Artcaffé Gastro Bar Westlands Square — Restaurant in Nairobi

One word: DISAPPOINTING 😒.

My colleagues and I reserved a table at Artcaffé today and the experience was extremely, extremely dissatisfying. While I acknowledge we were about 15 people but my goodness, that service has to be one of the worst I've received this year.

♤ Service ♤

My group and I arrived at Artcaffé and we were met with a well set out reserved table which quite honestly we appreciated. The menu was initially not available so we all had to scan one card placed on the table before the waiter brought out the menu.

Once the menu arrived, we made our orders and were very clear as to who wanted what. The waiter noted everything then disappeared for over 30 minutes doing God knows what. We were left at the table with no drinks, to the point I had to go and ask if we could get drinks as we waited for our food. The drinks came 10 minutes later and not everyone's order was included. The waiter together with her colleague came asking, "Who ordered what?", then people would claim their drinks. The two of them then disappeared and reappeared with a few plates of food.

Those of us with no drinks in the first round now had to sit and observe as others ate. Our meals came a few minutes later and some were mixed up. I had to send my plate back because I ordered rice and they brought chips. The waiter, however, offered to switch the chips for rice which I agreed to. Wueh, the rice was not delivering what it was meant to and it didn't taste as fresh as I expected. My plate had chicken, mushroom sauce and root vegetable crisps which were all okay but the steamed vegetables (particularly the green beans) were very bitter.

I decided to taste my friend's chips and eeeh, they were hard and dry, my goodness 🙆🏾‍♀️. The other dishes were served till the last person got their meal but eeh, the level of disorganisation was not good. Those who hadn't got their drinks, ended up finishing their meals before even being served the drinks. When I decided to raise the issue, the waiter responded that the machine was faulty causing the delay. What was displeasing was the lack of communication or follow-up for those waiting, just silence upon silence. My drink was finally served and once again, you guessed it, the waiter got it wrong. I asked for a mango, banana and pineapple smoothie blend, and I was served mango juice... Tears in my eyes 😮‍💨. I took the mango since I wasn't ready to wait for another 30 minutes 🙆🏾‍♀️. My colleagues' drink came much later and they had to rush and drink since we needed to leave ASAP.

If I could I would give today's service a -0.1, aih because what was that honestly? 🤦🏾‍♀️. I was not happy at all, and there was no redeeming aspect given that the restaurant was not even full 🙃.

☆ Food ☆

The chips were dry, two of us who ordered the white rice noted that it was the best. The roast chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, and burgers were fine. I didn't enjoy my drink since it's not what I ordered plus I noted the pineapple mint juice served to my colleagues was a bit watered-down. The milkshakes, smoothies and teriyaki chicken bowl were good though, I'll give them that. The food portions were also not filling which added to the disappointment. I've had better experiences at other branches, this one today was a no, no.

◇ Atmosphere ◇

The atmosphere and decor were okay. We sat outside and it was a breezy which we appreciated after a long walk. The place is spacious and their toilets are clean which earned them a second star on the atmosphere.

♧ Overall Review ♧

I'll recommend this to Artcaffé Gastro Bar, DO BETTER! I wouldn't recommend this place if you have a large group, even with reservations and if you're in a hurry because you will be disappointed 🤷🏾‍♀️! Manage your expectations as you walk into the...

Artcaffe here is a delightful spot for a relaxed yet upscale dining experience in Nairobi. The ambiance is inviting, with a stylish and modern décor that exudes a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The spacious seating arrangements and tasteful interior design make it a perfect spot for both casual meet-ups and more formal gatherings.

The menu is extensive and diverse, offering a blend of local and international dishes that cater to a wide range of tastes. From hearty breakfasts to gourmet lunches and elegant dinners, there is something for everyone. The food is consistently fresh and well-prepared, with a noticeable attention to detail in both presentation and flavor. The pastries and desserts, in particular, are a standout, reflecting Artcaffe's reputation for quality baked goods.

Service at Artcaffe Bistro Bar is generally prompt and courteous, with staff who are attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. They make an effort to ensure that diners have a pleasant experience, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the visit.

The bar offers an impressive selection of beverages, from expertly crafted cocktails to a good variety of wines and spirits. Whether you're looking for a morning coffee, a refreshing afternoon drink, or an evening cocktail, the bar has you covered.

Located within Imaara Mall, Artcaffe Bistro Bar benefits from the convenience of ample parking and the mall’s vibrant atmosphere. It's a great spot to take a break from shopping or to enjoy a leisurely meal.

Overall, lt is a top choice for anyone looking to enjoy quality food and drinks in a comfortable and stylish setting. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Nairobi, it's definitely...

A star for location. It is located in the Westlands square opposite the Mall and very close to the bus stop. You can stop by after your shopping at quickmart, naivas or any other place around Westlands.

A star for the ambience, although this artcaffé has a very different look and feel compared to the other ones which are more coffee shop. This particular one feels more like a bar. The music is loud, lighting dim and the food menu is quite limited unlike the drink menu.

They have what looks like enough seating, but it looks like this place gets packed over the weekends. The decor inside is really nice, they have tables for groups as well as couples. They have a huge screen for those who enjoy sports.

What I didn't particularly care for was the scanned menu, prices, limited menu and due to the sectioning and loud music, it could take a while before you manage to get a server.

I had the hibiscus rose tea cold. It was okay, more rose than hibiscus but enjoable nonetheless. They don't have a snacks menu so only option is to probably get a meal which looked like it would take forever due to the number of people. Artcaffé generally has unreasonable prices so that was not a shocker.

This place is ideal for people who enjoy that Gastro Bar feel. People who enjoy drinks(alcoholic), sports would like this place. Perhaps during the day, this would be a nice place for a coffee date, a meeting or an event with a small group.

Not ideal at all for families especially in the evenings...