Indian culture is known worldwide for its authentic, aromatic, and spicy delicacies. Thanks to the Indian population in Nairobi and Kenya and the booming restaurant scene, we can’t get enough of the Samosas, Pan Puri, Chicken Tandoori, and perhaps the most popular – the Chicken Masala accompanied by buttered Naan.
Nairobi has one of the finest Indian restaurants in East Africa, and over the years, I’ve taken some time to check out these establishments.
To avoid being biased, almost all Indian restaurants in Nairobi offer authentic, sumptuous meals – but for some reason, I keep going back to the following establishments. These are the finest Indian restaurants in Nairobi, and they are in no order.
Maharaja Restaurant
Many people believe that good things don’t come cheap, especially considering the Nairobi Indian restaurant scene. However, Maharaja Restaurant is an outlier regarding authentic Indian food—it is unapologetically affordable.
In Indian, Maharaja translates to ‘King of Kings, ‘ and indeed, the Maharaja Restaurant is the King of Indian Restaurants in Nairobi regarding quality, authentic, affordable cuisine. This establishment prepares its dishes with the freshest ingredients, making sure that the traditional flavors are deeply revered.
Each dish at Maharaja Restaurant is prepared with a blend of spices that reflect the depth of Indian culture and its sumptuous food.
Maharaja Restaurant offers various Indian dishes, including street food, North and South Indian cuisine, and fresh juices.
The Maharaja Restaurant location can cater to a host of functions, both indoor and outdoor, and if you love their food and service, you can hire their catering department for your events.
Maharaja Restaurant Menu: White Dholka, Chaas, Papad, Bhajia, Mix Daal, Rice, Salad, Roti, Methi Paneer, Ringa Bateta Barela Shaak, Moong, Edli Sambhar, Matar Bateta Shaak, Chole Masala with Bhatura, Paneer Tikka Masala, Gujrati Daal, Achar, Juices, Soups, and much more.
Maharaja Restaurant Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $20.
Location: Shivachi Road (Opposite MP Shah Hospital), Parklands, Nairobi. Open Monday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Phone: (+254) 733 737 316; 020 375 0233. Email: info@savariya.com.au.
Haandi Restaurant
To prove the love for Indian food in Nairobi, Haandi Restaurant has been around for the last 33 years. It opened its doors to the local and tourist restaurant scene in 1991, and ever since, it’s been enriching our lives with some of the most authentic, tasty Indian delicacies.
Haandi Restaurant, popular for its vegetarian offerings, has since been renovated to match its modern clientele while delivering incomparable aromatic Indian goods. Don’t get me wrong, you can still enjoy some beef Samosas or Chicken Tikka at this establishment, even though it mainly caters to vegans.
Haandi Restaurant gets a lot of its cuisine influence from North India, which is a culinary journey to lighten up your taste buds and keep you coming back for more.
Thanks to its contemporary and modern mashup design, Haandi Restaurant is perfect for all occasions, including intimate romantic dates, formal and informal meetings, small gatherings, and parties. Its banquet hall can serve up to 250 guests.
Haandi Restaurant Menu: Punjabi Aloo Tikki, Lemon Pepper Mogo, Haandi’s Chicken Makhini, Vegee Cashew Rolls, Fish Pattarani, Malai Mushroom, Tandoori Dal Kebabs, Mutton Roganjoh, Chilli Garlic Baby Potatoes, Grilled Vegetable Salad, Grilled Corn Mattar Spinach Pattic, Packed Potatoe Cakes, Nilgiri Prawns Masala, among other tantalizing offerings.
PS: I’d recommend trying out their Chicken Tikka Tandoori and, for Dessert, the Falouda Ice Cream. Just make sure you don’t have a nut allergy for the latter.
Haandi Restaurant Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $20.
Location: The Mall, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi. Open Lunch, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm; Dinner, 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
Phone: +(254) 736 651 933; (0) 725 885 533; (0) 733 648 294. Email: haandi@haandi-kenya.com.
