Artcaffè 2024 Menu, Locations, and Review

This post is a comprehensive overview and review of Artcaffe outlets in Kenya, from the food and drink offerings, menu, and pricing to the environment and overall experience.

If you just want the menu then scroll to the end of this post

It is the second most popular mainstream coffee shop in Nairobi after Java House.

But unlike Java House, Artcaffe is more modern, ambient, and with better service and attention to detail.

Artcaffe is a chain of restaurant cafes across Nairobi with 36 stores. The brand is 15 years old( since 2007) and is relatively newer compared to its closest contender Java House which is 25 years old currently.

Post Summary on Artcaffe

Ambiance Score: ★★★★☆(4)

Value Rating: ★★★★☆(4)

Coffee Rating: ★★★★☆(4)

Food Rating: ★★★★☆(4)

Service Score: ★★★★★(5)

Table of Contents

📍Artcaffè Locations

Agha Khan
CBD, Kenyatta Avenue, Westminster House
CBD, Kimathi Street, Balfour House
CBD, Koinange Street, Chester House
Eastern Bypass, Rubis Petrol Station
Eastern Bypass, Shell Kamakis
Hurlingham, Argwings Arcade
Hurlingham, Rubis Petrol Station
Karen, Galleria Mall
Karen, Hardy Post
Karen, The Hub Karen
Kileleshwa, Total Petrol Station
Kilimani, Valley Arcade
Kitengela, Kitengela Mall
Kiambu Road, Ridgeways Mall
Langata Rd, Freedom Heights Mall
Lavington, Lavington Mall
Limuru Road, Two Rivers Mall
Ngong Rd, The Junction Mall
Northern Bypass, Shell Windsor
Parklands, Onn the Way supermarket
Riverside, 14 Riverside Drive
Roysambu, Thika Road Mall (TRM)
South B, Capital Centre
South C, Rubis Petrol Station
Upperhill, ACK Gardens
Upperhill, Britam Tower
Westlands, Gallant Mall
Westlands, Rhapta Square
Westlands, The Oval
Westlands, Westgate Mall

Upcountry Locations

Naivasha Safari Centre

Pricing & Value

Rating: ★★★★☆(4)

Pricing: ＄-＄＄

Pricing is very affordable, especially for hot beverages and pastries. For the most part, it won’t exceed KSh 600.

This is a good value for the quality considering the portions, they’re not the biggest but they are what you would call normal-sized.

If you want a breakfast combo, the budget is just between KSh 600 and 1,500. This is not the best breakfast combo you can have, if you really want a better breakfast combo then I would recommend you try CJs, it is way better in all aspects.

Menu & Dishes

Rating: ★★★★☆(4)

Artcaffe Scan QR Code Menu — Artcaffe QR Code Menu

As you can see this QR Code menu has seen better days, there are no physical menus at most Artcaffe branches, and most restaurants in Nairobi these days.

This is honestly kinda annoying and inconvenient. Even with smartphones being mainstream, not everyone owns one or carry one on them. While this made sense in the pandemic era, physical menus should be an option now.

How to scan the Artcaffe Menu:

High-end phones like Google Pixel and iPhones can scan through the camera app as this feature is built. But for budget smartphones, you will need to download a 3rd party app like Google Lens from the Play Store, or just open the Google app on your phone and it will be next to the microphone icon.

Coffee Experience

Milky espresso-based drinks like Cappucino, Mocha, and Latte are decent, there is a perfect balance of everything, just good enough that the coffee content is enough and you can feel it through the foam and all. Even for a single latte, you can feel the strength of the coffee.

Artcaffe however doesn’t offer a big variety of these coffee drinks, no Flat White, Macchiato, or Cortado, among other coffee drinks.

At Artcaffe, espresso is super strong and really good. It has a big, bold flavor that coffee lovers really like.

It’s the kind of coffee for psychopaths who are not interested in milky drinks, and it is so strong you won’t sleep hours later.

Although I typically favor Java House coffee, Artcaffè’s espresso stands out for its robustness and a hint of bitterness.

There is no way to option your coffee but it mostly tastes like medium or dark roast coffee, if you prefer light fruity roasts then Artcaffe is not your best option; try Spring Valley Cafe. They have one of the best coffees you will ever taste.

The other small but impressive detail about Artcaffe, is you have options on how to sweeten your beverage, artificial sweetener, brown or white sugar depending on your preference.

If you want to reduce your sugar intake or are on a weight loss journey, then Canderel is your best choice here, it is a low-calorie sweetener. Sugar is 16kcal a teaspoon while Canderel is 0.3kcal a tablet.

Between brown and white sugar, if you don’t have a preference, then go for brown; it tastes better, and white sugar is too sweet and more processed.

Cakes & Pastries

Most pastries are excellent for a cafe. Artcaffe is a coffee and bakery establishment so you know they have a wide variety of bakery goodies along with coffee.

They are mostly good enough from the quality, textures, sweetness, and portion sizes. The most impressive thing personally is they come served warm.

For the cakes and dessert, the best seller is salted caramel slice, be sure to give it a try if you haven’t. Cheesecake is okay but not the best you will ever have.

Ambiance & Atmosphere

Rating: ★★★★☆(4)

The place inside looks really nice and isn’t too packed, so there’s lots of room. Everything’s designed in a way that’s clean and simple, which I personally really like. They pay attention to even the smallest things, making the whole place feel really neat and comfy.

Service

Rating: ★★★★★(5)

Probably the best service you can get from a coffee shop, comparable to what you get in some fancy restaurants. Everyone is polite, always smiling, attentive, and really helpful.

There seems no preferential treatment here like in Java where you are profiled by how you dress or your race.

I always dress like a homeless person but get served equally well as the distinguished diners next to me.

Personally, while Java’s coffee is slightly superior, Artcaffe’s service wins me over every time; there is something about good service that makes the day better for me.