Café
Thorn Tree Café
The Sarova Stanley's pavement café, built around an acacia tree where generations of travellers pinned messages for one another in the days before email.
Java House
The Kenyan coffee house chain that began at Adams Arcade in 1999, serving Kenyan coffee and diner-style meals across Nairobi and East Africa.
At a glance
- Type
- Kenyan coffee house chain
- Area
- Central Business District, Nairobi, Kenya
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- javahouseafrica.com
Good to know
- Kenyan coffee
- All-day breakfast
- Halal menu at selected branches
- Delivery apps
- Loyalty app
Why we recommend it
Java House began in 1999 as a small coffee shop at Adams Arcade in Nairobi, with the aim of bringing gourmet coffee culture to Kenya. It soon developed into an American diner-style restaurant built around coffee, and today the group describes itself as a coffee-led casual dining business with outlets in 14 cities across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Milestones include its first Java Express and first Ugandan store in 2014, its first Kigali store in 2017 and its 20th birthday in 2019, and it opened its 93rd store and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024.
For visitors, Java is the reliable everyday option. Branches are found across the city centre, the malls and the suburbs, so it is easy to stop for a flat white, a pot of Kenyan tea or a full breakfast between sights. Menus change, but have included dishes such as a beef pickle relish burger, a crispy beef quesadilla, a chicken masala curry and chips vuruga, the Kenyan favourite of chips tossed in a spiced sauce, alongside cakes and bone broth. Seasonal drinks such as a Biscoff mocha appear on the coffee list.
Several branches, including the Mama Ngina Street site in the city centre, serve a halal menu, which is useful for Muslim travellers and for anyone eating near the mosques of the central business district. Most branches have Wi-Fi and plenty of tables, which makes them popular for working and meetings, and food can be ordered for delivery through Glovo, Uber Eats and Bolt Food. A loyalty app offers rewards to regulars.
The group also runs other brands, including 360 Degrees Pizza, Planet Yoghurt and Kukito, and a charitable arm, the Java Foundation. Its NextGen Coffee Leaders Scholarship Programme, run with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, trains young Kenyans in coffee technology, quality management and agronomy.
Java suits families, solo travellers, business visitors and anyone who wants a predictable meal and good Kenyan coffee at a mid-range price. It is especially handy on arrival or departure days, and for breakfast before a city tour. Opening hours vary by branch, so check the branch you plan to visit on the website or the app.
Java House FAQs
When did Java House open?
In 1999, at Adams Arcade in Nairobi.
How many branches are there?
The group has outlets in 14 cities across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, and opened its 93rd store in 2024.
Is there a halal menu?
Yes, at selected branches, including Mama Ngina Street in the city centre.
What kind of food is served?
Coffee-led casual dining, with breakfasts, burgers, curries, quesadillas and cakes.
Can I order delivery?
Yes. Java delivers through Glovo, Uber Eats and Bolt Food.
Is it good for working?
Many branches are popular for working and meetings, with plenty of seating.
What are the opening hours?
They vary by branch, so check the specific branch before you go.
Does it run other brands?
Yes. The group also runs 360 Degrees Pizza, Planet Yoghurt and Kukito.