Nairobi, The Most Exciting City in Africa
Nairobi is the most exciting town in Africa – hands down. This fact is little known, so this article gives you an insiders look of the food scene, hotels, lounges, bars and the trendy cosmopolitan inhabitants of the Capital of Kenya – Nairobi. Nairobi is thrilling, fun and a never sleeping city – the hub of Africa.
Swanky residents enjoy sumptuous cuisine in Kenya’s restaurants, lounges and bars. Afro-fusion cuisine create a whole new adventure for foodies. Maize cobs roasting by the roadside provide an amazing snack to the high paced tempo in the city.
The five star living is juxtaposed by informal dwellings. Less to do with the lack of ambition of the Kenyan people but more to do with the lack of provision of affordable decent housing. This never stops Kenyans as the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. Pick up some trendy in-door and garden furniture by the roadside.
Nyama choma, the most succulent barbeque of savannah-fed beef, veal, lamb or goat is so good it needs to be a key export. The meat is juicy, lean and with just the right texture to make a meat connoisseur coming back for more. The hotels are trendy and with several five star hotels to choose from, you are guaranteed a chic and luxurious place to lay your head.
From the Nairobi Serena, which has the lush Central Park surrounding it, making you forget you are in the city center. The Nairobi Safari Club is an all suite hotel – luxurious and tremendous value. If you want enjoy the westlands action, the Holiday Inn is just what you are looking for. Nestled in the shopping and party central of Nairobi, only 3 kilometers from the City Center.
If you are up for some fun on a Thursday evening, Havana is where to see and be seen – the Cuban restaurant and bar comes alive with the most cosmopolitan crowd that Kenya has to offer, live music and an electrifying ambiance. Now foodies can choose from the Central American greats with Mexican cuisine at Alcapulco or Japanese restaurants like Furisato both in Westlands. Blancos is creating however the most exciting and adventurous afro-fusion cuisine. They deserve a page of their own for us to do them justice and we strong recommend a visit.
Gigiri in Nairobi is home to the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters. Nearby, the Village Market, Kenya’s first open plan mall plays host to the Maasai Market. This is a world renowed market selling beautifully crafted tableware, accessories, fashion, interior design, and traditional ornaments. Village market is also home to Tribe displaying afro-chic interior design at its best – this five star hotel is truly unique.
The art and theater scene is alive and well. From Gallery Watatu where you can enjoy exceptional paintings to Phoenix players that stage some of the most refine artistry in town. In 2009, Kenya played host to the Haymarket festival. Nobel Laureates Wangari Mathai and Wole Soyinka joined renowned local and international narrators and poets hosted by StoryMoja. Incidentally, the StoryMoja crew staged their play ‘ Cut off my tounge’ in London. Who said Kenya’s do not engage in the literary arts?
MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) are to be applauded for recognising the emergence of Kenyan music onto the world stage and is hosting the awards in Nairobi. This celebrates the Kenyan renaissance that is train, in music, design, fashion, art, cuisine – you name it. Nameless, STL, Amani and Wahu ( who won best female artist last year) are all amongst Kenya’s musicians who have received nominations for this year. So get your party shoes on and get ready to party to Kenyan music as well as celebrate music and artists from across Africa.
A true sign that Kenyan fashion has matured is the Kiko Romeo store at the trendy Yaya Center mall. The Festival for African Fashion and Arts (FAFA) awards hosted annually in Nairobi highlight that African fashion is envouge and the designers are at the top of their game. We salute the fabulous trend – celebrating Kenyan culture, creativity, enterprise and talent. Kenyan’s both young and old are showing that wearing our own unique get up is what being hip is about.
So the next time you are travelling through Kenya on transit at JKIA or planning a safari or beach holiday, be sure to stop and enjoy Nairobi. A treat that will leave you wanting more! See you in Nairobi.
Nyaruita Gateri, the Chief Adventurer at Journey Kenya has been traveling around Kenya for over two decades and knows fabulous locations to see animals in Kenya and to experience Kenya culture. Visit the discover section on Journey Kenya to get your excellent free guide to kenya animals, Kenya map and kenya people and to share your own experiences, stories and photos.