Guidebook for Nairobi City
Essentials
Eastmatt Supermarket
Tom Mboya StreetThe supermarket is small, but fairly well stocked. Note that it closes by 8:30.
Tuskys is much better stocked than Eastmatt, but it's a longer, and more chaotic walk.
Tuskys Supermarket (Daima)
Accra RoadTuskys is much better stocked than Eastmatt, but it's a longer, and more chaotic walk.
Arts & Culture
The Nairobi National Museum is a great place to spend a long, lazy afternoon. There's almost always an ongoing art exhibition, in addition to the museum's own collection, which is always on show. There's a lovely, quiet garden space, perfect for some quality time with a book, or a little picnic. If you're interested in archaeology, it has some of the most interesting finds from Kenya, which hosts the Cradle of Mankind. There's also a lovely restaurant right within the compound to cap off your afternoon of exploration. It is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the apartment.
291 locals recommend
Nairobi National Museum
101 Muthithi RdThe Nairobi National Museum is a great place to spend a long, lazy afternoon. There's almost always an ongoing art exhibition, in addition to the museum's own collection, which is always on show. There's a lovely, quiet garden space, perfect for some quality time with a book, or a little picnic. If you're interested in archaeology, it has some of the most interesting finds from Kenya, which hosts the Cradle of Mankind. There's also a lovely restaurant right within the compound to cap off your afternoon of exploration. It is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the apartment.
If you'd like a taste of Kenyan performance art, the National Theatre would be a good place to start. There are regular plays, as well as a lovely rooftop restaurant.
28 locals recommend
Kenya National Theatre
P.O. Box 43031 Harry Thuku RdIf you'd like a taste of Kenyan performance art, the National Theatre would be a good place to start. There are regular plays, as well as a lovely rooftop restaurant.
Explore Kenya's history from old newspaper clippings, stamps, art, and cultural artifacts. It's a lot more fun than it sounds, trust me
50 locals recommend
Kenya National Archives
Moi AvenueExplore Kenya's history from old newspaper clippings, stamps, art, and cultural artifacts. It's a lot more fun than it sounds, trust me
Great for the artsy traveller. There's always an exhibition, book reading, or concert going on.
11 locals recommend
Goethe Institute Nairobi (German Cultural Centre)
Great for the artsy traveller. There's always an exhibition, book reading, or concert going on.
Great for the artistically inclined. A bit more vibrant than it's calmer neighbour, the Goethe Institut, it offers live music, French films every Monday evening, art exhibitions, and a lovely little bistro.
14 locals recommend
Alliance Francaise, Nairobi.
Utalii LaneGreat for the artistically inclined. A bit more vibrant than it's calmer neighbour, the Goethe Institut, it offers live music, French films every Monday evening, art exhibitions, and a lovely little bistro.
Food Scene
Great for an assortment of thoughtfully prepared fast food, Somali, and Indian cuisine.
Kilimanjaro Jamia
Kimathi StreetGreat for an assortment of thoughtfully prepared fast food, Somali, and Indian cuisine.
Java is a chilled out, no-fuss restaurant, with some of the best local coffee blends Kenya has to offer, good food, and good WiFi.
49 locals recommend
Java House
1 Waiyaki WayJava is a chilled out, no-fuss restaurant, with some of the best local coffee blends Kenya has to offer, good food, and good WiFi.
KFC
Planet Yogurt Kimathi Street
Drop in if you'd fancy a bit of frozen yoghurt.
For a bit of coffee and cake, try Kaldi's. It's popular with the after work crowd. Good for food, and people watching
Kaldis Coffee House
Kimathi StreetFor a bit of coffee and cake, try Kaldi's. It's popular with the after work crowd. Good for food, and people watching
Try this for a taste of delicious Luo food from Western Kenya, made with fresh ingredients. Tilapia is the house specialty, and goes down a treat with the millet ugali (a kind of stiff porridge).
K'Osewe Ranalo Foods
Try this for a taste of delicious Luo food from Western Kenya, made with fresh ingredients. Tilapia is the house specialty, and goes down a treat with the millet ugali (a kind of stiff porridge).
Parks & Nature
The Arboretum is a great place to while away your day, with a selection of short, but fairly challenging trails for walking, or for a morning jog, picnic sites, or meditation. I personally prefer going during the week, when there are fewer people, but the trails are always a joy, even when there's company. Do not feed the monkeys.
92 locals recommend
The Nairobi Arboretum
off State House RdThe Arboretum is a great place to while away your day, with a selection of short, but fairly challenging trails for walking, or for a morning jog, picnic sites, or meditation. I personally prefer going during the week, when there are fewer people, but the trails are always a joy, even when there's company. Do not feed the monkeys.
Drinks & Nightlife
K1 is a short cab ride from the apartment. They have amazing live performances every Wednesday, and fantastic themed nights every other day of the week, with everything from Jazz Tuesdays, to Reggae Thursdays, and Disco Saturdays. The food is also really good. Try your first Tusker, Kenya's favourite beer, here.
47 locals recommend
K1 Klub House
K1 is a short cab ride from the apartment. They have amazing live performances every Wednesday, and fantastic themed nights every other day of the week, with everything from Jazz Tuesdays, to Reggae Thursdays, and Disco Saturdays. The food is also really good. Try your first Tusker, Kenya's favourite beer, here.
Sightseeing
The KICC was for a long time Nairobi's tallest building. The rooftop offers amazing views of Nairobi. Note that an admission fee is charged for rooftop access.
47 locals recommend
Kenyatta International Convention Centre
Harambee AvenueThe KICC was for a long time Nairobi's tallest building. The rooftop offers amazing views of Nairobi. Note that an admission fee is charged for rooftop access.
Shopping
City Market
Muindi Mbingu StreetIf you'd like fresh meat, or seafood, this is the place to go.
Great for a wide variety of local produce. Try some local specialties like jackfruit, custard apples, golden apples, and sugarcane juice.
Vegatable and fruit
Great for a wide variety of local produce. Try some local specialties like jackfruit, custard apples, golden apples, and sugarcane juice.