A Seafood Delight at Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa

I was craving a getaway from the undecided Nairobi weather and the busyness of the city, so I packed a bag and flew down to Diani for a dose of luxury and serenity at Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa. Diani is easily one of the most beautiful places in Africa and has been repeatedly cited as having one of the best beaches in the world. If you’ve been you understand why and if you haven’t, you need to go and see for yourself. The beach is a pristine white and the water is so blue it looks like something out of a postcard or as though a filter has been added to it.

The hotel is easily one of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels in Kenya and a favourite for when I want to vacation in comfort. Another reason I love Diani Reef is the gastronomic dining experience. There are 3 restaurants at the hotel: Coral Rock Cafe that serves buffet style breakfast and dinner, Sake Oriental Restaurant that offers a fusion of Japanese Teppanyaki, Chinese & Indian cuisine and Fins Seafood Grill that serves seafood dishes.

I am a seafood fan and enjoying fresh seafood is one of the reasons I look forward to holidays at the coast. Fins Seafood & Grill is right by the ocean offering breathtaking views of Diani Beach as you have your lunch or dinner. I basically sat at the same table every day for the 3 days I spent there because it had the most perfect view and just the right amount of sun for that vitamin D boost I had been missing in Nairobi.

Lunch with a view at Fins Seafood & Grill

The menu at Fins Seafood & Grill is a generous one, offering an array of starters, mains and desserts. I enjoyed the pizza, chicken wrap, oyster, jumbo prawns and lobster dishes. The drinks menu also has plenty of options and I enjoyed the fresh juices and tropical cocktails. Before I get into the nitty-gritty of the food, I must mention that I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with the Executive Chef, Daniel Deche, and because I enjoyed the food so much, it’s only right that I share snippets of that conversation here.

Me with Chef Deche at Fins Seafood & Grill

• How long have you been a chef?

I’ve been a chef for 11 years. I was inspired by my grandfather who was a cook and started out my training as a cook at Hemingways Watamu and then went to Utalii for formal training. I’ve worked in several other hotels in Mombasa and Malindi before coming to Diani Reef where I’ve been for the last 2 years.

• What are your signature dishes?

I specialize in Mediterranean, Italian and Asian cuisine. My signature dish is the jumbo prawns which are quite popular as even people who are not staying at the hotel walk in and request the dish. The lobster and lamb chops are also very popular.

• What advice would you give an aspiring chef?

You’ve got to love food and the process of making it as it can be quite demanding. Also, be curious and ready to try new things.

• If you were restricted to only 2 spices, which ones would you pick?

That’s a hard one! Probably basil and parsley.

• Why should people come to Fins Seafood & Grill?

We are right by the ocean, so we have access to the freshest seafood. We also have some of the best chefs here that put out consistently great food.

Thank you, Daniel Deche and your team, for your time and generosity! And now for the food. I mentioned that I had several dishes and in as much as they were all fantastic, I’m going to talk about my 3 favourite dishes.

• Jumbo Prawns in Coconut Sauce

Anyone that knows me knows that I could eat a sack of prawns if challenged to it. The prawns are cooked in a coconut sauce and served with saffron rice and a garlic sauce. They were perfectly cooked with a crisp exterior and with succulent juices that burst in my mouth with every bite.  Altogether, the dish was delicious, balanced and filling and I could have gone for a second round, but I’d need a second stomach for that.

• Octopus Coconut Curry

An octopus dish can be a hit or miss depending on how it is prepared. Thankfully, I am not one of those people. I will have octopus grilled, pan seared or even in a salad because I absolutely love it. Octopus Coconut Curry is a dish I’ve had a few times before as it is a staple on the coast, but I still wanted to try it at Fins and it did not disappoint. Delicate and rich in flavour, this was the highlight of my last lunch at Diani Reef.

• Lobster in Garlic Butter

Lobster is the king of seafood and a well-cooked lobster dish is always a delight. There’s nothing as satisfying as cracking open a lobster and finding tender meat with a perfectly preserved flavour inside. This was the case with this lobster dish that came with a refreshing salad (but I also ordered a side of fries because why not) and a garlic sauce.

The prices are quite affordable for the quality of food and service with beers from Ksh 350, cocktails from Ksh 800 and meals from Ksh 1000. This is a restaurant I would recommend to anyone travelling to Diani and is a must visit if you are guest at Diani Reef Beach Hotel & Resort. To make your reservations, contact Diani Reef on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or on +254 709 481 000.

Happy holidaying!