Brunch in Nairobi: 25+ Best Places for an All-Day Breakfast

What did the giraffe eat at 11am? Brunch. Get it?… Don’t worry. I’m not quitting my day job anytime soon. Today, that job is telling you about brunch in Nairobi.

Brunching is a popular weekend activity here. And in a city with so many restaurants, your options are endless.

Hoping to treat that hangover with some syrup-laden pancakes or waffles? Or maybe you just want to catch up with friends over some good food, music, and late morning cocktails.

This is a list of the best spots you should check out across Nairobi.

RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to the best restaurants in Nairobi.

Kilimani, Lavington, & Kilileshwa

1. Unseen Nairobi

This rooftop restaurant is an exceptional place for an afternoon with friends and family. They have brunch every Saturday and Sunday and a movie showing at 5 pm. 

Yes, Unseen has a mini-theatre where you can pick from a selection of rare movies or bring your own. You will have to book in advance, though.

The view of Kilimani from Unseen is fantastic, and the whole restaurant just invites open conversation and laughter. The staff are top-notch as well. 

And finally, the menu. Order anything, and you’ll understand why Unseen is one of the absolute best restaurants in Kilimani.

Unseen Brunch Offers

For 950 Ksh, you get the brunch as it was originally intended, with a serving of pancakes, eggs, a BLT sandwich, or a sumptuous smoothie bowl.

2. Pallet Café, Lavington

We love Pallet Cafe. In fact, our editor basically lives here. Aside from the diverse menu of (mostly) healthy dishes, Pallet Cafe is the perfect brunch spot for many reasons: 

• Long tables to accommodate your entire family or friend group.
• Silent yoga in the garden.
• 3 unique stores selling African antiques and jewelry, eco-friendly household products, and locally designed women’s fashion.
• Laptop and meeting-friendly workspaces if you and the team need to escape the office.

And we still haven’t mentioned the most remarkable thing about this place: the restaurant staff are deaf, a fantastic initiative that shows the potential of people so often dismissed as ‘disabled.’ If you’re coming on a weekend, make sure you book ahead, so you can get a table – it gets very busy, but never crowded.

3. Chekafe 

Chekafe is a simple, laid-back Japanese restaurant in a big garden with a simple menu that’s dedicated to quality Japanese cuisine – and incredible coffees. 

Try their Nattō- traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. Their ramen dishes are also a big hit and pocket-friendly, going for 1,000 Kshs a bowl.

I recommend Chekafe as an option for brunch in Nairobi, especially if you are looking for some peace and quiet.

4. Java House, Lavington

Java House cafes may not seem like the best places for brunch in Nairobi. They’re usually busy, loud, dark, and not exactly endearing to spending a lazy afternoon with friends. 

But the Lavington branch is the exception for one reason: the 2nd-floor balcony is bathed in sunlight throughout the morning, with fresh air aplenty, and while the car park below isn’t much of a view, it’s great for people watching. 

I’ve spent many a Sunday morning at Java House Lavington, slowly making my way through a big breakfast and tasty cappuccinos. And if you’re feeling super lazy, there’s a giant leather couch just inside to plop down on and snooze the day away.

5. WAMA Africa

WAMA is another establishment that provides training and placement opportunities for differently abled Nairobians. 

The interior is beautiful but booking a table outdoors on a lovely day is absolutely the way to go. The great people at WAMA will set it up at whichever of the beautiful locations within the grounds you prefer. 

There’s a rich selection of wine, and the food is widely accommodating to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. Brunch at WAMA will be a fun and eye-opening experience, guaranteed.

Karen & Langata

6. Tin Roof, Karen

Being at Tin Roof Café feels like being home. It might have something to do with the cozy farm-style look, the small round tables and simple chairs spruced up with colourful cushions.

The place is quiet, and the greenery lends the entire space a very relaxed feel. It’s a great place to relax after a long night. They even have a massive bookshelf; you can get some reading done over a nice hot beverage.

So much about brunch is about catching up about last night with friends, but sometimes you just want to eat alone. When the solo mood strikes, head on over to Tin Roof.

7. Hemingways

Hemingways is one of the most exceptional 5-star hotels in Nairobi, the epitome of luxury and seclusion, far from the bustle of the city.

Picture this, a table on the terrace, beside a fountain and manicured lawns, scrumptious meals, amazing jazz, and limitless prosecco.

Yes, you read that right, every Sunday from 12-3pm, they offer a brunch buffet and all the prosecco you can drink, accompanied by live jazz music. 

