The 14 Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in Nairobi for Fresh Brews and Tasty Meals

Nairobi, the busy capital of Kenya, is not only known for its wildlife tours and vibrant city life, but also for its booming coffee culture. Being the capital of a nation renowned for its high-quality Arabica beans, Nairobi has become a hub for roasteries and modern cafés blending global trends with local Kenyan flavors, as well as modern cafes which incorporate world trends and local Kenyan tastes. 

It is a city of unlimited options when you are a traveler and want to find a comfortable place to rest, a digital nomad searching for a workspace with strong internet, or simply a local looking for their daily dose of caffeine. Whether it is the crafted coffee roasters and vintage boutique cafes or the secret Swahili-flavored specialties, Nairobi offers plenty of options to choose from.This guide highlights the top 14 cafes and coffee shops in Nairobi where people can experience not only excellent coffee, but also a different atmosphere and cultural experience

Cafes in Nairobi have sprung up all throughout the city in recent times, keeping up with the cafe culture around the world

A Café Lover’s Guide: The 14 Best Cafes and coffee shop in Nairobi for Digital Nomads

The capital of Kenya boasts of a vibrant and thriving cafe culture that can put any major city in the world into competition. Nairobi has a unique coffee culture that pays tribute to the bean, both with high-end roasteries using single-origin micro-lots and with garden-set restaurants that are digital-nomad friendly. The following list enumerates the top cafes and coffee shops that you should visit to have the pulse of the different coffee culture in Nairobi.

Java House

The Java House name is regarded as one of the most recognizable ones in terms of coffee culture in Kenya, and it is not hard to consider it among the best coffee shops in Nairobi. Java house was founded in 1999 and has since grown to become a favorite chain, which offers customers an authentic Kenyan coffee with a warm and welcoming environment.

The cafe is particularly loved by the locals and the tourists who like freshly made coffee and full-course breakfast, as well as a broad selection of international and African-themed cuisine. Its modern and homely design, stable Wi-Fi, and large chairs have also made it an excellent place for business meetings, students, or digital nomads.  Java House has multiple branches across Nairobi, including one located on Argwings Kodhek Road, and one can easily make a stop to enjoy a quick cappuccino or even a lazy brunch at the restaurant or just have a taste of the rich coffee heritage in Kenya.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast or rich espresso at a Java House

Artcaffé

Artcaffé has become a household name and is commonly known as one of the best coffee shops in Nairobi with a touch of cosmopolitan atmosphere and some familiar Kenyan hospitality. Having several branches throughout the city, Artcaffé does not only sell high-quality coffee but is also known to sell freshly baked pastry, hearty breakfast, and a wide range of menu satisfying the local and international preferences.

The sleek furnishings, cozy atmosphere, and welcoming nature make it a popular destination among friends who need a reunion, or professional people who need a casual gathering or a rest during travelling. Each branch features its own bakery and serves freshly roasted coffee from Artcaffé’s central roastery, and a menu that emphasizes fresh ingredients, so there is no bad cup or dish. Artcaffe provides a standard and pleasant cafe experience in Nairobi regardless of whether you are having a cappuccino, smoothie, or a full meal.

Artcaffé offers online ordering, fresh groceries, corporate solutions, a wide variety of dishes, and a relaxing work-friendly environment.

Connect Coffee Roasters

Connect Coffee Roasters is a contemporary jewel of the thriving coffee industry in Nairobi, which received a lot of praise due to their commitment to sustainability and quality. The cafe focuses on fair trade practices and building relationships with the farmers in Kenya, which is known to source their beans directly and to make each cup of coffee reflect the flavor of East African coffee. It is minimalistic, smooth, and ideal to keep quiet and work, read or meet friends. 

Visitors will be able to enjoy well-crafted pour-overs, espressos, and cold brews, as well as a variety of fresh pastries and light meals. The difference is that Connect Coffee Roasters has adopted transparency, the reason is that in most cases you can usually trace the whole process of your coffee, starting at the farm to the cup. To the coffee lover who also appreciates a cause, this is the place that provides a truly authentic experience and one of the most genuine coffee spots in the emerging Nairobi coffee culture.

Connect Coffee is a wonderful coffee shop that specializes in Kenyan and Ethiopian coffees

Pallet Café

Pallet Café is both a comfortable cafe and a social enterprise that makes it one of the most unique and inspiring places. Pallet Café is often listed in the top cafes in Nairobi due to its use of hearing-impaired staff members who are trained and work there, which makes it a friendly and inviting place to all.

