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Carnivore (restaurant)

Coordinates: 1°19′44″S 36°48′02″E / 1.329000°S 36.8005000°E / -1.329000; 36.8005000
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Carnivore
Map
Restaurant information
Established1980
Owner(s)Tamarind Group
Street addressLangata Rd, Langata
CityNairobi
Country Kenya
Coordinates1°19′44″S 36°48′02″E / 1.329000°S 36.8005000°E / -1.329000; 36.8005000
Seating capacity350
Websitetamarind.co.ke/carnivore

Carnivore is an open-air restaurant in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. Carnivore's specialty is meat, and features an all-you-can-eat meat buffet. They serve a wide variety of meat and were famous for their game meat until Kenya imposed a ban on the sale of game meat in 2004.[1] It remains a popular tourist destination.[2]

History

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In 1999, the restaurant seated 350 people and the restaurant's 330 employees served over 1000 people per day.[2] The game, including giraffe, wildebeest, ostrich and crocodile, was raised on Hopcraft Ranch, 40 kilometres (25 mi) outside Nairobi.[2] Since the sale of wild game meat was banned in Kenya in 2004, the restaurant serves meat of domestic animals such as beef, pork, lamb, and chicken, as well as farmed ostrich and crocodile meat.[1] The meat is skewered on Maasai swords, cooked on coals, and served on cast-iron plates.[2] It does have a vegetarian option.[2] It ranked 47th on Restaurant magazine's "World's Best 50 Restaurants" list in 2003.[3][4]

Simba Saloon

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There is also a "Simba Saloon" night club on the premises with a capacity of 2,500,[2] as well as an internet cafe, playground, and six bars.[2] The restaurant holds concerts featuring local artists. International artists such as Shaggy, Tevin Campbell, T.O.K., and Sean Paul have also performed there.[citation needed] Three people died in a stampede at the saloon in 2004.[5] The restaurant is famous for themed nights that incorporate old skul, rock and soul nights to the merriment of many Kenyans.

Tamarind Group

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Carnivore is owned by Martin Dunford[2] of the Tamarind Group. It was opened in 1980 by Dunford, his wife, and a group of partners.[2] Dunford opened Carnivore, inspired by the Rodízio concept of Brazilian churrascaria steak houses.[2] The Tamarind Group operates Tamarind seafood restaurants in Mombasa and Nairobi. There are also similar restaurants named Carnivore, owned by the same people, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa,[2] and in Cairo, Egypt.[6]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mbogo, Steve (3 November 2010). "'Hoteliers push for lifting of game meat sale and import ban'". Business Daily. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Nessman, Ravi (23 May 1999). "It's a 'beast of a feast' at this Africa restaurant". Associated Press. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  3. ^ The World's best 50 restaurants, Winestate Magazine (archived copy)
  4. ^ "High steaks for African restaurant". BBC News. 30 April 2003. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Charges against restaurant owners dropped". Independent Online. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Home". Mara Expeditions. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
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