When one thinks of English Point Marina in Mombasa, the word “opulence” is usually the first word that would come to mind. English Point Marina consists of a hotel, apartments, a gym, a spa and of course an incredible boardwalk that overlooks the UNESCO World heritage site, the Mombasa Old Town and Fort Jesus. English Point Marina is located at Silos Road, Mombasa and whilst many parts of the complex are restricted to residents only, the boardwalk and its eateries are open to the public. So, if you’re staying at the Tamarind Village, Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, Kenya Bay or Severin Sea Lodge then fear not as you can still enjoy one of the best parts of English Point Marina, the view from the boardwalk and whilst you’re there, I would recommend stopping by at Café Arabika.
Three branches but one with an unbeatable view
Whilst Café Arabika has three branches in Mombasa, its branch at English Point Marina is the one to definitely stop by and enjoy due to it providing a superior overall experience than what is offered at its other branches. This is because nothing can beat the view of the open water and the feeling of the salty ocean breeze on your skin whilst you enjoy the view from the café. Check out the outdoor seating at Café Arabika from the photograph; it’s clean, comfortable and certainly inviting.
The seating inside the café is equally clean and includes good quality air-conditioning so if you want a break from the Kenyan heat, then it’s a definite place to be. The cafe is known for serving up tasty Mediterranean style food, including hot and cold mezze, as well as fresh bread, pastries and cakes. The staff are hospitable, friendly and professional and make you feel welcome from the moment that you enter.
A plentiful supply of sweet treats
For those of you that heart Kenya for its hot drinks, you will be pleased to know that Café Arabika offers 20 varieties of Kenyan tea and coffee so you’re certainly spoiled for choice on that front. There are also some wonderful cold drinks available including iced tea, slushies, smoothies, frappes and milkshakes. The Oreo milkshake is definitely recommended. The price range for the hot and cold drinks ranges from 230 KSH (2.23 USD) to 500 KSH (4.85 USD). If like me, you have a mega sweet tooth and a milkshake is not enough, then you will be thrilled to learn that Café Arabika has a plentiful supply of gorgeous fresh cakes and desserts which are available from 400 KSH (3.88 USD). Examples of items on the menu include chocolate cake, chocolate fudge cake, black forest cake, white forest cake, cheesecake and yoghurt cake. The chocolate fudge cake and the black forest cake are both recommended. They’re gooey, moist, creamy and everything a scrumptious cake should be.
When to sit outside?
I would suggest, however, that if you’re thinking about having a full-on meal at Café Arabika that you sit inside the café due to the seating arrangements which are more appropriate for dining purposes. However, if you’re only popping by for a drink and some sweet treats, then the sofa-like chairs and low tables in the outdoor seating area work well for such items.
The view from the outdoor seating is undeniably phenomenal. The opportunity to see the famous Old Town and the 16th century Portuguese Fort Jesus is a real sight to see (and one that you could otherwise not see so clearly unless on a boat sailing around the coast). In the evening and night-time, the lights on the waterfront are wonderful to see and include the sparkles and reflections of the Old Town and Fort Jesus on the Indian Ocean. There is something very magical about the view.
A place for people from all walks of life
English Point Marina has developed a reputation for being a hot spot for the wealthy, but I hope that by sharing my experience of Café Arabika on the boardwalk, that you can see that it is a place for people from all walks of life. This is because Café Arabika is a smart and elegant café with a surprisingly reasonable price tag that is ready to offer you a memorable experience. It’s a fantastic place to have some peace and quiet, enjoy some delicious food and embrace an unbeatable view. So if you’re on a budget or choose not to stay at the luxury resort of English Point Marina, fear not as there are other ways in which you can enjoy the phenomenal views from it and that’s by visiting Cafe Arabika, which is located within the resort.
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