Barista & Co. is a cafe-style restaurant in Sarit, Westgate, and Keystone Park on Riverside Drive, this post is a restaurant review of the establishment
When someone mentions Barista & Co, the first thing that comes to mind is ” good coffee”, and I’m saying that as someone who thinks Java and Artcaffe are average coffee; which by default means this place is way better than the common cafes in terms of quality coffee.
The other thing about this place is that they offer an all-day brunch which is a big deal, the other place I know with all-day brunch is Yunion in GTC
Pricing & Affordability
Value (Excellent): ★★★★★(5)
Pricing: ＄-＄＄, Affordable.
Don’t let the classy looks fool you—this place is surprisingly affordable. No, really. It’s not even a shilling pricier than Java or Artcaffé. In fact, some things here are cheaper and better. Shocking, I know.
By “affordable,” I mean you can comfortably spend under 1K even if you go full caffeine addict and down 4 cups of coffee. And let’s be honest if you’ve already made up your mind about eating out, you probably have at least 1,000 KSh to spare. If not, well… Fuliza like in the true Kenyan fashion.
For a coffee date, you’re looking at KSh 1,500—maybe KSh 2,000 max. Sure, they serve food, but I have trust issues with café meals, so I stick to beverages, cakes, and pastries. And honestly, you should too.
Menu’s at the bottom of the post. Scroll like the responsible adult you are.
Ambiance
Ambiance (Good): ★★★★☆(4)
Barista & Co is a sleek, minimalist café—modern, elegant, and basically screaming “perfect coffee date spot.” The drinks even come with coasters, which is an elegant touch you don’t see just about everywhere.
You get the nicer ambiance, good coffee, and decent food, and it’s actually peaceful. Not as crowded as the typical cafes where all NPCs flock: So you won’t have to endure someone loudly pitching their next big business idea on how they are going to lock in this year.
Branch-wise, they’re solid. The Sarit one, for instance, is bathed in natural light: But no outdoor seating, SPEAKING OF SEATING….
Now, the chairs? Absolutely terrible. Wooden, stiff, and designed by someone who clearly hates comfort. I mean they look nice but not comfortable at all, at all, a random bench in Jeevanjee Gardens would be comfier.
15 minutes in and my back was filing for early retirement. If you were thinking of a long laptop session, don’t. Your spine will never forgive you.
4/5 score for ambiance, change those cursed chairs and I will make it a 5/5
Coffee Review
Coffee (Excellent): ★★★★★(5)
If you ask a serious coffee drinker what are the best cafes, 90% of them will have Barista and Co. in their top 3 favorite cafes, the coffee is just excellent, no fancy way to say that but that is that
For this review went with an Americano as the perfect coffee brew to feel the quality of the coffee. Also ordered a latte which was good as well but back to the Americano.
Americano is different from drip coffee as for there is no paper filter, so you get more oils in your cup, which can add complexity and notes.
With espresso made very well, Americanos can be great, so since my Americano was good, all other coffees should be because all of them are espresso-based
Read more on coffee drinks here: Guide to Popular Coffee Drinks in Nairobi Cafes
What you notice here is almost every textbook definition of good coffee, yes while everyone has different taste buds we all agree that good coffee is interesting complex flavors and no bitterness, and this is exactly what coffee here is.
I normally find Java and Artcaffe coffee to always have this hint of bitterness with a flat flavor profile, but not here, just dynamic flavors, some that I never tasted in a coffee before.
Cheese Cake Review
Cheesecake (Good): ★★★★☆(4)
I’m not a dessert guy—never have been, and never will be. But cheesecake? That’s my one weakness, I have an affinity for cheesecake, I really do.
Unfortunately, finding great cheesecake in Nairobi is a tactical operation, so I’ve made it my personal mission to order it anywhere I spot it on a menu.
Barista & Co’s cheesecake? It’s good—but not “roll out the red carpet” good. The texture threw me off; it’s jiggly like a sponge cake, which is the exact opposite of what a proper cheesecake should be.
A good traditional cheesecake is dense, firm, and smooth. This one only nailed the smoothness.
If you’re into the fluffy, lighter New York-style cheesecake, you’ll probably like it. I just prefer the old-school dense kind. Cheesecake textures vary, so whether you love it or not depends on your preference.
Now, in theory, a good cheesecake should have the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Here? Not a single hint of tartness—just pure sweetness from start to finish. And since I’m more of a savory guy, my sugar tolerance is plummeting with age, so I didn’t appreciate that
Full disclosure, I got the Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake. The biscuit? Amazing. Easily the best part of this entire thing. The toppings and cream? Meh. Just average.
Service
Service (Excellent) : ★★★★★(5)
Service was impressively fast—I barely had time to overthink anything before my order arrived. And it’s not like the place was empty; only one table was free at the time. Other cafés should honestly take notes.
For a café, the service is solid. I’ve always felt that Artcaffé cafés have the best service—can’t say the same for their Gastrobar, though, I don’t wanna open that can of worms
But yeah, no Java-style waiting here. You order, and your order is there.
5/5 score there
Thoughts on Barista & Co
No restaurant or café is perfect, obviously—and yes, I have a flair for the dramatic. But honestly, Barista & Co is really good. BUT……
My only real gripe? The seats. They’re not just uncomfortable; they’re strategically uncomfortable. Short-backed, so they cut off at the middle of your back—terrible if you’re a tall brethren. Sure, they look nice, but function? Nonexistent.
If you need outdoor seating and a comfortable spot for a laptop session at Sarit, Daily Café delivers all that. The coffee? Not as excellent as Barista & Co’s, but still decent. You’ll survive unless you are a coffee snob.
Realistically, though, Barista & Co is ideal for grabbing a takeout coffee—because if you’re in Sarit, this is as good as it gets.
I love this place… but these chairs will be the death of me.
Barista & Co Full Menu
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