“Life, happiness, coffee and good food” — that’s the motto of the Nairobi Java House. But it’s not just coffee they serve (they’re open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily). Breakfast options are lavish (and “made fresh to order”) including pancakes, waffles, omelets and morning pastries such as raisin scones, bagels, croissants, cinnamon rolls and banana bread. Fancy huevos rancheros or a burrito? Yes, they do Mexican specialties, too. Breakfast is served from 7 to 11 a.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays.
Samosas, soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps are on the menu for both lunch and dinner, along with heartier fare such as roasted chicken, pepper steak and grilled pork chops.
Of course their coffee menu is extensive, ranging from “ordinary” Americano to a killer Malindi Macchiato. They also serve hot chocolate and (this being a former British colony) a wide assortment of teas. You can have your coffee or tea iced if you’d prefer.
If you’re not in the mood for coffee, they also serve a wide range of fruit juices, milkshakes and yogurt smoothies. There are several desserts and sweets. I like their chocolate chip cookies as well as their house-made carrot cake.
The Nairobi Java House is one of three major coffee house chains in Kenya; the other two are Dormans and Artcaffé. Founded in 1999, the Kenyan chain has 17 outlets: 15 in the capital (including downtown on Mama Ngina Street) plus one in Mombasa and another in Nakuru. Best of all, there’s one located just beyond Gate 14 in the International Departures terminal at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi — just the place for a final cup of Kenyan coffee before heading back home.
Expert Review
"Life, happiness, coffee and good food" -- that's the motto of the Nairobi Java House. But it's not just coffee...
“Life, happiness, coffee and good food” — that’s the motto of the Nairobi Java House. But it’s not just coffee they serve (they’re open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily). Breakfast options are lavish (and “made fresh to order”) including pancakes, waffles, omelets and morning pastries such as raisin scones, bagels, croissants, cinnamon rolls and banana bread. Fancy huevos rancheros or a burrito? Yes, they do Mexican specialties, too. Breakfast is served from 7 to 11 a.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays.
Samosas, soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps are on the menu for both lunch and dinner, along with heartier fare such as roasted chicken, pepper steak and grilled pork chops.
Of course their coffee menu is extensive, ranging from “ordinary” Americano to a killer Malindi Macchiato. They also serve hot chocolate and (this being a former British colony) a wide assortment of teas. You can have your coffee or tea iced if you’d prefer.
If you’re not in the mood for coffee, they also serve a wide range of fruit juices, milkshakes and yogurt smoothies. There are several desserts and sweets. I like their chocolate chip cookies as well as their house-made carrot cake.
The Nairobi Java House is one of three major coffee house chains in Kenya; the other two are Dormans and Artcaffé. Founded in 1999, the Kenyan chain has 17 outlets: 15 in the capital (including downtown on Mama Ngina Street) plus one in Mombasa and another in Nakuru. Best of all, there’s one located just beyond Gate 14 in the International Departures terminal at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi — just the place for a final cup of Kenyan coffee before heading back home.