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.
About Thyme
A garden restaurant tucked behind greenery at the junction of Eldama Ravine and Peponi Roads, serving international dishes and cocktails indoors or under the trees.
At a glance
- Type
- International garden restaurant
- Area
- Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
Good to know
- Garden seating
- Indoor dining room
- Cocktail bar
- Evening lantern lighting
Why we recommend it
About Thyme is one of those Nairobi restaurants you could drive past without noticing. It sits behind a high fence and a screen of foliage at the junction of Eldama Ravine Road and Peponi Road, opposite Eldama Park on the leafy residential edge of Westlands. Run by owner Deborrah Swali, it is listed by guidebooks as a garden restaurant serving international food.
The garden is the main reason to come. Tables are set among flowers, plants and trees, and at night lanterns and candles light the paths, which makes it a pleasant place for a long dinner. There is also indoor seating if the evening turns cool or the rains arrive, which is useful in Nairobi's wetter months.
The menu is international and moves between light salads, quicker lunch options and more substantial dishes. Plates that have featured include duck triangles to start and a lamb stew with lemon and figs, while desserts such as macadamia parfait, strawberry cheesecake and chocolate mousse round things off. The menu changes over time, so treat these as an idea of the style rather than a fixed list. The bar mixes cocktails, including a signature mojito, and it is a relaxed place for a drink before dinner.
About Thyme suits couples, small groups of friends and business lunches where you want quiet conversation rather than a loud room. It is calmer than the bars of central Westlands, and the garden makes it a good choice for a first evening in Nairobi when you want somewhere relaxed close to your hotel.
Booking is sensible for dinner and weekends, particularly if you want a garden table, and lunch is the time to see the garden in daylight. Bring a light layer in the evening, as Nairobi nights can be cool at this altitude. Opening hours are not published on an official website, so check before you go.
The restaurant is a short drive from the hotels of Westlands, Parklands and Spring Valley, and taxis and ride-hailing drivers know the junction. Westlands' busier restaurants and nightlife, including the bars around Woodvale Grove, are only a few minutes away if you want to continue the evening.
About Thyme FAQs
Where is About Thyme?
At the junction of Eldama Ravine Road and Peponi Road, opposite Eldama Park on the edge of Westlands.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes. Most tables are in a garden among flowers and trees, lit by lanterns at night, and there is also indoor seating.
What kind of food is served?
International dishes, from salads and lunch options to mains such as lamb stew with lemon and figs.
Is there a bar?
Yes. The bar serves cocktails, including a signature mojito.
Do I need to book?
Booking is sensible for dinner and at weekends, especially for a garden table.
Who is it good for?
Couples, small groups and business lunches looking for a quiet setting.
What should I bring in the evening?
A light layer, as Nairobi evenings can be cool.
What is nearby?
The restaurants and bars of central Westlands are a few minutes' drive away.