List Of Best Indian Restaurants In Nairobi

In this article, we look at the best Indian restaurants in Nairobi. Kenya has historically had a large Indian community. They arrived alongside the British, who had recruited 32,000 indentured labourers from India to construct the Uganda Railway. When the railway was finished, some of these workers voluntarily relocated to Nairobi and brought their families from India. Their impact may now be seen all around the city, but especially in the wonderful Indian cuisine.

Indian food has increasingly gained appeal in the city, thanks to the big Indian community and interested foodies. As a result, there are now more Indian-themed restaurants in the city. They provide a relaxing atmosphere and genuinely prepared Indian food from all across the continent. Here are some of the top Indian eateries to try:

Best Indian Restaurants In Nairobi

1. Chowpaty Restaurant

Chowpaty Restaurants is one of the oldest and most prestigious pure vegetarian restaurants in Kenya, serving sumptuous Indian and Asian cuisine. It started with one 60-square-metre restaurant in Diamond Plaza, and now they have grown to the best-known Indian restaurant chain in Nairobi, with three restaurants spread out over Westlands, Nairobi. There are lots of veggies and paneer curries on this menu, as it is strictly vegetarian. Chowpaty restaurants always have a fun atmosphere, often playing live Indian music. When there, make sure to order the Dai Puri—it’s the best in town.

Location: Chowpaty Restaurant, Mezzanine Floor, Westpark Towers, Mpesi Lane, Off Mogotio Road, Mpesi Lane, Nairobi.
Contact: +254733 999995

2. Haandi Restaurant

Established in Nairobi in 1991, the famous and internationally acclaimed Haandi Restaurant is a dining hotspot for tourists worldwide. The luxurious interiors, amalgamated with a gold and brown theme, portray its sophistication not just through food but also through its hospitality. Freshly ground spices, plucked herbs, and unique Indian flavours find their best home here.

Start your dining experience with mouthwatering appetisers like some herby fish fingers, jumbo, and chicken lollipops. The main course comprises a wide range of rice and bread, accompanied by chicken korma or the special Haandi’s chicken nakhini. For a change of taste, try the crafted Deccan Prawns or the Fish Pattarani. Try some unforgettable desserts like Gajjar Halwa, Rasmalai, Falouda Ice Cream, and many others in Haandi.

Location: Haandi, The Mall, Waiyaki Way, Westlands
Contact: +254 736 651933, +254725 885533, +254733 648294
Open Hours: Lunch: 12.30 PM– 3.00 PM, Dinner: 6.30 PM – 10.30 PM
Must Try: Basmati Rice at Ksh 550, Haandi’s Chicken Nakhini at Ksh 1500, Dhaniya Chicken at Ksh 2400, Kadai Paneer at Ksh 1500, Rasmalai at Ksh 500

3. Red Ginger

Red Ginger Eatery is Nairobi’s newest state-of-the-art cosy eatery, offering karoga, or fine dining. Red Ginger is located on 2nd Parklands Avenue, posing as the go-to eatery for all Indian travellers. Be it fine dining or quick snack tours, find Indian, Mexican, and Chinese cuisine all under one roof. Try the fry-ups and nibbles corner to taste some Cheese Mix, Masala Papadum, Dal Bhajiya, and many more for quick snacks. Try the Murg Tandoori, Aloo Nazakat, or Corn Sheek Kebab with Laccha Paratha for a heavy and delicious main course. If you are into platters, don’t miss the seafood platter.

Location: Parklands, 2nd Ave, Nairobi
Contact: +254758 344 444
Open hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Must Try: Peri Peri Olive Chicken at Ksh 1000, Samosa at Ksh 500, Murg Tandoor at Ksh 2200.

4. Open House Restaurant Ltd

Located on Parklands Road, Open House is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Nairobi. The impeccable flavours of Indian dishes are best served here through their expansive menu of Tandoor, Curries, Sweets, and Indian Bread. The family-friendly restaurant with a warm and inviting ambience is a must-visit for any food lover. Fish lovers should try authentic Goan dishes like the Goan prawn curry and fish tikka masala. Try the vegetarian Kushta, the mutton sheek kebab, or the tandoori wings. If you want something spicy, try the Kashmiri and Ginger Chicken Masala. Conclude your feast with traditional Indian sweets.

