Experience the finest fusion of West African flavors and international cuisine in the heart of Kigali. Our award-winning chefs create unforgettable culinary experiences in an elegant, upscale setting.
A journey of flavors, passion and cultural fusion
Essence Bar & Grill was born from a vision to bring authentic West African flavors to the cosmopolitan city of Kigali, Rwanda. Established in 2024, our journey began with a simple mission: to create a culinary bridge between West African tradition and contemporary international cuisine.
Our culinary team artfully blends traditional West African recipes with international techniques and locally-sourced Rwandan ingredients. Each dish tells a story of cultural exchange, innovation, and our deep respect for quality ingredients and authentic flavors.
More than just a restaurant, Essence is a destination where business leaders, diplomats, tourists, and locals come together to experience exceptional dining in an atmosphere of sophisticated elegance.
Our executive chef recommends exploring these signature dishes that truly capture the essence of our West-African and International fusion cuisine.
Most Ordered
Our signature dish blends traditional jollof rice with bold, smoky flavor profile that's uniquely Essence.
Pair with our Green Essence Cocktail or a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for a complete experience.
Chef's Favorite
A rich, aromatic soup with tender catfish, spiced perfectly with traditional West African herbs and spices to deliver a warming, complex flavor.
Best enjoyed with a side of White Rice or Fried Plantain, and a cold Heineken beer.
International Favorite
Our perfectly grilled 300g ribeye is seasoned with our secret spice blend and topped with house-made herb butter for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Pairs wonderfully with our Garlic Mashed Potatoes and a glass of Elite D'Or Cabernet Sauvignon.
"At Essence, we believe in creating dishes that blend tradition with innovation. For first-time visitors, I recommend trying at least 3 of our signature dishes to truly experience the breadth of our culinary vision. Begin with a starter like our Pepper Soup, move to a main course such as our Lagos Party Jollof Rice, and finish with a creamy dessert to balance the spice."
— Executive Chef, Essence Bar & Grill
Shrimp in a delicious citrusy herb dressing
13,000 RWF
Calamari cooked to perfection in a delicious citrusy lemon dressing
10,000 RWF
A variety of vegetables of the day with balsamic dressing
5,000 RWF
Chicken wings cooked to perfection
10,000 RWF
Classic crispy vegetable spring rolls
7,000 RWF
Gizzard, pepper, diced plantain, onion, green pepper, red pepper, yellow pepper, garlic
19,000 RWF
Spicy chicken wings seasoned to perfection with native African yam
20,000 RWF
Sauteed mixed vegetables, blended and sieved, with cooking cream, served with French bread
8,000 RWF
Sweet corn cooked with diced chicken breast, with chicken broth, and cooking cream, served with French bread
12,000 RWF
Goat meat, pepper soup spice, scotch bonnet, seasoning cube, onions, garlic, ginger, scent leaf
25,000 RWF
Catfish, pepper soup spice, scotch bonnet, seasoning cube, onions, garlic, ginger, scent leaf
25,000 RWF
Croaker fish, pepper soup spice, scotch bonnet, seasoning cube, onion, garlic, ginger, scent leaf
25,000 RWF
150g prawn, 100g shrimp, 100g calamari, carrot, Irish potatoes, pepper soup spice, scotch bonnet, seasoning cube, onions, garlic, ginger, scent leaf
30,000 RWF
200g prawn, 100g gizzard, Irish potatoes, carrot, pepper soup spice, Scotch bonnet, seasoning cube, onions, garlic and ginger, scent leaf
25,000 RWF
Okra, prawn, calamari, shrimps, croaker fish, pepper, cray fish, pumpkin leaf, seasoning cube. Served with choice of pounded yam, fufu, amala, garri, or semolina
30,000 RWF
Okra, palm oil, dry fish, crayfish, ponmo, pumpkin leaf, seasoning cubes, stock fish with choice of chicken, beef, assorted meat, goat meat, turkey, tilapia fish, or croaker fish. Served with choice of pounded yam, fufu, amala, garri, or semolina
