Restaurant
Carnivore
Nairobi's famous meat restaurant on Lang'ata Road, open since 1980, where waiters carve meats roasted on Maasai swords at your table until you lower your flag.
Cultiva
A farm-to-table restaurant in Karen that grew from a 2019 pop-up, cooking seasonal dishes from its own organic farm in a relaxed garden setting.
At a glance
- Type
- Farm-to-table restaurant
- Area
- Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday)
- Official site
- cultivakenya.com
Good to know
- Farm on site
- Seasonal menu
- Garden dining
- Farm tours on request
- Events space
- Online reservations
Why we recommend it
Cultiva started life as a pop-up in 2019 and has become one of Karen's most talked-about restaurants. Co-founded by Ariel Moscardi, who came to Nairobi from Ecuador and saw nothing quite like it in the city, it is built around a farm on Pofu Road where the team grows heirloom organic crops and follows sustainable practices, from upcycling materials to cutting waste.
The menu is seasonal and changes with what the farm and local suppliers can provide. It has been organised into Hunter, Gatherer, Farmer and Fisher sections, which makes it easy to steer towards meat, vegetables or seafood depending on your appetite or diet. Dishes that have appeared include a white fish tiradito with a spicy dressing, a tongue taco and wild mushroom skewers, all built around fresh produce rather than heavy sauces. There is a bar too, and drinks follow the same farm-to-glass idea.
The dining room has been described as feeling more like a beach club than a farm shop, with wicker lighting, linen drapes and a garden setting that suits long weekend lunches. A newer space called the Farmlands hosts private events and social evenings with live music, DJ sets and art exhibitions, and the team can arrange farm tours if you contact them in advance. Cultiva also works with local entrepreneurs and runs educational programmes for young people, and it is listed by guides including Lonely Planet and Condé Nast Traveler.
Cultiva opens on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 22:00 and from Wednesday to Sunday from 08:00 to 22:00, so breakfast is available on those days. It does not list Monday opening. The last food order is at 21:30 and the last drink order at 22:00. Reservations can be made through the website's booking page, which is the safest option at weekends.
It suits food-focused travellers, couples and groups who want a relaxed meal in green surroundings, and it is a good option for vegetarians thanks to the Gatherer section. Karen is about 30 to 45 minutes from the city centre depending on traffic, so it pairs well with the Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen Museum or the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery on the same day.
Cultiva FAQs
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday 12:00 to 22:00, and Wednesday to Sunday 08:00 to 22:00. Monday opening is not listed.
When is the last order?
Last food orders are at 21:30 and last drink orders at 22:00.
Do I need to book?
Booking through the website is recommended, especially at weekends.
What kind of food is served?
Seasonal farm-to-table dishes grouped into Hunter, Gatherer, Farmer and Fisher sections.
Is it good for vegetarians?
Yes. The Gatherer section focuses on plant-based dishes, and the menu is built around farm produce.
Can I tour the farm?
Farm tours can be arranged by contacting the team in advance.
Does Cultiva host events?
Yes. The Farmlands space hosts private events, live music, DJ sets and art exhibitions.
Where is it?
On Pofu Road in Karen, near the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum.