One of my childhood friends, Pinky, is a vegetarian. She’d come from Australia to visit family and has since turned vegan. She wondered if she’d have any luck as a vegetarian enjoying Nairobi’s restaurant scene, which always seems infested by meat lovers. She was wrong!
During her short stay, we checked out a couple of vegetarian restaurants in Nairobi while catching up and reminiscing about the old times. It’s safe to say – she was immensely impressed. Based on our experience, the following are some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Nairobi City.
Chowpaty Restaurant
The first time we asked friends for recommendations about vegetarian restaurants in Nairobi, most of them told us to check out Chowpaty Restaurant. Well, it’s one of the oldest and most fancy pure vegetarian restaurants in Nairobi—and Kenya.
While purely vegan, most Chowpaty Restaurants are Indian-inspired, which makes for an amazing experience, especially for diners looking to explore exotic cuisine.
Most people believe a vegan diet is boring, but not at Chowpaty Restaurant. Their offerings are outrageously tasty – served professionally to please the eyes and tastebuds. I recommend trying out the dahi puri starter, essentially some crispy puffed puri shells filled with a crunchy snack mix and glazed with sweet and sour sauce.
Chowpaty Restaurant Menu: Indian Bread, Italian (Vegan Pizza and Pasta), Desserts, Indian Starters, South Indian Vegan Cuisine, Chinese vegan Special (Rice, Noodles, Mushroom Mixes), Indian Main Course, and many more.
Chowpaty Restaurant Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $10.
Location: Diamond Plaza, Westlands, Nairobi. Open Monday – Sunday, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Phone: (+254) 736 613 000. Email: info@chowpatyrestaurants.com.
Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant
If you love vegan food, I recommend trying Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant first! It’s the perfect place to sample professionally made vegan food, and what’s best is that you can tag along your non-vegan friends, who also have a small selection of foods they can enjoy.
You’ll love Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant the moment you step into its premises. The ambiance and decor blend contemporary and urban Indian culture with art and warm, vibrant colors.
Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant’s menu covers the Indian subcontinent and includes favorite local Indian delicacies such as Crispy Bhajia, Masala Mogo, and Methi Corn.
It’s also important to note that the offerings at Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant are ‘Saatvic’ and are not prepared with garlic or onions. But be rest assured you will not notice the difference.
The management at Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant insists on using fresh ingredients that are consistent with Vaishnav, Jain, and Swaminarayan’s dietary requirements.
Shayona Vegetarian Restaurant Menu: Mix of Indian and Chinese Vegan Cuisine, Indian Bread, Rice and Noodles, Bhajia, Masala Mogo, Methi Corn, Soups, Chaat, Pasta, Burgers, Woodfire Vegan Pizza, South Indian Vegan Cuisine, 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.
Cultiva
There’s nothing better than visiting a sustainable restaurant. Cultiva is one of those restaurants in Nairobi, and better yet, they have vegan offerings. All their ingredients are organic and sourced within their farm and sent (farm to table) directly to the kitchen and onto your plate—how awesome!
According to Cultiva, their establishment is a haven where organic heirloom crops flourish. Nestled in the lush neighborhood of Karen, the ambiance, atmosphere, and environment at this establishment make the experience more memorable.
You’ll see their signature dishes and how creatively their offerings are presented to the table—almost as if it were an aesthetic contest. You’ll be tempted to take out your phone not for social currency but as a reminder of how unbelievably authentic and perfect food can be presented.
Cultiva Menu: Snacks and Shareables, Plant-Powered (Mushroom Bao, Cauliflower tacos, Seitan tacos, Farm Salad, Seasonal Farm Vegetables, Vegan Pizza and Pasta dishes, and many more.
PS: Cultiva also offers non-vegan cuisine with an extensive list of dishes for your non-vegan friends.
Cultiva Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $20.
Location: Pofu Road, Karen, Nairobi. Open Tuesday, 12:00 pm—11:00 pm; Wednesday – Sunday, 8:00 am—11:00 pm. The last food order is at 9:00 pm, and the drinks are placed at 10:30 pm.
Phone: (+254) 701 579 902.
Open House Restaurant Ltd
Open House Restaurant Ltd is a vegan restaurant in Nairobi that takes inspiration from the Indian vegan diet. The establishment prides itself in offering the best vegan cuisine, amazing recipes, great service, and some of the best cooks in the Nairobi restaurant scene behind the pan.
I loved how Open House Restaurant Ltd. has perfectly blended its sumptuous food, wholesome environment and ambiance, and personalized professional services. Thanks to its customer service and heartful staff, you’ll leave with a full belly and a happy soul.
