The uniqueness of cafeterias in Malindi
One unique thing about the many local cafeterias and eateries in Malindi is their humble setting, not to scare away those who don’t want to cough much from their pockets. Their settings and locations are probably not the ones with colourful chandeliers or romantic red and white silken curtains flowing down on antique carved wooden doors suitable to take someone for a date, but strategic for those who wouldn’t shy off licking their fingers. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, and that is well proven by the delicious aromas that mercilessly spank your nose as soon as you step into these eateries.
The menus of these cafeterias are as well more or less similar. You definitely should be expecting a column of bites. These can include samosa,viazi karai, bhajia, kababu katlesi, mkate sinia, vitumbua and more. The locals prefer these on their breakfast plate. Their prices range from Ksh.5 for the likes of viazi karai upto Ksh.30 for samosa or katlesi. All the rest cling to the same price range. Moreover, there is also a column of main courses.
This column contains a lump sum of the local dishes like biryani, pilau, wali(rice) na karanga,wali(rice) na mchuzi,chapati(parathar) complemented with beans,mchicha, sima and so on. These dishes vary in prices greatly depending on what was used to cook the dish and the amount served. a good example can be biriani which can either be beef, chicken or mutton biriani. However, all these have a range of Ksh. 150 to as much as Ksh. 400 for special chicken biriani. The above dishes are served with either garden salad or kachumbari(local salad) and pilipili ya kukaanga(chilli pickle fried with tomato paste). Lastly to quench these spicy dishes is a column of drinks. Here u will meet ordinary bottled soft drinks and also fresh fruit juices. Famous drink here, though not found in all eateries, is the local tamarind juice. The rest of the juices are ordinary tropical fruit juices. Malindi being a city with most Muslims, cafeterias don’t include wines, beer or any alcoholic drinks in their menus.
Famous Cafeterias in Malindi
Simba Dishes
Simba Dishes is located on the heart of Malindi town, barani neighbourhood. This eatery is well known to all the locals. Anyone you come across can take you to this eatery in Malindi.
Barani Dishes
This eatery is located along one of busiest roads in Malindi. Furthermore, it is located on a transit of Lamu buses where travellers would stop by to have a bite or a full meal next to the bus offices.
LAMU DISHES
This eatery is located in the middle of the road linking Simba dishes and Barani dishes. It is directly opposite to Wananchi Bar.
JABREEN CAFE
This eatery is located on the main street of Malindi town. This street is the link between Mombasa and Lamu
ARAFAT CAFE
This is among the oldest eateries in Malindi town. It is also located on the same street as Jabreen cafe.
TAHERI FAST FOOD
This is the spiciest house among them all because it is owned and operated by Indians. They offer spicy barbeque chicken or meat among other foods.