Mama Oliech's fried tilapia in Hurlingham

Mama Oliech's is a long-running casual restaurant in the Hurlingham area of Nairobi, Kenya, known for whole fried tilapia served in the style of Kenya's Lake Victoria region. The fish arrives crisp-skinned and flaky inside, usually with ugali, a firm maize-meal staple eaten by hand, alongside kachumbari, a fresh tomato and onion salad, and sautéed greens. The menu is short and simple, and most tables order the tilapia, which is priced by size and cooked to order. The dining room is informal and busy, with plastic-topped tables and a lively local crowd of office workers and families, and the atmosphere is relaxed rather than polished. Visitors typically spend an hour over a meal. Lunchtime and weekend evenings are the busiest, when queues can form and the fish may sell out, so arriving a little before the main rush gives a better chance of a table and fresh fish. Eating with the hands is normal and wet wipes or a wash basin are provided. Prices are moderate by Kenyan standards, in Kenyan shillings, and payment by mobile money or cash is common. It is a short ride from Westlands, Kilimani or the city centre by taxi, and parking is limited. For photography, the plated fish and the kitchen counter make good subjects, but ask first before photographing other diners. It is a good stop for travellers wanting a plain, authentic local meal rather than a hotel menu.