The Lawns

DISCLAIMER: This is probably not a review for vegetarians… actually this is probably not the restaurant for vegetarians.

I found myself at The Lawns recently for a good friends leaving do, although obviously a sad occasion it was considerably lightened by the awesomeness of the Lawns. The other bonus of leaving dinners being the fact that there are usually quite a few people eating so, therefore, even more people’s food to try!

Spacious is the word I would use to describe the lawns… and outdoors (-y?). I’d say lawny but a) I don’t think that’s a word and b) that would just be tacky. It does, however, have a large outdoor lawn area with plenty of seating and a covered terrace for those looking to escape the climate. It even comes with its own (pet?) rabbits roaming the grass for added cuteness factor. I’ve never been when its busy so its always lacked a bit in atmosphere but maybe I’ve just been unlucky on the nights (usually week nights) I’ve picked, and on a plus it makes it better for an in-depth discussions with someone…

They boast an exiting menu of Ostrich burgers (32,000 UGX), Wilderbeast and a whole crocodile tail (190,000 UGX), although both time I have gone there and tried to order they’ve always been out of crocodile (and the first time out of nearly everything else too!), so be warned lovers of exotic game meat! I instead settled on the Kuku Wa Paka for 26,000 UGX which was a very mild Zanzibar chicken curry with lots of interesting spices which was very good (although it could have done with being a warmer).

I did, however, get massive food envy when people who had ordered the fillet steak’s food arrived. After managing to beg a bite of the steak (medium-rare, of course) it turned out to be one the best I have had in Kampala, and at a mere 28,000 UGX a steal compared to some of the other western restaurants around Kololo area. A friend had some kind of veggie /daal / spinach thing (palak paneer for 20,000 UGX) and another the pork escalope which both turned out to be a bit disappointing so make sure to order carefully…I’ve had the pork stack before (25,000 UGX), for example, which was pork escalopes with a balsamic dressing and was great. The last time I went it turned out to be their 3 year anniversary and we got free desserts of fruit salad or ice-cream! (sadly you’ll probably have to wait till next May to get this deal again….)

The menu is pretty meat intensive (an example of this being the Game Meat platter (59,000 ugx) which consists of 10 oz of mixed grilled game meat (Kudu, Impala, Ostrich, Springbok and Crocodile) so probably not the best place for vegetarians. Saying that there are a few vegetarian dishes (limited mainly to Indian curries) including mixed vegetable curries and daals (all c.12-20,000 UGX).

Bottles of wine range between 43,000 – 110,000 UGX (for the Simonsig Shiraz) and glasses of house wine are 11,000 UGX. Beers are all 5,000 UGX and most sodas are 2,500 UGX.

Added bonuses include the free wifI available there, the fact that they do a version of ‘high tea’ between 3-6pm and a happy hour on selected drinks between 5-7pm, Monday – Saturday.

Big thumbs up to the Lawns as a great spot to eat well in Kampala – nice ambiance and good food! Oh and have I mentioned… great steak!?

Address: Plot 34 Impala Avenue, Kololo, Kampala
Hours: Mon to Weds: 1pm- 11pm, Thurs to Sat: 1pm – 12pm, Sunday: 1pm – 10pm
Phone: (041) 425 0337
Email: reservation@thelawns.co.ug
Website: http://www.thelawns.co.ug
Price: 5,000 – 15,000 UGX

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