The Salty Squid Beach Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Kinondo ward

I used to go there for years since 2010 whenever here and would have given 4 stars until recently but: The manager was extremely rude to me and my little baby. I come there since two months regularly now and sit and eat on the sunbed in the sand or on the chairs the restaurant provided there for sundown drinks, as do many guests (for anyone with a little one it's obvious why). Apparently the policy suddenly changed. When I arrived today afternoon I chose a table as I saw it was all empty and seemed covid safe. But then I realized it's impossible to sit there still with the baby and realized my mistake and moved to a sunbed. Then went back inside to notify the waiter that I moved. The manager just came out with my order and I told him. And he said that's not possible to sit there. I said why, and I sit there all the time when I come. He said if I had any complains I should contact the hotel management. His tone was rude and brusque. No sorry no further information. I said ok then let me take my things from the sunbed. He said no he will take them for me. Bit I have my phone and wallet and baby things all over and I said I want to do it myself. He then policed me to the sunbed and started packing my things I repeated I will do it Thanks. Then he left off brushy with not even "I'm sorry about the inconvenience" or anything of common polite manners. Absolutely rude and unprofessional. With regrets, cause I liked the place, but I am not going back. It's been good ten years time for a new place. I will not spend my hard earned money at a place to be treated like a criminal and not as a valuable guest, and will go where people are nice and respectful. I later asked the sweet waitress ladies who always are happy to see me and the little one and I asked, what happened here? She said she doesn't know 🤷🏾. I certainly won't complain to the "hotel management" since it is a no brainer not to treat guests rudley, especially not by the manager in charge. Policy change or no policy change on the use of the beach space, no reason to treat poeple rudely. Ps. Place is also not baby friendly as not equipped with a changing table in...

While on holiday at Diani, decided to give the place a visit with my family in tow. Easy to book, and not too far from everything. The hostess was welcoming, and quickly ushered us to our seats after the ritual Covid19 policies. The seating area was covered but the cooling breeze did not reach the seats closer to the main hotel (Kennaways), nevertheless the kids food and well chilled cocktails arrived promptly and we were soon tucking into our meal. Delicious jumbo prawns, delightful papaya green salad with cashews, flavourful but could have down with more spice though thats a personal preference. What's life without chillies? Then our problems began.. My daughter wanted a camel ride and we descended onto the beach (told we couldn't access the beach by un-uniformed staff _ Kennaways) Nice camel ride but left my daughter a little shook, so had to provide a comforting moment to her on a beach bed. (Was told cannot sit on the beach beds as it's only for hotel guests, NOT Salty Squid Restaurant guests) Finally, after enjoying one of the best, moist, molten chocolate cakes (I do like my desserts) we called our taxi to pick us up and he arrived quickly, but was not allowed to pick us up. He was topped at the gate, he had just dropped us off an hour ago and denied entrance down the steep hill to pick us up....I lost it!! (So now our same driver who dropped us could not pick us up and we were told that we would have to climb up the steep hill that we had just driven down on). Kudos to the SS team who explained the Hotel Policy and pleaded with Hotel management for seeing sense. Great food, great people, terrible Hotel Kennaways Policy. Move, move, move Salty Squid..you've got everything but the location. Will order food out next time, if the driver is allowed to pick up the food. These archaic, colonial, unreasonable, exclusive policies have no place in...

The Salty Squid Bar and restaurant is a beach front restaurant. It faces the Indian Ocean and you can access the beautiful Diani beaches right from the restaurant. It sits on the same property as Kenyaways Beach B&B Kite Village hotel. It is right next to H2O Extreme Diani that offers all sort of water sports including Kite surfing.

It has magnificent views of the ocean. That is a very big plus for a restaurant in Diani.

It is about 12minutes (7.1 km) drive from Ukunda airstrip or 14 minutes (9.6km) from the Ukunda-Diani junction. It will be on your left (there is a white sign but can easily be missed if you’re too fast).

The restaurant staff are very welcoming and friendly. They managed to find us a table despite nearly all of them being reserved as we would only be there for a short time. Thumbs up for that! Friendly tip, make a reservation beforehand to avoid disappointment. There was a fair amount of social distancing between the tables plus loads of fresh air as it’s largely open but shaded.

They have a decent menu with a wide selection including vegetarian options. As regards beverages they have alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic options. Wine is largely by the bottle but one or two options are by the glass.

The food was very well prepared and we enjoyed the catch of the day. It was made just right and properly plated. If you’re not sure about certain options please ask your wait staff to advise. They certainly advised on what would work for us. Thank you for that!

The portions however were small. The portions may work for certain people. However, if you are looking for a hearty meal this may not be the best option.

The cocktail options are numerous as well as the bar selection. You gladly enjoy a meal and enjoy good conversation as there isn’t loud music.

Thank you having us and possibly see you next time I...