Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a modern cosmopolitan city to be reckoned with. Its seamless melding of African traditional and modern elegance is designed to provide any visitor with an optimum level of comfort and enjoyment.

While in Nairobi, you can dine at typically traditional restaurants offering African cuisine ranging from millet ugali to Ethiopian taj. Nairobi also boast  numerous international restaurants offering delicacies from Italy, India and Japan among others.

The cultural scene is equally impressive too. Theaters showcase local talents and there are various joints that will entertain you with truly Kenyan tunes every night of the week. A trip to Nairobi will immerse you in a culture, a lifestyle that is both authentically African and refreshingly internationalized.

You will enjoy every minute of your time in Nairobi, whether you choose to enlighten yourself in the galleries or to plunge deep into the frenzy of all night clubbing.

K’osewe’s is a hangout for locals of all social strata looking for that so very elusive taste of the past, of home. The restaurant specializes mainly in fish accompanied by the ubiquitous East African dish, Ugali. Conveniently located in the heart of the city on Kimathi Street, it beckons anyone adventurous enough for local food. Chui’s on Museum Hill is also another local favorite.

After a morning of excursions to the museum and to Snake Park, you can sit down to a pleasantly casual lunch. Tamambo restaurant, in Westlands, takes guests on a journey for the taste buds. Sweet and sour vegetables are served with creamy coconut rice as tilapia cooked in diced peppers sits waiting. Deserts are available for both the sweet toothed and those with a leaning towards tart. Tamambo offers a taste of Africa for the bold, and the comfort of the west for the timid.

Like most of the Nairobi hotels and restaurants, the Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant has found a niche in the multicultural environment. Over the years, it has attracted the attention of not only Ethiopian expatriates, but that of curious locals and tourists too. The fact that they come for more only goes further to prove how truly exquisite the service and food is. Located in Hurlingham, the restaurant is uniquely decorated with paintings of Ethiopian mythology and its spicy dishes are definitely not something you will forget soon.

The Haandi restaurant in Westlands, Nairobi, is an elegant little corner of our city that will give you a true taste of India. The Trattoria restaurant in the city has often been ailed for Nairobi’s most authentically Italian food. Its home made ice cream and fresh bread will leave you wanting for more. The Medirerraneo restaurant is also another great Italian patch of Nairobi. It is classy, cozy and romantic; feel free to bring a date along.

Nairobi has a thriving arts culture that draws people from all over east Africa. Kwani?, a Kenyan literary group, redefines poetry slam every week at the Soundd Club. This is perfect for literature and poetry aficionados. You will get to hear from the up and coming in the African literary scene and from the accomplished veterans too. The theater is an excellent option if you just want to relax your brain. The Nairobi National Theater and the Phoenix Theaters showcase numerous plays every year. Once again, you will acquaint yourself with the up and coming among African artists and have a laugh or two.

African artists have for centuries taken the back seat; their work exported to Europe and labeled under ‘anonymous’, or adapted into a diluted versions of the original form. If you want to see the real thing, then Nairobi is exactly where you need to be. The Watatu gallery in the city center is directed by veteran African art collector, Adama Diawara. Watatu currently holds the largest collection of paintings by Eduardo Tingatinga. Influenced by a coastal East African style centuries, Tingatinga and his followers will take you on a colorful and symbolic journey of that traces Africa through her most violent periods, to her most intimate secrets.

If you are looking for more than paintings, then the Home Gallery located near Village Market in Gigiri is an excellent choice. Owner, Lisa Christoffersen has turned her home into a gallery. The whole place is decorated with objets d’art which can be seen in everything, from the wall hangings to the throw pillows on the couches. The owner is also a fashion designer who has dressed such Hollywood stars as Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz.

For the coffee addicts, Nairobi has taken you into consideration too. At the JAVA chain of cafés, you will find the freshest coffee you’ve ever head. Roasted locally and grounded at the specific cafés, this is coffee as you’ve never tasted it. It retains its original aroma, keeps its natural essence. JAVA and the other coffee houses in Nairobi are an excellent place to meet your friends for brunch or for afternoon tea. The Thorn Tree Café at the Stanley, although more of a restaurant, is also an old time favorite that should not be missed

The meat lovers with a taste for the unusual will find Carnivore to be the dream destination. Located along Lang’ata Road, just outside the city, Carnivore restaurant will let you dine al-fresco on some of the most exotic meat in the world. The meat is roasted on Maasai swords across a huge pit that dominates the entrance of the restaurant. Waiters walk around with the swords, loading down your plates with everything from roasted lamb to ostrich meat balls. Also, at the Carnivore grounds is the Simba bar and club. It is one of the bigger, more vibrant clubs in Nairobi. With affordable drinks and a large dance floor, the club will act as party central for people of all tastes. There is a rock night, a Bombay night and of course, a soul night.

For a more exclusive feel, you might want to take your party to Clubarn. Located near the Ngong’ Road Racecource, this is one of Kenya’s older clubs. The service is flawless, and here the parties are fun without being wild. The Klub House group, with chains all over Nairobi and in Mombasa offers a partying experience you will not forget. The flagship club, K1, is located in Parklands, Nairobi. It has two levels, with the ground floor dedicated wholly to music and dancing while the first floor is a pool player’s haven.

You should also check out the Florida clubs and Casino. Although the cover charge might be a bit expensive, the nights of endless dancing once inside are worth it. The different Casino’s and Clubs all have specific atmospheres, so explore a bit. Gypsy’s in Westlands and Soho’s are also worth checking out. Discotheques and bars are a great place to let go and to get in touch with the local people, so don’t miss out.  

- Image credits: Destination 360