There is a great variety of restaurants and cheap eateries in Nairobi, and a good range of cuisine from all over the world, thanks to Kenya’s diverse ethnic population. There is a profusion of cheap cafes at the end of Tom Mboya street, and Latema / River Rds area. You have a choice of Swahili, local and western dishes. Breakfasts are best eaten at hotel buffets. For western-style snacks like submarine sandwiches, try the Pasara café. For a truly local eating experience, the NSSF market is popular with office workers-you will be treated to traditional Kenyan dishes like mandazi, kenyege and matoke. 

There are some good cinemas in Nairobi (like the Kenya and the 20th century), offering African, American and Indian films at an attractive price. There are also the ever-popular discos, many of them have a live band. There are also some fun bars—The Thorn Tree Café (a bit passé nowadays), Buffalo Bill’s and the Friendship Corner.

Shopping

For local crafts like kiondo baskets, try the stalls behind the Jamia Mosque, and be prepared to bargain as if your life depended on it! The Maasai market that is held every Tuesday at the end of Moi Ave. is definitely worth your time, not just to pick up some great tribal ware, but also to experience a Kenyan tribal market atmosphere first-hand. You can also pay ‘The Spinners’ Web’ a visit, since it sells goods made by cooperatives/self-help workshops around the country. Jewellery with semi-precious stones like turquoise and garnets is also a good bet.