Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant

Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant is not a restaurant that happens to be in a cave — it is a cave that happens to serve some of the finest food on the Kenyan coast. The space is a natural coral formation, roughly 180,000 years old, with a ceiling that opens to the sky in several places. You dine by candlelight while stars appear overhead. There is nothing else like it in East Africa, and very little like it anywhere in the world.

The Setting

You enter through a garden path that descends stone steps into the earth. The temperature drops, the noise of the road disappears, and you find yourself in a candlelit cavern where tables are tucked between stalactites and ancient coral walls. The cave is large enough to feel spacious but intimate enough that every table feels private. As the evening deepens, the open sections of ceiling frame constellations you rarely see from European latitudes — the Southern Cross, Orion tilted on its side, the Milky Way on clear nights.

The Food

The menu centres on seafood — lobster, crab, prawns, and catch-of-the-day fish pulled from the Indian Ocean that morning. The grilled lobster with garlic butter is the dish most people come for, and it delivers. But the kitchen also handles international cuisine well: steaks, pasta, and vegetarian options that go beyond afterthought. The wine list is one of the best on the coast, with over 150 labels and a sommelier who knows every bottle.

What to Know Before You Go

Reservations are essential — this is the most popular restaurant in Diani and tables fill up days in advance, especially during high season (December–March and July–August). Smart casual dress code applies; no beachwear or flip-flops. The restaurant opens at 5:30 PM for dinner only. Expect to spend €50–100 per person for a full meal with wine. The cave is accessed by steps, which may not suit all mobility levels — call ahead if this is a concern. It is worth every step down.