If a Kenya trip is on the cards for you, chances are that you might be worrying about the food you’ll have here. After all, a major part of visiting any country is the diverse and delicious cuisine that you get to try. But, if you’re someone who likes the comfort of desi, home-style food and can’t stay without it for too long, team unstumbled has got you covered. Here are the best vegetarian restaurants where you can get delicious Indian food in Kenya!
Indian Food In Kenya: Indian Cuisine And The 7 Best Restaurants
Before we dive deeper into the listicle, know that Indian food is widely available in Kenya, thanks to deep-rooted cultural similarities and influences over the years. While it might be a little difficult to get authentic Indian food in small towns in Kenya, its cities have plenty of Indian restaurants, especially Nairobi and Mombasa. In fact, traditional Kenyan cuisine also borrows some pages from our Indian cuisine.
Moreover, most Indian restaurants in Kenya offer both vegetarian and meat options keeping in mind the plant-based diet of many of its customers. While not all restaurants on this list exclusively serve vegetarian food, all of these have plenty of vegetarian options on their menus. Time to hop into this list and know more about Indian food in Kenya.
Kahani Modern Indian Kitchen & Bar
Kahani in Nairobi is a modern restaurant that aims to reinvent traditional Indian flavors and present them in the most sophisticated ways. The high-end dining restaurant is decked up in classy interiors, combining traditional Indian decor with modern, eclectic touches. And the food? Oh, it’s pure bliss! From Mughlai food to classic Kerala-style comfort food, Kahani has it all!
Address: Limuru Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
Timings: 8 AM to 10 PM
Price for two: INR 2500 approx
Shehnai Restaurant
Mombasa is another major city where you’ll get plenty of Indian restaurants. And if there’s one stand-out among them, it has to be Shehnai. Step inside and you’ll be delighted with gorgeous, intricately decorated interiors. From hanging tablas to elegant latticework, each corner of the restaurant pays homage to traditional Indian art and heritage. Plus, the food is absolutely gorge-worthy! With enough vegetarian and vegan options, Shehnai offers a diverse Indian menu in the heart of Mombasa.
Address: Nyerere Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
Timings: 11:30 AM to 3 PM; 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM; Mondays closed
Price for two: INR 1800 approx
Haandi
This renowned Indian restaurant in Kenya has been serving its patrons in Nairobi since 1991 – a legacy of more than 30 years! Haandi is internationally acclaimed for its delicious Indian food, quality service, and a joyful ambiance. The restaurant uses the highest-quality Indian ingredients to deliver lipsmacking Indian food that tastes just like how it would in India! Make sure you try their Malai Kofta, Palak Paneer, Lemon Pepper Mogo, as well as Gajar Halwa!
Address: The Mall, Waiyaki Wy, Nairobi, Kenya
Timings: 12:30 PM to 3 PM; 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Price for two: INR 3000 approx
Barbeque Nation
Barbeque Nation is a well-known Indian restaurant chain famous for their barbequed food and delicious appetizers. Well, now Nairobi has Kenya’s first Barbeque Nation, offering a slice of Indian casual dining to the people of Kenya. While the restaurant is known for its rich and juicy BBQ meat options, there are enough vegetarian options in case you don’t eat meat. Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Barbeque Nation in Nairobi is the ultimate place to go if you’re craving smoky, grilled Indian food in Kenya.
Address: Shimmers Plaza, Crossroad Plaza, Westlands Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
Timings: 7 AM to 10:30 PM
Price for two: INR 1800 approx
Bollywood Bites
Bollywood is quite popular in Kenya – Kenyans are a big fan of Bollywood movies and film stars and that reflects through this pure vegetarian restaurant in Mombasa. Bollywood Bites is decorated with murals of many Bollywood actors, from Alia Bhatt to Ranveer Singh, and many others. While the ambiance captures the bling of Bollywood, the food menu is equally Indian at its core. From Mombasa’s street food staples to popular Indian food, the restaurant blends the culinary prowess of Kenyan and Indian food but keeps it all ‘desi’ at heart!
Address: Off Fidel Odinga Road, Kenya
Timings: 12 PM to 3 PM; 6 PM to 10:30 PM
Price for two: INR 1800 approx
Bhagwanji Snacks
If you’re craving for bite-sized Indian street snacks on the streets of Mombasa, we recommend you make your way to Bhagwanji Snacks. This eatery in Mombasa has been on the city’s culinary map for quite some time, delighting locals with mouthwatering Indian street food. From samosas and kachoris to dhokla, pakoras, and piping hot jalebis, this snack center has it all at affordable prices.
Address: Langoni Rd, Mombasa, Kenya
Timings: 8 AM to 7 PM
Price for two: INR 600 approx
BAZAAR By Khazanah
Quirky, maximalist interiors, vibrant color palettes splashed in all corners, and an irresistibly desi vibe – BAZAAR is THE spot to eat when you’re craving authentic North Indian food in Nairobi. This Indian restaurant serves some of the best Indian food in Kenya — from creamy vegetable-based curries to soft, fluffy, butter-y naan. Just thinking about it got us drooling! Plus, the restaurant offers exclusive offers on special festive occasions, attracting patrons from all across Nairobi to try its delicious Indian food. When are you visiting BAZAAR?
Address: Asian Gardens, Warwick Centre, UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
Timings: 11 AM to 10 PM
Price for two: INR 2000 approx
Summing Up
Indian food in Kenya is easy to find, affordable, and most importantly, authentic to its core! No tacky fusions or Kenyan takes on your beloved Indian food! However, it is only in big cities like Nairobi and Mombasa that you can find enough Indian restaurants. We hope you found our recommendations super useful. So, if you’re planning to visit Kenya and worried about what you’ll eat there, our guide is here to help you out!
