
It’s the type of meat you can remember for a lifetime, the type of meat that builds memories and creates lasting impressions. Naturally grazed, grass fed, freshly butchered, and supremely roasted.
It’s meat that you feel good about devouring, it consists of grains you can feel and an Africa you can taste! Nyama Choma is truly at the top of Kenyan food.

Nairobi style nyama choma is a dream come true for any carnivore.
What is Nyama Choma?
Nyama choma literally means “roasted meat.” Most of the time goat is the default genre, but beef (ng’ombe) and chicken (kuku) are also quite common and can be very delicious too.
Nyama Choma in Nairobi is usually eaten off a communal cutting board, as the main dish, with others dishes on the side.
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What do you eat with Nyama Choma?
Some prefer just straight meat and salt. Others like a bit of kachumbari (combination of chopped tomatoes, onions and cilantro, sometimes avocado) or pili pili (chili). For starch, ugali (cornmeal starch) or greasy chips (French fries) are common.


Nairobi has no shortage of Nyama Choma joints, some are clean meat roasting restaurants while others range from slightly dirty to grungy. I myself am a huge connoisseur of all things roasted meat in Nairobi and don’t mind venturing to unsanitary conditions to locate the tastiest bites of protein.
Where to Eat Nyama Choma in Nairobi?
Kenyatta Market Nyama Choma
Head to Kenyatta Market during lunchtime hours. There is a strip of clean stalls set up at the entrance of the market, all serving the same basic menu. Don’t struggle or get haggled by too many aggressive touts, just choose 1 stall, have a seat, and then order from “1” guy.
The goat and chicken are the two meats of choice at Kenyatta Market. Some of the stalls serve kachumbari with an added touch of avocado, enriching the mixture and complementing the meat.
I recommend Kenyatta Market as some of the best Nyama Choma in Nairobi!


City Park Hawkers
Towards the back of 1 of Nairobi’s largest fresh vegetable markets is a haven of nyama choma. The makeshift roofing consists of plastic pieces and tin sheeting, imprisoning the clouds of meaty smoke that pour from the grills. The meat is hot and fresh and the ambiance is truly a Nairobi experience. Butchers will slice steaming pieces of meat for you to sample!

Nairobi West Alley Streets
Neighborhood areas throughout Nairobi are hot spots for mystery cuts of roasted meat. Laced with fat and covered with flies that also want a taste, these types of eateries can turn into great adventures.
Hint: If you stumble into this sort of nyama choma, choose some freshly hot roasted cuts!
Note: Only for the adventurers with strong stomachs!


