Restaurant and bakery chain ArtCaffé opens 38th branch in Kenya   

KENYA –  ArtCaffé, a leading restaurant and bakery chain in Kenya, has opened its 38th branch in Eastleigh, a suburb located on the east side of Nairobi Central Business District.  

The outlet will offer and showcase a Middle Eastern culinary and cultural journey with ArtCaffé  introducing an additional menu with 18 distinctive dishes.

This is expected to increase the store’s appeal to thousands of customers in the neighbourhood known for its business prowess and its large Somali population.

“The branch showcases authentic Middle Eastern decor, including intricate mosaic patterns, traditional textiles, and vibrant colour schemes. 

 “These elements transport diners to the heart of the Middle East, creating a rich and immersive ambiance,” said Sylvia Karimi, Artcaffé marketing general manager in a statement on Thursday.

Located in the recently opened Business Bay Square mall, the store brings the total number of branches by ArtCaffé to 47 countrywide, including nine food kiosks.

It will offer a Halal-compliant menu, coffee, and other retail items through sit-down or online deliveries from partners such as Glovo, Jumia Foods, Bolt Foods, Uber Eats, and Little Cab.

The choice of Business Bay Square in Eastleigh, Ms Karimi said, aligns perfectly with Artcaffé’s brand strategy by actively serving the local community in an area where it previously had no presence.

The expansion, she said, underscores Artcaffé’s commitment to responding to market demand and diversifying its offerings.

“We’re pleased to say that the community has warmly welcomed us. This is, in part, due to the efforts we made to learn, appreciate, and recognise the local culture when putting this branch together. The community is bonding over our food, especially our most popular dishes, the Harissa Shish Taouk and Dum Ka Murgh,” added Salma Haji, the branch manager.

ArtCaffé comes at a time Kenya has seen an increase in branch expansion by local coffee chains in response to increased visits to coffee shops are fuelled by the expanding middle class that spends on luxury.

Java House, the market leader, opened its 84th outlet in the same Business Bay Square Mall in June this year.

Java revealed that its Eastleigh branch will offer a Halal-compliant menu, coffee, and other retail items through sit-down or online deliveries from partners such as Glovo, Jumia Foods, Bolt Foods, Uber Eats, and Little Cab.

Three months later, Java expanded its footprint in Nairobi by opening a new outlet at TotalEenergies in Muthaiga targeting On-the-Go targets motorists.