Nairobi has its fair share of Asian restaurants, but like most great cities in the world, Chinese restaurants are the most popular. Nairobi has many China-specific spots, most around Hurligham–Yaya Center (China Town).
Still, there are a few Chinese restaurants in Nairobi that are worth mentioning. The following establishments offer authentic traditional Chinese cuisine with an ambiance to match—they are a must-visit location for both tourists and Nairobians.
In no particular order, these are the finest Chinese restaurants in Nairobi.
For You Chinese Restaurant
For You Chinese Restaurant
For You, Chinese Restaurant could be the best Chinese restaurant in Nairobi. Nestled in the upmarket neighborhood of Lavington, it is a leading, affordable restaurant specializing in Chinese cuisine.
Once you read their menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice—and if you are dining with children, it’s even better, thanks to their spacious playground.
It’s hard to miss how friendly the staff at For You Chinese Restaurant is. One thing you’ll agree with after your experience at this location is the patron bends backward to offer exemplary service. Just make sure you request the bittings, crackers, and veggie sticks, and thank me later.
The menu includes bok choy, Veggies, Shezwan beef, Beef Fuyoung, Shezuan Pork, Mushroom Funyoung, assorted seafood, assorted Chinese soup, Schezuan chicken, gao bao chicken, Rice, and Noddles.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $10 – $20.
Location: Gitanga Road, Lavington, Nairobi. Open: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm.
Phone: (+254) 733 648 724.
Taste of China Restaurant TOC
As the name suggests, Taste of China Restaurant is popular among diners and lovers of Chinese food due to its top-tier Indo-Chinese cuisine, which is traditionally prepared to give you a whiff of its cultural good in a single bite.
Nestled in Nairobi’s swanky Westlands business district, Taste of China Restaurant TOC is the ideal spot for Nairobians and tourists looking to experience Chinese culinary offerings under the city sky.
Thanks to its ambiance and location towering over the Nairobi sky, Taste of China Restaurant TOC is a perfect spot to enjoy Chinese food for a date or low-key gatherings.
You should order their sizzling beef, Gung Bao chicken, or crispy aromatic duck accompanied with dumplings.
Menu: Rice and Noodles, Dessert, Vegetarian offerings, Seafood, and assorted beef offerings.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $10 – $15.
Location: 12th Floor, TRV Parkwest Office Suites, Nairobi, Kenya. Open Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Closed on Monday).
Phone: (+254) 720 222 211.
Fang Fang Chinese Restaurant
Perhaps the longest-running and most sought-after Chinese restaurant in Nairobi, it offers the finest culinary offerings from Shanghai. If you love dining with children and would like them to enjoy some exotic Asian offerings, this establishment comes with a huge garden complete with a playground.
It’s also an ideal setting for gatherings, parties, and even restaurants. If you’d like to surprise your date with some finger-linking Chinese goods, their indoor setup offers a mellow vibe completed with ambient lighting that’ll get your date jittery.
It’s recommended that you sample some of their Pork Spare ribs or traditional boiled chicken in a special Chinese Oli (order two days in advance).
The menu includes seafood, Rice and noodles, Grilled Beef, Chicken and Pork, Beer Duck, Dumplings, Sizzling prawns, dessert, and a special bar.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $10 – $25.
Location: No.44 James Gichuru Road, Lavington (Opposite Strathmore School), Nairobi. Open: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm.
Phone: (+254) 720 911 198; 0791 661 168.
Panda Chinese Restaurant Ltd
Getting an authentic Chinese experience out of China can be difficult. Still, the owners at Panda Chinese Restaurant Ltd outdid themselves to make diners feel thousands of miles away in Asia but in Nairobi soil. The ambiance, setting, decorations, and even TV channels are all in Chinese – further authenticating the experience.
Thanks to its dining setup, Panda Chinese Restaurant Ltd is perfect for late-night dates and even small gatherings. Once you read its menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice, and if you are new to Chinese food, it’s recommended that you seek assistance with its signature dishes.