Location: 1st Floor, Gallant Mall, Parklands Road,
Contact: 0735 621 824 / 0727 726 345
Open hours: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Must Try: Chicken Malai Tikka at Ksh 1,100, Kashmiri Chicken at Ksh 1,100, Boneless Mutton Biriyani at Ksh 1,300

5. Maharaja Restaurant

If you’re looking for a place serving exclusive vegan and vegetarian Indian dishes, the Maharaja Restaurant located along Shivachi Road, opposite Mp-Shah Hospital in Parklands, is your ideal location. It is situated in a calm and relaxed space, giving you the environment you need to wind down with your loved ones.

Pick a delicacy from their menu, or await the chef’s special meal that is made to your satisfaction. Breakfast dishes, snacks, and kid’s meals are also present, all at very affordable prices.

Location: Opposite M.P. Shah Hospital, Shivachi Rd, Nairobi
Contact: 0733 737316
Open hours: 10 am to 9.30 pm Monday to Saturday and from 8.30 am on Sundays.

6. Clay Oven Restaurant

Founded in 2005 by the Ahluwalia family, the Clay Oven restaurant is a specialist in East Indian and Hakka cuisine. Hakka is a Chinese style of cooking with Indian spices. It has been adapted to East Indian culture and is described as a fusion of Indian and Chinese food. This restaurant is known to be the more fancy (and pricey) Indian restaurant and is guaranteed fine dining.

Clay Oven offers its guests a memorable Indian dining experience in the busy neighbourhood of Westlands in Nairobi. The textured walls, the warm ambience, the spacious seating arrangement, and the soft Indian music in the background make it a must for any food lover to try out the exquisite flavours here. Try the Dahi Vada, Baby Corn Bhajia, or the Aloo Chatpata.

There are wide varieties of bread to try, like Methi Naan, Garlic Naan, Laccha Paratha, Keema Naan, and a few more. If you prefer non-veg dishes, you can try the sizzling chicken, gung bao fish, or some mutton with black bean sauce. Plenty of vegetarian dishes, like Veg with hot garlic sauce, Fu UYoung mushroom, and stir-fry broccoli, are also available.

Location: Fuji Plaza Crossway Road, along Waiyaki Way, Nairobi
Contact: +254 708 778 877
Open hours: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Must-Try: Tandoori Fish Tikka at Ksh 1300, Chicken Tangri Kebab at Ksh 1150, Garlic Naan at Ksh 250, Mutton Dopiaza at Ksh 1250, and Pista Kulfi at Ksh 450

7. Urban Eatery

Urban Eatery is a good place for any occasion and with any type of company: a Sunday brunch with friends, a nice dinner with family, or spending a day working on your laptop. The restaurant is a well-styled and classy food court, with several open kitchens specialising in a specific cuisine: Japanese, Kenyan, Italian, Mexican, BBQ, and even a frozen yoghurt bar. They have it all, including an Indian dependence on Haandi, one of Nairobi’s leading Indian restaurants. When looking to have a good curry in a modern setting, this is the place to go.

Located: PwC Tower, Ground Floor, Delta Corner Estate, Chiromo Rd, Nairobi
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri (7 AM–11 PM), Sat-Sun (9 AM–11 PM)
Contacts: 0790 999149

8. Anghiti Restaurant

If you are searching for good Indian food in the Rhapta Road neighbourhood, jump into Anghiti restaurant. They serve you authentic Indian platters, from curries to dal makhani. The ambience is perfect for a family get-together and is spacious for kids to roam around. Find some of the most uncompromised flavours of India in Nairobi here.

Start your dining experience with an appetiser like Jaljeera. Try the tasty, all-spiced-up Tandoori Achari Tikka with nigella seeds and freshly minced mutton chops. The various flavours on the Anghiti ki Rassoi special menu are unlike any other Indian restaurant in Nairobi. Shahi Paneer, Vegetable Dhansak, Aloo Mutter, and Dal Makhani are must-tries.

