Carnivore Restaurant

The Carnivore Restaurant: All You Can Eat Meat $$$

by Dr. Annie S. Wesley, Freelance Writer

September 2006

It is considered “Africa’s greatest eating experience.” In a guide published by the editors of the UK Restaurant magazine, a panel of 71 world renown food critics and chefs selected Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi, Kenya among the 50 best restaurants around the world. So, before leaving Kenya I wanted to visit the famous restaurant which in September 2005 celebrated 25 years of serving unique meats.

Located near Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, this open-air meat specialty restaurant has strikingly different food compared to anything I experienced in Africa and beyond. What else can I say when the menu features “Crocodile when available.”

It was 3 p.m. by the time my Kenyan colleague and I went to the restaurant -- not a good time for lunch or dinner. But since I had to catch an evening flight I just wanted to have the thrill of visiting the place I heard so much about.

We noticed a circular large charcoal pit filling a big room at the entrance of the restaurant. We started talking to Sam the tall handsome chef wearing a zebra striped apron. Between deftly adjusting the varied meats already being barbecued or adding new pieces of meat on to massive skewers, Sam answered all our questions with a smile. He told that in addition to the regular chicken, pork and beef, some of the game meats served there were zebra, eland, crocodile, ostrich, camel, giraffe and several types of wild deer – all roasted on traditional maasai swords as skewers. Fire roasted meat, locally known as Nyama Choma is a genuine Kenyan specialty. As I was beginning to feel a bit dizzy to imagine people eating the local wildlife, I was assured that all the game served is from eco-friendly game ranches which play an important role in conservation. For the not so adventurous eater, steak and regular meat dishes are also available. Surprisingly, a vegetarian menu can also be served on request.

Every day for lunch and dinner it is “all the meat you can eat” menu. Waiters carry the skewers of exotic meat around the restaurant, carving unlimited amounts for the diners. Each meal includes at least 4 types of game meat. A wide selection of salads, vegetable side dishes and a variety of sauces to add taste and flavor to the meal.

Since I was not going to stay for dinner, I was thrilled when Sam, the Chef, allowed us to taste crocodile meat he prepared for lunch that day. Eating the meat, Joseph, my Kenyan colleague who accompanied me to the restaurant said exactly what I was thinking “Isn’t it strange that such a tough animal like crocodile has such tender meat?” It sure was tender and to me it tasted more like a combination of chicken and fish. It was a memorable and unique dining experience in deed.

If you are visiting Kenya for business or pleasure, the Carnivore Restaurant is the perfect stop for a meal and an opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s unique food experiences. The Carnivore is also the home of the Simba Saloon, Nairobi’s most popular night club and disco. Short tours are available from the city or as part of safari packages. You can also hire a taxi and go there on your way to the airport. To avoid disappointment be sure to make a reservations ahead of time.

If You Go

On line booking can be made at:

http://www.carnivore.co.ke/carnivore/index.php

Contact info:

Phone: 254-20-605933 to 7

Fax: 254-20-602993

e-mail: reservations@carnivore.co.ke

Dinner costs1830 Ksh (about $26) and lunch is 1640 Ksh ($23)