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.
Haandi
A Westlands institution since 1991, serving rich North Indian curries, tandoori dishes and breads in a classic dining room at The Mall.
At a glance
- Type
- North Indian restaurant
- Area
- Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Vegetarian dishes
- Tandoor cooking
- Balcony seating
- Family friendly
- Open kitchen windows
Why we recommend it
Haandi has been cooking North Indian food in Nairobi since 1991, which makes it one of the longest-running restaurants in Westlands and a regular recommendation in guidebooks. It is based at The Mall in Westlands, and over the years the brand has grown with further branches. Co-founder Pradeep Mullick trained as a chef in Sheraton and Taj hotel kitchens, and the menu still reflects that classic hotel style of Indian cooking.
Nairobi has a long history of South Asian settlement, and Indian food is part of everyday life in the city, so the bar is high. Haandi's menu concentrates on the rich, slow-cooked sauces of North India, with plenty of choice for both vegetarians and meat eaters. There is seafood but no beef. Starters have included roasted papadums with chilli sauce, lentil and vegetable kebabs, barbecued paneer and lemon pepper mogo, a Kenyan Indian favourite made with cassava. Among the mains, chicken tikka masala and murgh makhani, the original butter chicken, are reliable orders. Mop up the sauces with naan, roti, paratha or kulcha, or order a biryani, and finish with gajar halwa, the warm carrot pudding, or rasmalai. A lassi or a pineapple and mint juice suits the spice.
The dining room keeps a classic look, with high-backed chairs and a relaxed atmosphere, and you can watch the chefs at work through windows into the kitchen. There is also a small balcony. The setting and the sharing-style menu make it a good choice for families, groups of friends and business lunches, and the large vegetarian section makes it easy for mixed groups.
Order a few dishes for the table rather than one main each, which is the best way to try the range. If you prefer milder food, ask the staff to guide you towards gentler dishes. Booking ahead is sensible for larger groups and on weekend evenings. Opening hours are not published on an official website, so call or check locally before you go.
The Mall is on the edge of Westlands, a short drive from the city centre and from the hotels of Westlands, Parklands and Lavington. Afterwards, the bars and lounges of Westlands are close at hand, or you can head back towards the centre for the Nairobi National Museum on Museum Hill the next morning.
Haandi FAQs
What kind of food does Haandi serve?
North Indian cooking, with rich curries, tandoori dishes, biryani and breads.
How long has it been open?
Haandi has been operating in Nairobi since 1991.
Is there a good vegetarian choice?
Yes. The menu has a large vegetarian section, including lentil and vegetable kebabs and paneer dishes.
Does it serve beef?
No. The menu includes seafood but no beef.
What should I order?
Murgh makhani or chicken tikka masala with naan, lemon pepper mogo to start and gajar halwa for dessert.
Is it good for groups?
Yes. The dining room and sharing-style menu suit families and groups.
Can I see the kitchen?
Yes. Windows into the kitchen let you watch the chefs at work.
Where is it?
At The Mall in Westlands, a short drive from the city centre.