Here’s a rundown of the new Caviar restaurant in Westlands, Nairobi. I’ll spill the beans on everything you need to know before you head over, from the vibe to the food and budgeting, and how it all plays out. Stick around until the end, where I’ll give you my honest take on whether this spot is worth your time and cash or if you’d be better off trying elsewhere.
Pricing & Budget
What’s cool about this restaurant is that it doesn’t really cater to just one budget class. It feels like anyone can fit in here, whether you want to spend a little or go all out.
The menu has a wide price range, from dishes under KSh 1,000 to some that go over KSh 5,000, depending on what you order. So, if you’ve got around KSh 2,000 to spend, you’ll be good—but it’s also super easy to overspend since things can add up quickly especially if your waitress asks you to add extras to your dishes, just say no. (The extras usually aren’t worth it, maybe except for cheese)
Also Read: Why Butter and Cheese are SO EXPENSIVE in Kenya
This place is a step up from your usual Nairobi spots like CJ’s, making it even more impressive that you can spend so little here. But don’t get me wrong—it’s not a fancy restaurant either. It’s more of a nice middle ground.
So, it was my birthday, and, naturally, things twisted a little out of control. The bill hit almost 7,000 KES, despite my firm plan to stick to 4,000.
I mean, who knew that two starters, a main, a dessert, two cocktails, and water could add up so quickly? That’s basically a portion of my rent money right there. Great job, me.
But, you know, it was my birthday, so I guess It’s the only time of the year when I can get away with bad financial decisions.
So yeah, 2,000 per person is manageable but I feel like 2,500 is the sweet spot, and the full menu is down at the bottom of this post. But hold your horses—there’s more you need to know about this place before you rush off for; instance reservations.
So take a deep breath, and relax, we’ll get to the menu in due time. Or, if you’re impatient, go ahead and scroll down, check it out, then come back here to get the full scoop.
I’m documenting my entire experience, even though I’m fully aware you probably don’t care for the review; you just stumbled on this post while Googling for the menu.
Look at me manipulating you to read my entire blog 🙂. She called me a manipulator, she probably was right!
Location | Getting to Caviar Restaurant
As a peasant with no car and Uber/Bolt didn’t make sense to me; Matatu was the best option from CBD to Westlands. It is just 30 KES, the good thing about Uber/Bolt you’ll be dropped off at the exact location by your driver (assuming they don’t child-lock you in their car and demand extra payment).
If you’re taking a matatu, just get off anywhere near GTC, and you’ll be close enough to find your way. Caviar restaurant is at The Mirage Towers on Waiyaki Way, right after GTC, which is hard to miss.
Mirage has three towers, and Caviar is in Tower 3. At the reception, the security guys will guide you. If you’re dressed nicely, they’ll probably just assume you’re heading to Caviar and point you there without asking. Since I looked a bit like a lost cause, they had to ask where I was going.
Caviar is on the second floor, and it’s impossible to miss as soon as you step out of the lift. Below is the first thing you’ll see when you do.
Reservations
When you walk in, there’s a lady at the reception who’ll ask if you have a reservation—nicely, of course.
Turns out, this place is big on reservations, and just walking in isn’t really an option. As I was about to head off and spend my money somewhere else, she wouldn’t let me leave just because someone else had a reservation and might not show up. So, they managed to squeeze me in.
Later, I noticed a bunch of reservations going to waste. Like, why make a reservation if you’re not actually going to show up? Anyway, if you’re planning to visit, definitely make a reservation to avoid the hassle.
For those in love, Imagine showing up with your date and having to turn back, your cute little date will be basically ruined. On Friday and Saturday nights, it was surprisingly empty, not too busy because the restaurant is still new and not alot of people know it, but since it’s a nice-ish restaurant, just reserve to be safe.
It doesn’t cost you anything, you can make a reservation on their Instagram DMs, or call, they don’t have a website yet. They should really give me that job.
Phone: 0722 88 44 55
Ambiance
I’m not exactly an ambiance enjoyer—food is my main thing—but I do appreciate a decent setting when it’s there. Caviar is a pretty nice spot and definitely Instagram-worthy if you’re into flaunting your fabulous life to your Instagram followers.
I’m personally a fan of the color scheme; the black and brown mix really works well, and the greenery is almost over the top, but in a good way. It gives the illusion of being outdoors even though you’re indoors, and unlike Crave restaurant in Kilimani, the plants here are actually real.
The lighting is decent but feels a bit on the dim side. No one wants blinding lights; especially The Weeknd, but it’s not as bright as I’d love, which I noticed while trying to snap some photos for this blog post.
Not that it’s a deal-breaker—I’m just wondering if dim lighting is supposed to be more luxurious and cozy or something?