25,000 RWF
Green African spinach, locust beans, palm oil, prawn, calamari, shrimps, dry fish, crayfish, ponmo, stock fish, goat meat, onion, seasoning cubes with choice of chicken, beef, assorted meat, goat meat, turkey, tilapia fish, or croaker fish. Served with choice of pounded yam, fufu, amala, garri, or semolina
25,000 RWF
African melon, stock fish, ponmo, crayfish, dry fish, Palm oil, pumpkin leaf, seasoning cubes with choice of chicken, beef, assorted meat, goat meat, turkey, tilapia fish, or croaker fish. Served with choice of pounded yam, fufu, amala, garri, or semolina
25,000 RWF
Blended pumpkin seed, palm oil, stock fish, red crayfish, ponmo, dry fish, pumpkin leaf, seasoning cubes with choice of chicken, beef, assorted meat, goat meat, turkey, tilapia fish, or croaker fish. Served with choice of pounded yam, fufu, amala, garri, or semolina
25,000 RWF
Yam powder, beans, ewedu, palm oil with choice of chicken, beef, assorted meat, goat meat, turkey, tilapia fish, or croaker fish. Served with choice of pounded yam, fufu, amala, garri, or semolina
25,000 RWF
White cabbage, purple cabbage, carrot, mayonnaise, white pepper, boiled egg, chicken breast, honey
15,000 RWF
Red kidney, green beans, black beans, lettuce, olive oil, parmesan cheese
12,000 RWF
Iceberg lettuce, baked beans, onion, green pepper, yellow pepper, red pepper, black pepper, olive oil, vinegar, salt
15,000 RWF
Romaine lettuce, parmesan, croutons, and Caesar dressing (with choice of grilled chicken or shrimp)
13,000 RWF
Heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze
12,000 RWF
Choice of meat (Beef, Chicken or Fish), intoryi, cooked together in peanut sauce with igitoki or ibirayi
15,000 RWF
Slow‑cooked meat with veggies & green banana/Irish potatoes (Beef, Chicken or Fish)
11,000 RWF
Onion, tomato, coriander, chili, cucumber, avocado & spices
9,000 RWF
Rice with minced meat, onions, garlic, ginger, oyster & dark soy sauce
15,000 RWF
Grilled tenderloin in special sauce on herb potatoes, topped mozzarella
35,000 RWF
Plantain, beef tenderloin, potatoes, mozzarella & caramelized onions
35,000 RWF
2 Chicken wings, 3 vegetable spring rolls, chicken sandwich, 3 pcs fish fingers, fried plantain, french fries, served with sweet chili sauce, sweet mayo, and hot chili sauce
40,000 RWF
Smoked salmon & herbs over basmati rice
25,000 RWF
Marinated grilled goat ribs w/ BBQ sauce on plantain mash
20,000 RWF
Spiced rice with seasonal vegetables
15,000 RWF
Traditional mixed rice with chicken
18,000 RWF
Spiced rice with goat meat
20,000 RWF
Stuffed chicken in sweet Curacao sauce over mango salsa
30,000 RWF
Rice with mixed seafood baked in clay pot
30,000 RWF
Creamy curry with aromatic spices
20,000 RWF
4 mini-burgers (chicken or beef) with fries
20,000 RWF
14,000 RWF
Chicken Sandwich served with fries
13,000 RWF
Chicken burger served with fries (with or without colour)
13,000 RWF
10,000 RWF
A combination of jollof rice, chicken, and choice of coleslaw or fried plantain
25,000 RWF
Cow leg in spicy palm sauce
30,000 RWF
Beans & white rice mix
20,000 RWF
Jollof sauce over spaghetti
20,000 RWF
Grilled spiced beef skewers
18,000 RWF
Grilled spiced chicken skewers
15,000 RWF
Rice with mixed vegetables
16,000 RWF
Signature smoky jollof rice
16,000 RWF
Local rice cooked in rich Western Nigerian native sauce with locust beans, fish, palm oil, pepper, tomatoes,onion, boiled egg, and seasoning
20,000 RWF
Fried plantain slices
6,000 RWF
An alternative to a well-known African dish. Jollof flavors with spaghetti pasta.
20,000 RWF
Delicious creamy pasta with mixed seafood
30,000 RWF
Pasta cooked in rich tomato sauce, Italian style, with a variety of seafood and seasonal vegetables
30,000 RWF
Classic Italian dish with cheese sauce, black pepper, and pork
18,000 RWF
Vegetarian style pasta, cooked with seasonabl vegetables, served on a bed of oven grilled baby marrow.
