Kenya's capital gets a bad rap. True, you need to be careful, and no, it's not New York or Cape Town. But it's got energy, a pleasing mix of peoples, even vibe if you catch the right place at the right time. It also has the best Indian food I've ever had*, which you wouldn't know from this list that otherwise looks very helpful.

*Haandi, in The Mall in Westlands

Update:

• a chowhound user recommends restaurants in Nairobi
• an even better chowhound thread