"Mombasa's North Coast seafood institution - lobster and Mombasa prawns by the beach, family-run since 1982 and Shanzu's top-rated table."
Sea Haven has worked the beach at Shanzu on Mombasa's North Coast since November 1982, run by a Kenyan-German couple who have kept it in the family for more than forty years. It sits on one of the prettiest stretches of the coast, with the sand reachable from the outdoor tables.
It is ranked the top restaurant in Shanzu on Tripadvisor, rated 4.5 out of 5. It anchors part of our seafood coverage of the city.
The menu spans what four decades on the Indian Ocean have refined: seafood pulled from the water alongside, plus steaks, oriental curries and a famous run of ice-cream desserts. The signature is the seafood platter - generous and much-praised - with lobster, crab, Mombasa prawns, oysters and calamari among the draws.
This is consistent, unpretentious coastal cooking, the kind of reliability only a kitchen that has cooked the same waters for forty years can deliver.
The setting is the point: tiered sea-view terraces open to the ocean breeze, plus an air-conditioned hall that can seat a large group or function. It is relaxed and family-friendly, with the beach a few steps from the table.
Service is attentive and personal - the owners are hands-on - and the room turns from a sunny lunch to a sea-air dinner with ease.
Sea Haven suits a celebratory anniversary by the sea, a sociable birthday, or a relaxed group dinner. For other Mombasa tables, compare Tamarind, The Moorings or Monsoons.
Not for fine-dining formality or a quick city-centre bite - it is a relaxed, family-run beach restaurant on the North Coast, a drive from central Mombasa.
Fresh Indian Ocean seafood on Mombasa's North Coast - a much-praised seafood platter with lobster, crab, Mombasa prawns, oysters and calamari - alongside steaks, oriental curries and a famous run of ice-cream desserts.
On the beach at Shanzu, on Mombasa's North Coast, a drive north of the city centre, with the sand reachable from the outdoor tables.
It sits in the mid-range $$ band, with seafood platters and mains at typical Kenyan-coast prices.
Since November 1982 - more than forty years - run by a Kenyan-German couple, apart from a short closure for renovation around 2008 to 2010.
Yes - it is ranked the number one restaurant in Shanzu on Tripadvisor, rated 4.5 out of 5, praised for fresh seafood and personal service.
Booking is advised for groups and weekends. Open daily, roughly 11am to 10pm, on Shanzu beach on Mombasa's North Coast.
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Sea Haven anchors part of our Mombasa guide - Shanzu's family-run seafood institution, by the beach since 1982.
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