An Italian coffee house founded in 1870 has opened its first Kenyan outlet on the first floor of the Altura Building, and its owners say it is meant for work, meetings and meals.

A first Kenyan outlet in Upper Hill

Upper Hill now has a café from one of Italy's oldest coffee families. Café Barbera opened its first outlet in Kenya at the Altura Building on 3 October 2026, and the company counts Kenya as its 23rd market worldwide.

The café sits on the first floor of the building and targets professionals and other customers in the Upper Hill area.

Elio Barbera, the company's Managing Director, framed the opening as a landmark.

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"The opening of Café Barbera at Altura marks an exciting moment not only for the brand, but also for Nairobi’s evolving lifestyle and hospitality landscape,"
-Elio Barbera

Coffee heritage meets Nairobi’s workday

The brand was founded in Southern Italy in 1870 by Domenico Barbera and is still family-owned, across five generations. It operates franchises in 23 countries and is regarded as one of the oldest coffee companies in Europe and dates its first franchise to 2004, with an opening ceremony in Dubai.

Its coffee is made from seven varieties of beans from different growing regions. Each variety is roasted separately and then blended to the company's original recipe. Roasting happens in Naples and its said the blend recipe is known to only three people.

The company's franchise menu is built around Italian-style panini, Mediterranean salads and light croissant breakfasts.

The Nairobi pitch is about the working day as much as the cup.

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"We are bringing a piece of Italian coffee culture to Nairobi while creating a space where people can meet, work, dine and enjoy quality moments throughout their day," said Elio Barbera.