Carnivore Restaurant is an open-air culinary theater is world-renowned for its Nyama Choma (roasted meat) culture. However,with so many skewers coming your way, it can feel like too much at once., especially for first time visitors so navigating the Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi menu requires a strategy. If you go in without a plan, you risk filling up on bread and standard cuts before the true delicacies arrive.
This guide will break down the sensory experience, the textures, and the specific Carnivore menu highlights Nairobi locals swear by, ensuring your visit is as memorable as your safari.
The “Simba” System: How the Service Works
Before diving into what to try at Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi, you must understand the rules of engagement.
The meal is an all-you-can-eat experience served tableside. In the center of your table stands a small flag (the Simba).
- Flag Up: The carvers will continue to swarm your table with sizzling skewers.
- Flag Down: You surrender. The service stops, and dessert is offered.
Mamis Tours & Travels Pro Tip: Pace yourself. The carvers are efficient. Take small portions of each offering so you have the capacity to sample the full spectrum of the menu.
Tier 1: The “Must-Try First” (The Foundation)
If you are nervous or unsure where to begin, these are the crowd-pleasers. These items define the high standard of Kenyan roasting and provide a familiar yet elevated flavor profile.
1. The Pork Spare Ribs
This is widely considered the crown jewel of the standard meats.
- The Taste Experience: These are not your average backyard ribs. They are marinated in a proprietary sweet-and-savory glaze and slow-roasted over charcoal until the sugars caramelize into a sticky, smoky crust.
- Texture: Exceptionally tender. The meat pulls away from the bone with zero resistance.
- Best Pairing: Pair this with the house fruit salsa to cut through the richness of the pork fat.
2. Leg of Lamb
- The Taste Experience: Kenyan lamb is pasture-raised and distinctively flavorful without being overly gamey. At Carnivore, it is roasted whole and carved in thin, steaming slices directly onto your plate.
- Texture: Juicy and succulent, often served with a crisp outer layer of fat that adds a savory crunch.
- Best Pairing: A generous dollop of the house mint sauce is non-negotiable here.
Tier 2: The Game Meats (The Unique Experience)
This is the primary reason travelers search for the Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi menu. While wildlife conservation laws have evolved (meaning you won’t find endangered species on the menu), Carnivore specializes in farmed game meat that offers a unique palate adventure.
3. Farmed Crocodile
If you only try one “exotic” item, make it this one.
- The Taste Experience: Forget the cliché that “it tastes like chicken.” Crocodile has a distinct flavor profile that sits somewhere between chicken breast and firm white fish (like monkfish). It is mild, slightly saline, and absorbs the charcoal smoke beautifully.
- Texture: Firm and slightly chewy, similar to calamari steak.
- Best Pairing: This is best eaten with the garlic sauce or a squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavor.
4. Ostrich Meatballs or Steak
- The Taste Experience: Many first-timers expect Ostrich to taste like poultry. It does not. Ostrich is a red meat, remarkably similar to lean beef tenderloin but with a sweeter, iron-rich finish.
- Texture: Very lean and tender. If served as meatballs, they are often seasoned with local herbs (dhania) and are incredibly soft.
- Best Pairing: A robust red wine or the spicy chili sauce complements the “beefy” nature of the ostrich.
5. Camel (Availability Varies)
- The Taste Experience: Camel meat is a staple in Northern Kenya. It is intense, earthy, and savory. It has a coarser grain than beef and a flavor that lingers.
- Texture: It can be tougher than beef, which is why it is often roasted slowly to break down the fibers.
Read Also: Top Things to Do Near Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi
Tier 3: The Adventurous Picks (If You Have Room)
For the culinary thrill-seekers, these are the best dishes at Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi to brag about back home.
6. Ox Balls (Testicles)
Often served breaded and fried or roasted.
- The Taste Experience: Surprisingly mild. The flavor is creamy and subtle, not pungent.
- Texture: Soft, almost like a firm mousse or sweetbreads.
- Local Insight: These are considered a delicacy and an aphrodisiac in local culture.
7. Chicken Livers
- The Taste Experience: Rich, metallic, and buttery. Wrapped in bacon, they offer a salt-bomb of flavor that pairs perfectly with a cold Tusker beer.
Sensory Pairings and Sides
The meat is the star, but the supporting cast is vital to avoid palate fatigue.
The Sauces (The Lazy Susan)
Your table will have a rotating tray of sauces. Do not ignore them.
- Fruit Salsa: Essential for pork and crocodile.
- Garlic Sauce: Goes with everything, especially chicken and fish.
- Chili Sauce: A fiery Kenyan blend. Use sparingly on the beef to enhance the charcoal flavor.
The “Dawa” Cocktail
You cannot discuss what to try at Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi without mentioning the Dawa (Swahili for “Medicine”).
- The Drink: Vodka, honey, lime, and crushed ice.
- The Ritual: A “Dawa Doctor” will come to your table to mix the drink and muddling the lime with a sugar cane stick. It is the perfect acid-sweet balance to cut through a heavy meat meal.
Mini-Itineraries: How to Eat Like a Pro
To help you navigate the experience, Mamis Tours & Travels suggests these tasting progressions:
The “First-Timer’s Safe Route”
- Start: Soup of the day (usually a silky Butternut or Tomato) with brown bread.
- Main Event: Pork Ribs and Roast Chicken.
- The Brave Step: Crocodile skewers.
- Finish: Pineapple pie or ice cream to cleanse the palate.
The “Carnivore Connoisseur”
- Start: Skip the bread. Go straight for the Chicken Livers.
- Main Event: Ostrich Steak and Leg of Lamb.
- The Brave Step: Ox Balls and Camel.
- Drink: Sip a Dawa throughout the meal.
Local Insights & Expectations
Locals vs. Tourists
- Tourists tend to focus heavily on the game meats (Crocodile/Ostrich).
- Locals often flock to Carnivore specifically for the Pork Ribs and the atmosphere. The ribs are consistently rated as some of the best in East Africa.
Vegetarian Options
Does the Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi menu accommodate vegetarians? Surprisingly, yes. While the name implies otherwise, the salad buffet is extensive, fresh, and diverse. Vegetarians can enjoy:
- Grilled Halloumi cheese skewers.
- Vegetable lasagna or shepherd’s pie (on request).
- A massive variety of garden salads and soups.
- Note: If you are traveling with a mixed group of vegetarians and meat-eaters, let Mamis Tours & Travels know in advance so we can ensure the kitchen prepares a special vegetarian main course for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the buffet worth it? Absolutely. The fixed price includes the soup, the full salad bar, all meat courses, dessert, and coffee. It is high-value for the quality and quantity of food provided.
What to try if it’s your first visit? Prioritize the Crocodile and the Pork Ribs. These represent the unique and the delicious ends of the spectrum.
Are there seasonal specials? Yes. Turkey is common during the holidays, and depending on supply, you may occasionally find Rabbit on the menu.
Experience Carnivore with Mamis Tours & Travels
Navigating Nairobi’s dining scene is easier with a trusted partner. At Mamis Tours & Travels, we don’t just drop you at the door; we ensure your reservation is secured, your transport is safe, and your experience is seamless.
Whether you are capping off a safari or starting your Kenyan adventure, a dinner at Carnivore is a sensory explosion you shouldn’t miss.
Ready to feast? Contact Mamis Tours & Travels today to book your culinary tour of Nairobi.