Karen Blixen Coffee Garden
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden
4.5
About
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages is set in what used to be Karen Blixen’s old coffee farm estate, in the heart of Karen in beautiful gardens and a peaceful suburb approximately 20 miles from downtown Nairobi, Kenya. It is located in a beautiful peaceful setting on Karen Road, about half a mile from the Karen Golf and Country Club, it is the site of the original farmhouse which was part of the Blixen property. Centrally and conveniently located, it is a short walk from the Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri Bead Factory and an easy 10 minutes’ drive from the popular Daphne Sheldrick Elephant & Rhino Orphanage as well as the Giraffe Centre. Just 10 minutes away, it is also well-placed for game drive in Nairobi National Park where one can spot the big game with the city skyline in the background.
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Best nearby
Restaurants
57 within 3 miles
Attractions
43 within 6 miles
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- Ayanna C12 contributionsLovely place to stay in NairobiLovely place to stay in Nairobi! The staff were very welcoming and made sure we were comfortable. I loved the hot water bottles at night to keep us warm. The room was so nice. The bathroom was the best part with the waterfall shower. The food was tasty and fresh as well. I would recommend to everyone staying in Nairobi.Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you had a lovely stay at our establishment. It's wonderful to know that our staff made you feel welcomed and ensured your comfort throughout your visit. We're glad you enjoyed the thoughtful touch of the hot water bottles and the luxurious waterfall shower in the bathroom. We take pride in offering tasty and fresh food, and we're thrilled that you found it to your liking. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back again in the future! Warm Regards, Sheila LemisoWritten March 18, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 6, 2023
- Jackson C7 contributionsGreat place to start our trip to KenyaWe only stayed for one night but the experience was very pleasant. Attentive and friendly service (they even put hot water bottles in the bed). Hopefully we’ll get to return and spend more time here.Dear Jackson, Greetings from Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottage and many thanks for sharing your experience with us. We're thrilled to hear that you had a pleasant stay during your short visit. It's wonderful to know that you appreciated our attentive and friendly service, including the thoughtful touch of hot water bottles in the bed. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a longer stay in the future. Warm Regards, Sheila LemisoWritten March 18, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 30, 2023
- thompso2453 contributionsGood food and drinks, if a bit priceyI visited this with a small group tour. It was an outdoor restaurant in a lovely courtyard garden (though the tree over our heads did drop nuts on us periodically). While it was a bit pricey, the food was good, and the masala chai was excellent. I had bangers and mash, while the other members of the group had burgers and pizzas, plus chicken nuggets for the children. There was something for everyone, in a relaxing setting with very pleasant staff.Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit to our outdoor restaurant and found our courtyard garden to be lovely, despite the occasional nut droppings from overhead trees. We're glad to know that you found the food to be good and enjoyed our masala chai. It's wonderful that our menu had something for everyone in your group, and we're pleased that our staff contributed to a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon! Warm Regards, Sheila LemisoWritten March 18, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited July 2023Traveled soloWritten November 4, 2023
- LovesPhotoOpsHoover, Alabama1,074 contributionsGreat lunch buffet, beautiful groundsWe visited the restaurant for lunch as part of a group safari tour. We served ourselves from a buffet out on the veranda. This was my first chance to try ugali, a corn meal dish similar to polenta. I also tried mukimo which according to the internet is made from mashed potatoes, corn, green peas, and pumpkin leaves. Both were ok but didn’t have much taste. They also had a nice dessert buffet and I got a small cake piece and a slice of tree tomato. After eating we walked around the garden for a few minutes and looked at the trees and flowers. In the parking lot, we spotted a black kite in a tree.Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're pleased to hear that you had the opportunity to try new dishes like ugali and mukimo during your visit. We apologize if they didn't meet your taste expectations. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continuously strive to improve our offerings. It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the dessert buffet and had a chance to explore our garden. We hope you had a memorable time during your visit, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. Warm Regards, Sheila LemisoWritten March 18, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 14, 2023
