Hitting the shops in Nairobi

Shopping in Nairobi can at first appear daunting. Our sprawling city lacks a real shopping hub in the manner of some European and American cities. What we have instead are large malls and markets dotted in various areas. All newcomers will end up visiting Westgate and the Sarit Centre. You may even venture out to The Hub in Karen or Two Rivers. But which are the best and what about those hidden gems outside the malls

For furniture

Odds and Ends

Along Mombasa Road is my go to furniture shop. Their massive stores ranges from expensive antiquities to more reasonably priced modern items.   They often have great sales too. You can pick up most furniture items here; beds, wardrobes, sofas, dining tables even curtains and lighting. Now and then you’ll find a real gem of an items. Secreted away on the top floor you will find bookcases made from Dhows, antique armoires and other one off items that will transform a house from mediocre to magical.

White Elephant Trading Company

If you have loads of money and a love of antiques then the White Elephant Trading Company is the place to head. They take antiques from all over the world (though mainly the UK) and reupholster repolish and relove them. If you want a piece of furniture with heart and soul (and who wouldn’t) then head here.

Wilmers

Wilmers along Karen road is both a second hand shop and a shop that makes furniture from the off. You can find sofas, beds, shelves and outside seating for very reasonable prices. If they don’t stock it there’s a chance they can make it for you. They also sell mosquito nets complete with frames that are great quality.

Ngong Road

The infamous Ngong road is lined with craftsmen selling their wares. The prices are the cheapest you’ll find in town and the quality can vary, but a walk along the road is a must if you are looking for wooden furniture. Every stall is different so walking the road is a great idea if you are bargain hunting.

Clothes & Jewellery

Langata Link Shops

These shops along Langata South road are a huddle of different designers under one roof. Ranging from Kanga and Kikoy type beach wear, gorgeous soft Indian cotton designer pieces and high-end jewellery and bags there’s heaps of opportunity to pick up something completely unique. My current favourite are the to die for jackets and quilts from Putali. Under the same roof is Kitengela Glass and White Elephant trading (as above) and many more. A cute café sits centrally with a fab playground for the kids.

LC Waikiki

The only place I shop for kids clothes. The occasional foray into Woolworths ends up with me careering back out. The quality may be a little better but the prices are so much more expensive. Waikiki has average quality clothes at average prices, a wide range and hip designs. I love kitting the kids out from here. I often pick up a few bargains from the women’s section. This is disposable fashion at its best

The Shop at Hardy Shops

This little shop perched on the second floor of the Hardy shops, stocks lots of little niceties and gifts. Of a similar ilk to the Langata link shops the small clothing selection veers more towards beach wear than high fashion. Indian cotton clothing, fabulous kaftans and swimwear for the whole family vie for space with snuggly cashmere jumpers, slippers and socks.

Kache by Angie at The Hub

Easily overlooked, it’s on the second floor next to Mac and looks like the sort of elegant lady shop I’d usually pass by. Occasionally I’m beset with angst that at 42 I should dump the shorts and converse and buy something silky and glamorous and so I wandered it. Whilst it does indeed stock glamorous older lady clothes in the form of ball gowns and tailored trousers there are some wonderfully quirky items to be found, I particularly love the jewellery.

Food

Carrefour

The supermarket giant from France is now taking over most of the defunct Nakumatt stores. It’s the most well stocked supermarket we have in Nairobi. As well as local produce and a decent meat and fish counter you can find (often astronomically expensive) French products such as proper cheese, pate and cold meats.

Greenspoon

Whilst this is an online shop it’s included because it really does stock the best meat in Nairobi. If you order online you can pick up from Langata Links shops or orders over 10,000 KSH are delivered free. They also do dairy, wine and other pantry goods.  They aren’t cheap but the quality is apparent in every carefully sourced product.

KPS (Karen Provision Store) and HPS (Hardy Provision Store)

These two shops are run by the same people and follow a similar format. Stocking local and imported goods in a somewhat haphazard manner, you can probably find anything you want in their rambling stores. ( HPS is much more organized than KPS). This is where I do most of my shopping. The meat counter at both is good, they stock a wide range of cheese, bread and vegetables and lush english chocolate bars

Prime Cuts

Another vote for meat. If you didn’t get round to ordering via Greenspoon then head to Prime Cuts for the best quality meat you can get. They do meat of all kids and fish, fresh and frozen. Located opposite Karen Provision Store at the Ngong Road/Karen Road crossroads.

Knead

Best bread in town is at Knead. Their cornbread is personally responsible for the spare tyre that’s refusing to budget from my waistline.

Got any other shops that you think should be listed or categories you want explored? Drop me a line

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