Nyumba

Nyumba is a warmly decorated Kenyan restaurant on Dennis Pritt Road in the Kilimani neighbourhood of Nairobi, Kenya. The name is the Swahili word for house or home, and the restaurant celebrates the home-cooked meals of Kenya's many communities. Rather than chasing fine dining trends, it concentrates on dishes that Kenyans eat daily, cooked in a home style at honest prices.

The menu features githeri, irio, mukimo, nyama choma and other beloved Kenyan dishes. Mukimo with Beef Stew (about $7) pairs mashed potato, maize, greens and pumpkin leaves with a savoury stew, a dish originating among the Kikuyu community. The Irio and Githeri Combo (about $5) brings together two traditional staples: irio is a mash of peas, potatoes and maize, and githeri is a boiled mix of maize and beans. Kenyan Tea, or chai (about $1, ranging up to around $3), is made in the milky, spiced style that is part of daily life across the country. For visitors, the restaurant is a straightforward introduction to everyday Kenyan food.

The dining room is warm, homely and relaxed, with decor that evokes a Kenyan home. The mood is friendly and unpretentious, and noise levels are moderate. It attracts a mix of local office workers, families and curious visitors, and dress is casual. Service is informal and quick, in keeping with a daily lunch crowd.

Beverages focus on chai, coffee, fresh juices and soft drinks. At the $ price level, it is one of the more affordable restaurants in Kilimani, and meals cost only a few dollars.

Hours are listed as 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. The restaurant is listed as walk-in, so a reservation is not generally needed, though groups may call ahead during weekend lunch. Kilimani is easy to reach by taxi from central Nairobi, Westlands and Yaya Centre.