“A great example of a Nairobi Seafood restaurant and grill, done right!”

You may not expect to find exceptional seafood in landlocked Nairobi, but you’d be wrong; Seven Seafood and Grill is redefining and setting standards for seafood in the city.

Founded in 2010, Seven has garnered quite a reputation on the Nairobi food scene, and a good one at that, for instinctively understanding and cooking tropical seafood as it should be cooked – fresh, fast and intelligently spiced.

This highly acclaimed seafood restaurant is the brainchild of Kenyan-born celebrity chef Kiran Jethwa. Kiran, born of and Indian father and English mother, grew up in a household where food was paramount; his culinary style can be described as Indo-Mediterranean fusion, and his menus are designed to encourage family-style dining. His heritage clearly shows in his cooking.

Fresh and Delectable Seafood

Menus are a-la-carte, but you can request an advance prix-fixe menu if dining privately in a group. The seafood here is flown in daily, freshly caught from the Indian Ocean, and their prime Kenyan beef steaks, sourced from the best ranches countrywide, and then butchered and dry-aged in-store.

On our recent visit for dinner, they immediately won us over with the complimentary fish tempura. Crispy, airy, and light, as tempura should be, this biting whetted our appetite in preparation for the delights to follow.  

Then came the starters. My partner ordered the Lobster Cappuccino while I settled for the vegetarian Kassava and Coconut Two Ways. Both were splendid. The lobster was cooked just right, and suspended in a creamy, velvety, punchy bisque. My kassava offering simply sang, poached in a delicious Swahili sauce, and accented with crunchy toasted coconut, roasted cauliflower, and zesty limri leaf.

The mains equally did not disappoint. I went with the Greek Whole Snapper, grilled to perfection over hot charcoal, seasoned with only salt and pepper, dressed in extra-virgin olive oil and lemon, and served with a side of steamed broccoli and lemon butter. I was feeling purist that day, and this dish complemented by a glass of crisp Pequena Sauvignon Blanc, met my expectations.

My partner settled, as most men do, on a juicy and flavourful dry-aged Rump Steak, dressed with a spicy, tangy chimichurri sauce, and served with a side of fries. Simple, yes, but it did hit the spot for him; he washed it down with a cold Heineken.

Given how we’d just about stuffed ourselves, dessert was not on the cards, but how could we resist? We found ourselves sharing a slice of zesty, creamy, and light Key Lime Pie, which ended our meal very nicely.

An espresso for him, and a cappuccino for me was all we needed to end things. We said our goodbyes, happy in our experience, and left for home.

Excellent Wine

One thing that stands out about Seven, is their very comprehensive Wine list featuring French, Italian, Argentinian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Californian selections; this is one of the best things about this restaurant.

Complementing the wine list, is an impressive and unique wine map, that clearly differentiates the reds from the whites, and indicates which wines are full-bodied, medium-bodied or light-bodied, helping you accurately pair your wine with your meal.  Seven also has a fully-functioning bar offering Kenyan and international beers, specially mixed house cocktails, and spirits should you fancy them.

The staff are professional and friendly, and do know what they’re doing when it comes to service. And the ambience was a big plus for us; ethereal and other-worldly, albeit slightly clinical-modern, you do really feel like you’re dining in some under-water fantasy, surrounded by decors decked in teals, lilacs and shades of blue, the perfect setting for a quiet, intimate dinner for two.

So if you’re craving seafood or just want to take on a perfectly grilled steak in a calm, soothing, family—friendly restaurant, try dining at Seven Seafood and Grill; you won’t be disappointed. The bill might slightly take you aback if you're not prepared for it, but for special occasions, or simple for a treat, it is excellent value for the money-a foodie experience that will stay with you for quite a while.

Location: ABC Place, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: (254) 737 776 677

Reservations: Reservations not essential, but save you during busy weekends. Reservations essential for Private Dining. Make a reservation by emailing them or on their website

Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, Cash, MPESA

Price: $$$$

Hours:  Mon-Sun from 11AM – 12AM

Cuisine: Indo-Mediterranean fusion. Options: Seafood, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free.

Extra Features: Outdoor Seating, Indoor Seating, Parking, Wheelchair Access, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Private Dining, Highchairs Available, Free Wi-Fi

This restaurant review was a guest post on The Expat Mummy by the lovely Brenda Kipkemoi. Been somewhere amazing and want to write your own review on The Expat Mummy? Contact me at [email protected]

A few points about me:

Brenda Kipkemoi is a full-time, professional freelance food, lifestyle, health and wellness, product review, and travel writer who offers blogging, ghost-writing, and copywriting services. She has over 15 year’s professional experience in Public Relations, Business Administration, and Customer Relations from working in the UK and in Kenya.

An accomplished amateur cook who enjoys wine, the music of Coldplay, spending time with her 3-year old daughter, reading cook books and travel,

Brenda’s work has been featured on Medium, and the US authority niche blog Cookoutpal.com. Contact her by emailing [email protected] or on LinkedIn and PeoplePerHour.

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