Cafe AMKA — Restaurant in Nairobi

*Location *

Was previously located in Westlands, but they moved to the CBD at the standard building. Current location is more accessible.

Ambience It still has the gastro pub feel. The new location has quite a number of sections that look and feel a bit different from each other. There is also a huge contrast if you visit during the day and in the evenings.

*Service * Service can be a hit or miss. First time here, I got really good service. Second time, it wasn't awful but also not great. If you identify someone who gives good consistent service, then ask for them if they are on duty and can take your order down.

Menu Very simple menu without too many items. Some allergens are signalled out in each food item 🙏🏾. They don't have too many junk food options either which is a relief and refreshing. You can eat through everything in their menu if you are a frequent customer and are adventurous with food. A good balance of both none alcoholic and alcoholic drinks as well as cold and hot drinks.

Prices The prices are high for the portions. If you have a drink and a meal, you are looking at KES 1000-1800 depending on what you get just for one person.

• Personal Experience *

I have ordered their AMKA poke bowl, herbal infusions, and had their coffee. The bowl was tasty, colourful and well balanced in terms of food groups. It was served in a very artsy bowl. You cannot miss the details in their choice of utensils. The herbal infusions have been a miss for me. Either the tea has stayed too long, not been steeped long enough under the right temperatures or they put too little of it. I have found then bland. Their dawa is good. The coffee could be great. I have had both stellar service and not so great service.

I find the loud music off putting. There is a DJ upstairs in the evenings and day time as well. I don't like loud music and I do enjoy silence so this could be a just me issue.

I think the ground floor seating area is better. They do light warmers on a cold day. Some sections upstairs are smoking zones, so be sure to ask. I made the mistake of not asking and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

The washrooms are clean, functional with all basic toiletries.

Ideas This place is very ideal for events, dates and drinks. They have a wine cellar so maybe wine tasting could be a thing. I think a speed dating event would work here. The quieter side is the coffee space if you want to get some work done, but it has to be the most uncomfortable space ever. Benches and cushions... but why🤔🤔?? They do have karaoke on Thursdays. Never been, but I've had good things about it. I do wish people would start having daytime events and happenings. Maybe Sunday afternoon karaoke.

Recommendation

Other than parents with kids and the elderly, any other person can give this place a try. The prices might make it a one try experience, but if you...

Cafe Amka is located at Delta Chambers along Waiyaki Way.

Cafe Amka is by Mawimbi restaurant ( look them out ) and they are next to Afro Fit gyms on the ground floor of Delta Chambers and access it through the back door by going down the stairs (opposite Zamara reception ) .

Drinks at Cafe Amka are really well done by the Barista (she also came to ask for feedback which was positive ) . I personally ordered a Nutmeg Cacao which was really delicious ( it's kinda strong , slightly lighter than porridge but taste better ) .This has nutmeg, cacao , tamarind, coconut 🥥 milk , baobab, paprika and caramel essence.

My date took Passion Caiprioska which tasted good ( suggestion is just to remove lemon 🍋 seeds )

The food was really tasty for both of us - I had pepper steak which was served on the side of fried sweet potatoes, meat was good though kinda not soft though loved the pepper dressing /dip as it was tasty and delicious.

My date also shared components of the chicken poke bowl salad with side if sweet potatoes too.. Shared review is " best I have ever had , better than even CJ's salad bowl"

Finished with mango cheese cake which I didn't enjoy much, cake wasn't really cheese 🧀.

Ambience was really good and service from attendants was also good ✅

Definitely coming back to try...

This place is very nice. My first time I was here, I actually really enjoyed it. The plates and silverware are unique, and the vibe is good too. The service could’ve been a bit faster, but no big deal.

The second time I was here, however, the service was very questionable. I ordered a dawa iced, and it came out very watery….when I told the waitress that, she wasn’t very kind in helping me to exchange it. She even told me, it doesn’t matter that you didn’t like it…you ordered it so you have to pay for it.

Where I’m from, when you get an order and it’s not good, they exchange it for free, especially if they knew it wasn’t a normal drink that’s ordered.

It’s crazy how poor service can turn a pretty decent place into an...