Four Mexican restaurants have opened in Nairobi over the past year. They’ve been a long time coming for those who crave tacos and tequila (who doesn’t?). Fonda NBO is the buzziest of the newcomers, thanks to its earnest devotion to authenticity. Hanging on the back wall are photos from the owners’ recent trip to Mexico City, which was the inspiration for the yellow, cobalt blue, and earthy red dining room. The menu features fresh Mexican ingredients, like avocados, corn flour, and black beans, which are organically available locally, while the drinks list rightly focuses on agave spirits, used in more than 50 different margaritas.

Another addition to Nairobi’s Mexican food scene, this stall, in the new Village Market mall food court, focuses exclusively on tacos. Come here early (they sell out fast) and get three tacos of your choice for $7.50. Currently, there’s one vegan taco on the menu. The rest feature standard taco fillings — chicken, pork, fish, beef — as well as goat, in a nod to the local cuisine. The best part is the salsa bar, with more than 10 spicy toppers to choose from. The classic margaritas are winners, along with the locally brewed craft pale ale on tap.

Located at the entrance of Karura Forest — a natural park that runs through the center of the city — this outdoor cafe is a perfect spot to stop on the way to or from a hike. Sigiria offers refreshment in the form smoothies, juice, and coffee, as well as fresh-baked cookies and other small bites to be enjoyed on the patio.

The famous Mama Rocks food truck has opened a second, semipermanent structure in Kilimani with a slightly more expansive menu. The brightly colored structure is built from shipping containers that have been decked out with African-inspired painting and decor. You’ll find a few more burgers here than are offered at the truck, as well as sweet potato fries (which shouldn’t be skipped) and unique cocktails. The space is small, and the management often books live musical acts, so come early on busy days to snag a booth or share a high table with friends.

Bao Box calls itself a cafe, but what really drives people here are the board games. For $10 you can choose one of a hundred games to play at your table for an unlimited amount of time. The food is an afterthought, but that doesn’t keep anyone from enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine in one of the the big, colorful couches on the large balcony. Keep an eye on its Instagram page for quiz nights and other special events.

What’s better than sheets of warm flatbread encasing freshly sheared, spit-roasted chicken or lamb, topped with hummus, baba ghanoush, and crisp pickles? Pretty much nothing. Gyros 2 Go is a popular fast-casual dining spot to grab a quick, healthy lunch that’s fresh and filling. Everything is made from scratch every morning with locally sourced ingredients, and the menu is simple, Middle Eastern, and straight to the point.

This hole-in-the-wall Northern Chinese noodle restaurant is well hidden behind the exterior of a shopping center with a fast-food chicken joint out front. But once you find it, between a Chinese grocery store and nail salon, the menu is simple — although mostly written in Chinese — with images to guide you. Watch the skilled Chinese chef toss your noodles by hand while you dig into the always satisfying beef noodle or braised beef noodle. Expect to share one of the five large wooden tables with strangers and spend around $10 for a hearty meal and a drink.

Open just Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, the Nook is constantly changing its menu, with an entirely new slate of dishes on offer each week. The ingredients are always organic and locally sourced, and the recipes often skew Southeast Asian. Come for brunch on Sunday, when you can get a meal and a drink for $10, but you’ll have to pay in cash or with MPESA (Kenya’s mobile money system).

Located about 40 minutes outside the city, in a leafy suburb, this converted home — complete with domestic furnishings and a large garden and pool — is one of Nairobi’s most ambitious vegan restaurants. The best seat in the house is on the patio, where two sets of large swing chairs with pillows hang near picnic tables and an indoor-outdoor bar. The menu is large and offers a wide variety of fresh, light, Instagram-ready dishes.