These are a mere few suggestions out of countless nyama choma restaurants throughout the entire city of Nairobi. Whatever neighborhood you are in, there is an opportunity for Kenyan grilled meat right around the corner.
Don’t miss out on eating Nyama Choma.
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Veronica
2 years ago
How much is a kg of nyama choma and ugali at Kenyatta market
vishal kaushik
2 years ago
Well written article. Thanks!
Lin
5 years ago
This is the first time I’ve heard this food, but it’s very impressive. I guest it would be tasty!
Kirsten Lykke
6 years ago
Hi Keith
If you are then going to Dar Es Salaam and this is what we are looking for, then where to ..? Do you have any good recommendations as to which area is best to stay in .. we are a family of 5 grown-ups (parents and our 3 children in their 20’ies and all been travelling and living in Nepal for many years so know when local food is the best). We like to stay nice and clean but which area is the ONE ?
lawrence
6 years ago
try ole polos
ELDRICK IMRAN LAL
6 years ago
I lived in Nairobi, Kenya for almost 14 years. Nyama Choma was off the hook. In other terms, it was absolutely delicious. I always took my fiends and family members who visited me from other parts of the world.
Jill
7 years ago
I didn’t know Kenyatta Market had such beautiful pictures. The meat though, there’s nothing better than Kenyatta Market. Just fantastic.
Jo
7 years ago
We took your recommendation to go to Kenyatta Market and IT WAS HORRIBLE. Dirty, with flies, and generally unsavory. We were badgered by the vendors who followed us out in to the parking lot yelling at us to buy from them. It was really awful. We hopped on a bus and got out of there. I DO NOT recommend this market under any circumstances.
keith
6 years ago
Well that’s your take but that place has amazing nyama choma
Kenyan
5 years ago
Agree with you Keith. Where ever Jo is from, they are better off never venturing to what us president trump calls a shithole. If Anthony Bourdain went to Kenyatta Market, keep your arrogance to your self. Just saying.
David Wanjala
7 years ago
You should all try Roadhouse Grill in Caledonia, Kilimani. Ask for ”Maji Maji” which is tender roast beef served medium rare with sliced tomato and green chilli. To die for! The place is a a local pub for people who live in the neighbourhood, but is quickly becoming a tourist attraction site ( Not for game viewing though) :-))
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey David, wow that sounds amazing, thanks for the tip and recommendation!
Mohamed Duran
6 years ago
Right time thanks Mark… going to nairobi my way to puntland somalià can’t wait to have Nuala choma last time I had was 2010 my brief visit fron edmonton AB canada
Lordmwesh
8 years ago
Bavaria gardens in Westlands, behind Lions place has such good nyam chom. And Mlolongo township.
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Cool, thanks for sharing!
miriam mwende
8 years ago
Yeah kenyatta market is the best place ever for nyama choma. Im there always
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Ah good to hear that Miriam, such good nyama choma!
Caren
10 years ago
Those photos are really good they make me miss eating nyama choma
Best place is Ole Polos and Masaai Lodge
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Caren, thank you for checking this article out. I hope to try Ole Polos in the future!
parrotalk
13 years ago
OMG
that nyamchom made me wonna cry so hot sizzling and yummy. I can even smell it.. the meat, the smoke!!!I could catch a flight right now…can’t wait to get back to Nairobi and go to my favourite nyama choma joint it’s called ‘ Studio’ and it’s in DagorrettiCorner centre. just on the outskirts.clean, grt friendly atmosphere too..
There is a cluster of nyama choma joints here, so plenty of choice.
for tourists always ask the locals.. and they will tell yu where the best is..remember for novices,it’s a social merry thing so go with a group if
possible.. but even if alone this places are very sociable..there’s alway great local music as well…
The Dropout
13 years ago
Warm beer? Yuk!
bonnie
13 years ago
very interesting! Reminds me of the BBQ porks found in wet markets in hong kong, but the ones in africa seems more “wild”.
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
@Wandering Trader: Not better, but quite a bit different..and usually goat! To me the meat in Africa just tastes more natural and real…but the tender quality of the beef in Argentina is unbelievable!
@Rebecca: Yah, just eat with your right hand…and that’s about it!
@The Drpout: No problem! Thanks for checking it out. Yes for the not such big eaters of meat, the chicken is also amazing! A warm beer does go well with nyama choma!
Sarah
11 years ago
Well…..I’m Kenyan, left-handed and I honestly think its ok to use whichever hand you like to eat. Never had any problem.
I’m also a huge nyam chom fan and while I agree that the choma is great at Kenyatta Market, until you taste the nyama choma in a place called Loitokitok which is roasted inside a pot, you ain’t never had good meat. It is the best i have ever tasted in kenya, hands down. I can take you there!!! 🙂
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Ok, cool, thanks for your input Sarah. Wow, nyama choma roasted in a pot? That does sound good and if I’m in Nairobi next time I’ll be sure to contact you for more details on that! Thanks Sarah!
Juelz
11 years ago
Ole polos also has very good nyamchom…and Kikopey too but thats out of town.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Cool, thank you for sharing these other places Juelz! I hope to check them out next time I’m in Nairobi!
The Dropout
13 years ago
That looks like real man food. The only thing missing is beer!
I’d love to try something as local as nyama choma, even though I’m not such a big meat eater. The chicken look tasty.
