So, what’s a gastrobar or gastropub, you ask? In the UK, a gastropub is essentially a bar that’s decided to up its food game—think of it as a pub where you’re served gourmet dishes instead of the usual greasy bar food. The word “gastro” comes from “gastronomy,” which is just a fancy way of saying “the art of choosing, cooking, and eating great food.” So, “gastropub” is a blend of “gastronomy” and “pub.” So Artcaffe Gastro Bar is more than just a bar, it is a bar with an actual restaurant in it.
Now, if you’re wondering what’s the difference between a gastrobar and a bistro, they’re totally different restaurant concepts. A bistro is a cozy little restaurant, and Nairobi has loads of them—Daily Cafe & Bistro, Brew Bistro Fortis, Bistro Adreno, Kilimani Bistro, and Cafe Bistro are some of the popular ones.
A gastrobar or gastropub, though, is a bar that prides itself on serving great food instead of the sad stale burgers and raw chicken wings you’d usually expect.
So when you see Artcaffe calling itself a gastrobar in Westlands Square, you’d naturally assume the food is so good, right? Right? Wrong. (Its not even good in the first place let alone so good): Lemme explain…
In summary, Artcaffe Gastro Bar excels in exactly one area—ambiance. Everything else? Not so much. The food is average at best, which is ironic given the “gastro” part of the name. Prices are sky-high for what you’re actually getting, and the service?
Well, it’s awful—unless you’re Indian or White, in which case service will be magically not an issue. But don’t worry, everything else will still be. Personally, I won’t be setting my foot on their doorstep again.
Pricing
Artcaffe Gastro Bar is basically the poster child for overpriced mediocrity. If they charged gourmet prices for actual gourmet food, I’d get it—but nope, they charge premium rates for what’s, at best, average. Sometimes even less.
The food quality? Let’s just say I’ve had better, and I’m not talking Michelin-star here. The only thing that’s even close to being fairly priced is the pizza, and that’s still pushing it.
Chicken wings for KSh 1,590? Seriously? Full breakfast for almost KSh 1,300? Meanwhile, CJs is out here serving better portions and quality for under a thousand bob. And Crave in Kilimani? Even better, and for less.
A burger for KSh 1,490, and it’s only got one patty? 3 Tacos for KSh 1,300? Yeah, no thanks.
Then there are the cocktails, in Nairobi restaurants normally priced between KSh 800 and KSh 1,300, and I’ve never felt more scammed than paying KSh 2,000 for a Long Island that was nothing to write home about.
Infact the most I ever paid for a cocktail was KSh 1,200 at The Location Rooftop in Kilimani, and it wasn’t anything special, instead it gave me a mild headache.
For better deals on cocktails check out this post where i feature some of the best happy hour restaurants in Nairobi
Read: The Best Cocktail Happy Hour Deals in Nairobi
And don’t be shocked when your glass of wine sets you back KSh 1,200.
Like I said, I’d be fine paying premium prices if the food was worth it, but Artcaffe’s food is always… well, not.
Food & Drink Review
There’s a real issue with the food quality at Artcaffe, and it’s not just a one-off. I’ve had the same letdown at other Artcaffe spots in the past. Overpriced, gentrified, and thoroughly mediocre.
When our food finally arrived—lukewarm to cold by the way, as it usually is, like its the restaurants policy—it was just more of the same disappointment.
The pizza? An absolute disaster. Soggy, undercooked dough inside, and drowning in oil. I’m guessing they used low-quality cheese that split, because it was basically a greasy mess. (Overheating is what causes cheese to split btw)
And after 45 minutes in a “wood-fired oven” their words not mine, I was expecting better. Honestly, “wood-fired” should probably be rebranded as “wood-fried” given the amount of oil the pizza was swimming in.
And no, I’m not holding Artcaffe Gastro Bar to the standards of some artisanal pizza joints—not even close. Fast food pizza is better than what I got.
