Do you know about Mombasa? It’s Kenya’s second-largest city, set on the coast overlooking the historic port waters of the Indian Ocean. It was on these ramparts that many groups, tribes, and nationalities – Arab, Asian, Indian, Swahili, and English – battled for centuries to control this gateway to the East.
This polyglot mix of cultures and nations has left its mark on Mombasa’s culture, its architecture, and most certainly its cuisine. Take a walk through the city’s “Old Town” today and you’ll find a colorful bazaar of spices, foods, goods, and languages.
This international epicurean potpourri is our good luck when it comes to Mombasa’s dining scene, for here you’ll find all kinds of tastes reflecting the city’s history and foreign influences.
So take a tour with us as we explore our favorite dining spots in this fascinating Swahili city by the sea. First up:
Sea Haven Restaurant, Shanzu
We’ll head to Old Town Mombasa first for a stop at this popular coastal spot with perfect views of the Indian Ocean. Specialties include great seafood platters, local fish, and steaks. And in a nod to Asian influences, a delicious choice of curries.
Sit back and enjoy the views of the beach and beyond at the restaurant’s various levels of sea-view terraces.
Forodhani Restaurant
Also located in Old Town, near the old port, come here for the fish dishes, stay for the views. Forodhani serves up authentic Swahili cuisine such as local fish in coconut sauce and mutton pilau. Also not to be missed, try the authentic Indian entrees while enjoying the cozy dining space with lovely views of the calm waters beyond.
Tamarind Mombasa
Overlooking the old harbor, Tamarind’s high arches reflect a classical Arab style while offering seafood dishes in a fine dining style. With a menu reflecting French, Asian, and African cuisines, the prawns, chili crab, and lobster have drawn praise from the likes of Gourmet, The London Times, and The Herald Tribune.
Known for personalized service and inventive presentation, Tamarind has come to be regarded as one of Africa’s finest.
Imani Dhow Restaurant
Here’s another way to dine in Mombasa with a nod to its cultural past. Enjoy seafood and international cuisine aboard an authentic Arab ship, or Dhow. In its heyday, Imani’s dhow moved cotton and corn between the ports of Zanzibar, Dar-es-Saalem, Tana, and Mombasa.
Today you can enjoy a sunset sail while dining on seafood platters, red snapper, lobster, crab, prawns, and rack of lamb while skimming the smooth waters off Mombasa’s coast.
Pavilions
Sprawling and elegant, Pavilions offers its guests large buffet spreads at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Choose from a wide variety of African, Asian, Arabic, Mediterranean, and continental cuisines dramatically presented at its cooking stations.
Enjoy Pavilions’ live music while dining on Kenyan, Pan Asian, Indian, and global fusion dishes. The chefs specialize in a variety of cooking styles from Jiko to sous vide to molecular gastronomy!
We hope we’ve piqued your appetite. Let us help you find the perfect dining experience when you are in Mombasa. And, any other requests you may have to make your Kenyan coastal vacation no less than perfect.