The cafe has a friendly garden ambience and guests are served freshly brewed coffee and smoothies, tasty international and local food. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a friendly environment, and is a perfect spot to have brunch with friends, read quietly, or even hold a casual business meeting. Pallet Café has two main branches, one on James Gichuru Road (Lavington) and another in Gigiri, both offering the same inclusive and warm experience

In addition to the food and beverages, customers like the fact that the café insists on community empowerment, and it contributes to the charm of the coffee shop. Pallet Café is a place that is a must visit in Nairobi because of its great taste, creativity and purpose.

Spring Valley Coffee

Spring Valley Coffee is a reputable roasting company specializing in sourcing and roasting premium Kenyan coffee, which has provided the ultimate experience to coffee lovers. This locally owned brand was founded in 2009 and its reputation is based on the fact that it also sources its quality beans directly on the farms in Kenya and roasts them to perfection. In contrast to most mainstream cafes, Spring Valley Coffee is very focused on sustainability, transparency, and traceability in each cup.

The sparse but stylish spaces offer a serene ambience, and it is an ideal place to be, especially among professionals, students, and travelers who like to drink world-class coffee in a relaxed setting. Their menu is characterized by masterfully prepared espresso, cold brew, pour-over, and holiday flavors, all sharing the same emphasis on the special tastes of Kenyan beans. Beyond being a roastery, Spring Valley Coffee now operates several cafés across Nairobi, including outlets at Village Market, Westgate, Wilson Airport, and Riverside. Having several stores around the city, Spring Valley Coffee has become an essential place to visit when you intend to explore the rich coffee life in Nairobi.

Discover the best coffee Kenya offers with Spring Valley Coffee

The River Café

The River Café is one of the most lovely restaurants and coffee houses in the city located within the green environs of Karura Forest. In contrast with the more common urban cafes, it provides its visitors with a peaceful and natural retreat, yet only a few minutes away from the busy city life. Visitors will be able to have freshly brewed coffee, fancy breakfasts and natural meals and watch the peaceful forest landscape.

Another aspect that makes the café popular is its locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menu which showcases the international ingredients as well as Kenyan favorites. The River Café is the perfect place to hold the weekend brunch, family outing, or even a romantic date because of its open air design, relaxing atmosphere and its careful service. It is also considered a point of entry or exit of walks and bicycle rides in the Karura Forest, making it a nature and coffee lovers destination in Nairobi.

International cuisine served al fresco with a panoramic view of Karura Forest

Kesh Kesh Coffee Roasters & Cafe

Kesh Kesh Coffee Roasters & Café has gained a good reputation as one of the best coffee shops in Nairobi due to its emphasis on quality, authenticity, and community. The café, inspired by Eritrean coffee traditions, does not just serve freshly roasted Arabica coffee but also celebrates the art of East African coffee brewing. It is a welcoming environment and a great place to have a casual outing as well as in a quiet moment. 

In addition to coffee, there is a menu of light meals and pastries at Kesh Kesh, which will be an excellent complement to your favorite drink. It is dedicated to promoting the culture of East African coffee and that is one of its strengths, which visitors have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the local delicacies of this land. One of its highlights is the traditional Eritrean Coffee Ceremony, giving guests an immersive cultural experience rarely found in Nairobi. Kesh Kesh is a gem in Nairobi to coffee lovers.

Kesh Kesh Coffee Roasters & Café is a place where you can experience both our traditional Eritrean Coffee Ceremony and Mechanical coffee brewing.

Urban Coffee 

Urban Coffee is located in Westlands, Nairobi, and has become popular among young professionals, students, and travelers. The café is also characterized by a relaxed environment and chic interiors, thus, providing an ideal combination of comfort and productivity, which makes it an excellent place to hang out or work at the same time. The menu contains freshly brewed coffee, lattes, cappuccinos and smoothies, as well as light meals like a sandwich, wrap and pastry. Urban Coffee is confident in the quality of its drinks and a creative touch, regularly using the seasonal flavor and creative presentation.

It has garnered a good reputation that it is not only a coffee shop but a community too, offering reliable Wi-Fi, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Urban Coffee is a refreshing Nairobi experience whether you want to find a quiet place to sit or meet your friends in an up-beat place.

