By Eddah Waithaka
Café Barbera, one of Italy’s oldest and most celebrated coffee brands, has officially opened its first Kenyan location at the Altura Building in Nairobi’s Upper Hill. The move brings more than 150 years of Italian coffee heritage into one of the city’s most dynamic commercial neighbourhoods and marks Kenya as the brand’s 23rd market worldwide.
Located on the first floor of Altura, the new café introduces an authentic Italian coffeehouse experience to Nairobi. It brings together premium coffee, Italian-inspired cuisine, and a space designed for connection, conversation, and the everyday moments in between.
Coffee runs deep in Italian culture, and few brands capture that tradition like Café Barbera. Founded in Southern Italy in 1870 by Domenico Barbera, the company has spent more than 150 years refining the craft of roasting. What began as a single coffee house has grown into a franchise operating in 22 countries, while remaining family-owned across five generations.
Every cup follows the same philosophy laid down over 150 years ago: beans from seven varieties of the world’s finest growing regions, slow-roasted separately by master roasters, then artfully blended into Café Barbera’s original recipe.
“The opening of Café Barbera at Altura marks an exciting moment not only for the brand, but also for Nairobi’s evolving lifestyle and hospitality landscape,” said Elio Barbera, Managing Director of Café Barbera. “We are bringing a piece of Italian coffee culture to Nairobi while creating a space where people can meet, work, dine and enjoy quality moments throughout their day.”
More Than Coffee
While coffee remains at the heart of the Café Barbera experience, the menu extends well beyond the espresso bar. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared pastries, pizzas, pastas, and a curated selection of Italian-inspired meals, alongside a selection of local comfort food favourites that make up around a quarter of the menu.
Whether it’s a quick espresso before a morning meeting, a relaxed lunch with colleagues, an informal business meeting, or an afternoon catch-up with friends, the café caters to a variety of occasions.
An Italian Experience in the Heart of Upper Hill
The decision to open Café Barbera’s first Kenyan location in Upper Hill reflects the area’s position as one of Nairobi’s leading business and lifestyle destinations. Home to multinational corporations, embassies, and professional service firms, the neighbourhood draws thousands of professionals daily.
By opening at Altura, Café Barbera places itself at the heart of that ecosystem, positioning the café as a natural meeting point for professionals, a destination worth discovering for visitors, and an everyday luxury just an elevator ride away for Altura’s tenants.
Café Barbera is now open daily from 7 am to 11 pm on the first floor of the Altura Building, Upper Hill, Nairobi.