The menu includes seafood, Beef, chicken, duck, and pork (boiled, sizzling, and grilled), soup, Rice and Noodles, Assorted wine, and Alcoholic beverages.
Also, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of the servers while ordering dishes for a more pleasant dining experience.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $10 – $15.
Location: Fedha Towers, Kaunda Street, Nairobi CBD. Open: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Phone: (+254) 20 221 3018.
Mister Wok Parklands
Located in the upscale neighborhood of Parklands, Mister Wok Parklands is one of the best spots for residents and individuals working in the Westlands area and its environment looking for an authentic Chinese dining experience.
What really amazed me was their customized offering. At Mister Wok Parklands, diners can choose ingredients and flavors that suit their dietary and taste preferences.
If you are working in Westlands or booked into a hotel in Westlands, Parklands, Lavington, or Kileleshwa and want your food delivered to your doorstep, all you need to do is make an order.
The menu includes rice and Noodles, Chicken, Seafood, Vegetarian, Beef, Vegetarian appetizers, Red Meat appetizers, Chicken appetizers, Seafood appetizers, healthy diet offerings, Dim Sum, and assorted Chinese soups.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $8 – $15.
Location: Kolobot Road, Parklands (Off Prof. Wangari Maathai Road, Nairobi). Open Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Phone: (+254) 724 100 100. Email: Events@misterwok.net.
Asian Gardens
If you want an authentic Asian culinary experience in Nairobi or East Africa, I’d highly recommend checking out Asian Gardens, part of Pan Asian Restaurant in Warwick Center Gigiri. It tops the list of the best Chinese restaurants in Nairobi, offering delicacies from China, India, Korea, and Thailand.
It’s an a-must spot for lovers of Chinese and Asian food.
The architecture right from the gate will likely capture your senses at first glance. The buildings, design, and gardens are authentically Asian and designed to give off the vibe. I’d recommend visiting this location for their Sunday brunch offer (all the wine and food you can gobble between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.).
Diners can tease their taste buds with offerings from Sushi to Noodles, Wamanga to Thai, and end up with Korean. It’s the perfect place to dine with friends and enjoy the scenery of the lush Gigiri neighborhood.
Menu: Salads, Soups, Thai Curry Rice Bowls, Thai Hot-Wok Stifries, Sizzling hot plates, Deserts, Korean, China Town Special, Chinese Hot Bar, Rice, Noodles, Donburi, Sashimi Donburi, Bento Box, Noodle Bar, Teppan a la Carte, Teppanyaki, Seafood, Starters, Tataki, Sashimi, Temaki, Sushi Burger, Nigiri, Maki Rolls, and more.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $10 – $20.
Location: Asian Gardens—Pan Asian Restaurant, Warwick Center, Gigiri, Nairobi. It is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Phone: (+254) 712 848 770.
Zen Garden
Your experience can immensely affect how your taste buds react to food, and Zen Garden in Nairobi has maximized this, offering an authentic Asian experience that screams zen while you enjoy your favorite Chinese food.
Zen Garden is truly set in a garden setting that mimics the lush green and colorful landscape of China and Asia. The 2 1/2 Acre property set in Nairobi’s swanky Spring Valley neighborhood further heightens the zen in Zen Garden’s establishment.
This beautiful Oasis in Nairobi city offers Asian cuisine fused with American classics, enough to get your senses exploding. The indoor-outdoor setting is best for family gatherings, corporate events, weddings, and romantic date nights.
Zen Garden has won awards, including the London Stock Exchange Award of Top Companies Inspiring Africa.
Menu: Appetizers (Vegetarian and Meat), Salads, Soups, Dim Sum, Mixed Platters to Share, Sushi and Sashimi, Seafood Special, Non-vegetarian Mains, Vegetarian Mains, Rice and Noodles, Breakfast Specials, Cocktails and Drinks.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $10 – $25.
Location: Lower Kabete Road, Nairobi. Open Monday – Sunday, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm.
Phone: (+254) 714 744 231; 0737 744 231. Email: info@zengarden.co.ke.