This post is a roundup of the 5 best burger joints in Nairobi, based on what most people recommend—not just my picks. So, you can trust that these spots are the absolute best and this list isn’t biased in any way.
Before we dive into the restaurants, let’s answer the big question: What makes a GREAT burger?
As someone once dramatically said, “The burger is a temple, held up by two pillars: bread and meat.” Those are the real deal. Everything else—veggies, cheese, sauces—are just bonus features you can mix and match depending on your mood.
Generally, spots that specialize in grilling or steakhouses tend to nail the meat, while bakery-focused places shine with their buns. But a truly great burger needs both—a juicy, flavorful patty and a bun that doesn’t disappoint. All the extras, like cheese, just take it to the next level.
Speaking of patties, a solid one is usually around 200g of beef, with a fat content between 15-20%. Some places get fancy with lamb burgers, which is an interesting twist, but if you’re a beef purist, the best cut for patties is chuck.
For the buns, brioche works best for regular burgers, while potato buns shine in smash burgers (though this list doesn’t have smash burgers). So, any place with brioche buns and ground chuck patties is already on the right track for a top-tier burger.
Now that we know what makes a killer burger, let’s get to the top 5 recommendations—ranked from the best.
1. Sierra Brasserie
Type: Brasserie
Location: ●Yaya Centre, Kilimani
At Sierra, they’ve got these Wagyu-Boran burgers that are consistently great. It’s no surprise since Sierra is famous for steaks, and any place that does steaks well is bound to serve up a decent burger too.
I mean, beef is kind of their thing. These aren’t your typical Nairobi burgers like the ones from Burger King that taste a bit too processed. Sierra’s burgers are fresh, and gourmet, and come in four varieties: bacon cheese, blue cheese, the Frenchie, and Wagyu.
My favorite is the bacon cheese because, let’s be real, any burger with bacon is an automatic win for me. The blue cheese one? Well, it’s got a strong taste, a funky smell;(smells like feet), and looks a little moldy—so if you’re not into that, maybe give it a miss. But if you can handle the moldy cheese vibe of blue cheese, it’s a solid combo, and I actually love it.
The real star here is the patty—perfectly cooked, juicy, and full of flavor. The only downside? They’re a little stingy with it. The patty’s only 180g, while most places do 200g, and some even go for 225g. Like, Sierra, I love you, but let’s not skimp on the meat.
2. Uncle Nene’s
Type: Cloud Kitchen
Everyone who’s tried Uncle Nene’s raves about them—apparently, they’re the holy grail of Nairobi burgers. The catch? Uncle Nene’s is a cloud kitchen, so no sit-down restaurant vibes here. You either pick it up or get it delivered, which is super convenient if you enjoy eating burgers in your pajamas.
The execution is flawless—perfectly toasted buns, juicy patty, and the whole thing looks like it was built by a burger architect. And the perks? You get crinkle-cut fries and coleslaw, so it’s not just a great burger, it’s also a great deal. And the fries are as good as the burger. Tastes are just fantastic throughout everything, a decent portion, and the best value for your money in this entire list. Most burgers with fries cost KSh 900!
The only hiccup? You can’t sit down and enjoy it there, and they close ridiculously early—like 4 p.m., as if they’re a government office. So, if you’re craving Uncle Nene’s burgers after work, tough luck.
3. Mama Rocks
Type: Food Truck : (Now with permanent locations with sitting areas)
Location(s) : ●The Alchemist ●Roslyn-Rivera Mall ●Karen ●Kilimani
Before Uncle Nene’s came onto the scene, back in the 2017 era, Mama Rocks was the burger spot everyone swore by. At the time, they were just a humble food truck, but once word spread about how good their burgers were, they blew up and opened physical locations all over the city.
They even got featured on an episode of Munchies on YouTube—that’s how much of a big deal they were.
These days, though, with all the commercialization and expansion, Mama Rocks just isn’t what it used to be. Don’t get me wrong, they still make decent and unique burgers, which is why they’re on this list, but I’d say they’ve lost a bit of their magic.
The highlight at Mama Rocks has always been their brioche buns—slightly sweet and just perfect. Plus, their sauces, especially the Mango Masai Mama, are top-tier. The patty, though? Not so much.
The buns and sauces pretty much carry the whole burger. Another downside? The burgers are a bit on the small side, and at over KSh 1,200, you’re not exactly getting the best bang for your shilling, so yes they were overpriced back then they were going for less than Uncle Nenes prices around KSh 800. Yes there’s inflation and all that but I still think they’re overpriced
For less than that, Uncle Nene’s gives you a bigger, better burger with fries. But hey, at least at Mama Rocks, you’re still getting a decently unique burger with not-so-conventional twists.
4. Harvest
Type: Brasserie
Location: ●Village Market Mall
Just hearing “Harvest restaurant” reminds me of the massive burger they serve—the biggest burger in the country, apparently. It’s meant for 2 to 3 people, basically the size of two regular burgers.
What I appreciate about this giant burger is that they’ve followed that one underrated opinion: “Big burgers should be wider, not taller.” Because yes, towering burgers look impressive until you realize you need to take them apart to actually eat them. I am looking at you, Between Two Buns, (in Kahawa Sukari)
But Harvest gets it right—their giant burger is wide, so you can just slice off a piece without having to play Jenga with your food. This beast costs KSh 3,500.
It’s loaded with 550g of minced beef chuck and ribs, mustard-mayo, Irish cheddar, pickles, grilled onions, lettuce, spicy chipotle, spring onion, house salad, and French fries.
Yes you saw that right, they use beef chuck which we said was the best cut for a burger in the intro
Now, if you’re just in the mood for a regular burger, be prepared for a pricey experience. Harvest isn’t shy about its prices. The standard burger, called The Harvest Burger, costs KSh 1,850 and comes with cheese, tomato, fried egg, bacon, lettuce, salad, and fries. It’s a good burger, but definitely the most overpriced one on this list. It’s not miles ahead of the others to justify the price—in fact, I’d say the cheaper Sierra burger is better.
The downside to Harvest? Limited burger options and a steep price tag for what you get.
5. Grill Shack
Type: Grill Restaurant
Location(s) : ●Westgate Mall ●Valley Arcade
As the name suggests, Grill Shack is all about steaks, ribs, and burgers—basically, meat. They’ve got the biggest burger variety on this list. Last I checked, there were 10 options, which is impressive.
The prices are pretty decent too, ranging from KSh 1,050 to about KSh 1,590. They even throw in chicken and a veggie burger for good measure. And for KSh 1,590, you’re getting a double patty, so you can’t really complain. Plus, they’re not stingy with the meat—each patty is a respectable 200g, unlike the 180g lightweight ones at Sierra.
Another win at Grill Shack is the ability to customize your burger with extras and toppings like eggs, bacon, and cheese, plus seven other toppings. If you love variety and tweaking your burger until it’s perfect, this is your spot.
No one thing stands out about their burgers—they’re just all-around good. Nothing flashy, but consistently great. I can’t even pinpoint what the highlight is, but they’ve perfected the burger game across the board.
