Dinner at the Carnivore question
 

Does anyone know the cost of dinner at the Carnivore. We want to be sure to include the cost in our travel budget.

hi brbrt
i'm not up-to-date, but i think it should be around $20 pp
(i would be surprised if it has changed significantly)
aby

Are you asking about Kenya or South Africa?

Should be less than $100 for two including transport (it's a bit out of town). Depends on what you drink of course, but shouldn't be more.

That's Kenya... and I AM being fairly conservative.

That's Kenya...

I didn't realize there was more than one Carnivore. We will be in Kenya.

I have not been to Carnivore but when I looked at the website in July of this year, I understood they did not serve game meat any longer. If you were going for that rather than for "the ambiance" you might want to rethink it. You can even book on-line.
Eric

Carnivore in Kenya does not serve game meat any more. They serve the usual pork, beef, chicken, etc and sometimes camel, crocodile and ostrich. They charge approx. US$22 per person. A reasonable wine would be US$30. Their speciality drink - Dawa is US$5. Taxi from town (and if he waits) would be US$40.Carnivore has gone downhill latley.

As far as recommendations whether to go or not to Carnivore, I think you would find the vote here split 50/50.
regards - tom
ps - my vote is no, not worth it

Thanks everyone. After reading your answers to my question, we have decided not go to the Carnivore.
We are also looking for a restaurant for our last day in Nairobi. We will be flying out of Wilson airport. We were told we should be at the airport by 9:00pm. It would be nice to have a nice dinner before catching our flight. Do you have any suggestions for a restaurant? Also, at what time do most restaurants begin serving dinner in Nairobi?

I take it you are flying from JKIA after 9:00pm, and not Wilson Airport (Wilson closes after sun down).

Depending on what food you like. For goo Indian try Haandi (in Westlands, will take 1/2 hour to JKIA at night). For Italian try Mediterrano (at the Junction Shopping Mall, will take 1/2 hour to JKIA at night). For Japanesse try Tokyo (in Westlands, will take 1/2 hour to JKIA at night).

Which hotel will you be staying at?

Restaurants open up at around 7:00pm.

Thanks roadwarrerafrica. Yes, you are correct. We are flying out of JKIA. If dinner isn't served until 7pm and it takes 1/2 hour to get to the airport, dinner may be rushed. We were told we must be at the airport at 9pm for a 11:20 flight. Are there any restaurants closer to the airport?
On the last day of our safari we are flying in from the Seronera airport to Arusha and landing in Nairobi at 2:30. So we have free time in Nairobi for about 6 hours before going to the airport to fly to London

Dinner are the Carnivore is served earlier than 7pm, maybe even by 5pm. Suggest you check their website for exact hours or send them an email. If I recall, the website also lists prices.

I'll second the recommendation for Mediterraneo for good Italian. Right across from Haandi at the Mall in Westlands is Tamambo which was also good. I don't know how to describe the food - modern African?

I thought both Mediterraneo and Tamambo were open throughout the day and don't close between lunch and dinner, but double check. I think Haandi does close mid-day and reopens later for dinner.

On the way to the airport, there is a hotel called Panari. They have a Brazilian Rest. in there called Pamapa. I have not eaten there for 6 months, so I don't know what they are like.

Right next door to Panari there is a micro-brewrey called Sierra. They are open for dinner Wed-Sat only, and start serving from 6:30pm. Great food and beer. From here it will take 15 minutes to get to the airport.

Medi. and Tamambo are open throughout, however there may be little atmosphere with no other patrons.

At ABC Shopping Centre (1/2 hour from the airport) there is a Lounge Bar called Mercury that serves good Tapas. They are open from 5:00pm. Right next door is a new Thai place (going there tonight) called Orchid. They open at 6:30pm.

Orchid was a fantastice experince. True Thai food in a minimalist setting. I have been twice this weekend.

if you like Italian, there is a new restaurant called Osteria..I actually think it is the best Italian in Nairobi!

Haandi would also be my choice. I have eaten there twice, in 2004 and again last summer. Wonderful curry, very pleasant dining experience.

Osteria has always been hit and miss. Mediterrano is the best Italian in town. All the local Italians (and Eurpoeans) dine there over Osteria.