At a Glance
- Kenya becomes first African country to feature in the TOP25 Restaurants guide.
- Rankings use data-driven, independent assessments to highlight top dining experiences.
- The initiative aims to boost food tourism, showcase local cuisine, and attract international visitors.
Kenya has taken a major step onto the global food stage with the launch of TOP25 Restaurants Kenya, the first African edition of the international dining guide.
The move puts Nairobi and other key cities under the spotlight at a time when global travelers are paying closer attention to food-led destinations.
For local chefs and restaurateurs, the rollout offers more than publicity.
It brings an independent ranking system that many in the industry say is long overdue, helping to benchmark standards against leading dining hubs in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Tourism officials and hospitality operators also see the guide as a chance to broaden Kenya’s image beyond safaris and beach resorts.
Food, they argue, is becoming one of the strongest drivers of visitor spending and longer stays.
The first Kenyan rankings will be unveiled in late 2026 at an awards event in Nairobi, marking the formal entry of the country’s restaurant scene into a global review system used in several Asian markets.
How the guide will work
TOP25 Restaurants International says its rankings rely on a mix of data analysis and expert input.
Restaurants are assessed on food quality, service, consistency, reputation and dining experience.
These factors feed into what the company calls a Restaurant Rating Index, aimed at producing transparent and comparable results across markets.
The group has appointed Caroline Mwangi as head of TOP25 Restaurants Kenya.
She will oversee local operations, recruit industry experts and guide editorial decisions.
Mwangi said the platform would give Kenyan chefs greater visibility and help attract international diners and investors to the market.
Tourism and business impact
Industry analysts say food tourism is becoming a key growth area, with travelers increasingly choosing destinations based on dining options.
By highlighting local ingredients, regional dishes and modern African cuisine, the guide could help channel more spending into small producers, farmers and independent restaurants.
Alex Buen, chief content officer at TOP25 Restaurants International, described Kenya as one of Africa’s most competitive dining markets.
He said the expansion reflects growing demand for independent restaurant rankings in emerging food capitals.
Looking beyond Kenya
The launch is expected to encourage similar projects in other African countries.
Hospitality groups see it as a signal that the continent’s food scene is ready for wider international attention.
For Kenya, the message is clear: its restaurants are no longer operating only for local diners.
With the new guide in place, the country is positioning food as a central part of its tourism and cultural offering, giving global travelers another reason to put Kenya on their list.