Also Read: The 12 BEST Nairobi Pizza Spots According to Reddit
I honestly don’t know how they get away with serving and charging patrons for this kind of food and thinking it’s okay. And even when they redo your food its just a repeat for the same issues you had before; very comical.
The only thing that saved the day was the pastry section—the salted caramel cake and cheesecake were decent enough to calm me down.
For drinks those are hard to mess up, I wouldn’t complain much about them but they are underwhelming for the prices, but still not good, just average, like painfully average.
Oh, and I once had a sandwich at a regular Artcaffe (the Coffee & Bakery branch), and it was so mediocre I couldn’t finish it. Just to be polite,I requested it to be packed and then yeeted it in the bin as soon as I got home.
To be fair, I get it—cafés have a reputation for bad food, so I should’ve known better. That’s on me. But a gastropub? I expected more. So, if you’ve eaten at a regular Artcaffe, don’t get your hopes up for the gastro bar. It’s just the same average food, dressed up with nicer decor.
Ambiance
Ambiance is where this place really shines. If you’re all about Instagram stories and flexing that you’ve been to “nice” spots, well, this place has you covered. It’s undeniably pretty. But since I’m not exactly an “ambiance guy,” I didn’t care much for it—though I can admit it’s nice, I guess.
Food and drink quality is my biggest deal when chosing a restaurant to go splurge my hard earned KSh 2,500 or something
Service
I waited over 10 minutes without so much as a glance from the staff, and this was on a day when the restaurant wasn’t even busy.
Oh, and if you’re white, you’ll get royal treatment.The way the waitstaff practically sprint to serve white people while strolling past you like you’re invisible is mind-boggling.
Everyone should be treated equally, right? Regardless of race, religion, or background? Apparently, that’s too much to ask.
What’s surprising is that I’ve praised Artcaffe’s regular coffee shops before—service there is great and consistently better than Java House, in my experience. But the gastrobar? Not so much. Maybe it’s because it’s in Westlands, where expats and high-profile Indian businesspeople tend to hang out.
You could argue the preferential treatment comes from management, since expats have more spending power than the average Kenyan like you and me. Or maybe it’s the waitstaff, knowing expats are used to tipping—something not required here, but they’re happy to cash in on it.
A friend of mine once told me a waitress literally abandoned attending his table the moment a group of white folks walked in, attending to them first. It was so humiliating he just left. And this wasn’t even at Artcaffe Gastrobar—it’s a problem across a lot of Nairobi restaurants, and honestly, it’s stomach-turning.
Artcaffe Gastro Bar Menu
They’re still using QR code menus—seriously? It’s 2024. We’re four years out from Covid, and they still can’t bother to have a printed menu in sight.
Just because everyone’s glued to their smartphone these days doesn’t mean we all enjoy playing the “scan the menu” game. It’s annoying.
Nothing beats a good ol’ printed menu sitting right there on the table!
Oh, and don’t get too excited about what you do see on that digital menu—half of it is either out of stock or “not yet available.” Frustrating doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Here’s what Artcaffe Gastrobar Menu offerings…
Artcaffe Gastro Bar Food Menu
Artcaffe Gastro Bar Drinks Menu
My Final Two Cents
In the end, all the hype left me pretty underwhelmed. I’ve never been to a gastrobar before, but I know what to expect from one—good food in a bar setting. Sadly, I didn’t get that here. The food was disappointing, and the experience? Even worse.
This place looks great, but the low quality of the food and the average service just don’t cut it. And if you show up during peak hours? Forget about it—service is practically non-existent.
Honestly, I think Artcaffe Gastrobar doesn’t deserve the “gastrobar” title. It misses the mark so badly that I’m starting to wonder if they should just quietly drop the “gastro” part altogether.
At the end of the day, this is just another overhyped Nairobi spot, propped up by Instagram influencers. Sure, it’s perfect for snapping pretty pics for your Instagram stories, but if you’re after good food and a solid experience—well, you’re welcome to come and find out otherwise for yourself.
Drop your thoughts down in the comment section below, I love reading them!
