beit é selam

The place is a stylish, pan-African fusion restaurant tucked away in Maua Close in Westlands, Nairobi. As you step through its decorative metal gate you enter a space that blends an artsy, cozy indoor lounge complete with a fireplace for cooler evenings with a courtyard style garden and outdoor seating under soft lighting and leafy vines. The environment mixes modern and vintage décor, offering a relaxed but refined atmosphere ideal for dinners, cocktails, or intimate gatherings. The menu draws on African and fusion influences across the continent, with dishes ranging from corn ribs, grilled meats, vegetarian-friendly plates (like cauliflower steak or vegan options), to more eclectic mains and desserts. There’s also a full bar with cocktails, drinks, wines and non-alcoholic options the food and drinks aim to reflect Nairobi’s diverse culinary influences. The dining experience balances quality and creativity, and the restaurant operates at a moderate to premium price point. #EatOutApproved

Great vibe with chill DJ music in the eve. I ordered the oxtail pasta which was way undercooked and only tiny <1cm pieces of meat. The vibe makes up for the food though. Parking can be challenging on busy nights on the street side. The service is very welcoming and top notch, unfortunately when I was there on new years eve, they were quite over stretched causing delays. But definitely a must visit vibe

Amazing local cuisine restaurant. It shall be a must-visit if you’re on the city. The service was great, excellent venue with great music. The food was absolutely amazing, they innovate on culinary techniques for local cuisine.

Beit é Selam came recommended by friends, and for once my friends weren’t lying. We got there around 6:30 and it was basically tumbleweeds… then within an hour it was almost full. Translation: book a table unless your hobby is standing around looking hopeful.  Drinks were a win. The non-alcoholic orange drink is obscenely good, and my wife loved the Old Fashioned (which, in our house, is the equivalent of a Michelin star). Food: the roast chicken was so good my toddler nearly ate the whole thing. That’s not a cute exaggeration, that’s a formal endorsement from the toughest critic. We grabbed the dips too; also great, though toddler only got halfway through before deciding they’d contributed enough to the tasting menu. Very toddler-friendly overall. And yes, the bathroom situation. You should check it out. It’s like someone combined an old lady’s living room with a tasteful Middle Eastern spa… and then remembered it’s still just a washroom. So lower expectations accordingly, but I’m posting the pic anyway because it deserves documentation. 

Restaurant is located in a quiet alley and the space was so nice. Perfect to dine outside! The staff were kind and we all really enjoyed our time there. I was happy with my food and they tasted fresh!

What a beautiful location, though not easy to find with no obvious, visible signage. I sat on the patio, under lovely lighting and vibrant vines. I didn't book, but, as a single diner, this wasn't an issue. The waiters were polite and friendly, and attentive without being obtrustive. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal (a naked lamb burger, which was well spiced and succulent) and especially enjoyed my mocktail. Highly recommended.

I absolutely love this place. Great vibe, decor, and service. Cocktails and delicious and so is the food. I had the fish wrapped in banana leaves and corn ribs. Delicious, but definitely want to try the rest of the menu. Albert was my server and he was wonderful, with good recs. Brian the bartender was patient with all my questions. Sophisticated take on Ethiopian and East African flavors. A true gem in NBO.

This place is very well decorated and provides an up-class atmosphere, targeting foreign clientele. The place was packed, and we walked over earlier in the day to make a reservation; you will not get a walk-in table here. However, allowing guests to smoke cigarettes at their tables was very off putting for our group. Our table was under a beautiful tree, with soft lighting to help build a laid back and relaxing feel. The prices are expensive and though the food was good, we ate other good meals in the same area for less. A highlight on the menu is the corn ribs; we found those to be a great start to the meal. The banana wrapped fish and chicken dishes were enjoyed by our group. The drinks were especially expensive, and their lack of cider options was not common for Nairobi (I opted for a glass of white wine which is fitting for the setting). The tea menu was a nice touch and unique though we did not try any of them (we came for dinner). If you’re in the area and looking for a nice place to eat dinner, this is a good option.