Coast Restaurants Worth Trying Out

Determined foodies tend to have a better holiday experience than those who book full board or rarely venture to out-of-the-way restaurants. If you will be at the Kenyan Coast, there are unique dining experiences that are worth trying.

Roberto's Restaurant

No pizza beats Roberto's Italian Restaurant in Nyali, Mombasa. While on a vacation in Mombasa, it is a chance to enjoy authentic Italian food and creative wine pairings at this restaurant. It also serves seafood and sandwiches. There is also an Italian shop nearby that stocks chocolate, wines and accessories that are perfect for gifting.

Camel’s Joint

While in Mombasa town, this is the ultimate destination for an impromptu dinner with a colleague or celebratory meal with friends and family. The first thing that strikes you about this restaurant in Bondeni is the ambience and the clientele; a mix of foreigners, domestic tourists and Mombasa residents.

There is an outdoor seating area where you watch and wait as the meat is roasted. Don’t expect any fancy décor, Camel is not that type of place. On the walls are photos of Mombasa in its old times to help you understand the coastal town.

What draws tourists to this place is the chicken tikka, Shawarma and fish. Make sure you taste “Scud," a drink made of mixed fruit and ice cream.

Leonardo’s Restaurant

Leonardo’s is one of the restaurants on Diani Beach Road in Kwale and it is famous for its Italian cuisine. You will notice the Instagrammable interior even before entering the space. The restaurant is elegantly decorated in red and wood interiors. The food is fairly priced with dishes costing about Sh900 on average but the chef can customise your dish at an extra fee. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu which has pizzas, sea foods, soups, salads and a combination of classic Italian cuisine.

Aniello's Ristorante Pizzeria

This Diani restaurant is a must-visit. It is a good place for takeaway pizza. Other people choose to sit and eat enjoy the pizza at the Italian restaurant. It is a regular for most Diani residents.

Tiki Bar

This is a new bar and restaurant in Diani where you feel that you have been transported to a beach in Hawaii. Having run a similar bar and restaurant in Canary Islands, Billy Berings decided to replicate the idea in Kenya

Cocktails are served in exotic-themed tiki ceramic mugs and glasses. Alcohol can be served from a skull. Some of their popular cocktails are the frozen margaritas, tiki gin tonic, mud driver, zombie and Mai Tai’s.

The Kitchen Bistro

On Links Road in Nyali, there is a newly opened joint serving Thai food. It is also famous for the signature Italian-French dishes.

Restaurante Havana

This is another pizza joint along Diani Beach Road. It is usually not too busy and it is a great hangout spot for evening and night cocktails while listening to nice silent music.

Kokkos Café and Bistro

It is famed for its sandwiches, salads, pastas and burgers. The restaurant also serves pastries and home-baked cakes. The restaurant has a spacious seating area that is intricately decorated with living plants. It is also located in Diani.

Forodhani Restaurant

Located in Old Town, Mombasa, it has a terrace that overlooks the ocean. You can see English Point Marina lit up from the terrace. It is a peaceful and calm place to sit out at night with the sky fully lit with stars while enjoying the coastal delicacies. Their menu is fairly priced and on average sells at Sh1,000.

Moorings

This is a floating restaurant in Mtwapa Creek nestled amid mangrove trees The restaurant offers a unique dining experience with spectacular views on an out of this world waterfront setting. They also serve tantalising cocktails. Seating arrangements are either within the restaurant or under umbrellas on the deck extending out from the main restaurant. For the more adventurous, Moorings is much more than just a restaurant; it is also a marina with boats anchored at the jetty.
It is possible to hire a boat and explore the full lengths of the Mtwapa Creek.

Oceanic Cuisine

Located in Tudor, Mombasa, this is a beautiful place to have seafood. It is a bit hidden but definitely a worthy visit.
The restaurant serves calamari, lobsters, seafood platter,barbecue and pizza among other cuisines. Its interior is well decorated and boasts a small water fountain.

Punta Cana

At this restaurant in Nyali, everything feels like you are in the Caribbean. The food is Caribbean, the wall art is quirky-cool and if feels as if you should start shaking your dreads as you wait for your meal, listening to the Reggae music gently crooning in the background. Try the beef platter with calamari curry, rice and paquitas; it is to die for.

Beach Bar

The talcum-powder uncrowded beach, the clear, blue-green waters, make this place feel like walking into a hidden gem. Beach Bar is a quiet seaside restaurant on Kuruwitu beach and it is managed by Vipingo Ridge. While waiting for your seafood, you can do boat excursions, guided village reef and bush walks.

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