Watamu's Best Eateries

Watamu is an idyllic town about 30 minutes from Malindi but this small town is much more than beautiful beaches and Italian boutique hotels. The eateries here are trendy, innovative and cater for several price points.

Lichthaus at Temple Point

This beautiful spot overlooking the Mida Creek is probably the most famous destination in Watamu. At first glance it looks like a Hippie getaway with all the beer-hugging, shirtless and bikini-clad patrons. The food is fresh and tasty and very affordable. They have over the creek hammocks, sturdy nets that are used as seats which have been raised over the ocean. Chomp on skewers fresh from the hanging grill while watching traditional fishing boats pass by, and sip on cocktails as the sun sets over the Mida Creek.

We highly recommend the Pineapple Octopus skewers served with chapati, their delicious sauces and house salad. The Lichthaus team prepares daily buffets and à la carte dishes with locally sourced ingredients from community markets, balancing tastes from all around the globe as well as introducing our guest to traditional Kenyan cuisine. 

Kobe Restaurant

This seaside restaurant located at the Kobe Suite Resort is a beautiful spot that offers an extensive menu of fish and meat dishes, Mediterranean dishes and local specialties. An authentic and informal experience accompanied by the beauty of nature and the landscape. Their à la carte menu is available for external guests and customers, every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tables are available directly on the beach or on the terrace.

We highly recommend the spaghetti lobster with fresh tomatoes, I had it on consecutive days and never regretted it.

The Crab Shack

The sunsets at Mida Creek are legendary if not epic and one of the few places in Watamu where you can see the fiery sun dip into the water is The Crab Shack. It is run by the Dabasco Creek Conservation group, and it is located deep within the Mida Forest, perched above the creek on a series of raised boardwalks and platforms. The Crab Shack specialty is its mouthwatering crab samosas which are filled with freshly caught crab and deep-fried to a golden crisp and best washed down with a cold beer. The restaurant offers a full seafood menu, try grilled lobster and crab, veggie curries, fresh salads. It’s a rustic place with incredible views across Mida Creek and a feeling of peacefulness and serenity.

Hemingways

Hemingways Watamu underwent massive renovation and is one of the few luxury five-star coastal hotels and their level of service and attention to detail at all touch points is amazing. There are different dining options at Hemingways including the Gede Café which serves light lunch, coffee, tea and cake.

But their candlelit dinner under the stars with an impressive view of the ocean is what the hotel is known for. The food is always fresh with the fish caught by local fishermen and delivered in the morning, fresh produce sourced from the local market and even honey harvested at the nearby Mida Creek. 

We highly recommend the Calamari Ala Plancha – their rendition of grilled calamari served with French fries and a salad or their famous seafood platter that has octopus, calamari, fish, lobster side dishes and served with creamed mash potatoes, spinach, baby carrots. They also have an extensive wine list.