Café Barbera, the Italian coffee brand founded in 1870, has opened its first Kenyan café on the first floor of Altura Building in Upper Hill, Nairobi. Kenya is the brand’s 23rd market.
The café sits at the junction of Ralph Bunche Road and Argwings Kodhek Road, opposite The Nairobi Hospital complex. It opens daily from 7am to 11pm.
A Brand Built Over Five Generations
Domenico Barbera founded the company in Southern Italy in 1870. It began as one coffee house and now runs franchises in 23 countries. The Barbera family still owns it, across five generations.
The brand says every cup follows the method set down at its founding. Roasters process seven varieties of beans separately, then blend them to Domenico’s original recipe. The first Café Barbera franchise opened in 2004.
Elio Barbera, Managing Director of Café Barbera, said the Nairobi opening reflects the city’s changing hospitality market.
“We are bringing a piece of Italian coffee culture to Nairobi while creating a space where people can meet, work, dine and enjoy quality moments throughout their day,” he said.
What the Menu Covers
Coffee anchors the menu, but the kitchen serves more. Guests can order pastries, pizzas, pastas and other Italian inspired meals. Local dishes make up about a quarter of the menu.
The format suits a day that starts with an espresso before a morning meeting. It also covers a working lunch, a business discussion or an afternoon with friends.
Why Upper Hill
Upper Hill is a commercial district that houses embassies, multinational companies and professional service firms. Thousands of workers pass through it each day. Café Barbera’s location at Altura puts it inside that daytime traffic, and tenants of the building can reach it by elevator.
The brand enters a crowded Nairobi market. In 2020 that Ethiopian chain Tomoca opened its first Kenyan shop, which serves Ethiopian coffee made with Italian technique.
Khusoko also covered the growth of local chains, including Java House’s 65th branch in 2019 and Artcaffé’s expansion to 28 stores the same year.
