Everything you need to know about Essence Bar & Grill
As one of the premier fine dining establishments in Kigali, Essence Bar & Grill stands out for our unique West-African and International fusion cuisine, exceptional service, and elegant ambiance. Our dedicated culinary team combines traditional West African recipes with international techniques and local Rwandan ingredients to create a truly unique dining experience that can't be found elsewhere in Kigali.
Our commitment to quality ingredients, authentic flavors, and a memorable dining atmosphere has earned us recognition as one of the top restaurants in Kigali, making us a favorite destination for both locals and tourists looking for an extraordinary culinary experience in Rwanda.
Essence Bar & Grill specializes in West-African and International fusion cuisine. Our menu features authentic Nigerian dishes like Jollof Rice, Egusi Soup, and Pepper Soup, alongside international favorites with an African twist. Our culinary team expertly blends traditional West African recipes with global cooking techniques to create a unique dining experience.
We pride ourselves on using fresh, high-quality ingredients and authentic spices to deliver bold, flavorful dishes that represent the richness of West African cuisine while appealing to diverse palates. Whether you're a local or a tourist visiting Rwanda, our menu offers something special for everyone.
Essence Bar & Grill is conveniently located in the Masterpiece Mall, 2nd Floor, Giporoso KN5 Road, Kigali, Rwanda. We're easily accessible from Kigali International Airport (just a 10-minute drive) and major hotels throughout the city.
Our central location makes us an ideal dining destination for tourists staying in Kigali, as well as locals looking for an exceptional meal. The restaurant offers a beautiful setting with easy parking access, making your visit smooth and enjoyable.
Yes! Essence Bar & Grill now offers food delivery service throughout Kigali. We're committed to bringing our authentic West-African cuisine directly to your home or office. Whether you're a local or a tourist staying in Kigali, you can now enjoy our dishes wherever you are.
Our delivery service covers all major areas of Kigali, including Nyarutarama, Gacuriro, Kacyiru, Kimihurura, Remera, and the CBD. We deliver during our operating hours, making us your go-to restaurant for quality food delivery in Kigali.
You can order from Essence Bar & Grill through multiple convenient options:
- Call or Whatsapp us directly: +250 796 164 714
- Message us on Instagram
Orders are typically processed within 15-20 minutes, and our estimated delivery times range from 30-60 minutes depending on your location within Kigali.
While walk-ins are welcome, we highly recommend making a reservation, especially for dinner service, weekends, or if you're dining with a larger group. As one of the most popular fine dining restaurants in Kigali, tables can fill up quickly, particularly during peak hours.
Reservations can be made online through our website, by phone at +250 796 164 714, or via email at reservations@essencebarandgrill.com. We typically confirm all reservations within 24 hours. For last-minute bookings or special occasions, we recommend calling us directly.
Essence Bar & Grill is open seven days a week with the following hours:
Monday - Thursday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Our kitchen serves food until one hour before closing time. The bar remains open until closing time. During major holidays, our hours may vary, so we recommend checking our social media accounts or calling ahead for the most current information.
Absolutely! Essence Bar & Grill is one of the most highly recommended restaurants for tourists visiting Kigali and Rwanda. Our menu offers an authentic taste of West African cuisine with international influences, making it the perfect introduction to African flavors for visitors.
Our staff speaks English fluently, and we can accommodate various dietary requirements with advance notice. We're also happy to explain dishes and ingredients to those unfamiliar with West African cuisine. Many tour guides and hotels recommend us to tourists looking for a memorable dining experience in Kigali.
Additionally, our central location makes us easily accessible from most tourist accommodations in the city, and we can assist with arranging transportation if needed.
Essence Bar & Grill maintains a smart casual dress code. While we don't require formal attire, we do ask that guests avoid beachwear, sportswear, and flip-flops. Clean, neat casual clothing is perfectly acceptable for lunch, while slightly more formal attire is appreciated for dinner.
As one of the premium fine dining establishments in Kigali, many of our guests choose to dress up for the occasion, particularly for evening dining or special celebrations. However, we understand that tourists may have limited wardrobe options while traveling, and we're flexible with our dress code for visitors.
Our signature dishes that have made us one of the best restaurants in Kigali include:
- Lagos Party Jollof Rice: Our unique take on the classic West African jollof rice, with bold, smoky flavor.
- Catfish Pepper Soup: A rich, aromatic soup with tender catfish and traditional West African herbs and spices.
- Essence Prawn and Gizzard Pepper Soup: Our special Afro Infusion that combines succulent prawns with tender gizzards in a spicy, aromatic broth.
These dishes showcase our commitment to authentic West African flavors while incorporating innovative culinary techniques that make our restaurant stand out in Kigali's dining scene.
Yes, we can accommodate various dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. While traditional West African cuisine often features meat and fish, our skilled chefs have created several delicious plant-based options that maintain authentic flavors.
Our menu includes dishes like Vegetable Spring Rolls, Grilled Vegetable Platter with Balsamic Glaze, Three Beans Salad, and Vegetable Sandwich. For gluten-free guests, many of our traditional dishes can be adapted, and we can recommend suitable options.
We recommend informing us about any dietary restrictions when making your reservation so our kitchen can prepare accordingly. For guests with severe allergies or complex dietary needs, please contact us in advance, and our chef would be happy to discuss customized menu options.
Traditional West African cuisine is known for its bold flavors, which often include spice. At Essence Bar & Grill, we prepare our dishes with authentic spice levels but can adjust the heat according to your preference.
Many of our signature dishes like Pepper Soup and Jollof Rice have a moderate level of spiciness that enhances the flavor without overwhelming your palate. For guests who enjoy intense heat, we can increase the spice level upon request.