Tin Roof Café

Tin Roof Café is one of Nairobi’s most beloved cafés, with its own distinctive mix of rustic style, nutritious food, and great coffee. This small cafe is situated within a relaxing garden environment in Karen and Langata and it serves as an ideal refuge against the commotion arising in the city. It is cozy and friendly, has wooden decorations, outdoor seating and a community-style feel that appeal to both locals and travelers.

Tin Roof Café is particularly renowned for its nutritious menu with fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and homemade cakes, all prepared using locally obtained ingredients. These meals are served with their fresh brew of coffee or herbal teas making it refreshing. It is also child-friendly and has a play area, so it is better to visit with the family. Tin Roof Café is not merely a coffeehouse, it is a life destination in Nairobi.

Tin Roof Café is a gorgeous little place with floral cushions, spindly garden chairs, tin pots of wildflowers, and mismatched pictures on the walls

Matbronze Cafe

Matbronze Café is a hidden gem café in Nairobi that integrates art, nature and food, and one of the best places to enjoy coffee and art in Nairobi. The cafe is found in Karen located within the Matbronze Wildlife Art Gallery in Karen where people can view exquisite bronze sculptures of some African wildlife coupled with a calming meal or beverage. The garden scene with trees and a bird song makes it a calm retreat out of the hectic city.

Matbronze Café is known for freshly brewed Kenyan coffee, refreshing juices and various teas, delicious and homely meals and homemade desserts. It is an ideal place to visit with families, couples, or to visit as a single person and find some peace. Whether you are having coffee after you have seen the gallery or having brunch outside, Matbronze Café will provide you with a unique combination of culture, rest, and true Kenyan hospitality.

Thorn Tree Cafe

Thorn Tree Café is not only one of the most iconic landmarks in Nairobi, but it is also among the best places to enjoy coffee or a meal in Nairobi. This historic café at the Sarova Stanley Hotel has welcomed travelers, journalists, and locals since the mid-20th century. It was named after a real acacia tree in the courtyard, on which visitors used to attach notes and messages to other adventurers.

The cafe still maintains that tradition of connection but today it also provides a sophisticated but casual ambience. Freshly brewed Kenyan coffee, cool cocktails and international food can be served to guests in an open-air atmosphere with a rich mix of the past and the present comfort. Thorn Tree Café is not merely a dining and drinking establishment, but also a part of the heritage of Nairobi, and it is a location that every visitor needs to visit to feel the age-old beauty of the city.

The Thorn Tree Cafe is an open-air bistro with a message board, known for its deli, wood-fired pizzas, and continental dishes. It's a meeting place

Barista & Co

With its commitment to quality brews and a chic ambience, Barista & Co is a boutique specialty coffee shop in Nairobi, known among coffee lovers for its expertly brewed drinks and relaxing ambience. This cafe is well-liked by locals and international visitors, as it focuses on providing high-quality coffee experiences through the use of premium beans and the skill of a professional barista. The guests will be able to relax with an extensive range of drinks, starting with the traditional espressos and cappuccinos and rising to the innovative coffee-based signature drinks

The food menu is a perfect complement to the coffee, and it will offer fresh pastries, sandwiches, and healthy choices as a breakfast or lunch meal. Having a contemporary design, comfortable seats and friendly employees, Barista and Co is more than a cafe; it is also a place to chill, hang out or even work on a laptop. Barista and Co offers an experience of the bustling cafe culture in Nairobi whether you are a casual drinker or a avid coffee lover.

Barista & Co is a specialty coffee shop and roastery, sourcing quality coffees from Kenya, and brewing with scientific precision.

Biscotti Cafe

Biscotti Café is a charming boutique café in Westlands, offering quality espresso-based drinks and handmade pastries in a cozy, elegant setting. The cafe is known for having a comfortable interior environment and classy aura, which has seen it attract both local and international travelers who want to relax and have a nice cup of coffee and mouth-watering snacks. Biscotti Café is known for its freshly brewed espresso-based beverages, artisanal pastries and their classic cakes which go well with a cappuccino or latte.

The menu has also introduced light meals like sandwiches, salads, and healthy meals hence is an excellent destination to have breakfast, brunch, or even a mid-day meal. Biscotti Café offers more than coffee because of its accommodative personnel, cozy atmosphere, and attention to detail. It is an ideal place to be when you are in need of comfort, quality and a bit of sophistication in the heart of Westlands.

Biscotti Cafe is a cute little cafe that is very inviting from aesthetics alone.

