle city. It has a developed restaurant and café scene, and one of the most fun nightlife scenes in Africa. Probably fourth after Lagos, Cape Town and Joburg?
Between my own exploring and crowdsourcing from local and expat friends in Nairobi, I’ve built a list of 50+ recommendations, from cafés and restaurants to nightlife, things to do and day trips.
Jump to a Section
- Accounts to Follow for Nairobi Events
- Best Cafés in Nairobi
- Best Restaurants in Nairobi
- Nairobi Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs
- Best Things to Do in Nairobi
- Art Galleries in Nairobi
- Easy Day Trips from Nairobi
- Tigoni & Limuru (45 Minutes from Nairobi)
- Kanunga Falls (90 Minutes from Nairobi)
- Ngong Hills (30 Minutes from Nairobi)
- Lake Naivasha (1.5 Hours from Nairobi)
- Hell’s Gate National Park (2 Hours from Nairobi)
- Champagne Ridge and the Great Rift Valley (1 Hour from Nairobi)
- Kitengela Glass Factory (1 Hour from Nairobi)
- Lake Magadi (2.5 Hours from Nairobi)
- Nairobi FAQs
Accounts to Follow for Nairobi Events
If you’re in the city for more than a few days, these help you find what’s actually happening. They post events, parties, pop-ups, and cultural happenings on Instagram.
Best Cafés in Nairobi
Nairobi has a vibrant café scene. The recurring theme: lots of plants, garden seating, and relaxed vibes. Sometimes the food is just okay, but the atmosphere is usually great. Here are the top cafés to check out.
Working remotely? I ranked the best cafés in Nairobi with good WiFi by neighborhood.
- Kesh Kesh: Has 2 nearby locations, and actually good food.
- Canteen Nairobi: Industrial-style loft space, reminds me of CDMX.
- Pickled: Expat heavy. Trendy, full of “Nairobi brunch energy.”
- Pallet Café: Large open garden space, and there’s a tortoise and a bunny. Most of the staff is hearing impaired.
- Geco Café: Large treehouse with rock and roll vibes. Converts to an Afro House party on Sunday nights (and was so fun).
- Unseen Nairobi: Part cinema, part rooftop café and restaurant. On Tuesdays the movie tickets are BOGO.
- Diritto Café: Upscale mall café. Don’t miss the Oreo shake.
- Sacred Mill Coffee Roasters: Popular with expat remote workers.
- Café Kaya: Games and wooden Pan-African design. Fun and casual.
- Froth: Huge garden space with a dog park.
- Café AMKA: Local, central, and reliable in the city center.
- Good Grain: Famous bakery with limited workspace but a cute outdoor area to sit on the grass.
Best Restaurants in Nairobi
Nairobi’s restaurant scene is diverse, with everything from local Kenyan food to international. I’ve never heard anyone say come to Nairobi for the food, and I’m not saying that either. But here are the places worth listing.
East Side Restaurants
- Hero Restaurant: Rated the #1 bar in Africa and #69 in the world. They also have a pretty good menu, a fun theme and good views.
- Beit e Selam: Excellent Ethiopian food. Great for early coffee, lunch, or late-night DJ sessions. Very sexy.
- About Thyme: Romantic garden setting with global fare. Best for brunch.
- Dijo: French rooftop vibes. Perfect for drinks and dinner.
- Pepper Tree: Botanical garden house with eclectic African cuisine. It’s very close to INTI, so do light apps at Pepper Tree, then dinner at INTI.
- INTI (A Nikkei Experience): Japanese-Peruvian food in a swanky setting with a gorgeous view of the city.
- Tamu Tamu: Traditional Kenyan food in Westlands.
- Bambino: Swanky Italian food and sushi. Good for date night.
- Mythos Taverna: Upscale Mediterranean. Go with a group and order the large seafood platter.
West Side Restaurants
- Alfajiri: Well-known local spot for Kenyan barbecue.
- Ạtē: Stylish, contemporary restaurant serving global cuisine.
- Ankole Grill: Great for meat lovers in Kilimani. Was very good.