This is a classy spot, and I’d recommend it as a great option for when you’re looking for places for brunch in Nairobi. And it doesn’t have to be Sunday. Hemingways is open 7 days a week, and you can also combine brunch with a trip to the spa. 

Hemingways Brunch Offers

Hemingway’s Sunday Brunch goes for Ksh 6,500 for adults and Ksh 4,000 for children between 4-8 yrs.

8. Cultiva Farm

Nairobi locals visit Cultiva for a fine dining experience. But the place itself is rustic and has a farm-style aesthetic that offsets the formality of their food.  It’s a lovely place for dinner but a fantastic place to visit for brunch as well.

They open daily at 12 pm, and since they emphasize only using organic, locally sourced ingredients, their menu changes regularly based on the available ingredients.

Their food presentation and attention to detail in their meals make them a spectacle to behold. But don’t worry, the food tastes just as good as it looks.

9. CJ’s @ The Waterfront Mall

CJ’s is a lovely modern space with stunning interior décor. They have a huge, sweeping seating area, so it’s a great spot if you have a large group. The serene environment makes it one of the most comforting places to spend brunch in Nairobi.

They have an extensive menu with various international cuisines. While they don’t offer any alcoholic drinks on their menu, you can have refreshing lemonades and mocktails.

Gigiri

10. Pallet Café, Gigiri

Pallet Cafe Gigiri offers everything we love about the Lavington branch, and so much more. Try this: 

• Live music every Sunday.
• Two swimming pools to cool down and splash around on a hot Nairobi day.
• A cool breeze that ensures you stay fresh throughout your brunch.
• A great bar serving delicious cocktails and local Kenyan craft beer.
• A big, sloping garden lets you hide away and have an intimate lunch with your partner or friends.

Once again, there are so many reasons we love Pallet Cafe Gigiri, and we know you will, too. 

11. The River Cafe @ Karura Forest

The River Café is located inside the Karura Forest. In fact, they are the only restaurant inside the forest.

The venue is beautiful, with a large seating area covered by a very high roof, open on all sides. It really feels like you are still connected with nature.

Include some physical activities before you sit down for your meals. It’s the perfect place to enjoy brunch after walking the trails or taking a bike ride.

Westlands

12. ArtCaffe The Oval

This ArtCaffe is located on the ground floor of The Oval building. They have a huge outdoor patio with tables and lounge seating.

It’s a favourite for many people when it comes to brunch in Nairobi because of their generous portions and flavourful meals.

It’s an extremely reliable spot. Their menu has something for everyone. If you have a sweet tooth, ArtCaffe does fantastic pastries. There’s a pastry display case on the counter that’s sure to leave your mouth watering.

13. K1 Klubhouse

K1 Klubhouse is famous for their Sunday brunches. It’s ideal if you want a boozy brunch in Nairobi. In fact, the popular spot has a new take on brunch. They’re calling it drunch – drinking and lunch. 

Drinks are priced well, so if getting day drunk between breakfast and lunch sounds fun, you should check them out. Their food is great too.

It’s excellent for large groups. You can sit at the long table underneath colourful umbrellas. Their Sunday flea market, where you can browse and buy some local crafts, clothes, jewelry, and plants, is a huge draw. K1 gets very busy. You should arrive early enough to find a spot.

K1 Klubhouse Brunch Offers

The K1 Klubhouse brunch starts at 10am and ends at 2pm, and it costs Ksh 2,000. The menu changes weekly, so if you like little surprises, this suits you.

14. Chez Sonia

Chilling at Chez Sonia always feels like a fancy, laid-back picnic. There’s a lot of vegetation of various kinds, and you have to assume this is the reason the air is so pure here.

The food looks and tastes magnificent. They have this platter that looks like a mess of things yet is somehow as appetizing as anything can be. Desserts are also fantastic.

Chez Sonia, being a wine bar, has a wide selection of wines for all tastes. You could make an afternoon of experimenting with an unfamiliar wine, and then take an Uber home. 

Make your Chez Sonia bookings early, ideally on Friday evenings, to avoid disappointments.

15. Baluba @ Movenpick

Care for the fanciest brunch in Nairobi? The Baluba Restaurant at Movenpick has a buffet that’s like a collection of 5-star meals. And the restaurant’s view of Westlands is to die for. But back to the buffet.

Baluba’s buffets start from 12:30pm to 4pm every Sunday.

