Where to drink coffee in Nairobi

Read on to discover the best cafés for drinking coffee in Nairobi, from the CBD to Westlands, Riverside/Chiromo, Kilimani, Gigiri and Karen.

Nairobi’s coffee story has flipped: once an export-only legend, it now fuels a fast-growing local scene of specialty roasters, compact laneway cafés, and hotel bars pulling single-origin shots. Stick to the inner neighbourhoods—CBD, Westlands, Riverside/Chiromo, Kilimani, Gigiri and Karen—where the scent of fresh roasts rides the morning traffic and laptops hum beside pour-over stations.

Nairobi CBD

Best for: a quick, dialed-in espresso between meetings
Location: City centre lane/arcade cafés (various)
Price: from about KSh 300–550

Tip: CBD options change fast; if you want guaranteed consistency, hop an Uber 10–12 minutes to Riverside/Chiromo for Connect Coffee (below) or up to Westlands for Spring Valley/Barista & Co.

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Riverside / Chiromo

Connect Coffee (Riverfront/Chiromo)

Best for: single-origin brews and focused work sessions
Location: Riverfront/Chiromo; additional branches in Hurlingham, Gigiri & Sanlam Tower
Price: from about KSh 350–600
Connect pairs bright, origin-forward espresso with calm, light-filled interiors and friendly baristas; a reliable specialty anchor minutes from the CBD. Connect Coffee Roasters+2Tripadvisor+2

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Westlands

Spring Valley Coffee (Westgate & Spring Valley Shopping Centre)

Best for: the Nairobi specialty OG vibe & weekly cuppings
Location: Westgate Mall; Spring Valley Shopping Centre; Village Market; Wilson Airport, etc.
Price: from about KSh 350–650
Kenya’s pioneering specialty roaster with multiple cafés; polished bars, seasonal single-origins, and occasional public cuppings. Spring Valley Coffee Roasters Limited+2Spring Valley Coffee Roasters Limited+2

Barista & Co (Sarit Centre, Westgate, Keystone Park)

Best for: brunch that’s as serious as the coffee
Location: Sarit Centre (original); Westgate; Keystone Park, Riverside Drive
Price: from about KSh 350–650
Roaster-operator with multiple outposts and a following for well-pulled espresso and hearty plates—great for a late morning meet. Instagram+2Tripadvisor+2

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Kilimani / Kileleshwa

Kesh Kesh Coffee Roastery & Café (Chaka Rd / Argwings Kodhek)

Best for: roastery-meets-ritual (and long, chatty afternoons)
Location: Chaka Rd / Argwings Kodhek Rd, Kilimani
Price: from about KSh 350–600
A specialty roaster with Eritrean ceremony influences; expect engaging baristas, rotating single-origins and a mellow, linger-friendly room. Wanderlog+2Waze+2

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Gigiri

Connect Coffee (Gigiri)

Best for: embassy-side caffeine with consistent quality
Location: Gigiri (plus Riverfront/Chiromo, Hurlingham, etc.)
Price: from about KSh 350–600
Same precise extractions and clean design language; handy if you’re in the UN/embassy district. Connect Coffee Roasters

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Karen

Tin Roof Café (Karen)

Best for: leafy garden coffee and slow afternoons
Location: House of Treasures, Dagoretti Rd (plus Hardy)
Price: from about KSh 300–600
A beloved Karen classic: garden seating, locally roasted coffee and a wholesome menu—perfect after Giraffe Centre or before an Ngong Hills sunset. Tin Roof Café+2Tin Roof Café+2

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Chains you’ll see everywhere (and what they’re good for)

• Java House / Artcaffé — ubiquitous, laptop-friendly, broad menus, dependable milk drinks; useful for meetings across town. Helen in Wonderlust

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Planning your coffee crawl

• Neighbourhood hop: CBD → Riverside/Chiromo (Connect) → Westlands (Spring Valley / Barista & Co) → Kilimani (Kesh Kesh) → Karen (Tin Roof).

• When to go: Mornings (7–10am) for fastest bar flow; late afternoons for unhurried tastings.

• What to order: Start with a flat white or cortado to gauge espresso balance; follow with a Kenyan pour-over to taste origin clarity; finish with a cold brew if it’s hot.