This is a review of MeSo at Westgate, Westlands, Nairobi—everything you need to know before deciding if it’s worth a reservation. Officially, it’s called “MeSo Modern Asian Izakaya.” For the uncultured, an izakaya is basically a Japanese spot where the food pairs well with drinks but more emphasis is on drinks, and there’s usually a decent variety of affordable alcohol.
In simpler terms, an izakaya is like a Japanese-style restaurant, or more accurately, a bar that takes its food as seriously as its drinks. Kind of like those “gastro bars” you see around. A Nairobi example would be Artcaffe Gastro Bar at Westlands Square and Imaara Mall, which I’ve reviewed—spoiler: it’s not exactly gastro-worthy with that average food.
Back to MeSo—it’s supposedly an izakaya, but honestly, it feels more like a restaurant than a bar. In fact, I don’t even remember spotting a bar section. But hey, they call themselves “Modern Izakaya,” so I’ll let it slide. Maybe they just liked how cool the name sounds.
Izakaya is Japanese, so I’m not sure why they decided to go broad with “Asian” in the name. It’s like calling a smocha African instead of being specific and saying it’s Kenyan.
But I get it—MeSo isn’t strictly Japanese. Their menu is more of a mix, with Chinese and Thai dishes in the mix too. Plus, their Japanese offerings aren’t exactly traditional, more like fusion versions. So yeah, just keep that in mind.
Alright, SORRY enough of my yapping—I got a bit carried away. Let’s dive into the actual review.
Location & Reservation
MeSo is on the 2nd floor of Westgate Mall—you’ll spot it easily once you’re there. And in case the name didn’t give it away, yes, Westgate is in Westlands. Just a heads-up, though: the mall is super strict about filming and photography, based on what happened in 2013; but once you’re inside the restaurant, no one really cares. So, feel free to go wild, but please be respectful.
It’s recommended to make a reservation if you’re planning a visit. Below is a link to their website—just scroll to the bottom for the reservation form.
If you’re in a group of 10 or more, they’ll ask for a reservation deposit because, let’s be honest, people love reserving and then not showing up.
Pricing & Budgeting
I almost forgot—MeSo is part of The Food Library, which, yes, is basically a collection of restaurants. There are six, to be exact. INTI is the most famous, mainly for its ambiance and views. Slate is your fancy fine-dining spot. Then you’ve got Bambino, a Latin kitchen; Mercado for your Mexican fix; and Botanica, a kitchen and gin bar.
Now, one thing I’ll give The Food Library restaurants is that they’re decently priced. And by “decently,” I don’t mean cheap—not at all. But for the class of restaurants they are, the pricing isn’t too outrageous. Most people can afford it. INTI and Slate are the priciest of the bunch, but even then, they’re not going to empty your wallet either.
Usually, when a place looks all nice and fancy, they bump up the food prices to match the decor. Not the case here, or at most Food Library spots. They’ve kept the prices reasonable. Not Crave-in-Kilimani-affordable, but still, you won’t need to sell your organs to eat here.
At MeSo, starters average around KSh 1,500, with some as low as KSh 700. Mains hover around KSh 2,000, though there are options between KSh 1,100 and KSh 2,000. Desserts are the best deal at around KSh 800 on average.
Drinks? Cocktails are the go-to, averaging KSh 900, with some starting at KSh 700 and capping at KSh 1,200.
So, if you’re going all out with a full course, expect to spend about KSh 5,200 per person. But realistically, no one’s doing the full course thing—most Nairobians stick to a main and a cocktail (myself included, I know, call me an NPC ).
Now that’ll set you back around KSh 2,900 per person. On a date? Budget for KSh 6,000. You could get away with less by picking the cheaper options—think a KSh 1,500 main and a KSh 700 cocktail, which will land you under KSh 4,500 for two.
Ambiance
One thing I can’t knock MeSo for is the ambiance. Maybe I’m biased, but this place nails my vibe. It’s minimalist—none of the over-the-top decor you’ll find at their other spots like INTI, and not trying to be all fancy like Slate. Just a simple green-and-white contrast theme. I’m a simple guy; I like simple things.
If you’re into a low-key, no-frills ambiance that’s not trying too hard, you’ll love it here. The seats are comfy, and the tables have two legs—so you’re not going to end up with a wobbly one like I did at The Location Rooftop in Kilimani.