- Christian MantillaMadrid, Spain28 contributionsYou must go for dinner here while in NairobiWent for dinner there twice while visiting Nairobi. The first time was okay but the second was fantastic! I asked the chef why such a difference. He was embarrassed and did not know what to say. At the end he confided that he was off the first time I ate there.Dear Christian, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're glad to hear that your second visit was fantastic. We apologize for any inconsistency in your dining experience during your first visit, and we appreciate your understanding. Our team strives to maintain high standards of quality and service, and we're grateful for your patience. We hope to welcome you back soon for another fantastic dining experience. Warm Regards, Sheila LemisoWritten March 18, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 16, 2023
- Flyer670787373471 contribution( sigh )Karen Blixen is beautiful in an effortlessly seeming natural way with the trees giving shade to parts of the terrace. Julia, our waitress is ( was ) one of the best servers we've had in Nairobi. 5 stars for her. Definitely have to go back again.Dear Valued Guest, We're thrilled to hear that you found Karen Blixen to be a beautiful and serene spot, complemented by the natural charm of our terrace and shaded areas. Julia is indeed an exceptional member of our team, and we're delighted that she provided you with top-notch service during your visit. Thank you for the glowing review, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon for another wonderful experience! Kind Regards, Sheila LemisoWritten March 18, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten February 6, 2024
- Esther G3 contributionsRelaxing family dinnerThe Karen Blixen Coffee Garden is a wonderful venue to eat and relax. We went there for a family dinner after a long hot day and it was such a relaxing and calming evening. There was ample space for the kids to run around in, the food and drinks were extremely delicious and the chef and staff were really attentive. We were a big group but the food arrived on time for everyone. We would definitely return!!Dear Esther, Thank you for sharing your experience at The Karen Blixen Coffee Garden! It sounds like you had a fantastic time with your family. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, delicious food, and attentive service. We look forward to welcoming you back soon and to be of more service! Warm Regards, Sheila LemisoWritten March 18, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 1, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
600 reviews
Excellent
307
Very good
211
Average
57
Poor
15
Terrible
10
Inam K
Islamabad, Pakistan613 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The Museum in Karen is worth visiting despite the slightly higher fee to enter. Greenery all around . The grounds are reasonably well kept . The house contains a lot of information about the lady and those times in Nairobi.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosemarie C
Minneapolis, MN115 contributions
Jan 2020
If you have read the book Out of Africa and read some about Karen Brixens life, then you will really enjoy the tour through the house. The is also a photo gallery around the outside of the building which is quite interesting. Our tour guide was a young gentleman, who I thought was a little uppity, but the site and the story is intriguing. Don’t miss this on your visit to Nairobi..
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
good_ants
Doha, Qatar610 contributions
Dec 2022
We had stopped in for a coffee on the way home from a morning hike, amd naturally perused the menu. The setting was enough to call us back but the menu clinched it!
A varied menu based on local, healthy ingredients added up to a fine dinner. Bec had a soup and roasted vegetable salad, while I chose the paneer masala, all three of which were fresh and flavourful. Many vegetarian options - plus even more for the carnivorous - and a decent selection of wines and cocktails, plus that fine Kenyan service, added up for a nice dinner here.
A varied menu based on local, healthy ingredients added up to a fine dinner. Bec had a soup and roasted vegetable salad, while I chose the paneer masala, all three of which were fresh and flavourful. Many vegetarian options - plus even more for the carnivorous - and a decent selection of wines and cocktails, plus that fine Kenyan service, added up for a nice dinner here.
Written December 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ulrik r
Denpasar, Indonesia6 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
After visiting Karen Blixen museum we went here for lunch on a Saturday. Only available option was their buffet. Food was tasteless boring not matched together. Service was unattentive not existing. Very disapointing experince since it is priced 5 star.
