Mambo Coffee Lounge Machakos

Mambo coffee lounge Machakos

When I first learnt of this place. I’d fantasized about walking to the place and doing my assignments and then getting a to-go coffee. You know like a proper literature student would. Between being broke and covid I forgot this place existed. I’d love to explore their mini library.

The lounge is located at the Susu centre in Machakos town. They have a wooden fence separating them from the rest of the building. Upon renovation, they added plants to guide clients to the main room. The outdoor seating area is spacious enough. Has good shade, great lighting and plants. The place has warm tones and warm lighting. I don’t know the types of decors but it’s exactly what crossed your mind. A coffee lounge: a warm welcoming place, with a working area, warm lighting, books, a coffee machine, plants, and a cat. The place’s look feels cozy.

I tried their bhajia and samosa first, around 2021. I loved that they didn’t serve me viazi karai, and how big their potatoes were. However, the potatoes were plain. By plain I mean they were no underlying taste. Just potatoes. I did add salt to my desired taste and made do with ketchup. The samosas were full, very flavorful, and the meat was moist enough. They are a bit tinnier than expected. I also had their pineapple juice. I’d give the pineapple juice a 5. The juice tasted like canned, not fresh as they had advised earlier.

On a cold July month and in my tea testing era, Mambo came through. I felt like trying something out. I had no idea what a dirty chai was. The waitress was kind enough to explain that I’d be getting chocolate and tea mixed. They serve it in a tall clear glass/ mug. It was sweet enough as I didn’t require extra sugar. I’d recommend it.

I then went back with two friends. I had chicken curry with chapati, my other friend had chicken breast with rice. I forgot what the other one ordered. My friends enjoyed their meals and we swore we’d come back. The chapati was just a few thin pieces. In an attempt to serve our food at the same time one of us received slightly below-warm food.

Earlier this year in a treat yourself and journal spirit I went back. This time they were renovating. More vibrant plants and a change in the seating arrangement. I had their chicken biriani. First, the server was nice and helpful. They played trending TikTok songs and a bit of Sauti sol music. The place was quite enough for me to read Stella Nyanzi’s poetry and enough for me to journal. The rice was well cooked. The star of the show… drum rolls, please. The chicken! I ordered non-spicy. The chicken was flavorful, well-cooked and easy to chew on. I think they might have burnt a part of the chicken. Which I oddly found married well with spices making it more flavourful.  They served this with a banana. I tried their virgin mojito. This was my first time trying it. It wasn’t watered down but I could have done with a little bit of mint.

To celebrate completing school my friend and I visited the place. She had a beef sirloin with fries. I had a beef curry with rice. The beef curry was well done. The meat was well-cooked and the sauce was full of flavour. The rice was well cooked better than the biriani one. As a potato lover, their fries were really good. I can’t get over the beef sirloin. It was well-cooked, and easy to cut through. So rich, so tasty. A 10/10. I’d go back for the beef sirloin.

Per my last visit, they now have a bar area. The bar set-up is really cute and urban. The mixologist is only available in the evening.  Their wine list is limited and a bit pricey. Next to the bar is a fireplace which I’d love to seat next to. There are lots of mosquitoes at night, carry your mosquito repellant or seat inside. I love that they have a kid’s menu. The few times I’ve been there I have seen families. It’s a good place to work from or hold meetings. They also hire out the space.

In conclusion, the place is nice, the food is good and I’d go back. I understand why I didn’t manage to live my fantasy. The prices are working-class-friendly. A jobless student can only afford one or two things.

Links to some of the reels I made

Dirty chai date

Group date

Solo reading and journaling date

Last visit

Mambo coffee lounge Instagram page

This is my first attempt at a food and restaurant review. I appreciate any kind tips and reviews.