- Bao Box: Spacious, great for groups sharing large platters.
- Cultiva: Farm-to-table food, good for groups. Everything is good.
- Hemingway’s: Located in a famous hotel, with formal, old-money vibes.
- Matteo’s Lounge: Italian restaurant and large event space. Gorgeous.
- Joto Ramen: There are 2 locations, Lavington and Parklands. Lavington is new, and Parklands also acts as a venue. I was surprised at how good it was. They also have a ramen that blows up in your face.
- La Salumeria: Often cited as the best Italian in Nairobi.
- Talisman: Modern Pan-African menu with eclectic options. A Nairobi classic.
- Thai-Chi by Sarova: Luxury Thai, often considered the best in Nairobi.
- Samaki Samaki Seafood & Jazz: Nice outdoor dining area, hosts events.
Nairobi Nightlife: Best Bars and Clubs
Nairobi is a party city, and it goes out late. Like… sometimes arrive at 1 AM and stay until sunrise late. There’s a mix of locals, expats, creatives, and DJs, and the music leans heavily into Afro House, Amapiano, and live bands.
- NSK (Thursday Salsa Nights): Thursdays are for salsa. A very popular, well-known spot.
- The General (Thursdays): Attracts an expat crowd. Sexy, easy place to talk and meet people.
- Chronos (Thursdays): Often hosts themed nights and events.
- Geco Café (Sundays): Day party from about 6 to 10 PM. Afro House. Fun.
- Bamba (Sundays): Live music about twice a week. Great vibes and a good mix of people.
- The Bar Next Door: “Where real Kenyans go.”
- Ciel: Upscale lounge in a casino. Opened February 2026, same owner as The Bar Next Door.
- The Alchemist: Younger crowd, mixed expats and Kenyans. Could be hip-hop, Top 40, or Afro House, just depends on the night.
- Muze: Proper Afro House energy. Arrive around 1 AM, leave around 5 AM. That’s the rhythm here.
- Koda: Right next to Muze. Just as amped up.
- Ibiza: A “proper” club experience, in Lavington.
- 11:11: A TRUE nightclub, if that’s what you want.
- Jekyll and Hyde: Well-known bar with mixologists.
- The Location Rooftop: Great views, good for starting or ending the night. I also came here for coffee early in the morning and loved it.
- Re\Volver: Upscale cocktail bar with few expats.
Best Things to Do in Nairobi
Nairobi is one of the only cities in the world where you can go from brunch to a literal safari.
- Karura Forest: Within city limits, there’s an easy trail to the Karura waterfall and the Mau Mau Caves.
- Nairobi National Park: A full national park right next to the city. Seeing giraffes with the skyline behind them is iconic. You can book a Nairobi National Park game drive here.
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Elephant orphanage and one of the most beautiful visits in Nairobi!! There’s also a bonded zebra and baby black rhino who were kissing and playing during my visit. A lot of tours combine Sheldrick and the Giraffe Centre in one morning.
- Giraffe Manor: This is where the iconic photos come from. Hotel guests only, around $1,500 a night.
- Giraffe Centre: The iconic giraffe feeding experience, without the Giraffe Manor price tag.
- Kazuri Beads: Bead-making workshop with a behind-the-scenes tour. SO unique. You walk away with custom-made, 1-of-1 jewelry.
- Visit with the Maasai: Cultural experiences that give insight into Maasai traditions and daily life. I did this back in 2013, not on my most recent trip.
Want a neighborhood to wander? Here’s how to spend one day in Karen, where the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick are, and what to do in Kilimani.
Art Galleries in Nairobi
- Kuona Artists Collective (Kilimani): I visited and highlighted many of the artists in a separate post.
- Enanka Art Gallery (Westlands): Hosts pottery and bead classes.
- Circle Art Gallery (Lavington): Rotating exhibits of Kenyan art.
Easy Day Trips from Nairobi
If you have extra time, Nairobi is surrounded by great quick escapes.
Tigoni & Limuru (45 Minutes from Nairobi)
This is the cool, green countryside energy people don’t expect from Kenya.
