- Venue: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Margaritas: 8/10
- Vegan friendly, takes large groups, and open every day!
I think I would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t ever been to a Mexican restaurant. In many that I’ve been to in the past, the decor is slightly rustic; leaning into colorful decorations, open-air seating, and generous pitchers of strong cocktails.
Mercado, in Nairobi’s western suburbs, has a slightly different vibe. Located across the hall from another of Nairobi’s thrumming nightlife hangouts, Blue Door, Mercado is a sleek, sophisticated and vibrant restaurant, with ample seating and décor that highlights the colourful and playful nature of the Mexican culture.
Their menu is the most extensive of any Mexican restaurant I have been to before, and is brimming with pictures that show clearly how fresh and colorful all their dishes are.
If you are vegan or have food sensitivities, you’ll also be pleased to hear that their menu hosts a detailed range of symbols, indicating which dishes are best suited to particular dietary restrictions.
Margarita pitchers are a definite 10/10. Strong, delicious, and steady in their supply, it was impossible to find any fault with the quality and speed of service, as well as with food quality.
What to Order
- Frozen Margaritas. Duh. Order the second jug as soon as you receive your first.
- We had a starter of chips and dips, and I followed it with a veggie taco bowl as a main dish. That said, I’m currently eyeing up that jalapeño hummus.
- Home-Made Sorbet, Choco Bomba or Soya Panacotta; you can’t go wrong.
When to Visit
Mercado is open every day of the week; typically, from midday until late (aside from Sundays, when they open at 11am – win!). If you prefer lunches out, they also offer daily specials to guests having their midday meal.
Seeing how popular they were on our night visiting, I would recommend you book; especially if you are hoping to pop in during the evening, or over the weekend. Visit their website for contact details.
How to get there
Uber. Always Uber. If my time in Nairobi has taught me anything, it’s that it is always better to catch an Uber, Little Cab, Lyft, or similar, rather than driving yourself. Plus, that way you get to enjoy the drinks, without the worry of driving home later on.
If you are certain of your way around Nairobi, take a look at the map below, or simply plug the restaurant into your Google Maps navigation.
THINGS TO DO TODAY:1. Drink margaritas.2. Drink more margaritas. Click To TweetIt’s been a couple of weeks since we last visited, and writing this post has gotten my head locked into Mexican food: I think it’s about time for another visit….
