It’s a treat to sit in an open air café on a balmy afternoon, overlooking both a swimming pool and the Indian Ocean. Aqua, located at the Nyali International Beach Hotel and Spa, provides just such an experience.

Located a few miles north of the harbor town of Mombasa, Aqua is a casual eatery catering to both resort guests and those from surrounding areas.

The menu is distinctly pedestrian, featuring burgers and French fries, fish sticks, spaghetti Bolognese, deep-fried prawns, lasagna, cream of tomato soup and Greek salad.

Even though I was literally the only customer in the restaurant at 1 p.m., it took almost an hour for my order to be prepared. I tried the club sandwich, which was a tasty combination of toasted slices of bread filled with sliced chicken, various vegetables and unidentifiable tidbits. The French fries were fresh, if ordinary.

The condiments on the table reflected the varied backgrounds of visitors to Kenya: ketchup, salt and pepper — but also Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, Tabasco sauce and steak sauce.

Impromptu “entertainment” was provided by young children happily cavorting in what was evidently the family pool next to the restaurant (one of two at the resort). Fortunately I was well beyond splashing distance.

If you’re averse to squealing kids, you might want to select a table as far as possible from the pool. Also  check the placement of the overhead beams: These are favorite roosting spots for birds and, well, you don’t want a “surprise” to land on your plate in the middle of your meal.

Soups are about 400 KES, salads around 500, and entrées from 450 KES (fusili with garlic and chili) to 1300 KES (deep-fried prawns). My club sandwich was 800 KES. Aqua is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.