Reviewed · CARNIVORE RESTAURANT
Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant – Nairobi
If you want a dinner that feels like a real Nairobi night out, this barbecue at The Carnivore Restaurant is built for exactly that. It is all about big energy, generous portions, and trying game meats you usually only hear about.
I really like the mix of classic cuts plus exotic options like crocodile and ostrich, because you get range in one sitting. I also love the interactive flow, with staff passing meats around restaurant style and you choosing whether to cook more on your sizzling dish. One thing to consider is the price, especially if you are doing lunch. It can feel steep until you add up the all-you-can-eat setup and the included transfers.
After the feast, you wrap with coffee and an African dessert, then you go back to your Nairobi hotel. It is a smooth 4 hour experience that starts with pickup and ends with drop off, so you do not have to worry about timing or getting there yourself.
Key things to know before you go
- All-you-can-eat sword service, with a steady stream of meats from beef to lamb to game
- Exotic meat options on the menu, including crocodile, ostrich, and rabbit
- A sizzling iron cooking dish lets you finish or reheat bites at your pace
- Salads and vegetables show up alongside the meat, so you can slow down between rounds
- Ostrich meatballs are a must-try for anyone who wants the best bang for the bite
- Pickup and drop-off from your hotel keeps this easy and stress-free in Nairobi
Why The Carnivore Barbecue Feels Different From a Normal Meal
In Nairobi, dining can be impressive, but this experience goes one step louder and messier in the best way. The Carnivore Restaurant is known for turning dinner into an event. You do not just order. You get served, you keep eating, and the whole rhythm is built around trying more types of meat than you planned.
The value here is not subtle. You are paying for the full package: hotel transfers, a set meal flow, and unlimited meat. That is why this works best when you come hungry and curious, not when you want a light, tidy lunch.
The other reason it feels special is the mix of familiar and unfamiliar. Yes, you will see beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. But you are also looking at crocodile, ostrich, rabbit, and other game-style dishes. That contrast is what makes the night memorable rather than just filling.
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How the 4 Hours Usually Unfold, From Soup to Sweet

This is about 4 hours total, roughly, and it has a pretty clear arc. You get picked up from your Nairobi hotel and brought in for the meal, then later you get dropped back. That structure matters because it means you can plan the rest of your day without guesswork.
Here is the typical flow you should expect once you sit down:
First comes a light soup of the day. It sounds simple, but it helps you pace yourself. Then the meal shifts into warm bread time. You get homemade bread served with butter, and it is brought with a nod to the sizzling setup that comes next.
Then the main event starts. The staff passes meats around in portions served on a sword, which is why people get so excited about the experience. Even if the meats are already cooked, you can still cook more on the sizzling dish at your table if you want.
Finally, you end with coffee and an African dessert. The last part is important because it turns a heavy meal into something that feels complete, not just like you ate your weight in meat.
Sword Service Meets the Sizzling Iron Dish

The most fun part of this meal is how it keeps you moving. Staff pass around the restaurant offering meat, and you decide what order to try next. It is a hands-on kind of dining, even though you are not cooking from scratch.
A key detail I like is that the meats are already cooked, so you are not stuck waiting for every bite to be cooked properly. If you do want extra heat or a little finishing touch, your sizzling iron dish is there to help. That is the best of both worlds: you can go effortless or you can play around with texture.
This setup also helps you try more than one type of meat without feeling overwhelmed. You can keep portions manageable, taste, then ask for another cut you like. If you are the type who normally orders one entrée and calls it a day, this pushes you toward tasting everything on offer.
What Exotic Meats to Prioritize (Especially Ostrich)
Carnivore style is not for picky eaters in the usual sense. You should go in with a willingness to try and a sense of humor about how fast your appetite changes.
From the menu described for this experience, here are the exotic options that stand out:
- Ostrich
Do not miss the ostrich meatballs. The experience is specifically praised for this, and it is a good entry point if you are curious but not sure how you feel about game meat texture.
- Crocodile
This is one of the headline items. If you want the wow factor, crocodile is the one to look for.
- Rabbit
Rabbit is another game option that adds variety and helps the meal feel like more than just a beef marathon.
Then you also have more standard meats running through the rotation: pork sausages, chicken, lamb, buffalo balls, and more. That matters because you can balance heavier game meats with familiar flavors if you want.