10,000 RWF
Fresh whole tilapia grilled to perfection
65,000 RWF
Fresh whole croaker fish grilled to perfection
65,000 RWF
Succulent tiger prawns grilled to perfection
65,000 RWF
Tender lamb rack served with rosemary‑infused polenta and roasted vegetables or fries
35,000 RWF
Fresh salmon fillet grilled and served with cream sauce, sauteed vegetables with choice of mashed potatoes, french fries, or basmati rice
35,000 RWF
Tilapia fillet grilled and topped with lemon‑herb butter
30,000 RWF
Premium Ribeye steak with choice of mashed potatoes, french fries, or chinese fried rice
30,000 RWF
Jumbo prawns butterflied and char‑grilled
30,000 RWF
New York strip steak served with peppercorn sauce, choice of mashed potatoes, french fries, or chinese fried rice
30,000 RWF
Tender filet mignon topped with wild mushroom sauce, sauteed vegetables with choice of mashed potatoes, french fries, or basmati rice
45,000 RWF
Premium T‑Bone steak served with sauteed vegetables with choice of mashed potatoes, french fries, or basmati rice
45,000 RWF
Crispy golden french fries
8,000 RWF
Wild mushrooms sautéed to perfection
8,000 RWF
Rich creamed spinach
8,000 RWF
Fresh asparagus grilled and topped with lemon zest
8,000 RWF
Creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic
8,000 RWF
Fried plaintain
6,000 RWF
A timeless blend of bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a citrus twist
15,000 RWF
Cuban delight with rum, mint, lime juice, sugar, and soda water
10,000 RWF
A tart and refreshing mix of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur
12,000 RWF
Tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, orange juice, grenadine
10,000 RWF
Whisky, lime juice, simple syrup, egg (option)
12,000 RWF
Gin and tonic
10,000 RWF
Vodka, Triple Sec, strawberry syrup, lime juice
13,000 RWF
A vibrant mix of rum, mango puree, lime juice, and a touch of grenadine
15,000 RWF
Gin, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and a dash of lime for a taste of the tropics
15,000 RWF
Spiced rum, passionfruit juice, guava nectar, and a splash of orange juice
15,000 RWF
Rum, blue curaçao, lime juice, pineapple juice, coconut cream
15,000 RWF
Gin, lime juice, simple syrup, ginger, passion juice
15,000 RWF
Orange juice, Cointreau, blue curaçao, vodka
15,000 RWF
Gin, Campari, lime juice, sugar syrup, cucumber
15,000 RWF
Orange juice, grenadine, blue curaçao, gin
15,000 RWF
Gin, vodka, Tequila, rum, Triple Sec, Coca-Cola
15,000 RWF
Tequila, Whisky, lime juice, egg white (option)
15,000 RWF
Kahlúa, Baileys, Cointreau
10,000 RWF
Red Bull, Jägermeister
10,000 RWF
Grenadine, pineapple juice, Jägermeister
10,000 RWF
Sparkling wine (bottle). Semi-dry, fresh, soft and fine French sparking wine. The aroma is fruity, floral, and fresh. Citruses come to the fare. Region: France.
150,000 RWF
Premium champagne (bottle). In a first nose, we percieve notes of dry figs and dried almonds. Then with a second nose, we find the touch of almond paste, millefeuille, marshmellow, and honey. The fruit of the new Pommery experience, a traditional champagne-based assemblage, where pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay, blended with the sugar, open up towards a happy moment. Sharing the experience in glasses, which are round like Pommery champagne bubbles. Region: Champagne, France
150,000 RWF
Luxury champagne (bottle). An Impressive consistency of lemon and lime flavors, smooth, crisp, and easy to drink. A good length that is clean and full of apple and honey notes. Richness and softness fills the finish with a clean aftertaste. Region: France.
300,000 RWF
Premium champagne (bottle). Complex & Pleasing - Flavors of apricot, peach, vanilla, pastry & mineral with snappy acidity draws flavors to a long finish. Region: Reims, France.