- Tigoni Tea Farm: Walk through rolling tea fields and do a guided tasting. It’s peaceful, elevated, and makes for a perfect half-day escape from the city.
- Brown’s Cheese: Open Thursday to Saturday only. Artisan Kenyan cheese tasting in the middle of the countryside. This is one of those “how is this Kenya?” experiences, very European farm-core energy.
- Kiambethu Tea Farm (Limuru): One of the most well-known tea farm tours near Nairobi. Colonial-era home, tea walk, full lunch, and a history lesson. A more structured, heritage-style experience.
- Mlango Farm (Limuru): Pick your own produce. A sweet, local experience if you want something more low-key and farm-to-table.
Kanunga Falls Waterfall Hike (90 Minutes from Nairobi)
Three waterfalls in one hike. Start at Kanunga Falls and make your way to Twin Falls and Trasha Falls. It took us about 3 hours and 8 km.
Ngong Hills (30 Minutes from Nairobi)
Great for a morning hike. Rolling green hills with dramatic Rift Valley views. Go early, it gets hot. Windy. And wildly scenic.
Lake Naivasha (1.5 Hours from Nairobi)
If you want wildlife without doing a full safari, this is your spot.
- Take a boat safari on Lake Naivasha and see hippos and fish eagles.
- Walk with giraffes and zebras at Crescent Island.
- Stay overnight. There are tons of cute lodges and lakeside properties.
It’s calm, green, and romantic in a quiet way.
Hell’s Gate National Park (2 Hours from Nairobi)
Famous for inspiring parts of The Lion King. What makes it different? You can:
- Bike through the park.
- Walk among zebras and giraffes.
- Hike into gorges.
- See dramatic rock formations and geothermal activity.
It’s active. Adventurous. Less “sit in a vehicle,” more “explore.” Most people pair Hell’s Gate with Lake Naivasha in one long day. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can book a Hell’s Gate and Lake Naivasha day trip from Nairobi.
Champagne Ridge and the Great Rift Valley (1 Hour from Nairobi)
One of the most beautiful viewpoints near Nairobi. Rolling escarpments, wide skies, golden light at sunset.
Great for photography or a slow afternoon drive.
Kitengela Glass Factory (1 Hour from Nairobi)
Wildly creative and slightly chaotic in the best way. There’s a suspension bridge that honestly feels terrifying, but it’s part of the experience.
Very artsy, very local.
Lake Magadi (2.5 Hours from Nairobi)
Remote. Surreal. Pink-tinged water when conditions are right. Sometimes flamingos.
Nairobi FAQs
Is Nairobi worth visiting, or is it just a safari stopover?
It’s worth it on its own. Nairobi has a real café and restaurant scene, some of the best nightlife in Africa, and events every day of the week. Give it a few days, not just one night before safari.
Can you see wildlife in Nairobi without going on safari?
Yes. Nairobi National Park is right next to the city, and you can see giraffes and rhinos with the skyline behind them. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre are both easy half-day visits too.
What are the best nights to go out in Nairobi?
Thursdays and Sundays. Thursday is salsa at NSK, plus The General and Chronos. Sunday is the Geco Café day party and live music at Bamba. Clubs like Muze don’t get going until around 1 AM.
Where should I work from in Nairobi as a digital nomad?
Sacred Mill and Canteen are popular with remote workers. I ranked the best cafés in Nairobi with good WiFi, and my Nairobi digital nomad guide covers where to live and work.
What’s the best day trip from Nairobi?
For something close, Ngong Hills (30 minutes) or the Tigoni tea farms (45 minutes). For wildlife without a full safari, Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate, which you can do together in one day.
Final Thoughts on Nairobi
Nairobi isn’t a layover city on the way to safari. It’s a major metropolis that people from all over East Africa flock to. There’s great programming, so many events to go to, every.single.day.of.the.week., and so many great activities within a few hours.
It’s extremely social. Musical. Young. Creative. And way crazier than most people expect!!
Planning the rest of Kenya? Here’s my 10-day Kenya itinerary and my week on the Kenyan coast: Mombasa, Diani and Lamu.