Baluba has very welcoming staff who make you feel just as fancy. It’s a fantastic experience for a special brunch day out. 

Baluba Brunch Offers

• Baluba has two brunch offers:
  • Alcoholic – costs Ksh 4,500 per person and comes with bottomless gin-cocktails.
  • Non-alcoholic – costs Ksh 3,700 per person and comes with bottomless soft drinks.

• Buffet brunch.

16. Le Grenier À Pain

Le Grenier à Pain is best known as a French pastry and dessert shop. But the Riverside branch has a sit-in restaurant that brings a little bit of Paris dining to Nairobi soil.

The menu is diverse, ranging from smoked salmon and other dishes I dare not try to spell out here to a few vegetarian dishes and salads. To make it a proper brunch, you could easily pair your meal with a range of beers, wines, or champagne. And then finish it off with dessert from the vast, and I mean vast, selection on offer.

Le Grenier à Pain is a sweet tooth’s heaven (or hell!).

17. Artisan @ Sankara

Sankara is one of the best hotels in Westlands, and it hosts one of the best restaurants as well. The Artisan is elegant, spacious, and oozing with class. Having brunch here certainly lives long in your memory.

I think that is why Artisan only host Sunday brunch once a month – the first Sunday of every month. The afternoon starts at 12pm and ends at 5pm.

Artisan Sankara Brunch Offers

• Adults pay Ksh 6,500 for an all-you-can-eat menu, bottomless alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• It’s Ksh 4,500 for children between 5 – 12 years, and it comes with the same all-you-can-eat menu with bottomless soft drinks.
• It’s complimentary for children below 5 years.

18. Lucca @ Villa Rosa Kempinski

Lucca’s brunch is an “around the world in 80 dishes”  kind of buffet experience. Sushi, Chinese, Mexican, Peruvian, and a whole lot more. You could make it a weekly affair and never eat the same thing twice for at least two months.

The restaurant has a warm, welcoming feel to it with different decors at different places. It’s definitely the place for family brunch. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating for your over-active kids.

A live band plays in the background while you eat, and there’s also a beautiful garden if you care for a calming walk before you get down to the feast.

Lucca Kempinski Brunch Offers

• All-you-can-eat buffet.
• Adults pay Ksh 4,800 for the buffet alone. To add selected alcoholic beverages will cost you Ksh 2,400.
• Children between 6 – 12 years pay Ksh 2,400.
• It’s free for children under 6 years.

19. Best Western Plus

Best Western do not have a regular brunch, but their extremely accommodating kitchen staff are available to prepare it for you on request. The bar too. For me, that’s a good weekend out.

You will obviously have to call in advance to make the arrangements, but I can guarantee the process is hassle-free.

The food plays it safe but is still delicious. You won’t be disappointed, but you won’t be slapping yourself in disbelief either. The cocktails play the same game too.

I’m curious to see if your experience matched mine. Let me know in the comments.

20. About Thyme

About Thyme is magical. Everything is so well thought out, from the location to the decoration to the arrangement of food on your plate. It’s a scene out of a fairy tale and one of the most romantic places in Nairobi.

About Thyme has brunch on the weekends. It runs from 10 am – 1 pm, and there’s a full, separate brunch menu that you can check out on their website.

There are mixed opinions about the service and the food. On some days, the experience can be excellent, and on others, sub-par. I’m curious about your experience, so leave a comment below when you get a chance.

Loresho

21. Wasp & Sprout

From using tin cans as plant pots, and mismatched seat covers made of traditional African prints, to sisal woven lamp shades, Wasp and Sprout is the definition of shabby chic.

They are a fun spot for brunch in Nairobi. 

And you can enjoy brunch drinks from as little as Ksh 500.

What’s brunch without eggs? Wasp and Sprout capitalize on the versatility of eggs. They fry, scramble, poach, and whatever else floats your boat, they’ll accommodate.

22. Shamba Café

Shamba Cafe sits on lush gardens in Loresho, and the restaurant has been built to resemble farm barns.

It’s a great place to go with your friends for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Their brunch menu includes drinks like mimosas and espresso martini. Their main courses include American pancakes or waffles and eggs benedict.

There’s plenty of open ground, so if you do go with your children, they have plenty of space to play on the grass.

The CBD

23. CJ’s

Few people associate Nairobi CBD with ‘relaxing’ or ‘brunch.’ But if you find yourself here on a Saturday or Sunday morning, exploring the CBD’s many excellent museums and art galleries, make sure you stop by CJ’s for some food and drinks. 

