National Classics

• nyama choma: Grilled goat or beef, served in chunks with salt and kachumbari (a tomato and onion salad).
• ugali: A white staple made from maize flour, rolled into balls with the fingers and eaten with stews or vegetables; it’s the most common everyday dish.
• sukuma wiki: Stir-fried collard greens, a popular and affordable side dish.
• chapati: Soft, flaky flatbread with layers, influenced by Indian cuisine.
• githeri: A traditional dish of maize and beans boiled together, known for being filling.

Regional Specialties and Street Food

• pilau and biryani: Spiced rice dishes from the coast, blending Swahili and Arabic flavors.
• samosa and mandazi: Triangular fried pastries and sweet, deep-fried doughnuts, best enjoyed with tea.
• street snacks: Grilled corn (mahindi) and meat skewers (mishkaki).
• drinks: Kenyan black tea and coffee, Tusker beer, and freshly squeezed fruit juices.

Prices and Where to Eat

• Street food costs around 50–150 KSH; meals at local restaurants range from 300–800 KSH.
• Nyama choma grilled meat is sold by weight, with per-person meals averaging 800–1,500 KSH.
• Nairobi’s Carnivore restaurant, and areas like Westlands and Kilimani, offer a wide selection of dining options.
• Mombasa Old Town and Diani Beach serve authentic Swahili seafood and coconut curry dishes.