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Inside Kenya's 180,000 year-old coral cave that has been turned into a restaurant
The next time you are in Mombasa, more specifically in Diani make sure to check out and sample this out of the world restaurant.
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However, until you have dined at Ali Barbour's Cave then you haven’t really experienced what Kenya can offer.
The next time you are in Mombasa, more specifically in Diani make sure to check out and sample this out of the world restaurant.
Ali Barbour's restaurant is set in a natural coral cave that has been turned into this unique restaurant.
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Founded 3 decades ago by owners George and Jackie Barbour the cave is as natural as it was discovered, save for chamber housing the kitchen and lavatories.
Keen to preserve it’s ‘out of this world features’ the restaurant has retained the original stone and walls of the cave by just complimenting it with furniture, fittings, romantic lighting and even sound effects.
The natural holes in the roof crust are open to the sky, protected in bad weather with sliding covers.
A triangular makuti umbrella (threaded palm leaves) soars over the cocktail bar and reception area supported by a single blue gum pole over 50 feet high (nearly 20 meters) which came from the family farm in Kitale.
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Ali Barbour's Cave is thought to be between 120,000 and 180,000 years old.
It is situated about 30km south of Mombasa and 200m back from the high water mark and comprises a series of interlinking chambers at depths of up to 10m below ground level.
The cuisine is typically international, specializing in seafood.
While inside this unique restaurant, guest can sample Ali Drunken prawns, Beef Carpaccio, Fresh Oysters from Kilifi among the starters.
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There’s nothing scary or dark about this amazing cave turned restaurant!
"My husband and I had dinner here and what a truly unique experience it was. You dine in a cave thousands of years old, open to the stars and lit by candles which create a wonderful ambience. The food was excellent especially my bananas,flambées at the table. Each table was personally greeted by the manager which was a nice touch and information about the history of the cave was available too. I imagine booking is essential as the restaurant was full when we went. They also offered a free taxi service to and from our hotel which was much appreciated." One review about Ali Barbour's Cave reads on tripadvisor.
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