Clay Oven Restaurant
Clay Oven Restaurant is an authentic Indian restaurant in Nairobi. This establishment believes it is the ideal location in the city for good food and a choice for diners looking to try a different cuisine. Trust me, this statement is 100% true.
It’s not common to bump into a fancy restaurant offering quality authentic food at affordable rates – Clay Oven Restaurant is one of those establishments in Nairobi. You’ll get not just pocket-friendly, authentic meals but also friendly staff and great service.
The ambiance, vibrant colors, decor, and interior styling offer class and give a whiff of what to expect in the kitchen. You’ll breathe in the aroma of Indian food the moment you get through the gate, and once the order is on your table, you won’t be disappointed.
Clay Oven Restaurant is the perfect place for a date night, a casual meet-up with friends, and even a serious business meeting to impress potential clients or investors. You can also hold small gatherings and corporate and family meets.
Clay Oven Restaurant Menu: Papadum, Dahi Vada, Tandoori Paneer Tikka, Maru Bhajia, Aloo Chatpata, Fries, Kebab, Tandori Prawns, Crispy Masala Fish Fingers, Murg Malai Tikka, Barberque Lamb Chops, Samosa, Mixed Vegetable Jalfrezi, matter Paneer and many more.
Open House Restaurant
Open House Restaurant is a superb Indian restaurant in Nairobi that is popular for its vegetarian offerings. This establishment draws inspiration from the Indian vegan diet, and if you are keen on your health and nutrition, it’s an ideal spot to entice your taste buds while watching your health. Meat lovers also have an assortment of meats to pick from, including mutton, seafood, and chicken prepared using different methods.
That’s not all; Open House Restaurant also houses some of the best chefs and cooking staff in the East African restaurant scene. Their culinary skill in front of the pan will blow you away!
You’ll love Open House Restaurant as soon as you enter its premises. Its patrons went over and beyond to ensure the ambiance behind the kitchen doors matched its offerings.
Wine lovers will have a ball thanks to their wide selection of wines, from the glaring savanna in South Africa to the rich vines in Chile. If you have a sweet tooth, I’d recommend ordering some of their assorted traditional Indian sweets.
Open House Restaurant Ltd Menu: Panner Chilli Fry, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Masala Tikka, Vegetable Sheekh Kebab, Bhindi Sunhari, Sheekh Kebab, Ginger Mushrooms, Kushta, Potato/Onion Bhajia, Fries, Dal Hyderabadi, Dal Tadka, Dhania garlic Prawns, Dal Maharani, Punjabi Padoka Kadi, Kheema Mutter, Indian Breads, Vegan Rice, Bhuna Mutton, Sweets (Kulfi Badam Pista), and many more.
Open House Restaurant Ltd Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $20.
Location: Karen Crossroads Mall, Karen, Nairobi. Open Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The last order is at 8:45 p.m.
Phone: (+254) 725 585 175; (0) 737 876 613. Email: openhousekaren@gmail.com.
Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant
If you love vegan food with a bit of exotic spicy Indian twist, I’d suggest visiting Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant. It’s an authentic Indian restaurant in Nairobi that will not only excite your taste buds but also offer an experience you’ll live to remember.
It might be an Indian vegetarian restaurant, but the menu also includes a wide selection of fish, poultry, and meat—a perfect opportunity to impress your non-vegetarian friends and family.
There’s no doubt that good food makes us happy, but what makes it even better is the experience and memories of enjoying good food. Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant has made it easy to relive moments on its premises thanks to its amazing ambiance that resonates with the Indian culture.
The art, decor, and architecture make for an Indian experience on Kenyan soil.
Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant’s menu cuts are far-reaching, offering delicacies from around the Indian subcontinent. Their offerings are Saatvic.
Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant Menu: Mix of Indian and Chinese Vegan Cuisine, Masala Dosa, Indian Bread, Rice and Noodles, Fried Rice, Bhajia, Masala Mogo, Methi Corn, Bhature, Soups, Chaat, Pasta, Burgers, Bhajri Rotia, Woodfire Vegan Pizza, Naan, South Indian Vegan Cuisine, Lilva Kadhi, and many more.
Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $10.
Location: Kusi Lane (off 2nd Parklands Road), Nairobi. It is open Monday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Phone: (+254) 755 002 002. Email: nairobishayona@gmail.com.
Tandoori Patio Restaurant
Tandoori Patio Restaurant is the perfect Indian Restaurant In Nairobi for diners looking for hot plate grills, meats and vegetarian offerings, barbecue tandooris, and a stocked bar to unwind and enjoy the good times.
It’s a patio restaurant in Gigiri, and that only means one thing – you get to enjoy the lush greenery and fresh breeze of this swanky neighborhood while savoring your favorite food. It’s recommended that you visit Tandoori Patio Restaurant for lunch and dinner dates to get the most out of it. Lunch because the offerings are mouth-watering, dinner dates because the patio views and lighting are straight out of a romance film.
I fell in love with Tandoori Patio Restaurant first for its amazing service. The staff are prompt and helpful, especially in getting the best out of their menu. Secondly, the ambiance of the setup is A-Okay, and finally, the food – I wish I had an extra gut. The offerings were generous I had to carry some home.
Tandoori Patio Restaurant is perfect for romantic dinner dates, corporate events, weddings, birthdays, and engagement parties. What’s best is that you can hire their catering services and enjoy their culinary prowess away from their premises.
Tandoori Patio Restaurant Menu: Bombay Biriyani, Sesame Cheese Kebab, Chicken Vindaloo, Chicken Dhingri Kheema, Bhuna Mutton, Shahi Bhindi, Mutton Roganjosh, Towa Murshroom, Fish Koliwara, Prawns Koliwara, Tandoori Murshroom, Tawa Fish Masala, and so much more.
PS: Tandoori Patio Restaurant has to be one of the best Indian restaurants in Nairobi for authenticity, quality, tasty food, and professional service. Its setup, ambiance, and location are hard to beat. It has truly raised the standards of the restaurant scene in Nairobi.
Tandoori Patio Restaurant Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $20.
Location: 2nd Floor, Petro City Gigiri (along Limuru Road), Nairobi. Open Monday – Sunday, 11:00 am – 10:30 pm.
Phone: (+254) 735 959 595. Email: infotandooripatio@gmail.com.
Karai Indian & Swahili Cuisine
Something great always happens when two cultures merge, and for Karai Indian & Swahili Cuisine, it is good food. This restaurant is undeniably one of the best locations for Indian and Swahili food in Nairobi.
Many diners will back this claim—Karai Indian & Swahili Cuisine has some of the best staff behind its kitchen doors. Its culinary skills have proven that one bite is never enough. You’ll love how flawless the food is when it finally gets to the table—it’s not uncommon to see diners reaching out for their phones for a photo moment.
Once you set foot on the premises, the ambiance will take you away. The main attraction is a humongous chandelier that gets visitors staring. The fresh flowers, thoughtful, creative decor, and architecture will blow you away.
Karai Indian & Swahili Cuisine is the perfect location for looking to impress a significant other. The setup will do 40% for your date.
Karai Indian & Swahili Cuisine Menu: Samosas, Karai Wings, Pilau, Karai pastries, Soups, Kebabs, Mutton Special, Fish Special, Prawns, Kalamari, Naan, Bhajia, Rice, Salads, Meatballs, Biriyani, Pizza, Vegetarian, Dessert, and more.
Karai Indian & Swahili Cuisine Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $15.
Location: Rose Avenue, Nairobi. Open Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Phone: (+254) 728 070 707. Email: karairestaurantnairobi@gmail.com.