10 Best Kenyan Restaurants in The United States

Having been raised in my home country eating traditional foods like ugali, githeri and nyama choma, Kenya, I developed a strong fondness for them.

However, since arriving in the United States five years ago as a student, I’ve struggled to enjoy American cuisine as many of their diets hardly align with what I consider authentic food.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most processed and packaged foods in the U.S. often contain excessive amounts of unhealthy oils, sugar, salt, and refined grains. These ingredients are often the root cause of chronic diseases and the obesity epidemic.

That’s why whenever I visit a new city or state in the U.S., I look for Kenyan restaurants to relish familiar and healthier dishes.

So, if you are a Kenyan or American in the U.S. who wants to taste Kenyan dishes, the best places to find these dishes is in a Kenyan restaurant.

But where can I find these restaurants?

Sit back and relax. This article lists the best Kenyan Restaurants in the United States you can visit anytime you visit the city or state. Read on to find out which restaurants found their way to this list.

1. Swahili Village

Location: Located in Washington, D.C.; Beltsville, Maryland; Newark, New Jersey; Corner, Virginia; and Manhattan, New York

Phone: +1 202-758-3384

Website: https://swahilivillages.com/

This is not a single restaurant but five restaurants in four states and Washington, DC. The first and oldest restaurant was first opened in Beltsville, Maryland. The restaurant services the cities of Baltimore, Columbia, Laurel, College Park, and Beltsville itself. The other branches are Washington, D.C.; Newark, New Jersey; Corner, Virginia; and Manhattan, New York.

All these hidden gems serve authentic Kenyan flavors Like Nyama Choma, Lamb Chops, Red beans, Samosas, Baghia, Chicken wings, and Chai. This is also the best home for grilled goat, beef, chicken with cabbage, spinach or collard greens, and ugali. Here, you can also order chapati garnished with kachumbari.

The video below, courtesy of Repat Assist YouTube Channel, highlights what to expect when visiting any Swahili Village restaurant.

2. Lims Nyama Choma, Seattle, Washington

Address: 29100 Pacific Hwy S Federal Way, Washington

Phone: (206) 960-3964

Located in Seattle, Washington, Lims Nyama Choma is a Kenyan restaurant offering authentic Kenyan cuisine. The restaurant started as a nyama choma and mutura joint but has grown and currently serves expertly grilled meats and flavorful dishes. Besides nyama choma, other Kenyan cuisines you can enjoy during your visit include mbuzi kanga, chapati, sukumawiki and ugali, samosa, sausages, mokimo, githeri, and matumbo.

The restaurant’s dedication to traditional flavors and quality ingredients creates a delightful dining experience. With friendly service and a warm ambiance, Lims Nyama Choma is a must-visit restaurant for Kenyan food lovers in Seattle.

Kenyans in the USA enjoying Nyama Choma at Lims Choma in Federal Way PT2

3. Rafiki Restaurant & Lounge, Kent, WA

Address: 226 1st Ave S Kent, WA 98032.

Phone: (253) 981-3550

Website: http://rafikirestaurantandlounge.com/

Rafiki Restaurant & Lounge is another Kenyan restaurant located in Kent, Washington. This is one of the Kenyan restaurants in the United States that brings the vibrant flavors of East Africa to the Pacific Northwest. The extensive menu showcases a delightful array of traditional Kenyan dishes, including pilau, kuku curry, kuku choma, mbuzi choma, mbuzi kanga, samaki wa mchuzi, Samaki kanga, chapatis, ugali, and other aromatic curries and flavorful stews.

Rafiki’s commitment to using natural ingredients and recipes ensures an authentic culinary journey for patrons. The warm and inviting ambiance, adorned with African decor, enhances the dining experience, while the friendly and attentive staff make guests feel right at home.

4. Safari Grill, Louisville, Kentucky

Address: 328 W Woodlawn Ave Louisville, KY 40214

Phone: (502) 915-0943

The owners of Safari Grill restaurant are from Kenya and Somalia, so here you will find a mixture of East African dishes such as nyama choma, samosas, and chapatis with some Mediterranean favorites. 

Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Kenyan cuisine or curious to explore new tastes, Safari Grill promises a satisfying and authentic culinary adventure in Louisville.

5. Mama Ti’s African Kitchen, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Address: 7632 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443, United States

Phone: +1 763-566-1009

Website: https://mymamatis.com/

Mama Ti’s African Kitchen is another Kenyan restaurant in the United States that brings the authentic tastes of Kenyan dishes to the heart of Minneapolis.

The restaurant has a diverse vegetarian menu, including vegetable curry, lentil stew, pilau, chapatis, and vegetable samosas. The restaurant also boasts meat dishes, including kebabs, buffalo wings, seasoned fried wings, fried pepper wings, vegetable samosa, beef rolls, and chicken choma.

Mama Ti’s African Kitchen promises a satisfying and memorable culinary escapade in Minneapolis for Kenyans in the United States or Americans seeking an adventure in Kenyan flavors.

6. Taste of Africa in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Address: 1553 Kalamazoo Av S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Phone: +1 616-634-9720

Website: https://tasteofafricamichiganllc.com/

Taste of Africa is another Kenyan restaurant located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The restaurant comprises a group of experienced cooks from East, West, North, and Southern Africa. Here you will enjoy Kenyan dishes such as mandazi, nyama choma, ugali, and pilau and dishes from other African countries such as Plantain, Jollof Rice, Boerewors, Braai, Peri Peri, Mngqusho and more.

7. Jambo Café – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Address: 2010 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States

Phone: +1 505-473-1269

Website: https://jambocafe.net/

Jambo Café is an award-winning Kenyan restaurant located at 2010 Cerrillos Road at the St. Michael’s Drive intersection between Office Depot and Petco. This restaurant is owned by Kenyan-born Chef Ahmed Obo, who was born and raised on Lamu Island, off the coast of Kenya.

 This Kenyan restaurant in the United States serves a variety of dishes inspired by Obo’s Kenyan roots and African-Caribbean fusion, such as grilled chicken, goat stew, lamb stew, chicken wings, beef stew, nyama choma, potato flies, and more.

Wrapping Up

Please remember that these are just a few examples of the best Kenyan restaurants in the United States. There may be others that offer the best Kenyan dishes and services as well. I recommend checking the menu or contacting the restaurant to confirm their vegetarian offerings.