Kenyans curiosity and love for tasting new cuisine continues to grow as they explore new culinary experiences, especially for foreign food, a new report by food delivery app Bolt shows.
From pizza to biryani, burgers and shawarma, international dishes have become staples in the diets of many Kenyans, particularly in urban areas like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
According to the report, the palate of Kenyan food lovers is a diverse one that continues to evolve as specialty restaurants offering specific cuisines from all over the world take over the market.
The report by Bolt Food shows over the past three years’ Indian food, chicken, pizza, coffee, burgers, and ice creams were the most popular items ordered for delivery on the app.
Bolt Food's General Manager, Edgar Kitur said that the deliveries have helped to support a thriving food and beverage ecosystem.
Food delivery apps like Bolt Food and Uber Eats have popularised foreign cuisine, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
This trend is further fuelled by a rising middle class, increased exposure to global cultures through travel and media, and the growing presence of international restaurant chains.
Establishments such as KFC, Pizza Hut, and Subway have expanded rapidly across the country, catering to the demand for quick and familiar meals.
According to Eat Out, a restaurant booking platform, local eateries offering authentic foreign dishes, like Chinese, Indian, Italian, and Lebanese cuisine are thriving.
Bolt Food entered the Kenyan market in 2021 and now partners with over 2,000 restaurants nationwide.
The Estonian-headquartered startup said it currently has more than 4,000 couriers on its platform across the country.
