The 5 Best Coffee Shops in Karen Nairobi
Looking for the best coffee shops in Karen Nairobi?
Karen isn’t just a neighborhood, it’s a rhythm. The kind that starts with birdsong and a steaming cup on a sunlit terrace. It’s a place where a good cappuccino isn’t just a drink, it’s a pause, a mood, an anchor in the day. If you’re seeking coffee with character, charm, and a bit of magic, this is your list. And if you believe your café should feel like an experience, not just a seat and a socket, you’re in exactly the right place.
1. Hatton’s Lounge at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden
This isn’t just our top pick. It’s our home turf, and where coffee becomes something close to ritual. Walk past the bougainvillea-draped arch, through stone paths kissed with morning light. You’ll hear birds, maybe wind through the acacias, and always the comforting clink of porcelain from Hatton’s Lounge.
Here, under the wide verandas of the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden, mornings begin slowly. Cappuccinos are served with cinnamon on top and fresh garden air all around. The scent of baking croissants mingles with freshly clipped herbs. There’s no rush. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
Hatton’s is where travelers reset after safari. Where creatives sip while sketching. Where diplomats and dreamers write postcards in longhand. The coffee? Kenyan, rich, expertly brewed. The service? Gracious without pretense.
What to try: The almond croissant with a double-roast espresso or the papaya smoothie with a cappuccino chaser.
Make a Reservation at The Hattons Lounge
2. Tin Roof Café ,Karen’s
Set in the leafy courtyard of The Souk, Tin Roof is the neighborhood’s relaxed garden café. Think open-air wooden tables, a rotating board of smoothies and salads, and shelves stocked with handmade soaps and eco snacks. Kids run barefoot across the lawn. Dogs nap under chairs. And your almond milk latte arrives with a smile. It’s the kind of place that feels both wholesome and alive.
3. Boho Eatery
Boho Eatery is tucked inside a lush compound, and walking in feels like arriving at a hidden eco-retreat. Built on bold flavors and visual beauty, this spot is a favorite of Nairobi’s design-forward foodies. Expect stunning ceramics, natural light, matcha lattes, and dairy-free everything. Their coffee menu is small but thoughtful and every detail feels curated.
What to try: Iced matcha with cashew milk, coconut banana bread
4. Artcaffe at Galleria
For something more conventional but still pleasant, Artcaffe’s Galleria branch is spacious, clean, and well-lit. Ideal for a pre- or post-shopping coffee, or to send a few emails before heading off on safari It may not carry the mystique of Karen’s garden cafés, but it delivers consistent lattes, friendly service, and great WiFi every time.
What to try: Vanilla latte and spinach quiche . Best For: Quick meetups, working remotely, or travelers needing something central and predictable
5. The Talisman Karen
Talisman’s mornings are a secret joy. Before the lunch crowd arrives, its ivy-covered walls, antique furniture, and expansive garden become a sanctuary for slow coffee moments. The coffee is classic, french press or espresso but the vibe is what sells it. Hummingbirds dart past you as you sip, and the staff know to let you linger.
What to try: French press and banana bread, seated in the garden. Best For: Morning meetings, romantic breakfasts, peaceful solo time
Among the best coffee shops in Karen Nairobi, Hatton’s at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden offers a sense of ease that goes beyond the cup. It’s where luxury is quiet, flavor is honest, and coffee is a true experience
