Taste Bar & Restaurants Award Winners. See How Your Favourite Club/Restaurant Did

The second edition of the Taste Bar & Restaurant Awards in partnership with Heineken took place on January 31st at Nairobi’s Karura Forest with an Electrique DJs hosted afterparty.

The Taste Awards seek to create a platform to celebrate food and beverages in the country and to develop events and campaigns to boost the Kenyan dining and entertainment experience. Check out the nominees here and the winners below.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

UP Magazine Award For Best Italian
Winner: Mediterraneo
Runner-Up: Osteria

UP Magazine Award for Best Continental
Winner: Brew Bistro
Runner-Up: Tamarind Nairobi

UP Magazine Award For Best BBQ or Grill
Winner: Fogo Gaucho
Runner-Up: Carnivore

UP Magazine Award For East African
Winner: Carnivore
Runner-Up: Ranalo’s Kosewe

Asian Weekly Award For Best Indian
Winner: Haandi
Runner-Up: Open House

Asian Weekly Award For Best Japanese
Winner: Onami
Runner-Up: Furusato

Asian Weekly Award For Best Chinese
Winner: China Plate
Runner-Up: Mr. Wok

Asian Weekly Award For Best Asian – Fusion
Winner: Bamboo at Zen Garden
Runner-Up: Onami

Classic 105 Award For Best Nyama Choma
Winner: Ole Polo’s
Runner-Up: Njugunas

Kiss 100 Award For Best Value For Money
Winner: Nairobi Java House
Runner-Up: Artcaffe

Kiss 100 Award For Best Food-On-The-Go Outlet
Winner: Galito’s
Runner-Up: Planet Yoghurt

X FM Award For Best Cafe or Coffee House
Tied Winners: Artcaffe and Nairobi Java House

Kenya Buzz Award For Best Date Night
Tied Winner: Jiko at Tribe Hotel and Brew Bistro

Heineken® Award For Exceptional Achievement to Nairobi Nightlife
Winner: Brew Bistro
Tied Runner-Up: Carnivore and Galileo

Heineken® For Best Concept Night
Winner: K1 Jazz Night
Runner-Up: Galileo

Mara Wines Award for Best Wine List
Winner: WWW Shop and Bar
Runner-Up: The Gallery at Sankara Nairobi

Ciroc Award For Cocktail Bar
Winner: Mercury
Runner-Up: Brew Bistro

Heineken® Award For Best Bar or Club at the Coast
Winner: Forty Thieves
Runner-Up: Il Covo

Airkenya Award For Best Restaurant at the Coast
Winner: Tamarind Mombasa
Runner-Up: Moorings

Heineken® Award For Best Service (Restaurant or Bar)
Winner: Artcaffe
Runner-Up: Nairobi Java House

Acacia Award For Best Newcomer
Winner: The Champagne Bar at Sankara Nairobi
Runner-Up: BBQ Tonight

PRESTIGE AWARDS (Check out the judges list here)

Heineken Award for Chef of the Year 2013
Winner: Marcus Mitchell (Talisman)
Runner-Up: Karan Suri (Tatu at Norfolk Fairmont)

Ciroc Award for Mixologist of the Year 2013

Tied Winners: Alex Kavitha (Cin Cin at Norfolk Fairmont) and Emmanuel Babu
(Nest at Tribe Hotel)

Heineken Front of House Award (for Service Team) for Restaurant

Winner: Seven Sea Food & Grill

Heineken Front of House Award (for Service Team) for Bar
Winner: The Champagne Bar at Sankara Nairobi

EAT OUT Industry Champion Award
Winner: Kiran Jethwa – Seven Seafood & Grill

TASTE EXCELLENCE 2013 LIST

Restaurants

Formal Dining
1. Seven Seafood & Grill
2. Pango Gourmet Brasserie at The Fairview Hotel
3. Tamarind
4. Bamboo at Zen Garden
5. Thai Chi at Sarova Stanley
6. Tatu at Norfolk Fairmont
7. Jiko at Tribe Hotel

Casual Dining
8. Talisman
9. Artcaffe
10. Haandi
11. Le Rustique
12. Onami
13. Furusato

Bars:

Boutique Bars
1. Brew Bistro
2. Mercury
3. Sierra Brasserie
4. Cin Cin at Norfolk Fairmont
5. Nest at Tribe Hotel
6. Sarabi Pool & Supper Club at Sankara Nairobi
7. The Champagne Bar at Sankara Nairobi
8. Fish Bowl at Seven Seafood & Grill

Night Out Bars
9. Carnivore
10. Gipsy’s
11. Que Pasa
12. Havana
13. K1 Klub House

Taste Recognition

Taste Lifetime Achievement: Eamon Mullan at The Fairview Hotel
EAGM Recognition for Sustainable Champion: Brown’s Cheese