The seats here are pretty standard—comfortable enough but don’t expect plush luxury. They’re sort of like a mix between armchairs and buckets, but hey, they’ve got a throw pillow for your lower back.
Interestingly, the coziest seat I found was at a café—yes, you read that right, a café! Daily Cafe in Sarit had a seat so comfy I could still feel it hugging me if I closed my eyes for about 30 seconds.
On the flip side, the biggest letdown in terms of seating, especially given the place’s hype, was The Location Rooftop in Kilimani, they definitely cheaped out on that.
Now, let’s talk about the bathroom situation—it’s honestly mind-blowing. I don’t like reviewing bathrooms it’s weird but this one is so nice to skip
They’ve got a scented candle, lotion, and I’m not even sure what that stuff in the tube is, all in the men’s room? That’s a bit much, even for me. I’d get it if it were in the ladies’ room but in the men’s room?
Wow, I’ve never wanted to hang out in a bathroom more in my life. Thanks to Caviar, I might just start buying scented candles for myself.
And speaking of fancy, the bar setup is a dead giveaway that this place takes cleanliness seriously. Everything feels so high-end.
You know a place is fancy if you struggle to open the tap. No spoilers on how, though—you’ll just have to experience the struggle yourself by fidgeting around too.
Now let’s talk about food perhaps the most important thing about this post.
Food Review
So, while you can technically fit any budget here, if you’re on the lower end (around 1,000-1,500 KES for mains), your choices are pretty limited. Most dishes hover around 2,000-3,000 KES, but since I’m a bit of a cheapskate, I didn’t want to shell out more than 1,500 KES for a single dish. I opted for the Linguine Pasta as my main.
Before that, I had chicken lollipops as a starter. They were pretty decent—the sauce was spot on, and the chicken was tasty and well-textured there is nothing I can complain about even if I try.
I also got a free appetizer, which turned out to be sliced cucumber coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. As someone who cooks a lot at home, I could taste every ingredient, and it came with an aioli dipping that was so fluffy and creamy. The appetizer was so average, but the aioli saved it, but seriously it was free why am I even complaining?
The pasta is decent, kind of like artisan-level pasta but not quite hitting those high notes. What I did like was the texture—it’s al dente and chewy, with that perfect bite that makes it feel almost gourmet. The cheese is generous and tasty, almost like Parmesan Reggiano, though the basil might be a love-it-or-hate-it situation if you’re not used to it.
Overall, the pasta is pretty good, even better than some so-called Italian places in the city, and this isn’t even an Italian restaurant—it serves pretty much every major cuisine.
I feel like my linguine pasta is almost the same as what you can get at Mambo Italia.
Also Read: Mambo Italia Menu, Prices and Pizza Review
The downside? The mushrooms. They’re way too soft and bland, with almost no seasoning. They’re bearable but could use some improvement. The extra chicken I paid 400 KSh for was nicely cooked, but it felt like daylight robbery for just 3-4 strips. Not exactly worth it.
The mini toast slices were actually good—crunchy but not too hard. They’re well-made, but not buttery enough to be called excellent. I’ll stick with “good.”
Cocktails aren’t cheap here, starting at 800 KSh. If cocktails are your main contest, you might want to look elsewhere with happy hours. This place is too nice to mess up with a crowd that happy hour might attract.
Happy hour 3 cocktails for 1,000 bob deals are at Big Square branches and Between Two Buns in Kahawa Sukari
I can’t remember exactly what cocktail I had, but I asked for whatever was the strongest one and got a refill of the same. It was strong enough that I started feeling floaty after just a quarter of it. That one was definitely excellent.
As for dessert, since I’m not really into sweet things, I wasn’t thrilled about the KSh 1,000 toffee pudding with ice cream. The ice cream was just average, and I didn’t care for the pudding at all.
But don’t take my word for it—my dislike for desserts, especially when they’re drizzled with what I can only describe as disgusting caramel, might not be the same for everyone. The only thing I enjoyed was the fresh raspberries and blueberries, very fresh and not frozen surprisingly
So, here’s the menu for your viewing pleasure.
Menu | Caviar Restaurant
Final Thoughts?
In summary, Caviar is a nice spot that I’d rate a solid 8/10 overall. The food deserves an 8—pretty impressive, though there’s always room for a little more wow factor.
The service gets an 8.5; it’s attentive and friendly, making your experience pleasant.
The ambiance is good for an 8, creating a pleasant atmosphere, though it might not blow your mind.
As for value, I’d give it a 7.5. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but the food is good. Still, you can find equally great food for less at places like Crave-Kilimani. Overall, it’s worth a visit, especially for date nights—it’s almost the perfect spot for that. For casual dining, though, you might feel a bit out of place. Don’t ask me how I know.
Check out All My Nairobi Restaurant Reviews Here
Check out All My Nairobi Fast Food & Snacks Reviews Here
