Pronto Restaurant: What You Never Knew About Nairobi’s Famous Food Joint

For many people working, living or passing through Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), Pronto Restaurant is a familiar name. With its outlets spread across the city centre, the restaurant has built a presence around food, convenience and a casual dining experience.

But beyond the meals served on its tables, Pronto has a story that has made it a recognisable name in Nairobi’s restaurant scene. Pronto describes itself as a food joint where “fresh flavors and friendly service” meet in a “casual, vibrant setting.”

According to the restaurant, it was established with the aim of offering a diverse menu that combines international favourites with local delicacies.

It says it takes pride in using high-quality ingredients to prepare meals for different tastes.Its menu caters to customers looking for different dining options, from breakfast and lunch to dinner.

Pronto Restaurant:A Familiar Name in Nairobi CBD

Pronto currently lists several Nairobi CBD locations on its official website, including Wabera Street, Aga Khan Walk, Standard Street and Kimathi Street.

The presence of several outlets within the CBD has helped make the brand accessible to office workers, shoppers, visitors and other people spending time in the city centre.

The restaurant’s official website also lists Mombasa among the areas where it serves customers, describing its locations as being spread across Kenya.

More Than Just a Quick Meal

Pronto says its restaurants are designed to cater to individuals, families and groups. The brand describes its atmosphere as welcoming, with an emphasis on warm hospitality and customer service.

“Your table is always ready,” the restaurant says on its website, inviting customers to enjoy what it describes as great food, memorable moments and exceptional service.

Its current menu also goes beyond traditional local meals, featuring dishes such as shakshuka, Norwegian salmon, ramen, tacos, salads, mocktails and coffee.

This mix reflects the restaurant’s stated approach of bringing together international dishes and local tastes.

Photo of sumptuous fish and burger well served at the restaurant
PHOTO/File

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Restaurant Has Been Around for Years

Pronto’s presence in Nairobi is not new. A 2013 University of Nairobi study on small and medium-sized restaurants in the CBD listed Café Pronto Restaurant on Standard Street among restaurants operating in the city centre at the time.

This provides evidence of the Pronto name’s presence in Nairobi’s restaurant landscape years before its current expansion.

Over time, the brand has continued to maintain outlets in the CBD, placing itself among the restaurants serving Nairobi’s busy city-centre population.

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The Hilton Rumour That Put the Food Joint in the Spotlight

In January 2023, Pronto unexpectedly became the subject of widespread discussion after an image circulated online appearing to show the former Hilton Hotel building in Nairobi CBD carrying Pronto branding.

The posts claimed that the ownership had acquired the iconic building after Hilton ended its operations there.

Pronto’s management quickly denied the reports, saying the poster circulating online was fake. At the time, the restaurant listed its Nairobi branches as Wabera Street, Standard Street, Aga Khan Walk and Kimathi Street/Pronto Coffee House.

“Our attention has been drawn to a fake Poster insinuating that we have acquired Hilton Hotel. Kindly note that this is false.”

Africa Check later investigated the image and found that it had been digitally manipulated. Photographs taken of the building showed no Pronto branding, confirming that the restaurant had not taken over the former Hilton premises.

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