Fogo Gaucho is a Brazilian steakhouse in Nairobi, with three branches scattered across Kilimani, Westlands, and Panari on Mombasa Road. This post is your ultimate guide to deciding if this spot is worth your time and money, including all the juicy details on budgeting and what’s on the menu. In summary: I recommend Fogo Gaucho. Please keep reading to find out why it’s a solid deal!
Pricing
At Fogo Gaucho, you’re signing up for an all-you-can-eat at a flat rate of KSh 3,000 per person. It used to be KSh 2,100 originally then to KSh 2,800, but Zakayo happened, and now everything’s on the rise.
For that KSh 3,000, though, you get over 15 different kinds of meats and access to a salad bar that offers 30+ options, including cheeses and other fancy bits, not just boring lettuce.
You also get exotic meats like crocodile and ostrich—basically everything The Carnivore used to brag about, but for way less. The Carnivore still charges KSh 4,800 for their “unlimited meats,” but since wild game meat is banned, they’re down to just ostrich and crocodile.
And guess what? Fogo Gaucho serves those too, but with meats that are actually moist and tender. The Carnivore has lost its charm and is now pretty much a tourist trap.
So, if you’re torn between The Carnivore and Fogo Gaucho for your meat fix, let me make it easy: Fogo Gaucho wins—cheaper, better meat, and an unlimited salad bar. At Carnivore, the only thing unlimited is the disappointment… I mean, meat.
Check out my post on why I don’t recommend The Carnivore.
If you’re after another buffet option, try Barbeque Nation in Westlands. It’s even cheaper at KSh 2,650 per person. Same deal—unlimited salad bar, unlimited desserts too. It’s an Indian buffet, so you know it’s good.
Just keep in mind, that there’s no beef (as this is an Indian restaurant)—it’s mostly chicken and lamb. Honestly, Barbeque Nation is probably the most vegetarian-friendly buffet in town, but if you’re reading this steakhouse post, I doubt that’s your concern.
The Fogo Gaucho Buffet Concept
Each person at the table gets a round cardboard disc with two sides: green and red. The green side says “Keep it coming” and signals to the roaming meat carvers that you’re ready for more.
Flip it to red when you need a breather or when you’re stuffed. The red side politely says, “no thank you.” It’s a similar setup at The Carnivore, but they use a flag instead of cardboard—because, you know, fancy.
You’ll kick things off at the salad bar, but let’s be real: you didn’t come here for leaves. Buffets love to trick you with all those shiny salads and starters, hoping you’ll fill up before the real show starts—meat on skewers.
Don’t fall for it. Pace yourself, okay? You’re a carnivore today. And don’t worry, you can always go back for a salad refill if you must.
I know everything looks great, but focus! Maybe grab something worthwhile like the cheese—yes, they have a whole wheel of it. So, go ahead and make your plate as cheesy as possible.
Oh, and the salad bar isn’t just salads. There are starters (hot and cold), bread, snacks, sides, a dessert station, and even stews. But remember why you’re here: meat, glorious meat!
Food Experience
The meat here is straightforward—just salted and grilled, no fancy seasoning, kind of like at The Carnivore. But unlike Carnivore, the meat doesn’t need drowning in sauce to taste good.
Ostrich was my top pick, hands down. The crocodile was alright, though it just tastes like chicken. The beef cuts were a mixed bag—some were great, others were meh—but overall, they were decent and pretty consistent.
Most of the steaks come out medium rare to well done. Personally, I love a good medium rare, but this is Africa, where people will call that raw, so I get why they lean more toward well done. Of course, that makes some of the steaks a bit chewier.
My advice: take small portions of everything as it passes by, there are a total of 16 meaty options currently. If something stands out as a favorite, then go ahead and ask for more of it.
Overall, the meat is solid—definitely better than what Carnivore’s serving up, in my opinion.
And when you’re done with the meat parade, they bring out this cinnamon-dusted roasted pineapple. It’s technically a dessert, but apparently, it helps with digestion, so you don’t end up feeling like you’ve swallowed a boulder. It’s ridiculously good, by the way.
Oh, and don’t get any ideas about taking leftovers home—you can’t do that. Just plate what you can actually finish. Unlimited doesn’t mean you should waste food.
As with any buffet, drinks are extra. Cocktails are on the pricier side—a Long Island goes for KSh 1,600, which isn’t as bad as Artcaffe Gastro Bar, where the same drink will set you back KSh 2,000 for nothing special.
Service & Thoughts
The service is pretty decent—everything happens the way it’s supposed to, so I can’t really complain, even if I wanted to. They swap out your plates every now and then, which is a nice touch, something you’d expect at a fancier spot. But let’s be honest, this isn’t a fancy place. Don’t expect any over-the-top ambiance. It’s more of a family-friendly buffet situation.
I wouldn’t suggest it for a romantic date. It’s better for casual meet-ups or family hangouts. If you’re after something romantic, check out fine dining spots like Ezo Neo-Japanese Restaurant or Slate Kitchen & Bar in Westlands. And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still nice, MeSo Asian Izakaya and Caviar Restaurant in Westlands are solid date options too.
