Malindi Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Malindi

February 22, 2018 Concepcion Newsome

Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama stopped at Malindi on his way to India in 1498 and erected a pillar that remains overlooking the harbor, however precariously, to this day. Still popular with Europeans, Malindi is famed for coral reefs that lie just 1,000 feet off its shore, best seen at Malindi National Marine Park or nearby Watamu. Game fishing, surfing and simply relaxing on the beach are popular local pastimes. The narrow streets and market of Malindi's old town are worth a visit.
Things to do in Malindi

1. Baobab Restaurant

Mama Ngina Rd, Old Town, Malindi 80200, Kenya Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol African, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night 31699
Excellent
22%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
5%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 99 reviews

Baobab Restaurant

Reviewed By Kweheri - Lincoln, England, United Kingdom

This must be one of the best places in the world to drink really cold beer, eat very chispy chicken and chips and watch the world go by. Great atmosphere, very basic but good service and reasonably priced. We have been visiting here for the last ten years and they have always maintained their standards !!!

2. Old Man and the Sea

Beach Front Road, Malindi 80200, Kenya Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol Seafood, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +254 777 131106
Excellent
52%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 297 reviews

Old Man and the Sea

Reviewed By yanochka2 - Kiev, Ukraine

The restaurant has very good food and service. Recommend for dinner . Small and cozy . Very good desert

3. Baby Marrow

Mama Ngina Rd, Old Town, Malindi 80200, Kenya Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, Pizza, Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +254 700 766704
Excellent
45%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 198 reviews

Baby Marrow

Reviewed By toscancr - Treviso, Italy

Baby Marrow is the perfect place to eat in Malindi: perfect service, nice staff, quick and really good value for money and the owner is the typical Italian man who is always able to make you feel welcome and at ease.
Food is just delicious, great ingredients and a wide choice for all the kinds of customers!
Don't miss a great dinner here if you pass by!

4. KB Karen Blixen

Lamu Road | Galana Center, Malindi 80200, Kenya Television, Serves Alcohol, Outdoor Seating, Buffet, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Takeout, Reservations, Highchairs Available, Accepts Credit Cards Italian, Cafe, Mediterranean, Pizza, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks HK$157 - HK$314 +254 717 775888
Excellent
47%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 279 reviews

KB Karen Blixen

The KB Karen Blixen, in the historic square of the Center Galana in Malindi.Bar, Restaurant open for breakfast, open for lunch and dinner from 11am to 11pm.Typical Italian cuisine, swuaili, pizza.

Reviewed By Neil R

We visited the Karen Blixen Malindi for a late morning coffee / drink. It is extremely hot and stuffy if you sit inside. we them moved to the outside, where it is difficult to get a waiters attention, and where you have hawkers and beggars...Morehi sorry Malindi this time it is very hot everywhere, we can't do nothing for that, our restaurant/bar is in open space, for the waiters we take our action. Thanks

5. Robinson's Island

Malindi, Malindi 80200, Kenya Reservations, Waitstaff, Seating African, Seafood Lunch +254 722 900325
Excellent
43%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
7%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 52 reviews

Robinson's Island

Reviewed By Peter B - Suffolk

Robinson island is an hours drive north of Malindi .It is as nature intended and run by a delightful Lady and her German husband who are seriously into ecologie and you shoud enjoy the work they have achivied in replanting the mangroves around this unique Island.
You can at first, as we did ,enjoy a day trip here to the natural and fine beach via the punted boat across the creek to their island home. The beautiful cooling breeze from the ocean is a refreshing change from air-con! The lunch served around 1.00pm after the drums to summon other adventure's is a great experience. Fresh mangrove crabs ,prawns from the sea and fish cooked with a huge supply of well cooked vegatable rice with a plateful of fruit to follow are well served by friendly and chatty lads. Remember if you want a beer or wine bring your own as there is no licesence.Our second visit saw us renting one of thier rustic ,simply built but very attractive bungalows with shower and toilet, and fantastic Terrace overlooking the ocean.A delightful return to nature and interesting and informative company. We realeased a fisherman caught turtle back to the wild!

6. La Rosada

Casuarina Road | Malindi, Malindi 80200, Kenya Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, Pizza, Seafood, Mediterranean, International, Barbecue, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Breakfast +254 700 501813
Excellent
51%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 209 reviews

La Rosada

Reviewed By Holly Suzanne B

Rosada is situated right on the beach making for great people watching. There are a wide variety of Seating options and the menu is extensive if not a little more expensive for comparable dishes than at some of the other italian neighbour restaurants.
It's a nice vibe and seems very popular.

7. Barefoot Beach Camp and Restaurant

Lamu Road | Golden Beach North of Malindi, Che Shale Bay, Malindi 254, Kenya Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Outdoor Seating African, Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Fusion, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +254 722 421351
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Barefoot Beach Camp and Restaurant

Suddenly you are on the coast of Africa - just a short distanceaway from Malindi town off the Lamu road, a 20 minute drive and now on the golden beach where the sea is breath taking, the sandy beach shimmers gold and the ocean shoes are surrounded with sand dunes, palm trees and bushes. Here lies Barefoot Beach Camp.Lunch or Dinner Bookings- We concentrate on exclusivity and we encourage prior bookings on night or daytime excursions for those looking for a day out to experience superb cuisine cooked by Eddie himself, and to build our reputation by opening up new dimensions to the word “Kenyan hospitality.” We offer you a hosted service.Barefoot’s superb service is complemented by the growing reputation for world-class, international cuisine from our renowned kitchen, where daily fresh baked bread and focaccia is just the beginning. Guests are welcome to request, a day in advance, for local or international food, vegetarian or anything else that might take your fancy – we will endeavour to match your desires or provide exciting alternatives.The menu is not ordinary! It is exciting and constantly evolving- the primary offering is fusion/contemporary cuisine with a dash of North African flavours using the finest organic produce from the Kenyan coast.

Reviewed By Greg H - Watamu, Kenya

“A mini holiday to remember”
Pending review
we stayed here for two nights at the end of March 2015. Eddie and Selma took good care of us.
Great food.....and we are fussy eaters!
Great service....Zero took very good care of us.
Great accommodation..... very comfortable.
The perfect place to relax and kick back.
We will return very soon.
Stayed March 2015

8. Jabreen

Mama ngina road, Malindi 80200, Kenya Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff African Lunch, Dinner
Excellent
37%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
5%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 54 reviews

Jabreen

Reviewed By Tariqa I I

The food is good. They serve swahili food. But the Highlight are the Samosas. Very nice tasty meaty crunchy samosas.... Always enjoy them... Mostly we takeaway samosas...

9. White Elephant

Malindi, Kenya Reservations, Waitstaff Seafood, Contemporary Lunch, Dinner
Excellent
48%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 54 reviews

White Elephant

Reviewed By Carol B - Nairobi, Kenya

A lovely beach location, the venue has a very interesting art display that is worth a meander. There is a nice pool and atmosphere is OK. Beach area was very crowded with little privacy, sea not brilliant for swimming. Lunchtime food - was very average. Service could be improved (a lot).

10. Scorpio Villas

Malindi | Mnarani road, Malindi 80200, Kenya Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Outdoor Seating, Wheelchair Accessible European, Italian, African, Bar, Seafood, Mediterranean, Pub, Central European, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +254 42 2120194
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Scorpio Villas

Reviewed By Tiffany M

Extremly high standard of cusine, very courteous/ happy staff. The ambience is perfectly for all kind of occasions. thank you for taking such wonderful care of my friends and since then i found the best restaurant in the home area. i recommend scorpio villas to anyone.

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