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Open House: Restaurant Reviews

Lower Kabete Road | Centro House, Nairobi 00800, Kenya
4445902
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Ranked #2 of 250 restaurants in Nairobi
Cuisines: Indian
Good for: Families with children, Large groups, Local cuisine, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Reservations, Delivery, Late Night
Restaurant details
Good for: Families with children, Large groups, Local cuisine, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Reservations, Delivery, Late Night
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92 reviews from our community

90% Recommend
    45
    38
    8
    1
    0
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
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UK
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
13 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Don't go anywhere else for Indian food in Nairobi”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 20, 2013

Don't accept anyone telling you that the rival establishments of Anghiti's or Handi's are better. They are not. I have been going to Open House since 2000 when it was located in Bishan Plaza. It's current location gives it a more comfortable restaurant feel. Less upmarket than other restaurants, but you don't come here to eat the decor. Run by brothers Matthew and Anil, one of them is always on duty at the restaurant to ensure that standards do not drop. Indeed, after thirteen years I have still not had a bad meal. Consistency is the toughest thing to find in the Nairobi restaurant scene but Open House ticks the box. Particularly recommended are the starters, especially ginger fried prawns, paneer chili fry, chicken chili fry, ginger chicken wings and the mushroom special (garlic). A wide selection of Nan's also including particularly good cheese nan and (chili) turbo nan. Mains are also good but we tend to be full by then, so consider ordering just a large selection of starters, many of which you won't see at other Indian restaurants.

  • Visited January 2013
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Open House”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 19, 2012

This has the best curry in the whole world. Wonderful friendly service. If you are a visitor to Nairobi, this is a must to know what the locals love to eat.

Visited December 2012
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nairobi, Kenya
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Best Indian in Nairobi”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 11, 2012

Definitely the best Indian restaurant in Nairobi. Don't be put off by the shabby exterior, or the pull of the more famous Haandi restuarant across the road in Westlands mall. Open House's food is truly excellent: fresh, subtly spiced, and not too rich. Ginger prawns are a must. Get there early as it gets very crowded.

  • Visited December 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
New York
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Hard to fault on any account.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed December 3, 2012

For starters, the fact that this place is primarily patronized by Indian (ethnically) families is a good thing. The food is pretty legit and the atmosphere is cozy if a little cheap and cheerful.

Like most any restaurant in Nairobi, the staff here also tend to dote -- invisible and efficient is unthinkable -- and may repeatedly move the same object on the dinner table to 'make room' for a later addition. This is more likely than not to provoke your acknowledgement...ignoring them may have the opposite and unintended effect.

But at least at Open House they're running such a brisk business that they hardly have the time for this. So don't hesitate to go for the quick comfort food. Just don't expect to be able to park on site: so pay a bit extra for the car park next door at the Uchumi shopping plaza.

  • Visited November 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
26 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Constantly in the Top10. Rightly so.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 22, 2012 via mobile

Without doubt the best Indian in town with a solid food selection and efficient and very polite service. Always full, mainly Indian patrons, and they should know. Not pocket friendly these days - as taxes are added on top. Long gone are the days Open House was a simple curry take-away along Muthithi Road know as the 'Den'. Great place.

    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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