The first thing you’ll notice is the striking decor. While it doesn’t look like much from the outside, CJ’s interior is a gorgeous mix of intricate metalwork and vaulted ceilings, draped in sunlight shining through the wall’s clear glass windows and a glass rooftop. 

The massive food and drinks menu is equally impressive and will satisfy any craving. Whether brunch means gorging on comfort food and cake, or giant healthy salads, CJs will fulfill your culinary needs. 

24. Mawimbi Seafood Restaurant

Mawimbi is a fine dining restaurant and café located in the heart of the city. Seafood is the focal point of their kitchen, but they have plenty of other options in their brunch buffets.

Despite its location in the middle of the CBD, the venue is designed to look like a tropical vacation. You will almost forget the bustle that is the city centre.

It’s a great option if you don’t want to go to the outskirts of Nairobi.

Mawimbi Brunch Offers

• Sundays from 12 pm – 4.30 pm 
• Special, more affordable brunch menu.

25. Lord Delamere Terrace

Lord Delamere Terrace haven’t reintroduced their official brunch offering yet, but it’s in the works. However, the restaurant is still a fine dining experience on a weekend afternoon, especially if you’re in the CBD on a business trip.

The hall of the restaurant has a colonial finish that transports you to the 19th century. There is a lot of history all around in the framed pictures and various art pieces.

The menu is British with a Kenyan flavour. I had the best steak of my life here. So if you are around the CBD and don’t want to travel too far for brunch, I highly recommend Lord Delamere Terrace. 

26. Mint and Salt

If you’re looking for a bit of mid-week brunch, Mint and Salt have you covered. This rustic café serves brunch every day and at whatever time you feel like it.

For a very affordable price, you get all-you-can-eat sausages, toast, eggs, roast potatoes, and baked beans. This comes with a cup of tea, coffee, or a small glass of juice. You can order everything else from the usual menu. This is proper hangover food, so if you’re suffering from last night’s mischief, you know where to go.

The laid-back vibe, soft lights, and nice music provide an intimate atmosphere for heart-to-heart moments and laugh-out-loud stories.

Mint and Salt Brunch Offers

• Daily brunch costs Ksh 650 per individual or Ksh 1,000 for a couple.
• All-you-can-eat sausages, toast, eggs, roast potatoes, and baked beans with a single serving of refreshments.

South B and South C

27. Ole Sereni

Ole Sereni stands right at the edge of the Nairobi National Park. This alone makes it a perfect brunch venue. Nothing makes for a good weekend like a filling meal and a fulfilling drive through the wild.

There’s more, though. Ole Sereni has two brunch-hosting restaurants in its two hotels: Emara and 2.5.4. 

Emara has its brunch on Saturday at Acacia Restaurant, and it starts at 12pm going all the way to 9.30pm.

2.5.4 has its brunch on Sunday, also starting at 12pm but ending at 5pm.

Ole Sereni is a 5-star hotel, so you can expect the kind of service, meals, cocktails, and experience that comes with that rating. 

Ole Sereni Brunch Offers

Emara Side: 

• Adults at Ksh 4,500 per person

2.5.4 Side:

• Adults at Ksh 3,000 per person

Outside Nairobi

28. Mlango Farm

Mlango Farm is unique here. There is no traditional restaurant. Instead, the farm allows people to walk around with baskets and harvest whichever crops are ready to be harvested. 

For every full basket, a traditional kiondoo, you pay Ksh 800 and take it home with you.

For lunch, Mlango Farm serves the crops they’ve harvested (not yours). So what you get largely depends on the season of your visit. The only meat dish available is meatballs.

The farm is a beautiful day trip from Nairobi, and you’re allowed to bring your own drinks, alcohol included, but not food. 

• Entry for adults is Ksh 2,000.
• Ksh 1,000 for children aged 11 down to 3 years old.
• And free for children under 2 years.

Final Thoughts

Finally, whether it’s Saturday brunch to gear up for the night ahead, Sunday brunch for relaxing, or even a weekday brunch just for some time off, we hope you find a spot from the places above.

Now, let’s try this one more time. Why did the bacon laugh? Because the egg cracked a yolk. No?  My jokes might not be a hit, but my recommendations for where to have brunch in Nairobi will. When they do, please review your best spot in the comments below.

If brunch is a bit too much and you’re just looking for a chill place to have coffee and maybe read a book, check our list of coffee shops in Nairobi.