Cool Spaces: Nyama Mama

WORDS Cheri Morris

Kenyan cook Mama is the unpretentious star of the contemporary yet nostalgic pan-African roadside diner in Nairobi called Nyama Mama. 

Upon returning from her extensive east and west African travels working as a cook at exclusive safari lodges, Mama partnered with UK company Gorgeous Group and Kenya-based interior design firm Planning Interiors to realise her dream of presenting authentic home-style Kenyan cuisine in a welcoming yet fun and contemporary setting.

Vibrant colours, Kitenge fabric, vintage leather couches and walls dotted with colourful depictions of Kenyan life make for an atmosphere reminiscent of a village homestead while simultaneously exuding an air of a modern metropolitan diner. Mama wanted to create a space that made guests feel as if they’ve come to their grandmother’s home for a hearty meal. Packets of Unga (Kenyan flour), cooking fat, produce crates, crockery and weathered pots dot the homely space.

From decor to dishes, Nyama Mama pays homage to Kenyan culture and offers locals a nostalgic culinary experience while tourists experience a unique introduction to Kenyan cuisine. The modern day roadside diner is wholly unpretentious and the decor draws clear inspiration from Mama’s African travels. Nyama Mama is the picture-perfect place to enjoy traditional hearty dishes served on metal Vikombe (plates) coupled with creative cocktails garnished with local fruit and herbs.

Want to see more of Nyama Mama? Visit their website here.