Tamambo Tapas at the Village Market has mastered the art of tapas. They blend in local flavours and take full advantage of the sociability of the cuisine, displaying a Kenyan uniqueness in their dishes.

We entrusted ordering to the gregarious proprietor Jan Verwiel whose enthusiasm was instantly infectious. We started off with oysters cooked in garlic, ginger and soy sauce. Next, periperi prawns, a revelation. Cooked in a lightly salted batter, they were the stars of the table. The chicken satay held its own as the prawns’ understudy. I was especially drawn to the savoury coconut crust fish that was supernaturally delicious. It wasn’t the intricacy and effort of preparation that you could taste, but rather the delicacy of the coconut flavour which danced around your mouth.

The cosy interior of Tamambo Tapas with its bold reds and wood finishes is nicely complemented by the large al-fresco dining space. On most nights, it boasts live performances providing a nice soundtrack for evening dining. Additionally, the staff is attentive and efficient (without being obtrusive), serving up helpful knowledge about the menu. Tamambo Tapas has ticked all the right boxes, capturing what tapas food and ambience are all about -- a sociable style of eating with friends and family in an effortlessly charming venue.