Nairobians are spoilt for choice as most restaurants offer a wide variety of vegetarian dishes. The recent boom in Nairobi’s restaurant industry has brought lots of new concepts and cuisines to the table. Their vegetarian-friendly menus have ensured that we don’t have to stick to the restaurants that we have been visiting for years. Being vegetarian should never mean that you have to compromise on taste! Check out this list of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants around Nairobi.
Nyama Mama
This chain of restaurants can be described as a modern-day African roadside diner that has locally inspired dishes. With a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, this is the perfect place to get a taste of decent quality Kenyan food. The ugali fries are a must!
The Phoenician
Photography by Sonali Sumaria
This was one of the first restaurants to introduce Nairobi to Japanese food. Even though there are many places that offer sushi now, this has to be the best in Nairobi! They have both a Lebanese and Japanese menu. An absolute favourite is the complementary salad they serve when you order off the Japanese menu.
Fonda NBO
Pleasantly surprised by the taste of food at Fonda, the wide variety of vegetarian options do not disappoint. Even better? The service is fantastic.
Bazaar by Khazanah
You can’t have a vegetarian food list, and not include an Indian restaurant. Soon after it opened, my Instagram feed was filled with images from the restaurant. Brilliantly decorated and well-presented food made me think that it would lack taste, but they proved me wrong. The service is slow but worth the wait!
Tin Roof Café
Perfect for your weekly friend’s meetup, a quick meal for lunch, or a business meeting. The picture-perfect décor makes you wish that you could stay all day. They have the most amazing salad bar during lunch which you can help yourself to with your main dish or just have the salads!
Habesha
Photography by Sonali Sumaria
This is always our go-to restaurant when we have friends or family visiting. If you haven’t tried Ethiopian food before, this is the perfect place try it, as the taste is amazing! They only have a couple of vegetarian options, and its best to share dishes.
Pan Asian Yao
Pan Asian Yao is the first to bring in the hot pot concept to Nairobi. You choose your broth and accompaniments with which you make your own soup on your table. The taste is amazing, but the experience is even better!
Hashmi’s BBQ
Photography by Sonali Sumaria
This is one of those places that you have to be prepared to wait at least an hour during peak times. An amazing family run BBQ with vegetarian options that hit the spot. You’d never go wrong with the quality and taste of food here. Some of the vegetarian options include a variety of chips, paneer, naan and chapatis.
Boho Eatery
Photography by Sonali Sumaria
Boho Eatery is the best for those long relaxing Sunday lunches with friends or family. With an amazing ambience, you can easily spend the whole afternoon eating and drinking your way through the menu. Probably one of the only places you can get laksa in Nairobi.
Taste of China
Definitely one of the better Chinese restaurants in Nairobi with a 360 view of the city. If you haven’t reserved, be prepared to wait (even on weekdays). They make a fantastic Chilli Lemon Tofu that is not on the menu (just make sure you order a mild version).
Honourable Mentions
Some other restaurants that were close to making this list include The Harvest Restaurant, Silk Noodles, The Talisman Restaurant, Wasp & Sprout and The Mediterraneo Restaurants.
Follow me on Instagram for more on vegetarian spots in Nairobi.
