La Villa Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where Authenticity Meets Class

La Villa Restaurant and Wine Bar has a pleasingly simple origin story: between a bottle of Italian wine and two close friends, a vision took shape. That deep passion for Italian cuisine pushed them to open a restaurant in Nairobi with a concept deliberately different from the existing standards — an elegant space where anyone could sit down to traditional Italian cooking alongside a considered selection of Italian wines. The result, on Kitisuru Road, has earned recognition from Gambero Rosso, the authoritative Italian food and wine guide, which awarded La Villa a fork in its 2026 edition — a mark of genuine credibility for an Italian restaurant operating far from the peninsula.

The Kitchen

The menu is built around what the kitchen describes as authentic Italian cuisine that is "simple yet divine," using the finest available ingredients. Wood-fired pizzas are a cornerstone — the Mistake Margherita, made with pesto sauce, iced tomato, basil, and mozzarella, is a signature worth noting. House-made pasta runs through the menu: Ravioli al Tartufo stuffed with a truffle-infused filling, Tagliatelle al Tartufo with fresh truffle shavings, and Tagliatelle in Burrata with its creamy richness all speak to a kitchen that takes its pasta seriously. The Gnocchi with White Lamb Ragù and the Zuppa Frantoiana — a mixed vegetable and bean soup served with roasted bread — add depth and range. For starters, the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare on a bed of rocket with black olive, olive oil, and lemon dressing stands out, as do the Salmon Croquettes with tartare sauce.

The Setting

La Villa is set up for both lunch and dinner, with outdoor seating and the capacity to host private parties — qualities that have made it a go-to for corporate events among Nairobi's business community. The atmosphere is described by regulars as elegant and professional without being stiff, and the wine and cocktail list gives the room its bar character. It is a place where the Italian dining experience — unhurried, ingredient-led, convivial — has been transplanted to Nairobi with evident care.