Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant – Nairobi

Nairobi’s Carnivore Restaurant turns dinner into a lively parade of sizzling meat served from Maasai swords. You’ll begin with soup and bread, then sample generous cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, crocodile, ostrich, rabbit, and other specialties from your table’s hot iron dish.

I like two things right away: you can try a wide range of meats without ordering several separate plates, and the private hotel pickup and return remove the hassle of arranging an evening ride. The all-you-can-eat format also lets you return to favorites, such as the excellent ostrich meatballs.

The main drawback is price. At $85 per person, this is a costly lunch or dinner in Nairobi, especially if you are not interested in eating large portions of meat. Alcoholic drinks are extra, and the meal can feel less worthwhile for light eaters.

Key points to know before booking

• Maasai sword service: Servers bring cooked meats directly to your table on long swords, creating the restaurant’s signature barbecue experience.
• Exotic choices: Crocodile, ostrich, rabbit, and buffalo balls appear alongside familiar beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and sausages.
• All-you-can-eat meal: Try each meat, then request more of the cuts you prefer.
• Hot iron serving dish: Meat arrives sizzling, and you can cook it a little longer at your table.
• Private hotel transfers: Pickup and drop-off are arranged from your Nairobi hotel for your group.
• Four-hour outing: Lunch or dinner reservations let you fit the restaurant into different Nairobi schedules.

What the Carnivore meal is really like

The Carnivore is not simply a restaurant meal with one unusual item on the menu. The format is the attraction. A large barbecue sits at the center of the experience, and servers circulate with skewers of meat, cutting portions onto your plate as you decide what to try.

You begin with a light soup of the day. This is a sensible opening because the main course is large, but do not fill up too soon. Homemade bread with butter follows on a hot iron dish, giving you something familiar before the more unusual meats arrive.

The service then changes pace. Instead of choosing one entrée from a menu, you are offered a succession of meats. Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and pork sausages provide recognizable flavors, while crocodile, ostrich, rabbit, and buffalo balls make the meal more distinctly Kenyan in spirit.

The meat is cooked before it reaches the table. It arrives hot, and the iron dish lets you cook it a little more if you prefer a firmer finish. This is useful if you like your meat well done, though the dish is better understood as a way to keep food warm than as a personal grill.

You are not limited to one serving. Try small portions first, then ask for more of anything you like. That is the best way to handle such a broad menu. Start cautiously with the exotic choices, save room for the cuts you enjoy, and do not feel obliged to take a second helping simply because the service continues.

Crocodile, ostrich, rabbit, and familiar barbecue cuts

The unusual meats are the reason many people book this outing. Crocodile gives you a chance to try something that is unlikely to appear in an ordinary Nairobi dinner, while ostrich offers a leaner alternative to the heavier meats. Rabbit adds another distinct flavor, and buffalo balls provide yet one more variation.

The ostrich meatballs deserve special attention. They have been singled out as a particularly tasty choice, so make sure you try them when they pass your table. If you enjoy them, ask for another portion later. The all-you-can-eat system is most useful here, since you can test unfamiliar foods without committing to a full entrée.

The standard meats matter, too. Beef, lamb, pork, and chicken give you a reliable base if the game meats are not to your taste. Pork sausages are another easy choice, especially for anyone in the group who prefers a conventional barbecue dinner.

I would not book this meal expecting every meat to be dramatically different. Some flavors will feel familiar, and the experience is partly about presentation, variety, and the chance to sample several options. If you want a quiet meal focused on one carefully chosen dish, this is probably not the right format.

Salads, vegetables, dessert, and coffee

The meat gets most of the attention, but the meal includes salads and vegetables as well. These side dishes are not a minor detail. They give you a fresh break between portions of grilled meat and help keep the dinner from becoming an endless succession of rich bites.

The restaurant also finishes the meal with coffee and an African dessert. That closing course gives the evening a proper ending rather than sending you straight from barbecue to the hotel.

A meal this large rewards pacing. Take the soup and bread slowly, sample the meats in modest portions, and use the salads and vegetables along the way. If you eat quickly at the start, you may have little appetite left for the ostrich, crocodile, or dessert that makes the outing different from a standard steakhouse dinner.

The Dawa cocktail and drink costs

The experience includes a Dawa cocktail, described as a Medicine cocktail, along with one soft drink. It is presented as part of the Carnivore welcome and adds a local touch before the main meal.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the $85 price. If you want wine, beer, spirits, or another alcoholic drink, budget for that separately. The information provided does not give the exact drink menu or prices, so you should treat the included soft drink as the dependable beverage allowance.

This is worth noting when comparing the total cost. The advertised price covers the large meal, dessert, coffee, one soft drink, and hotel transfers, but it is not an all-inclusive evening for drinks.

Four hours from Nairobi hotel to return transfer

The full outing takes about four hours. That estimate includes the meal and the scheduled hotel pickup and drop-off, so allow enough time in your Nairobi plans for transport as well as dinner.