The place is modern, minimalist, and very… green. And by green, I mean the paint—menus, seats, almost everything is green. Not greenery, though—no plants. If you’re a plant person, head over to Caviar at Mirage Towers (Westlands), where they’re practically…. Alexa, play ” Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N Roses
As for lighting, they’ve gone with cool white lights, not the yellow warm glow that every other restaurant seems obsessed with (looking at you, Yunion at GTC). Plus, they’ve got massive windows for natural light, in case you visit during the day.
MeSo Menu
Since this is an Asian restaurant, it’s probably a good idea to brush up on your chopstick skills before you come. They do offer forks and regular cutlery, though, so no pressure.
And when I say “Asian,” remember, India is technically in Asia but doesn’t really count here. The cuisine leans heavily on Japanese, Chinese, and Thai.
If you’re craving Indian food, you’ll have to head to places like Red Ginger in Parklands, Chowpaty in Westlands, or Barbeque Nation (also in Westlands), which even has an Indian buffet.
Menu photos are attached at the end of this post
Food & Drink Review
The food at MeSo is… okay-ish. By that, I mean it’s neither amazing nor terrible—just somewhere in the middle. Some dishes are pretty average, while others are good, but nothing to write home about. I’ve had four mains over my visits—two were decent, and two were just meh.
The starters, on the other hand, are mostly solid, especially the sashimi tacos. They’re delicious but seriously overpriced for what you get. You’ll finish them in two bites, and they’ll set you back KSh 1,200 for the tuna and KSh 1,800 for the salmon. Tasty? Yes. Worth the money? Eh, not really.
Unlike Slate, the portions here are pretty reasonable for most mains. Your plate will actually look full, not like some fancy-tasting menu portions. Don’t get me wrong, a few dishes are still on the small side, but that’s not the norm.
As for the cocktails, they’re all about the presentation—fancy glasses and cool setups. But taste? A bit underwhelming. Whatever I had was way too mild, no punch at all.
Not sure if that’s a one-off or the usual deal. I had the Ginza Spritz, and it was more sweet than punchy. On the bright side, they do have a happy hour, so there’s that. Also, check the link below for other spots with even better happy hour deals.
The Best Cocktail Happy Hour Deals in Nairobi
My Thoughts on MeSo
So, my final thoughts on MeSo: just because they’ve gone for a modern vibe doesn’t mean they should completely change what an Izakaya is. They absolutely nail the modern look—5/5 for that—but as for the Izakaya concept? Not so much.
Their website is cooler than mine, and they really embrace the whole modern aesthetic. But when it comes to food and drinks, I think some diners might be romanticizing it a bit. Sure, the drinks menu is decent, but let’s be real: the drinks are just average to occasionally good, which is a letdown for a place calling itself an Izakaya. You expect more punch!
Now, the pricing is actually reasonable—not too cheap, not too pricey but fair for a restaurant of this caliber. I’ll give them credit for that.
As for food quality, it’s mostly average, with a few decent dishes thrown in. Most of the restaurants in the Food Library don’t have food that’ll knock your socks off, but it’s usually edible and has some interesting twists. If you’re unsure, just ask your waiter or waitress for recommendations.
Even though the food isn’t blowing my mind, I still recommend MeSo. It shines in other areas, like ambiance, its modern flair, decent service, and reasonable prices. It’s a solid choice for a budget-friendly date night. Sure, there are cheaper places with better food, but they’re more family-friendly than romantic.
Now, looking at Google Reviews, MeSo has an average of 4.2 stars from 144 reviews, which is a bit low for a restaurant this nice considering the more reviews a place gets, the lower the average tends to go.
Most of the lower ratings mention the food as a sticking point, and I get that. For comparison, CJ’s in CBD boasts a 4.6-star rating from 10,000 reviews, Crave Kilimani has 4.8 from 415 reviews, and Hero comes in at 4.6 from 670 reviews. Barbeque Nation is at a whopping 4.9 stars from 320 reviews!
So, at over 500 reviews, MeSo might be hovering below a 4-star rating. They’re a good restaurant, but they definitely need to step up their food game.
MeSo Menu Photos
