Beyond chips: Eight elegant side dishes to elevate your meal

For many diners exploring new restaurants, there is often a hesitation to try unfamiliar dishes.

The fear of disliking a choice can overshadow the entire dining experience. As a result, ordering fries, often considered a safe bet, has become a common fallback.

“I think fries are a safe choice. At the end of the day, I’m paying for the meal, so I’ll try different things, but fries will always be on my order because I love them. You really can’t go wrong with fries,” Keziah Wanjiku, a foodie, told The Eastleigh Voice on Friday.

The humble plate of fries, known locally by many as chips, continues to dominate casual menus across Kenya.

However, in the country’s top-tier hotels and restaurants, a subtle shift is underway. Chefs are crafting more elegant, health-conscious, and flavorful side dishes that enhance the dining experience, and guests are taking notice.

At Nairobi’s five-star establishments, from the Fairmont The Norfolk to Hemingway Karen, potatoes are no longer the sole side option stealing the spotlight.

Instead, diners are increasingly presented with a variety of refined accompaniments that reflect both global culinary trends and a growing appetite for sophisticated alternatives.

“We’ve seen guests asking for lighter, more creative sides,” said Emmanuel Kamau, an executive chef at a leading city hotel. “They want flavour, presentation, and variety, not just fried food.”

Here are eight side dishes that are replacing chips in luxury dining rooms, sides that pair beautifully with everything from grilled chicken to seared salmon.

Truffle mashed potatoes

Truffle mashed potatoes are a refined and indulgent side dish made by blending creamy mashed potatoes with fragrant truffle oil or butter.

Instead of regular butter, truffle butter imparts a distinctive, earthy, and slightly nutty taste that adds depth and sophistication.

This combination delivers a rich, earthy flavour and smooth texture that elevates any meal, making it a popular choice in upscale dining. You can have it with roasted or grilled chicken, steak, or seafood for a luxurious and well-rounded plate.

Cauliflower fries

Cauliflower fries are a modern, healthier alternative to traditional chips made by coating cauliflower florets in a light batter or seasoned breading before baking or air-frying until crispy.

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They offer a satisfying crunch with a mild, slightly nutty flavour and are lower in carbs and calories.

This guilt-free side is popular in upscale restaurants seeking to combine indulgence with nutritious ingredients. You can have it with grilled chicken, fish, or a fresh salad for a balanced and flavourful meal.

Grilled seasonal vegetables

Grilled or roasted vegetables are a colourful and flavorful side dish, featuring seasonal produce like zucchini, bell peppers, French beans, eggplant, asparagus and carrots, lightly seasoned and cooked to bring out their natural sweetness and smoky undertones.

Often, the preparation highlights the freshness and texture of the vegetables while keeping the dish light and nutritious. You can have it with grilled chicken, fish, or a hearty grain bowl of rice for a vibrant and wholesome meal.

Sweet potato wedges

Sweet potato wedges are a delicious and nutritious alternative to regular fries, featuring thick-cut sweet potatoes roasted or baked until crispy on the outside and tender inside.

Often seasoned with spices like paprika, cinnamon, or rosemary, they offer a perfect balance of natural sweetness and savory warmth. You can have them with grilled chicken, roasted meats, or a fresh salad to add both flavour and colour to your meal.

Crispy onion rings

Onion rings are a classic side dish featuring thick slices of onion dipped in a crispy batter or breadcrumb coating and deep-fried until they are golden and crunchy.

They offer a satisfying texture and sweet, savoury flavour that complements a wide range of dishes, but you can have them with grilled chicken, burgers, or barbecue dishes for a delicious and indulgent accompaniment.

Pasta (Macaroni, cheese spaghetti or penne pasta)

Pasta sides offer versatile and flavorful complements to any meal. Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort dish featuring tender elbow macaroni baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce, often enriched with cheddar or gruyere for extra richness.

Spaghetti, with its long, thin strands, can be served simply tossed in olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs or lightly dressed with a delicate tomato or cream sauce, making it an elegant yet familiar side.

Meanwhile, pesto pasta, typically made with penne or fusilli, features a vibrant sauce of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan, and olive oil, providing a fresh, aromatic contrast that pairs beautifully with grilled or roasted proteins.

You can have any of these pasta dishes alongside roasted chicken, grilled meats, seafood, bread or steamed vegetables for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Mushroom medley and cucumber-dill yoghurt salad

Salads offer fresh and flavorful complements to any meal. The mushroom medley features a mix of wild mushrooms sautéed with herbs and white wine, creating an earthy and aromatic side that enhances roasted or grilled dishes.

The cucumber-dill yoghurt salad combines crisp cucumber slices with creamy yoghurt, fragrant dill, and a touch of lemon, delivering a cool and tangy contrast that refreshes the palate. You can enjoy these salads alongside grilled chicken, seafood, or hearty mains for a balanced and satisfying plate.

Creamy polenta

Polenta is somewhat similar to ugali in that both are made from ground grains cooked into a thick, porridge-like consistency.

However, while ugali, made from maize flour, is typically served firm to scoop up stews and sauces, polenta is made from yellow cornmeal and can be prepared either creamy and soft, like Nigerian pap, or allowed to set, then sliced and grilled or fried.

It is often enriched with butter, cheese, or herbs, so it offers a richer and more complex flavour profile.

Polenta pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, grilled chicken, or vegetable dishes, adding warmth and richness to any meal. “It’s encouraging to see hospitality moving beyond chips,” said Kamau.

“Roasted vegetables, mushrooms, and even cauliflower fries are not just trendy, they’re smarter for your health.”

Chips will always have their place. But in today’s finer dining circles, tasteful sides are a new luxury.

Which side would you swap your chips for? Let us know in the comments.