320,000 RWF
White wine (glass/bottle)
15,000 RWF / 100,000 RWF
White wine (glass/bottle)
20,000 RWF / 100,000 RWF
White wine (glass/bottle)
18,000 RWF / 145,000 RWF
Red wine (glass/bottle)
14,000 RWF / 60,000 RWF
Red wine (glass/bottle)
18,000 RWF / 140,000 RWF
Selection of house wines
9,000 RWF
Premium gin (shot/bottle)
11,000 RWF / 340,000 RWF
Gin (shot/bottle)
5,000 RWF / 95,000 RWF
Gin (shot/bottle)
7,000 RWF / 220,000 RWF
Gin (shot/bottle)
6,000 RWF / 170,000 RWF
Vodka (shot/bottle)
6,000 RWF / 170,000 RWF
Vodka (shot/bottle)
6,000 RWF / 170,000 RWF
Vodka (shot/bottle)
6,000 RWF / 170,000 RWF
Smirnoff Vodka (shot/bottle)
5,000 RWF / 95,000 RWF
Premium vodka (shot/bottle)
12,500 RWF / 390,000 RWF
Skyy Vodka (shot/bottle)
4,000 RWF / 80,000 RWF
Whisky (shot/bottle)
7,000 RWF / 150,000 RWF
Whisky (shot/bottle)
9,000 RWF / 170,000 RWF
Whisky (shot/bottle)
7,000 RWF / 210,000 RWF
Whisky (shot/bottle)
8,000 RWF / 180,000 RWF
Premium whisky (shot/bottle)
85,000 RWF / 2.5M RWF
Cognac (shot/bottle)
8,000 RWF / 200,000 RWF
Premium cognac (shot/bottle)
60,000 RWF / 1.5M RWF
Rum (shot/bottle)
5,000 RWF / 100,000 RWF
Rum (shot/bottle)
5,000 RWF / 100,000 RWF
Tequila (shot/bottle)
6,000 RWF / 150,000 RWF
With a unique honey malt aroma, Amstel delivers a subtle citrus and herbal hop character with a clean bitter finish.
3,000 RWF
A superior quality Rwanda lager style beer. Master brewed according to its original European recipe with the highest quality local and imported ingredients. It was launched in Rwanda in 1987 as a brand for a consumers with a passion for more robust refined quality and taste.
3,000 RWF
Beer
6,500 RWF
Beer
6,000 RWF
A clear pale yellow beer with medium head.
6,000 RWF
Crisp and smooth Euro Lager
5,000 RWF
6% ABV | South Africa. It has Apple-ly fruit aroma with faint notes of honeydew lemon. The taste is semi-dry, light, and clean, with a flavor reminiscent of pasteurized apple juice. Less sweet, but feels more sparkling and watery.
8,000 RWF
5.4% | Netherlands. Leffe Blonde is a pale abbey beer, with a full, sunny, golden colour. It has a smooth and full bodied taste and a rich creamy head. Like all the Leffe beers, it is a 'connoisseur' beer that is easy to drink.
5,000 RWF
Red Bull is a utility drink to be taken against mental or physical weariness or exhaustion. Red Bull combines two natural substances and important metabolic transmitters - the amino acid taurine and the glucuronolactone - with stimulating caffeine, vitamins and the energy provided by carbohydrates.
7,500 RWF
Newly improved Guiness Draught in a Bottle. Enhances the drinking experiene when drunk from the bottle. Through innovation and dedication to delivering the best drinking experience.
6,000 RWF
Orange, Tonic, Sprite, Coca-Cola, Citron
2,000 RWF
Sugar-free cola
2,500 RWF
Carbonated mineral water
2,500 RWF
Still mineral water
2,000 RWF
Orange, grapefruit, or a seasonal blend
5,000 RWF
Classic black, hibiscus berry, or a rotating house made flavor (e.g., peach rosemary)
5,000 RWF
Sparkling water with a choice of fresh fruit puree (e.g., strawberry, mango) or a splash of lime and mint
5,000 RWF
A classic thirst quencher made with fresh lemons and a touch of sweetness
5,000 RWF
A variety of brewed coffees, espressos, and lattes to jumpstart your day or provide an afternoon pick-me-up
4,000 RWF
A selection of premium loose-leaf teas available by the pot
4,000 RWF
Creamy cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries
15,000 RWF
Smooth vanilla custard with a crisp caramelized sugar top
20,000 RWF
Tangy lemon filling in a buttery crust with vanilla pastry cream
12,000 RWF
Fresh seasonal fruits served as a light dessert
8,000 RWF
What our valued guests say about Essence
The food was absolutely delicious. Our server was attentive and friendly, making our dining experience truly memorable. We'll definitely be back!
Essence is my go-to place for business dinners in Kigali. The ambiance is sophisticated, the food is exceptional, and the staff understand the perfect balance of attentiveness without intrusion. The wine selection is also remarkable.
Business Executive
This was one of my favorite restaurants during my visit. My husband is Nigerian and we just had to look for a nice Nigerian restaurant in Kigali. This restaurant is right near the airport and is really great for tourist. The restaurant its self is immaculate. I haven’t seen anything like it. I will be back!
Tourist from Nigeria
Join us for an unforgettable dining experience
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