Kivu Noir

The first time I came, I gave 5 stars. But this time, I can only give 1 star for the service. The place itself is still nice, a good spot to stay with good coffee, but the service really disappointed me. Today was a heavy rainy and cold day. We came walking in the rain, all wet, and sat inside. We ordered toast, but then we were told we couldn’t eat the toast inside and had to move outside. Meanwhile, I saw other people eating croissants and banana bread inside without any problem. I don’t understand the difference between eating toast inside and eating croissant inside, especially on such a day. This made me feel uncomfortable, and I had to take my food away because I didn’t want to sit outside in the cold. The place was amazing and the coffee was one of the best I’ve ever had as a coffee lover. However, I didn’t like that while my wife and I were sitting outside working on our laptops with food on the table, the staff asked us to move inside to make space for a large family, even though there were other seats available. Still, this café is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.

From the volcanic shores of Lake Kivu to the hills of Kigali: this stylish coffee shop in the neighborhood of Kimihurura offers an impressive range of brews. It’s a modern spot, especially lively in the afternoons. Enjoy your favorite local coffee with a panoramic view over the city from the terrace. The only thing missing, perhaps, is a wider selection of cakes or sweet breads.

This cafe is very elegant and well-designed. It’s really enjoyable to spend time here reading or working. The best part, though, is the coffee selection. Although I come from Italy (so I have very strict standards 🙃) I loved the types of coffee they make here. Absolutely recommended!

Drove with my friends (~6 km, ~25 min via KN 5 Ave → KN 3 Ave) and found on-site parking—space is limited, so arriving early helps. Atmosphere Kivy Noir (Kivu Noir) in Kiyovu offers a crisp, minimalist café setting. Clean lines, natural light, and cozy seating made it a relaxed space for conversation and coffee. Staff were warm and efficient. What We Had My friends ordered green loose-leaf tea (approx. 4,000 FRW) and a snack. The tea was fragrant and well-served. I opted out since I’d eaten earlier at Meze Fresh. Menu & Prices (please make your findings too) Hot Drinks Cappuccino – 4,000 FRW Americano – 3,500 FRW Iced Caramel Macchiato – 6,500 FRW Iced Drinks Cold Brew – 5,000 FRW Matcha Mango – 9,000 FRW Raspberry Lemonade – 7,000 FRW Foods Avocado Toast – 9,000 FRW Smoked Salmon Croissan’wich – 15,000 FRW Tiramisu Brownie – ~9,000 FRW (Disclaimer: prices may have changed.) Highlights My friends noted the green tea was aromatic, smooth, and served with care. The café’s vibe is perfect for a quick catch-up or solo break. Portions generous, drinks well-balanced, and service prompt (~10 min for beverages). Value Mid-range pricing, but high-quality ingredients and calm ambiance make it feel worth it. Parking & Directions On-site parking at KN 16 Ave, Kiyovu. Drive from Kicukiro: reliable route via KN 5 Ave → KN 3 Ave → KN 16 Ave. Parking fills up on weekend mornings; early arrival recommended. Final Thoughts Kivy Noir delivers quality drinks and a serene environment. My friends enjoyed their tea and snack. Ideal for conversation, solo time, or casual meetups. I’d return with more time to enjoy a croissan’wich or brownie.

The decor, ambiance, music, and view are quite lovely, and the service is great. However, I really don't get all the hype about their coffee. Granted, I've only had their cappuccinos, but all three times they have been pretty mediocre and disappointly watery in my personal opinion, in addition to being more expensive than the cappuccinos at other neighborhood cafés such as Rubia Coffee Roasters, El Vista Café, and Fika Café. On a more positive note, I really appreciate that their sparkling water comes in glass rather than plastic bottles.

First of all, they know coffee! The food is so fresh and organic! Nice portions! Friendly and professional service by the staff! They greet you with a smile!

When we first walked in, we were greeted with a lovely server, who attended to us for the rest of our stay. We had good coffee here. I am yet to try the food. The aesthetic of this place is unmatched too. It can be a bit busy but this just shows you how good this place is.

kivu noir is who she thinks she is!! 🗣️ 🗣️ I genuinely enjoyed my brunch there. I showed up at maybe 11ish so it was rather crowded but manageable. I had the everything breakfast + milk African tea ☕ with a side of bacon 🥓 and lemme tell you - no notes. 💯 zero additions. perfect!! 👌🏿