If you love wine, I’d recommend sampling their Chilean red wine; it’ll go perfectly with any of their menu offerings. You could also try their Lassi, and if you have a sweet tooth, order some Gulab Jamoon (traditional Indian sweets).
Open House Restaurant Ltd’s Menu includes panner Chilli Fries, Vegetable Sheekh Kebab, bhindi sunhari, Ginger Mushrooms, Kushta, Potato/Onion Bhajia, Fries, Dal Hyderabadi, Dal Tadka, Dal Maharani, Punjabi Padoka Kadi, Indian Breads, Vegan Rice, Sweets (Kulfi Badam Pista), and many more.
Open House Restaurant Ltd Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $20.
Location: Karen Crossroads Mall, Karen, Nairobi. It is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and the last order is at 8:45 p.m.
Phone: (+254) 725 585 175; (0) 737 876 613. Email: openhousekaren@gmail.com.
Haandi Restaurant
Haandi Restaurant has been open longer than most Nairobians—it opened its doors to locals and tourists in 1991 and has been in operation for the last 33 years. This vegetarian restaurant has also been renovated to keep up with the times and complement its uncomparably tasty cuisine with an ambiance.
Don’t get me wrong—Haandi Restaurant is not a pure vegetarian restaurant, but it makes this list because it offers an extensive selection of vegan food prepared to impress!
With an influence from Northern Indian Cuisine, Haandi Restaurant will tempt your taste buds with sumptuous offerings that will have you returning for more.
Haandi Restaurant is ideal for both formal and informal meetups and also offers a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 250 guests.
Haandi Restaurant’s Menu includes lemon Pepper Mogo, Vegetable Cashew Rolls, Punjabi Aloo Tikki, Malai Mushroom, Tandoori Dal Kebabs, Chili Garlic Baby Potatoes, Grilled Vegetable Salad, grilled corn mattar spinach pattic, Haandi’s Chilli Paneer, and Packed Potato Cakes, among other tantalizing offerings.
PS: We really enjoyed our time at Haandi Restaurant. It has a good atmosphere, is affordable, has an exquisite menu, delicious food, and, best of all, quality service. You should definitely check this place out.
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.
Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant
Everyone in Nairobi knows Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant as the go-to spot for authentic Ethiopian food. What you might not know is that Habesha Restaurants also has a wide selection of Vegan food for non-meat lovers.
Located along Argwings Kodhek Road, Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant has a contemporary old-style design. You’ll love their generous food offerings, quick service, and helpful staff (especially if you are unfamiliar with Ethiopian food).
If you love African food—specifically from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and sections close to the Horn of Africa—you’ll enjoy the vegetarian options Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant offers. If it’s your first time checking out this kind of establishment, I’d recommend ordering their Injera, a popular flatbread that is spongy, sour, and tangy. It’ll go down well with meals served with soups, vegetables, and stews.
Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant Menu: Soups and Stews, Injera, Shiro Tegamino, Salata, Timatim Selata, drinks and beverages, and many more.
Average Cost PP/Meal: $5 – $10.
Location: Along Argwings Kodhek Road, Lavington, Nairobi. Open Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm.
Phone: 254 702 247 259, +254 790 220 251, (+254) 709 828 000. Email: info@habeshaeth.reske@yahoo.com.
Slush Coffee World
Slush Coffee World is a renowned Vegetarian restaurant in Nairobi that has operated for the last 40 years. In the restaurant business, experience counts for many things, and for this establishment – it’s the quality of food, service delivery, and great customer service from their staff.
You’ll love Slush Coffee World the moment you step into their premises. Their indoor-outdoor setting is perfect for intimate romantic dates, small gatherings between friends and work meets, and even business meetups.
The food presentation is out of this world. Slush Coffee World makes sure to present its meals creatively, with each ingredient artistically arranged on the plate, which makes it tempting to take a picture.
It also doubles up as a coffee house, and I’ll admit, it’s worth your time, especially on a cold Nairobi morning or evening.
Slush Coffee World Menu: Vegetarian Pizza, Soups, bread, Fries, Bittings, vegetarian Sandwiches, Lassi, Mumbai Vegan Street Food, Southern Indian Vegan Speciality, Coffee, Wine, Whisky, Rum, and Vodka, among others.
PS: Apart from the awesome coffee, I recommend trying out their Dawa; the Bhajias here are to die for. If you love soups, order some lime and coriander broth and thank me later.
Slush Coffee World Average Cost PP/Meal: $10 – $15.
Location: Corner Plaza, Parklands Road, Nairobi. Open Monday – Sunday, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Phone: (+254) 739 225 423. Email: slushcoffeeworld@gmail.com.