The Essential Valentine's Day Plan

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Essential Breakfast Date

LOCATION: Artcaffe, Westminster Branch, Nairobi

AMBIENCE: The Westminster Branch is the largest Artcaffe branch to date. It has a very rustic but classical feel to it - with the visible steel structure against the indoor plants, minimal furniture and mosaic tile floors. Very Instagrammable, which is an extra win.

MENU: Whenever we think of a must-have breakfast in Nairobi, Artcaffe’s morning breakfasts served on the cute Kitengela Glass-esque blue platters is the first thing that comes to mind. With their breakfast platters, you get to select what kind of bread, baked beans, style of egg and sausages/ bacon you would prefer. Top it up with a latte or tea and you will have a full belly hours after your date!

PRICE POINT: Ranging from KES 350 ($3.5) for a muffin/ pastry and coffee to KES 990 ($9.9) for the breakfast platters, it is ideal for friends hanging out to a family affair.

Essential Coffee Date

LOCATION: Barista & Co, Sarit Centre, Nairobi

AMBIENCE: We recently discovered this Barista & Co. branch at the newly opened Sarit Centre. The café has a very chic feel to it and ample natural lighting, with floor to ceiling windows, ideal for taking your best food shots.

MENU: Literally coffee lovers heaven, Barista & Co’s hand pressed coffees are the star of the show. You get to pick between the Aeropress, Harion V60 and Siphon coffees. The staff are well versed with the terms and will be happy to explain what each of these terms mean. Their iced coffees are a treat too, with interesting flavors such as mandarin and peppermint mochas. Yum! They also have heart-warming soups, like our fave butternut soup, salads, while their bakery churns out delectable pastries and desserts like cheesecakes and eclairs.

PRICE POINT: Their coffees range between KES 300 – 400 ($3 - $4), while the edibles range between KES 200 ($2) for a croissant to KES 900 ($9) for a panini.

Essential Lunch Date

LOCATION: The Shamba Café & Shop, Loresho, Nairobi

AMBIENCE: This location gives us some serious countryside vibes and is a perfect spot for lunch with the girls. It is extremely peaceful and the air is so crisp clean, you almost don’t feel like you’re in Nairobi. Did we mention that Saturday is Farmer’s Market day?! Shopping and eating in one spot, what more could you possibly ask for?

MENU: The menu is pretty diverse with multiple options to choose from including a pretty solid kid’s menu. We strongly recommend the pizzas; you won’t regret it.

PRICE POINT: For drinks, we recommend a budget of about KES 600 - 10,000 ($6-$100) inclusive of wine by the bottle and for food the prices fall between KES 1,000 - 4,000 ($10 - $40).

Essential High Tea Date

LOCATION: Le Grenier a Pain, Riverside Drive, Nairobi

AMBIENCE: Looking for a little piece of France in the city of Nairobi? Le Grenier is the place to go. Decked in an industrial décor, this French bakery is the perfect place to go for brunch or high tea. We highly recommend this spot for a high tea date with your mum/ sister/ aunty or girlfriend.

MENU: The menu has various options for breakfast, lunch and tea. Their lunch and breakfast options are extremely delicious, but their pastries and deserts take the crown. They are arguably some of the best we’ve tasted in Nairobi, making it the ideal spot for high tea.

PRICE POINT: For drinks, prices range from KES 200 - 900 ($2 - $90) inclusive of wine by the bottle. For food and pastries, prepare to spend anything between KES 300 - 1,300 ($3 - $13). Pretty fair for this slice of heaven, if you ask us.

Essential Dinner Date

LOCATION: About Thyme, off Peponi Road, Nairobi

AMBIENCE: Tucked in a little corner of Westland’s, About Thyme gives us some rustic, almost homely vibes. Perfect for a date with your significant other, the restaurant has a really intimate feel to it, especially in the evening. The lighting is romantic and sets the mood for the perfect Valentine’s date.

MENU: The menu is extensive with quite a number of vegetarian options and we can confidently say there is nothing you will pick that you won’t enjoy. We recommend the stuffed chicken breast or the fully loaded burger.

PRICE POINT: For drinks, the prices range from KES 2000 - 13,000 ($20 - $130) inclusive of wine by the bottle. For the food, you can spend anything between KES 500 - 2,500 ($5 - $25).

Whatever you choose to do this Valentines, enjoy your day, after-all it’s just a day like any other.