Thanks for the interesting insight into African food.
Sarah
11 years ago
Have a Tusker Larger….they complement each other very very well.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Yes!
Rebecca
13 years ago
Yuuuum! Any etiquette tips for eating? Such as sharing food, or a particular hand you should eat with? I know it’s not cool to eat with your left hand in some countries.
WanderingTrader
13 years ago
Bookmarked and on the list! kenyan steak any better than Argentine steak?
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
@Christy: Definitely is the best!
@Kat: Yes, eaten in a similar fashion to lechon!
Thanks for this comment Kat! I’m extremely happy to know that my posts on Africa can show a view of Africa that is not displayed in the normal media and news. Africa, just like many places in the world, has so so many unique and wonderful things to do, see, and explore.
@Renee: Spot on! This is what I live for!
@Laurel: Yah, French fries are very common in Kenya, usually just homemade rough cut potatoes!
@Cathy: Thanks for the comment! The meat is rarely cooked with salt, but salt is just offered on the side, so it would work out wonderfully!
Cathy Sweeney
13 years ago
This carnivore loved the post and photos! You said it right at the top – “Naturally grazed, grass fed, freshly butchered, and supremely roasted.” — the best! I’m not a salt person though, so could probably do without a lot of that.
Laurel
13 years ago
The meat looks really tasty but I’m most surprised at eating it with french fries. Would never have thought it in Nairobi.
Renee
13 years ago
I would rather be drawn and quartered before giving up delicacies like this….Yum!
Kat
13 years ago
Reminds me of lechon hehe.
Mark, your posts about Africa are truly eye-openers. I guess media has painted such a different view of the various countries there, it’s making most travelers hesitant to go. Sharing these things makes us realize that there’s so much more to it. Cheers!
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler
13 years ago
Isn’t street food the best?! I love all the photos! It’s making me hungry. 🙂
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
@Christy: Cool, Yes, the chicken is not so gamey tasting and quite tender!
@John: Great, I bet there is some wonderful meat in Mongolia too!
@Zablon: Yes, I agree. Where do you usually get your meat from in Nairobi West?
@Inka: Haha, for sure! The meat here is immediate, unlike some restaurants in Kenya where you have to wait a few hours, the meat at these places is ready to be eaten!
@Lorna: Awesome, thanks for the comment! You will like the naturally grazed meat in Africa. Hope you get a chance to travel there sometime!
@Matt: Yes, with a bit of chili, amazing!
Matt Hope
13 years ago
mmm, straight meat and salt! I like it!
Lorna – the roamantics
13 years ago
omg mark i am so hungry now! i’m a total meat lover, but really do my best to know where my food is coming from and how responsibly and ethically it’s produced, so i LOVE how you start this post. and your photos as usual are completely tantalizing! you repeatedly reinforce my desire to travel all over africa and add to my wishlist- thanks 🙂
inka
13 years ago
I am one of those who can’t cook to save their life. Thankfully, all this delicious meat is already cooked by some one else and I would only have to eat it. My kind of place. Thanks for your comment on the Bursa silk and I’m glad to hear that you wear silk undies, so do I.
Zablon Mukuba
13 years ago
Nairobi west is the best place to eat meat seconded by Kenyatta Market
John in France
13 years ago
Finger looking good! I saw a program on Mongolian food yesterday and it wasn’t too disimilar. Mouth wateringly divine!
Christy @ Technosyncratic
13 years ago
I’m also a little squeamish about meat (I was a vegetarian for years), but the picture with the salt in it looks good! Great pictures. 🙂
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
@Linuist in Waiting:
Yes, you do have to be a meat lover! Haha, come to think of it, I’m so used to eating Nyama Choma that I somewhat overlook the fact they are even wearing lab coats…so interested in the meat when I’m there.
Full chickens are about $4, 1 KG of meat is about $5.
narges
10 years ago
hi
thanks for really good website
its very usefull for me
i want to go to kenya in next month
i am from iran and i am muslem and its important for me to know is their meat helal?or not?do you know about this?
help me to enjoy this food in kenya
best regards
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hello Narges, good to hear from you and thank you for reading my site. You know, I’m not sure about these random street stalls if the meat is Halal, probably not. But there are plenty of Halal restaurants in Tanzania and throughout Dar like http://migrationology.com/2013/10/barbecue-house-restaurant-consistently-delicious-food-in-dar-es-salaam/ for instance. Hope you enjoy!
chege
9 years ago
Am not sure if this is to late but 99% of the meat is halal that one I know.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thanks Chege
dkaris
9 years ago
i sell nyama choma in those streets and our suppliers are muslims
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Great to hear from you, thanks.
othman
7 years ago
your so welcome in Kenya
am very sure u you will enjoy
Nancy
7 years ago
thank you for this post.i am a Kenyan and i agree nyamchom is very tasty and addictive
Linguist-in-Waiting
13 years ago
Honestly, too much meat makes me sick (it’s the smell of meat and internal organs; I almost puked when my family went to a Brazilian churrascaria) but that looks like one I’d like to try for the heck of it. Besides, where else could you get people in lab coats serving you? How much do you pay for a lunch in one of these stalls?