Hotel transfers are one of the strongest practical features. Nairobi evenings are easier when you do not need to arrange separate transport to the restaurant and then find your way back after a large meal. Pickup and return are arranged from your Nairobi hotel, and the activity is private, meaning only your group participates.

The details describe scheduled hotel pickup and drop-off, so provide accurate hotel information when booking. The information does not specify an exact pickup time, the vehicle type, or the full list of pickup areas. Those details should be confirmed with Samsons Safaris after booking.

You can choose lunch or dinner. Lunch may work better if you have an evening plan, while dinner makes the barbecue feel like a complete night out. If your Nairobi schedule includes an early departure or a fixed evening event, check the timing before you commit to the four-hour block.

Why the private format matters

This is a private tour or activity rather than a shared group outing. That means the restaurant meal is arranged for your group, and the transfers are not described as a large shared coach service.

Privacy is useful if you are traveling with family, friends, or a small group that wants to eat at its own pace. You can spend more time on the meats you like and less time managing a table of strangers. It also makes the transfer portion simpler for a group with one Nairobi hotel.

The private format does not mean the restaurant service is private to your table. The sword service is part of the restaurant’s overall dining system, with staff circulating and offering meat. You still get the lively public restaurant atmosphere, but your booking and transport are for your own group.

Is $85 good value?

The price needs a fair comparison. At $85 per person, this is expensive for a meal if you judge it only by the cost of food. Nairobi offers less costly ways to eat meat, and light eaters may not take advantage of the unlimited servings.

The value improves if you want three things in one booking: a well-known Nairobi restaurant, a broad tasting menu of familiar and unusual meats, and private round-trip hotel transport. The meal also includes soup, bread, salads, vegetables, dessert, coffee, and one soft drink, so you are paying for a full dining experience rather than a single plate.

The all-you-can-eat arrangement is especially useful for a hungry eater or a group with mixed tastes. You can try ostrich, crocodile, and rabbit without ordering full portions, then go back for beef, lamb, sausages, or ostrich meatballs. That flexibility prevents an expensive mistake if one of the unusual meats does not suit you.

The price is less attractive if you do not eat meat, avoid large meals, or want alcoholic drinks included. Alcohol costs extra, and the provided details do not list vegetarian alternatives beyond salads and vegetables. I would ask about food needs before booking if anyone in your group has restrictions.

Who should book this Nairobi dinner?

I would recommend it to first-time Nairobi visitors who want one memorable meal built around Kenyan restaurant culture rather than a standard international menu. It also suits adventurous eaters who like comparing crocodile, ostrich, rabbit, and buffalo with more familiar barbecue cuts.

Families and friend groups can benefit from the format because everyone can select different meats from the same service. A cautious eater can stick with chicken, beef, pork, or lamb, while the more curious members of the group can test the game options.

The experience also works well for anyone who values simple evening transport. Having hotel pickup and return included saves you from arranging separate rides, and the private setup keeps the outing focused on your own party.

I would hesitate if you prefer small portions, quiet fine dining, or a menu built around vegetables and seafood. The entire meal is centered on generous servings of grilled meat, and the restaurant’s appeal comes from the theatrical sword service as much as from the food itself.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and a mobile ticket is available. The experience is often booked about 30 days ahead, which suggests that you should reserve early if your Nairobi dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular lunch or dinner time.

Group discounts are offered, so larger parties should check the rate before paying separately. The tour provider is Samsons Safaris.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. A cancellation made within 24 hours is not refunded, and changes made during that same period are not accepted. The cut-off follows Nairobi local time, so pay attention to the local start time if you are arranging the booking from another country.

Most people can participate. The information supplied does not give specific accessibility details, dietary menus, or exact hotel pickup boundaries, so ask Samsons Safaris about those points if they affect your plans.

My verdict on the Carnivore experience

I like this outing because it gives you a clear, easy way to try many meats in one sitting. The ostrich meatballs, sword-served portions, private transfers, and unlimited refills make it more memorable than a routine restaurant reservation.

Still, the $85 cost is real. You are paying for the restaurant experience, the variety, and the transport, not simply for dinner. If you are hungry, curious about game meats, and want a relaxed evening with hotel pickup and return, I think it is worth considering. If you are a light eater or want the lowest-cost meal in Nairobi, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where is this experience located?

It takes place at the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi, Kenya.

How long does the experience last?

The complete outing lasts approximately four hours.

Can I choose lunch or dinner?

Yes. You can select a lunch or dinner reservation.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Scheduled pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi hotel are included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

What food is included?

The meal includes soup, homemade bread with butter, unlimited servings of meat, salads, vegetables, coffee, and an African dessert.

Which meats can I try?

The menu includes beef, pork, lamb, chicken, pork sausages, crocodile, ostrich, rabbit, buffalo balls, and other meats.

Can I request more of a meat I like?

Yes. After trying the available meats, you can ask for more of your favorites.

Are drinks included?

One soft drink is included. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $85 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.