Written January 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Ulrik,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're sincerely sorry to hear that your visit did not meet your expectations. We strive to provide exceptional dining experiences, and it's disheartening to learn that the buffet options did not impress you and that the service fell short of our usual standards. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we will take immediate steps to address these issues and ensure that future guests receive the high-quality experience they deserve. We hope you'll consider giving us another chance to exceed your expectations in the future.
Warm Regards
Sheila Lemiso
Written March 18, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mindi D
70 contributions
Feb 2020
Such a great museum to learn all about famed author Karen Blixen! The tour was very informative and though you can't take pics inside the home its stunning and full of history. The groups itself are gorgeous and expansive. This is definitely worth a stop
Written March 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas R
Witham, UK258 contributions
Jun 2022
If like me you have never heard of Karen, the book and film 'Out of Africa' was one of hers. The grounds are eerie, i could feel children playing, but Karen had no children, the guide told me that Karen let the children from the local tribes play in the garden. Fantastic. Also found out that there is a museum in Copenhagen (where i was off to next) and I found out that the Ballet company in Copenhagen, were putting Karens life to Ballet..
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thompso2
New York City, New York453 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
I visited this with a small group tour. It was an outdoor restaurant in a lovely courtyard garden (though the tree over our heads did drop nuts on us periodically). While it was a bit pricey, the food was good, and the masala chai was excellent. I had bangers and mash, while the other members of the group had burgers and pizzas, plus chicken nuggets for the children. There was something for everyone, in a relaxing setting with very pleasant staff.
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Valued Guest,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit to our outdoor restaurant and found our courtyard garden to be lovely, despite the occasional nut droppings from overhead trees. We're glad to know that you found the food to be good and enjoyed our masala chai. It's wonderful that our menu had something for everyone in your group, and we're pleased that our staff contributed to a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Warm Regards,
Sheila Lemiso
Written March 18, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gina S
Rockledge, FL2 contributions
Mar 2022
It was a wonderful experience touring the house where Karen Blixen lived. The tour guides take you around and give you a detailed narrative of what took place in history.
I had no idea of how Karen Blixen made such an impact in this this area in Kenya until after the tour. If you have extra time in Kenya, I recommend this tour.
I had no idea of how Karen Blixen made such an impact in this this area in Kenya until after the tour. If you have extra time in Kenya, I recommend this tour.
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tlk
180 contributions
Jun 2019
Others seem to like it, I have been twice and was not happy with teh food or experience either time. Once I tried to buy a wine glass from the waiter as I liked the design, and it became a bit of a hassle and he wanted to sell it to me "under the table". Not wanting to encourage that, I refused but he didn't want to give up.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spottydog50
Manchester, UK131 contributions
Feb 2020
I met a local friend for lunch in the grounds which was idyllic. Service was attentive, food delicious and beautifully presented. There is ample free parking, and you can wander around the gardens and house. Its very convenient for the museum, altohugh you do need to drive from one to the other.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cdp319
Palm Desert, CA11 contributions
Is the Blixen Coffee Garden located in the Home of Karen Blixin or somewhere else in Karen?
Patricia C
Naples, FL228 contributions
It's nearby but not on the property. It's just down the street and our driver took us from the museum to the coffee garden.
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Claim your listingKaren Blixen Coffee Garden - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Karen Blixen Coffee Garden
- Hotels near Karen Blixen Coffee Garden:
- (0.01 mi) Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages
- (0.05 mi) The Residences at Karen
- (0.06 mi) The Kijiji Resort
- (0.64 mi) Acacia Tree Lodge
- (0.61 mi) Hemingways Nairobi
- Restaurants near Karen Blixen Coffee Garden:
- (0.03 mi) Tamarind Restaurant
- (1.46 mi) CJ's Waterfront
- (0.64 mi) Hemingway's Brasserie Nairobi
- (1.72 mi) The Talisman Restaurant
- (0.46 mi) Saab Bakery & Cafe