If you prefer milder flavors, please inform your server, and our chefs will be happy to accommodate your taste. We want all our guests, including tourists experiencing West African cuisine for the first time, to enjoy their dining experience with us.
Other dishes we serve on our menu which includes international cuisines coming from the region of India, China, America, and many other regions are cooked to the standard of those regions.
Yes, Essence Bar & Grill offers private dining and event hosting services for special occasions, corporate events, and celebrations. Our elegant space can be configured to accommodate various group sizes, from intimate gatherings to larger parties.
We offer customized menus and beverage packages for private events, showcasing our finest West African and international fusion cuisine. Our events team will work closely with you to create a memorable experience tailored to your specific preferences and requirements.
For private event inquiries, please contact our events coordinator at events@essencebarandgrill.com or call +250 796 164 714 at least two weeks in advance to discuss availability, menu options, and pricing.
Our VIP seating offers an elevated dining experience in a more exclusive section of the restaurant with enhanced service and amenities. VIP seating includes premium table placement, personalized service from our senior staff, complimentary welcome drinks, and priority attention from our executive chef.
VIP seating has a minimum spending requirement and availability is limited. When you request VIP seating during reservation, our team will confirm availability and provide details about the current minimum spending requirement.
This option is popular for special celebrations, business dinners, and guests looking for the finest dining experience in Kigali. We recommend booking VIP seating at least one week in advance to ensure availability.
Yes, Essence Bar & Grill provides catering services for events throughout Kigali. Our catering menu features our most popular West African and fusion dishes, adapted for event service while maintaining the high quality and authentic flavors that have made us one of the best restaurants in Kigali.
We offer various catering packages to suit different event types and budgets, from corporate lunches to wedding receptions. Our catering team can provide full-service solutions including staff, equipment, and beverage service for your event.
For catering inquiries, please contact us at catering@essencebarandgrill.com or call +250 796 164 714 at least two weeks before your event to discuss your requirements and receive a customized quote.
Essence Bar & Grill is highly recommended for tourists visiting Rwanda for several reasons:
- Cultural Experience: We offer an authentic taste of West African cuisine in an elegant setting, providing tourists with a genuine culinary cultural experience.
- Accessibility: Our staff speaks English fluently, and we're accustomed to explaining dishes and ingredients to international guests.
- Convenient Location: We're easily accessible from major hotels and tourist attractions in Kigali.
- Quality Assurance: As one of the top-rated restaurants in Kigali, we maintain international standards of food safety, service, and ambiance.
- Fusion Menu: Our menu offers a perfect balance of authentic African flavors and international dishes, making it ideal for tourists who want to experience local cuisine but may also want familiar options.
Many tour guides, hotels, and tourism platforms recommend us as a must-visit restaurant for visitors wanting to experience the best of Kigali's dining scene.
For first-time visitors to Kigali experiencing West African cuisine, we recommend trying these standout dishes:
- Starters: Begin with our Essence Prawn and Gizzard Pepper Soup for an authentic introduction to West African flavors or the Crispy Calamari for something more familiar with a local twist.
- Main Course: Our signature Lagos Jollof Rice is a must-try, offering a perfect blende of bold flavors that represent the essence of West African cuisine. Alternatively, the Grilled Whole Tilapia Fish provides a delicious taste of local seafood preparation.
- Sides: Complement your meal with Plantain and a side of Mixed Okra.
- Beverages: Try our Green Essence Cocktail or sample a local Rwandan beer like Mützig.
Our servers are always happy to make personalized recommendations based on your preferences. Don't hesitate to ask about the day's specials and chef's recommendations when you visit.
Yes, Essence Bar & Grill accepts all major international credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. We also accept mobile payment options like Mobile Money and various digital wallets.
For tourists visiting Rwanda, using a credit card is often the most convenient payment method as it typically offers favorable exchange rates. However, we do recommend carrying some cash in Rwandan Francs (RWF) for small purchases or in case of any technical issues with card processing.
Please note that while we strive to maintain reliable card payment services, occasional network issues can affect electronic payments throughout Kigali. Our staff will be happy to assist with payment alternatives if needed.
Yes, Essence Bar & Grill offers complimentary parking for our guests in the Masterpiece Mall parking area. The parking lot is secure and monitored, providing a safe place to leave your vehicle while dining with us.
During peak hours and weekends, the parking area can become quite busy. If you encounter any difficulties finding parking, our security personnel will be happy to assist you. Valet parking service is also available on Friday and Saturday evenings for a small fee.
For guests arriving by taxi or ride-sharing service, we have a convenient drop-off and pick-up area right at the mall entrance. Our staff can also assist in calling a taxi when you're ready to leave.
Yes, Essence Bar & Grill provides complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi for all our guests. The network name and password are available on your table or can be provided by any member of our staff upon request.
Our Wi-Fi connection is reliable and secure, making it convenient for tourists who need to stay connected while traveling or business diners who need to check emails during their meal. The connection is usually strong enough to handle video calls and large file transfers if needed.
While we're happy to provide this amenity, we do encourage guests to be mindful of others and maintain a pleasant dining atmosphere when using electronic devices in the restaurant.
Our staff at Essence Bar & Grill are multilingual to better serve our diverse clientele. Our team members primarily speak:
- English (all staff)
- Kinyarwanda (several staff members)
- French (several staff members)
As one of the top restaurants for tourists in Kigali, we ensure that language barriers won't interfere with your dining experience. Our menus are available in English, and our staff can explain dishes and ingredients in detail in these languages.
If you have any specific language requirements, please let us know when making your reservation, and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.