My practical tip: start with the exotic items earlier in the meal. You can always go back for more of your favorites later, but if you wait until the end you might be too full to appreciate the more unusual cuts properly.
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The Sides Actually Help, With Salads and Vegetables
A lot of meat-first meals ignore the rest of the plate. Here, you get salads and vegetables alongside the meats. That is not just decoration. It gives you a chance to reset your palate between rounds.
I like this because it makes the experience easier to enjoy for a wider range of appetites. Even if you love meat, a small salad break helps you keep tasting instead of going numb to flavors.
You also get to avoid the common trap of eating until you feel sick. With salads and vegetables available during the meat serving, you can pace yourself and keep the meal fun instead of painful.
Drinks, Including the Dawa Medicine Cocktail and the One Soft Drink
Your experience description includes a Dawa Medicine cocktail. The included list also notes one soft drink. That means you should think of your ticket as covering non-alcoholic refreshment.
Alcoholic beverages are not included, so if you plan to drink, budget extra. This is worth flagging because a meal like this can creep up fast if you add cocktails on top of the base price.
If you want to keep this good value, plan for water or soft drinks with your meal, then add alcohol only if it fits your day.
Price and Value: Is $85 Worth It?
At $85 per person, this is not a budget lunch. And yes, it can feel pricey if you treat it like a normal restaurant meal.
But the math changes fast once you consider what you are actually paying for. You are getting:
- All-you-can-eat meat service
- A meal flow that includes soup, bread, and finishing coffee plus dessert
- Pickup and drop-off from your hotel
- A group-friendly setup (private, only your group participates)
If you are traveling with limited time and you want an experience that feels like Nairobi rather than just another meal stop, the included transfers alone often make a dent in the cost. Add the all-you-can-eat game meat aspect, and the price starts to make sense.
My take: this is worth it when you are going to eat. If you only want one or two meats, you will feel like you overpaid. If you are hungry and ready to try crocodile or ostrich, you will likely feel it was money well spent.
Transfers and Timing: Why Pickup Matters in Nairobi
This experience is designed around convenience. Pickup offered from your Nairobi hotel means you can spend less energy on logistics and more on the meal.
It is also private in the sense that only your group participates. That matters if you are traveling with friends or family and you want a more controlled, calmer experience without strangers joining your table.
The duration is around 4 hours, so it fits neatly into an evening plan or a longer lunch day. Booking ahead is smart too, because this is typically booked about 30 days in advance on average.
Who This Experience Suits Best (And Who Might Hesitate)
This barbecue fits travelers who like to eat broadly and try new things. If you want an opportunity to sample game meats in a guided restaurant setting, this is a strong choice.
It also suits groups that want one clear plan. You arrive, you are served, you eat, you finish with coffee and dessert, then you go back to the hotel. Less decision fatigue.
I would hesitate if you are strongly averse to trying unusual meats, because this meal is built around serving them. Also, if you are very sensitive to price, make sure you are planning to take advantage of the all-you-can-eat structure. The experience is more about quantity and variety than about a light, slow tasting menu.
Should You Book Carnivore for Your Nairobi Trip?
Book it if you want a memorable Nairobi meal with exotic game options and a real sense of event dining. It is especially compelling if you are excited to try ostrich, and if you think you will actually use the all-you-can-eat format.
Skip it, or at least reconsider, if you are not comfortable trying new proteins or if you prefer smaller, more controlled meals. In that case you may feel the price hits harder than the payoff.
If you are on the fence, ask yourself one question: am I ready to eat my way through multiple meats, including the unusual ones? If your answer is yes, this is one of those once-you-try-it plans you will be glad you booked.
FAQ
What is the price for the barbecue lunch or dinner at The Carnivore Restaurant?
The price is $85.00 per person.
How long does the experience take?
It lasts about 4 hours.
Do I need to choose between lunch and dinner?
Yes, you can choose either a lunch or dinner reservation to match your schedule.
What is included in the ticket?
The experience includes all-you-can-eat dining, scheduled hotel pick up and drop off, and one soft drink.
Are alcoholic drinks included?
No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Does the experience offer hotel transfers?
Yes. Scheduled hotel pick up and drop off are included.
Is this experience private?
Yes. Only your group participates.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Free cancellation is available, and cut-off times are based on local time.
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