Location: Rhapta Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Contact.: +254 734 320330
Open hours: 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Must Try: Palak Paneer at Ksh 1680, Tandoori Mushrooms at Ksh 1625, Chicken Wings at Ksh 1875

9. Tandoori Patio Restaurant

The ultimate paradise for every tandoori lover is Tandoori Patio Restaurant in Nairobi. The spacious restaurant is perfect for enjoying dinner with your big family. Peeping through the glass windows and enjoying nature while savouring flavoursome platters is an added advantage. The best of Tandoori Patio is undoubtedly its Tandoori section, as the name suggests.

From trying chicken tandoori to fish tandoori, the meat and the flavours will melt inside your mouth. The Indian curries at Tandoori Patio are also lip-smacking. Try out the craft wine options for a complete experience.

Location: Tandoori Patio, Lower Kabete Road, Nairobi
Contact: +254735 959595
Open hours: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Must Try: Chicken Tandoori along with Tandoori Naan, Tandoori Malai Tikka, and Fish Tikka

10. Kailash Parbat, Kenya

Amalgamating flavours of north and south India, the Kailash Parbat Restaurant in Nairobi is an all-time favourite among all Kenyans. The breezy ambience of the eatery, the extravagant seating arrangement, and the unnumbered dining options will surely make you drool over epic Indian cuisine.

Start your experience with sweet lassi as a beverage and roll on to all the favourite Indian chaats like Pani Puri, Bhel Puri, and Dahi Vada. Next on the list is the special menu of Kailash Parbat since 1952, like the Samosa, Ragda Pattice, and Chole Bature. South Indian dishes like Idli Sambar and Masala Dosa are lip-smacking as well. Conclude your food feast with Kulfi Falooda, the unavoidable dessert of all time.

Location: The Oval, Ring Road, Nairobi
Contact: +254 110 008335
Open hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Must Try: Pani Puri, Samosa, Paneer Tikka Lababdar, Kulfi Falooda & Bengali Mithai

11. Grand Cafe and Indian Cuisine

Located in the heart of Kilimani in Nairobi, experience fine dining at Grand Cafe & Indian Cuisine. Once you enter this Indian eatery, you can relate to the setting of India and can get the smell of freshly prepared dishes right away. The experienced chefs will satisfy your Indian hunger with authentic coconut fish curry and the all-time favourites of contemporary Indian snacks like chicken tikka masala and palak paneer. If you want the best breakfast in town, try their Grand Breakfast, which serves eggs and lyonnaise potatoes with baked beans or sausages. Try the chicken breast served with mushroom gravy, garden salad, and chips. The smoothness of Pita Bread is another unique item at Grand Cafe.

Location: Lenana Towers, Lenana Road, Nairobi
Contact: +254 792 746713
Open hours: 6:30 AM to 10:15 PM
Must Try: Grilled Chicken Breast at Ksh 1100 and Lamp Curry at Ksh 1150

12. The Mayura, Karen

Experience fine dining in this exquisitely designed theme-based Indian restaurant in Nairobi. Depicting the national bird of India, the peacock, at its theme with varied colours, Mayura presets to you bursting colours of flavours and species and the cultural enigma of India in its ambience. Enjoy this theme of a riot of colours even better at night with a drink and some fresh kebabs on your tables.

Try out the mouthwatering Chicken Cheese Malai Tikka with a gulp of your favourite alcohol. The Chicken Sugarcane Skewer will be an addition to your list of favourite dishes. If fish dishes allure your appetite, try the Fish Amritsari, Fish Patrani, or Crispy Chilli Garlic Fish.

Location: The Hub, Karen (By The Lake Side), Nairobi
Contact: +254 737 224422
Open hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Must Try: Twin Kebab at Ksh 1100, Chicken Reshmi Kebab at Ksh 1100, Shaukiyana Mutton Sheek Kebab at Ksh 1200, Fish Amritsari at Ksh 1200, Mutton Biriyani at Ksh 1200

13. Nargis

Find fresh Indian flavours at Nargis Restaurant, located in Westlands. The open atmosphere is welcoming and has a touch of Indianness to everything. The food served here is fresh, and the menu is unbeatable. From serving perfectly aromatic Biriyani to flaky Kheema Chapati – your taste buds will enjoy this wonderful feast.

