A Gluten-Free Guide To Nairobi

It may be tough for a gluten-free (GF) resident or visitor in Nairobi, but if you know where to look, you will realize that you have countless options. In fact, most of the foods that we already eat are GF, and the idea is to substitute. With patience, research, creativity, and time, you will eventually find what works for you.

Discover Cool Restaurants That Offer Gluten-Free Options

Not all restaurants understand the concept of GF, but there are some who have unique dishes on their menu to choose from. Don’t be too overwhelmed trying to discover all the restaurants, instead, try one restaurant at a time. Examples of restaurants that offer GF options include The Talisman, Tamambo Karen Blixen, The Carnivore and Zen Garden. Some restaurants in Nairobi have their menu online, and you can have a look at it before walking in. They also have reservation numbers that you can call beforehand to inquire. It is better to be prepared than to arrive at the restaurant and find that they do not have something for you.

Discover Open Markets and Buy Some Healthy Replacements

Hit Up Supermarkets in the City

In Nairobi, GF products are getting wider shelf space. Keep searching and read the labels on products to see if they are GF. Some of the keywords in the ingredients that you want to avoid are wheat, rye, barley, durum, semolina, and spelt. Some of the stores getting it right are Healthy U, Nakumatt, and Chandarana Food Plus. It may be a time-consuming process but familiarize yourself with your staple products and see what works for you. Look through the pastry section and the frozen food section for GF cookies. Some of these products will even have a gluten free certification seal, and this should give you more confidence. You can find GF bread or make yours at home with different flours. Try whole grains like quinoa, amaranth, rice, and teff, which you can find in Chandarana Food Plus.

Try Gluten Free Options From Companies and Even Private Bakers

There are many online shops and private bakers that make great GF pastries upon request. Nutrieats is a Kenyan company that delivers yummy “munchies” on your doorstep and they have some high protein cookies and GF snacks that can come in handy. They have chocolate sweet potato brownies, chocolate chip protein cookie dough, blueberry oat muffins, and carrot cakes, among other treats. You can also experiment with a host of other private bakers online.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.