Cafe AMKA

Cafe AMKA is a new Nairobi coffee shop that has gained popularity due to its small and intimate ambiance and community feel. This café is situated in a bustling neighbourhood, Kilimani, where there is a perfect mix of modernity and a cozy atmosphere. The menu includes freshly brewed Kenyan coffee, inventive lattes, herbal teas, and a range of baked goods and light meals which will make it an excellent place for breakfast or pick me up in the afternoons.

By concentrating on local culture and sustainability, a key feature of Cafe AMKA is the fact that it usually works with Kenyan farmers and artisans, providing unique tastes and experiences. It is a cozy and imaginative area that can be used in casual sessions or during studying or just to have some relaxation. Cafe AMKA is a refreshing addition to Nairobi’s café culture in Nairobi, both to the traveler and the local.

Beyond Water: The Ultimate List of Best Beverages in Nairobi 

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is not only a hub for culture and business but also a vibrant center for food and beverages. With traditional beverages and modern tastes, the city has drinks that represent both its African culture and international influences. Here are the top 7 beverages you should try when in Nairobi.

1. Kenyan Coffee

Kenya is known the world over as the producer of Arabica beans and Nairobi is the right place to get a taste. In either small-scale roasters such as Spring Valley Coffee or established franchises such as Java House, freshly made cups of Kenyan coffee give dense flavours, sharp acidity, and floral aromas.

2. Chai (Kenyan Tea)

Kenyan hospitality is based on tea. The residents of Nairobi are fond of chai made of black tea leaves, milk, sugar, and spices, such as ginger or cardamom. It is a daily comfort beverage that is available in homes, cafes and street stalls around the city.Locally, it is sometimes enjoyed with bread and referred to as “chai ya mkate”, making it not just a drink but also a cultural ritual of sharing.

The tea made in Kenya is renowned for its high quality and distinctive flavor, attributed to the country's unique climate, soil, and production methods

3. Dawa

Translated in Swahili as “medicine,” Dawa is a uniquely Kenyan cocktail created in Nairobi, now considered a signature drink across many of the city’s cafés and bars. It is usually made with vodka (or sometimes gin), lime, honey, and served with a special Dawa stick used for stirring the mixture. Refreshing and unique, it is a staple in many restaurants, bars, and outdoor cafés across the city. While not necessarily the single most popular beverage, it has become especially popular with visitors who want to try a distinctly Kenyan cocktail.

4. Tusker Beer

There could be no list of beverages in Nairobi without Tusker, the iconic lager in Kenya. Light and crisp, it is very popular in pubs, restaurants and other social events. Tusker is usually accompanied by Kenyan foods such as nyama choma (grilled meat) and is therefore a real essence of Kenyan social culture.

5. Fresh Fruit Juices

The tropical climate of Nairobi implies the abundance of fresh fruits. Fresh mango, passion fruit, pineapple and watermelon juices are served in cafes and markets. They are not just tasting juices, but juices that are healthy to cool down on a hot day.

6. Uji (Fermented Porridge Drink)

Uji is a traditional hot beverage in Kenya made from millet, sorghum, or maize flour, commonly enjoyed for breakfast and valued for its nutrition. It is a nutritious drink often enjoyed at breakfast or as a light meal. Importantly, Uji can be fermented or non-fermented, depending on tradition. Fermented versions are slightly sour and rich in probiotics, while non-fermented types, such as uji wa wimbi (millet porridge), are fresh, smooth, and mildly sweet. In Nairobi, you will find both honey-flavored, sweetened, and unsweetened versions, reflecting the diversity of Kenyan culinary practices.

7. Cocktails and Craft Drinks

The contemporary bar industry in Nairobi is thriving, and mixers experiment with local tastes. Whether it is drinks infused with hibiscus and baobab or beer brewed in the metropolis, Nairobi will provide an endless range of innovative drinks to its adventurous travelers.

Conclusion

The culture of cafes and coffee shops is an extension of the dynamic lifestyle that Nairobi has adopted, and in which the tradition and the modern converge over a good cup. Starting with the legendary Java House and Spring Valley Coffee to the small jewels, such as Cafe AMKA and Urban Coffee, each of the places has a unique atmosphere, tastes, and experience.

Be it that you want to grab a quick espresso before heading to work, a fancy café to meet your friends or you need some space to relax and have a taste of the real Kenyan beans, the city has got you covered. More than coffee, several of them provide great meals, pastries, and fresh juices, so they are suitable for both residents and visitors. Exploring the best cafes and coffee shops in Nairobi is more than a culinary experience—it’s a cultural journey into Kenya’s proud coffee heritage.