Places for Christmas lunch in Nairobi
Christmas is approaching. I contemplate what to buy for Christmas Lunch. Husband insists on Turkey but I can’t stand it. Father inLaw is allergic to pork. Lamb is criminally expensive. And the friends that are coming over are Vegan. Forget the mains, I think; I’ll concentrate on the sides.Potatoes cooked in olive oil are good for vegans, but my kids don’t like potatoes (seriously who doesn’t like roast potatoes?). I’d like salad as its going to be hot, but hubby insists on a traditional British Christmas menu. I start to panic. I pour wine. Then another. Suddenly an epiphany. Sod it. Let’s eat out.
I’ve not had Christmas lunch out before but faced with 2 days of cooking I’m prepared to give it a shot. A quick bit of research and it turns out there are loads of great options for Christmas lunch in Nairobi.Here are my favourites.
Hemmingway’s – Mbagathi Ridge, Karen.
It’s not advertised on their website so maybe its supposed to be a secret. Which isn’t surprising because Hemmingway’s Christmas offering is fab. For 8000 per person, you are treated to a buffet lunch at arguably one of the best restaurants inNairobi. Even better than the guarantee of amazing food and fabulous views in a fine dining environment, there is bottomless Prosecco. (BOTTOMLESS! Is that a challenge??)
Hemmingway’s are doing a buffet lunch and they’ve sent me the menu. I’m licking my lips and my tummy is rumbling. It caters for all tastes, there’s a Carvery and Indian food and endless salads. I can’t stop thinking about roast suckling pig on a spit with applesauce anyone? YUM!
Ever classy, Hemmingway’s lunch is accompanied by Jazz from the amazing Jaysax Trio. This promises to be relaxed and refined dining. Sip Prosecco and gaze at uninterrupted views of the Ngong Hills. Silently question why I’m bringing the kids here.
Details:
Mbagathi Ridge – call to book: 0711 032000
Buffet lunch –unlimited Prosecco
8000 adults
3500 kids
Entertainment: Jazz Band; Jaysax Trio
Talisman – Ngong Road, Karen
Why haven’t I written a blog on Talisman yet? I have no idea, as it’s my favourite place in the whole of Nairobi for food and drink.I’ve had both fine dining and nights dancing on the table – it’s that kind of place. The service is second to none, the food is always excellent and when the lights go down and the music cranks up there is no better place to be. Talisman is beloved allover Nairobi for its decadent ambience; carved pillars, Afghan rugs and Kitengela glass make way for a sun filled terrace and moonlit garden.
Talisman are doing Christmas and it’ll be rocking. They state a special 5-course menu but no specifics on what food yet. Entertainment comes from Mojo Unplugged and a huge plus for those of us with kids is that there’s plenty of space for the kids to run around.
Details:
Ngong Road, Karen – call to book: 0705 999997
5-course menu
7000 adults
3500 kids
Entertainment: Mojo Band
Open from 12 noon to 4pm only.
Zen Garden – Kabete Road
Jade Coffee & Tea House at Zen Garden is doing a Christmas buffet with Live Jazz on the terrace. As the name suggests, Zen garden is a serene, sublime space centered around a large sunny garden. It’s the perfect place to spend the day snoozing in a meaty, puddingy, cocktail haze.
Zen Garden is a great option for children. It has a huge spacious and child-friendly garden and they are doing face painting, a bouncy castle, Xmas treats and a kid’s menu.
Details:
Kabete Road: Call to book +254 714 744 231
Buffet menu
4000 adults
Special kids menu
Entertainment: kids face painting and bouncy castle
About Thyme – Peponi Road
I can’t lie to you. I debated trying to but I can’t. I haven’t been to About Thyme. But the husband has and he says it’s amazing. He’s been a few times, in fact, and likes to come home and rub my nose in it with all his talk about succulent steaks and fabulous cocktails. My envy means that I’ve stalked About Thyme so much that I now feel I’m an expert on it, albeit from a distance.
Hubs tells me that About Thyme is casually formal. By that, he means there are fairy lights adorning a twinkly green garden and squashy sofas where people go to smoke shisha. The food, he says, is amazing, some of the best in Nairobi. About Thyme are doing an A la Carte Christmas themed menu. It
features dishes like Beetroot and Red wine Risotto and Ginger and Marmalade Crusted Gammon ham. Happily you can also choose traditional turkey with all the trimmings and a special cocktail of mulled wine. The menu sounds glorious, as do the fairy lights and the squashy couches and the hookah… Send pictures if you go.
Details:
Peponi Road – call to book +254 721 850026
A la Carte menu prices vary
No entertainment detailed as yet
Picnic in the Park – Nairobi National Park
An off the wall suggestion but perhaps the best choice of the lot – a picnic in Nairobi National Park. Forget formalities and traditional trappings and pack all your favourite food and drink and head off to the park. Picture it, blue sky, blazing sun, and a picnic blanket in the shade of an Acacia tree. Crack open a bottle of fizz, unpack your meat and cheese and chill with nature. I love this idea so much that this is what we are doing on Boxing Day.
Nairobi National Park has many picnic sites from the more popular Kingfisher site where the abundance of people will keep the lions from sharing your lunch to the quieter Ivory Burning site, which is safe for cautious picnickers.
Details:
Langata Road: no reservation
Entry: 1050 KSH residents
Entry: 430 KSH citizens
Entertainment: all the glorious wildlife that Nairobi has to offer.
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