Try the boneless chicken tikka, marinated in fresh yoghurt and served with the best chutney. Mutton kebab and paneer tikka is a must try.

Location: School Lane, Westlands, Nairobi
Contact: +254 722 793054
Open hours: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Must Try: Mutton Keema at Ksh 850, Mushkaki at Ksh 900, Paneer Roll at Ksh 850, Paan Kulfi at Ksh 650

14. Mint Shack Peponi

Mint Shack is a hangout place along Peponi Road, overlooking the Karura Forest. It has quickly become a household brand among Indian food fans. The restaurant serves both self-service and a la carte meals from its extensive menu. The in-house cooks produce vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

Location: Mint Shack Peponi, No. 6 Peponi Road, Spring Valley Near Spice Lounge and Amaica, a few metres before Ola Energy Spring Valley to the right
Phone number: +254727 488336

15. Rozina’s Restaurant

Throughout the previous 35 years, Rozina’s Restaurant has been offering fresh, quick, and pleasant Kenyan and Indian food. It specialises in high-quality, fresh, and healthful meals at reasonable costs. Their meal is prepared fresh to the customer’s specifications and tastes.

Location: Rozina’s Restaurant, Westlands Cl, Nairobi
Phone number: +254713469988

What are the most popular Indian dishes?

The popularity of each dish can differ based on the region of India, individual preferences, and dietary restrictions. There are many widely consumed Indian dishes. Some of the most well-known Indian cuisines are listed below:

Butter Chicken: A dish prepared with marinated chicken in a tomato-based sauce that is creamy and delectable.
Biryani: A spicy rice dish with veggies, meat, and spices (usually chicken, lamb, or beef).
Samosas: Triangular pastry pouches with spiced potatoes, peas, or pork that are fried or baked.
Chole Bhature: A well-known Punjabi meal that consists of fried bread and chickpeas cooked in a hot tomato sauce.
Tandoori Chicken: Chicken that has been marinated and cooked in a tandoor oven has a smoky, charred taste.
Palak Paneer: A paneer and spinach-based meatless dish (a type of Indian cheese).
Masala Dosa: A savoury crepe made of crunchy rice and lentils, stuffed with onions and potatoes that have been spiced, and served with chutney and sambar.
Rogan Josh: A lamb curry from Kashmir prepared with flavorful ingredients like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
Aloo Gobi: A meal composed of potatoes, cauliflower, and spices that is vegetarian.
Naan: A soft, fluffy flatbread that is typically prepared in a tandoor oven and eaten with a variety of foods.
These are only a few meals from the wide variety of dishes and flavours available in Indian cuisine.

What is unique about Indian food?

Indian cuisine is distinctive in many aspects, including:

Use of Spices: Indian food is renowned for its use of spices, which give the dishes a special and distinctive taste. Each area and dish has its own unique blend of spices, which results in a wide variety of flavours.
Regional Diversity: There are many different cultures, dialects, and cuisines in the vast nation of India. The distinct ingredients and cooking methods used in each area produce a wide variety of dishes.
Vegetarianism: There are many vegetarian dishes available in India that are just as flavorful and filling as their meat-based counterparts due to the country’s sizeable vegetarian community.
Tandoori Cooking: Traditional Indian culinary methods like tandoori involve baking food in a tandoor, which is a clay oven. Food prepared using this technique has a charred and smoky taste.
Bread Varieties: From fluffy naan to crunchy papadum, Indian food offers a wide variety of breads that are frequently served alongside curries and other dishes.
Street Food Culture: With a broad variety of snacks and street food available in every region of the nation, Indian street food is a vibrant and flavorful component of Indian cuisine.
Ayurvedic Principles: Indian cuisine is influenced by Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medical practice. Ayurvedic principles place a strong emphasis on using natural and healthy ingredients to create food that is both delicious and nourishing.