Kengele’s Lavington Green

Kengele's at Lavington Green is a relaxed neighbourhood pub and restaurant on James Gichuru Road, run by the Tamarind group, which also owns Carnivore and the Simba Saloon. It pitches itself as the ultimate bar and restaurant experience in Lavington, and it is the kind of place that works for breakfast, an after-work drink, a family lunch or a night watching the football with friends.

The atmosphere is informal and welcoming. There is indoor seating with wooden furnishings and local artwork, and an open-air terrace for warm afternoons and evenings, although outdoor tables are subject to availability. Live sports are shown on screens, and there is live music at weekends. The events calendar is busy, with regular acoustic sessions, quiz nights and themed parties, so it is worth checking the listings before you go, and the pub's Instagram account, @kengeleslavingtongreen, posts the latest events and offers.

The menu sticks to comfort food made with locally sourced ingredients, including burgers and nyama choma, the Kenyan grilled meat that is a staple of a social night out. Fresh juices sit alongside the bar's drinks, and there is a breakfast menu for early visitors. Promotions such as burger deals change regularly and are listed on the Tamarind website.

Kengele's opens every day from 08:00 until late. It suits families earlier in the day, groups of friends and colleagues in the evening, and visitors staying in Lavington, Kilimani or Kileleshwa who want a local pub atmosphere rather than a club. It is also a practical venue for birthdays and informal work events, which the team caters for.

Like most neighbourhood pubs, weekends and big sports fixtures are the busiest times, so book or arrive early if you want a terrace table. As with most Nairobi nights out, use a taxi or ride-hailing app to get home. Lavington Green sits on James Gichuru Road in a leafy residential area west of the city centre, a short drive from Westlands and the Yaya Centre, and Geco Café's live music in Lavington is close by if you want to move on for a band later in the evening.