Emma Nzioka
Nairobi, Kenya
Crave Kitchen
A few minutes’ drive away from the busy CBD lies a quaint restaurant called Crave Kitchen. The space has a very beautiful vibe and an amazing and helpful staff. Crave Kitchen recently expanded their grounds to include an outdoor seating space. On their grounds they also utilize modern farming methods to bump up the supply of fresh vegetables and herbs for their different dishes. Crave Kitchen offers a menu of local food such as chapati and stew, ‘ngwace’ also known as sweet potato, as well as a great selection of fast foods. They also offer breakfast food and freshly brewed coffee. My favourite to have is their lemon drizzle cake with a cup of tea. Also new at Crave is a weekend special of grilled meat, locally known as ‘nyama choma’ which is a popular dish especially during celebrations such as birthdays. With super affordable prices and a lovely fresh ambience, Crave Kitchen is a must visit.
Real Vinyl Guru
As a DJ, I had to include a space where music lovers can come and explore rare music finds. Real Vinyl Guru is owned by vinyl collector James Rugami, who has sold second-hand records for over 30 years. I was first introduced to James by my partner who frequented his shop multiple times to buy records as well as conduct an interview with James. James is a very welcoming and friendly person and his passion for music shows from all the music in his collection which lines a huge space of his walls. You can find a wide range of records and a lot of music from East Africa at the store. He also collects and sells record players and vintage sound systems.
Mama Rocks
Easily the best burger place in Nairobi, Mama Rocks's new Karen branch is a great place to hang out in Nairobi. I was first introduced to Mama Rocks at the Alchemist creative space where their food truck was stationed. Against all the odds the business managed to open a new branch a few minutes away from the CBD. Surrounded by lots of trees and foliage, the ambience is inviting and the outdoor seating area allows you to fully enjoy nature’s elements while you enjoy your food. From the Mango Masai burger to the Fela Supa, each flavour of the burgers is inspired by the flavours of Nigerian and Kenyan cooking and the cultures that the founders Nathalie and Samantha grew up around.
House of Treasures
The small- and medium-business scene in Nairobi is very active. Entrepreneurs in the creative industry are always pushing the envelope to provide great quality products. From Chilli Mango’s trendy streetwear line to Lilabare’s eco-friendly clothing and jewellery, if you want to shop, then the House of Treasures is a great place to start. This one-stop shop houses a wide variety of items such as furniture, household accessories, clothes, sunglasses, jewelery, linen, carpets, shoes, toys, artwork, lighting fixtures and so much more. The products are selections made from different Kenyan designers and will not disappoint you if you are looking for something cute for your house, yourself or a gift for someone special.
I love Nairobi. The current Covid 19 pandemic has been a hard hit on the city’s normal lively buzz. The worst being the entertainment scene. With an ongoing dusk to dawn curfew and ban on alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars, most of the places I used to hang out in have had to shut down until further notice.
A few places have managed to push through these very tough times. Here are a few of them. Nairobi and the larger metropolitan area are full of very hardworking, industrious and creative people. I welcome you all to visit, explore, eat and experience our warmth once the world settles in this “new normal” and regular travel resumes.
My name is Emma Nzioka and I am a DJ (stage name Coco Em), filmmaker, and photojournalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. I have a passion for music, activism, and creating new experiences with good people in different parts of the world. Thanks to my work as a location scout, I’ve cultivated my thirst for exploration. I have been blessed to shoot, perform, connect, and share my culture with people from Uganda, South Sudan, South Africa, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia, Rwanda, Tanzania, France, Canada, and Switzerland, and I hope for more to come.