The Carnivore Restaurant – Nairobi
THE CARNIVORE NAIROBI – 1980Situated 4 kilometres from the city centre, The Carnivore opened its doors in September 1980 to instant success. The food, service and atmosphere are strikingly different from anything ever seen in Kenya. The Carnivore is a meat specialty restaurant and it is referred to as ‘the ultimate ‘Beast of a Feast’. Twice voted amongst the world’s 50 best restaurants by an expert panel in ‘Restaurant ‘ magazine Carnivore is described as ‘amazing’The Carnivore since its inception has played host to over 2 million customers from across the globe including numerous celebrities. In fact the Carnivore visitors book read like a global who is who! Whole joints of meat – legs of lamb and pork, ostrich, rumps of beef, sirloins, racks of lamb, spare ribs, sausages, chicken wings, skewered kidneys, even crocodile, and other tasty morsels – are roasted on traditional Maasai swords over a huge, spectacular charcoal pit that dominates the entrance of the restaurant.Constantly basted and turned until cooked to perfection, the meat is succulent and well flavoured. The Carnivore doesn’t conform to the familiar restaurant traditions of passing out menus and waiting for people to order. Diners simply take their seats on the Zebra striped chairs and the movable feast begins. First comes the soup of the day then a sizzling cast-iron plate is hotelsd in front of each guest along with a plate of home baked brown bread and butter.An army of carvers wearing zebra striped aprons and straw hats then move from table to table carrying the Masai swords laden with different prime meats deliberately carving unlimited amounts onto the sizzling, cast iron plates in front of each guest. Accompanying the meat feast is a wide selection of salads and vegetable side dishes, and also a variety of exotic sauces made from the Carnivore’s own recipes and stacked on to a double storey-revolving tray in the center of the table.The feeding frenzy doesn’t stop until defeat is declared by the over-fed guests who signal that enough is enough by lowering of a white paper flag perched atop the central tray. This is followed by dessert and coffee. The full meal including a soup course is at a set price. A vegetarian menu is also offered. First time visitors to The Carnivore are enthralled by the spectacle of the roasting pit, the service and the distinctive flavours of food.
The atmosphere of The Carnivore combines the rustic feel of a rural environment with the feeling of a medieval banqueting hall. This was accomplished by the use of streams and tropical gardens throughout the restaurant, and by using rough-hewn beams and local woods. Another famous feature to set the tone of the Carnivore experience is the house cocktail The ‘Dawa’ ( which means medicine or magic potion in Swahili).
This is based on a famous Brazilian drink, and was introduced to Kenyans at The Carnivore. It has now become one of the most widely consumed cocktails in Kenya and it is brought to you on a portable tray by the medicine man fittingly named Dr. Dawa. Adjoining the main restaurant is the ‘Simba Saloon’ – a vibrant informal restaurant that incorporates a children’s playground (very popular at weekends) and a lively nightclub.
The Simba Saloon provides an alternative to those who do not want to indulge in a large meal serving pizzas (from a traditional, domed, brick oven), an extremely popular salad bar at lunchtime, steaks, hamburgers, scampi, trout, chicken, and other light snacks. The nightclub operates from Wednesday to Sunday and has themed nights to cater for fans of contemporary African music, rock, soul, jazz and the latest hits.
The Simba Saloon is well known for hosting some of Africa’s best musicians and also many international ones such as Maxi Priest, Yellowman, Sadao Watanabe, Manu Dibango, Salif Keta, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Ismael Lo, Habib Koite, Hugh Masakela just to mention a few. The Carnivore has struck the rare balance of catering to a cosmopolitan blend of local residents whilst becoming a must-see stop off for tourists.
The Carnivore has a seating capacity of 420 in the main restaurant and caters to a cosmopolitan blend of local residents. It is also one of the most popular tourist restaurants and regularly caters for large parties of tourists and delegates. The Simba Saloon has a seating capacity of 450 and can hold up-to 2000 persons for concerts.
The Carnivore and the Simba Saloon can be combined to create the most spectacular ‘gala events like the Carnivore African Experience or Carnival parties for more than 1000 persons where the mood is one of complete fiesta complemented with bands, traditional entertainment, fire eaters, stilt walkers, food streets, or whatever the theme preference may be.
THE CARNIVORE DUKA is now a famous name and to reflect the fame of Africas ultimate eating experience a whole range of merchandise with which you can remember us by from T Shirts, sweat shirts, Carnivore coasters, and stylish kiondos, are just some of the original branded Carnivore merchandise. So if you would like to purchase a souvenir from Carnivore simply contact us on the enquiry form and we will respond to the request.
AFRICAN HERITAGE is a gallery and retail shop located at the entrance to the Carnivore that sells artifacts inspired by the design styles of Africa Also available are textiles, sculptures and arts of Africa on display as well as a clothing boutique and craft shop. Another feature of the shopping area is a the WARTHOG GALLERY selling wrought iron sculptures by local artist Kioko Mwitki.
THE CARNIVORE GARDENS – 1999
This outdoor concert venue adjacent to the Simba Saloon is able to hold up to 20,000 people for a concert and 10,000 for special events. Established with fanfare and glitter for the Mega Millennium New Years Eve Bash, the concert gardens has hosted several well known entertainers such as Chaka Demus, Pliers, ragamuffin star ‘Shaggy’, dance hall star Sean Paul, South Africa’s Kwaito queen, Brenda Fassi, and African music superstars Youssou N’dour, and Angelique Kidjo. The Carnivore and Simba Saloon employ over 330 staff members, including a large maintenance contingent.
OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER SEVEN DAYS A WEEK