Let’s dive into Slate Kitchen & Bar in Westlands, Nairobi, the restaurant is sandwiched between Mövenpick Hotel and Skynests Residences, with sister restaurants Mercado and Bambino Kitchen peeking from across the street. It’s part of The Food Library family that also includes Botanica, INTI, and MeSo—so yes, Slate has 5 other relatives
Slate promises a mix of French, Afro (West African), and Asian flavors, which sounds like a culinary world tour on one plate. But the big question is: Should you fork out your hard-earned cash for this? We’ll see.
The reservation process is painless, but make sure you book early—everyone else seems to have the same idea. You can reserve between noon and 9 p.m., though the place stays open till midnight for those who like late-night dining.
Parking? No need to sweat it. There’s plenty of space, even when the place is busy.
A Summary of Slate Kitchen & Bar
Ambiance Score:★★★★★(5)
Value Rating: ★★☆☆☆(2)
Food Rating: ★★★☆☆(3)
Service Score: ★★★★☆(4)
Ambiance & Atmosphere
Rating: ★★★★★(5)
Slate has a modern, stylish vibe that’s hard to miss. The attention to detail definitely ups the luxury factor, making it a prime spot for cozy dinner dates, anniversary celebrations, or the occasional high-end business dinner (where you’re pretending to discuss work).
Being a kitchen & bar, Slate caters to both the drink-only crowd with its spacious bar and those who want to sit down for a meal in a dining area where the decor is, well, next level. It’s minimalist but somehow still manages to be stylish, with wall art that’s both simple and sophisticated. The mix of grey with gold accents, warm wood tones, and a splash of greenery really gives the place some life.
Now, the lighting? Bit on the harsh side if you’re unlucky enough to sit near the wall lights, but at least you’ll have a great view of the waffle-patterned ceiling. The seats are comfy, and the tables are spaced just right so you can whisper sweet nothings to your date without hearing someone else’s “we need to talk” in the background.
The bar area? Let’s just say it’s shiny enough to see your reflection—fancy countertops included.
Unlike the sister restaurants in The Food Library, only Slate and MeSo keep things minimalist and modern, steering clear of the visual chaos you’ll find at Botanica (formerly Honey & Dough) or INTI, where your eyes don’t know where to land first.
The interior is nothing short of impressive, with everything hitting just the right notes. There’s soft, chill music playing in the background, which definitely helps set the mood even more.
For fine dining or a serious romantic date, Slate Kitchen & Bar is a solid pick just based on the vibe alone.
As for the ambiance? Easy 5 out of 5 stars.
Pricing & Value
Pricing: ($$)-($$$) – Moderate to High
Value Rating: ★★☆☆☆(2)
Other than the starters, pretty much everything—especially the mains—leans towards the pricier side. You’re looking at around KSh 3,000 to 3,500 per person, but if you’re feeling fancy and opt for seafood or something upscale, expect to cross the KSh 5,000 mark. Now, if it’s a date, just double that and brace yourself for a bill hitting KSh 10,000 or more.
Slate Kitchen & Bar charges a premium for food that, in my opinion, doesn’t quite live up to the price tag. If the food were as good as, say, EZO Neo Japanese in Westlands, I wouldn’t be complaining. But here, you’ve got to ask yourself: is it really worth the spend? The short answer: nope.
For starters, the portions are tiny—classic fancy restaurant move—but unlike places where the food is gourmet and the goal is tasting, not eating, Slate doesn’t quite nail it.
Sure, it’s better than your average normal budget restaurant, but when you compare it to other restaurants in the same price range, it just doesn’t measure up.
It kind of feels like you’re mostly paying for the wall art, which is why it’s getting a 2-star rating for value. Personally, I’d take great food over fancy decor any day.
Menu & Dishes
Rating: ★★★☆☆(3)
The menu is pretty diverse, covering just about every diet out there, and vegetarians will find themselves well taken care of.
As for the cutlery, it’s solid—literally. You’ll be lifting some serious utensils.
Now, when it comes to the mains, brace yourself for a bit of a gamble. The food looks great, but more often than not, the taste doesn’t match the presentation. Occasionally, it’ll surprise you and exceed expectations, but let’s just say those moments are rare.
The sushi? Surprisingly good. The fusion dishes, though, are a bit hit or miss. I think they might grow on you once you get used to them.
The food can be inconsistent—one part might be overcooked while another’s overly salty. Definitely room for improvement there.
Now, the bar section is where Slate really shines. The cocktails and mocktails are top-notch, and I’ll give them a 5 out of 5. Unlike the food, they’re actually reasonably priced. Everything’s smooth and well-balanced, and you can tell they’re using quality ingredients and alcohol.
For the dessert menu, everything is good, my only concern is that Slate only has 4 items on this menu. I mean for the menu and food I will give Slate an average score because I kind of expect more from their class of restaurant
Service
Rating: ★★★★☆(4)
The only downside to Slate Kitchen & Bar is the wait—expect to kill about 40 minutes to an hour, which feels like a small eternity.
On the bright side, the wait staff are generally fantastic. They’re knowledgeable about the menu and are happy to help you figure things out or suggest something you might love.
You definitely get some personalized attention, which I appreciate, with regular check-ins to make sure you’re all set or if you need anything special.
Honestly, I’d give them a solid 5 stars if they could just speed things up a bit.
Final Thoughts
Average Rating: ★★★★☆(4)
I’m settling on a 4 out of 5, which is really just rounding up from a 3.5 because, you know, math.
Slate Kitchen & Bar has attentive service, a snazzy atmosphere, and a menu that throws together various cuisines, making it a decent spot for a night out in Nairobi.
Sure, the food isn’t the highlight, but everything else is so great it’s like they forgot to focus on the menu. It’s pricey but worth it for a nice evening or a date.
If you want slightly better food and ambiance, INTI is an option, though it’ll cost you more. For a casual date night, Caviar in Mirage Towers, Westlands has decent food and a nice enough ambiance—just not as “wow” as Slate.
Here is the post summary of Slate Kitchen & Bar in Nairobi:
The good
- Ambiance
- Unique menu
- Good service
- Nice cocktails
- Good Sushi
The bad
- Long wait time
- Small portions
- Food inconsistency & quality
- Low value( overpriced for quality)
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