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The Rock restaurant on its coral outcrop, with exposed reef rock and sand in the foreground at low tide.

Mzungu Zanzibar guide

Spice, Sea & Supper: Where to Eat in Zanzibar

From a restaurant on a rock in the sea to Stone Town's night market — where to eat on the island, and what to order.

Find your spot The restaurants

Low tide: the sea pulls back across the reef flat and you can walk out to the rock. Photo: Oliver Schoepgens (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit

Last reviewed by our editors on 23 October 2026

Where are you?

Tap your area to see just the restaurants around you.

Zanzibar eats well — if you know where to look.

This is the island of spices: cloves, cardamom and cinnamon in the pilau, octopus curry in coconut, the catch of the morning grilled on the beach at dusk. Swahili, Omani, Indian and Italian cooking have all left their mark, and the best tables come with a view of a dhow sail crossing the sunset.

This guide picks the island's best restaurants, from fine dining and a restaurant on a rock in the sea to rooftop terraces, beach grills and the local cafés where Zanzibaris eat — with what to order, when to go and what to know before you book.

Join Mzungu Zanzibar to share your favourite restaurants, review places in the directory and ask locals for advice. The guide itself is free to read.

How to read this guide

Our picks, checked practicalities
Why a restaurant is here is the editors' judgement. Opening, booking, location and what's served were checked against the restaurant's own site and recent reviews on the date shown. The dishes named are the ones diners and menus single out — not first-hand tasting notes.
Price bands, never prices
$ is a local café, $$ a comfortable mid-range meal, $$$ upscale, and $$$$ a special-occasion splurge. Menus and prices change, so check before you go.

About the photographs. They come from the restaurants' own websites and from photographers on Flickr and Wikimedia Commons, each credited beneath the picture and linked to where it came from. They're shared here to celebrate these places. If one is yours and you'd like it removed or credited differently, we'll gladly do it — contact Mzungu Zanzibar.

Find your spot

Groupings are our suggestions to help you choose, not a ranking — the restaurants are listed by area, from Stone Town round the north and down the east coast to the south.

A special occasion

Book ahead and dress up a little.

Dinner with a sunset

West-facing tables where the sun goes down over the water.

Seafood

The island's catch, from white tablecloths to tables on the sand.

Eat like a local

Zanzibari and Swahili cooking at local prices.

Vegetarian and vegan

Where meat-free eaters do best.

Breakfast and brunch

Coffee, juices and a slow start.

A change from seafood

Burgers, pizza and the island's other kitchens, for when you've had your fill of grilled fish.

Good value

Eating well without spending much.

Cocktails and a view

For sundowners as much as dinner.

The restaurants

Twenty-one places to eat, by area: Stone Town, the north, then the east and south coasts. Tap any photo to see them all.

  1. 1. The Tea House at Emerson Spice · Restaurant
  2. 2. 6 Degrees South · Restaurant
  3. 3. Cape Town Fish Market · Restaurant
  4. 4. The 5th at Upendo House · Restaurant
  5. 5. Lukmaan · Restaurant
  6. 6. Abyssinian Maritim · Restaurant
  7. 7. Forodhani night market · Street food
  8. 8. Sexy Fish at The Z Hotel · Restaurant
  9. 9. Fisherman's Seafood & Grill · Restaurant
  10. 10. Fish Market Local Restaurant · Restaurant
  11. 11. Kajibange · Restaurant
  12. 12. Makofi · Restaurant
  13. 13. Hanoi House Nungwi · Restaurant
  14. 14. Passion & Thyme · Restaurant
  15. 15. Organzibar · Restaurant
  16. 16. Kae Funk Sunset Beach Bar · Restaurant
  17. 17. Boho Social at Upendo Beach · Restaurant
  18. 18. The Rock · Restaurant
  19. 19. Mr. Kahawa · Restaurant
  20. 20. Chez Hassan · Restaurant
  21. 21. Fahari Off The Grid · Restaurant

1. Stone Town · West coast

The Tea House at Emerson Spice

An eight-course seafood tasting menu on a rooftop above the old town.

The sun setting over Stone Town's rooftops, framed by the carved wooden fretwork of the Tea House
Sunset over Stone Town from the Tea House. Photo: Emerson Spice Hotel, Shared with credit
Set tables under the Tea House's carved wooden arches with tin roofs of Stone Town and the sea beyond
The rooftop Tea House by day. Photo: Emerson Spice Hotel, Shared with credit
Tables laid with colourful cloths along the covered rooftop terrace in late-afternoon light
Tables laid for dinner on the rooftop. Photo: Emerson Spice Hotel, Shared with credit
Grilled prawns on a skewer over pineapple on a white plate
A prawn course. Photo: Emerson Spice Hotel, Shared with credit
Diners at candlelit tables on the Tea House rooftop after dark
Dinner service after dark. Photo: Chelsea Dennison / Emerson Spice Hotel, Shared with credit

Tap any photo to see all 6.

The rooftop pavilion of Emerson Spice hotel, framed in carved wooden fretwork, looks out over Stone Town's tin roofs and minarets to the sea. By day it serves an à la carte lunch; in the evening, sundowners and then a set eight-course seafood tasting menu with Swahili-coast flavours, at one seating.

Hearing the call to prayer rise from the mosques below as the light goes is part of the experience.

Why it's in this guide

Stone Town's most memorable dinner: refined Swahili-coast cooking with the whole old town spread out around you.

When to go

Come for sundowners from 18:00 and stay for the tasting menu. Lunch is served daily from 12:30 to 16:00.

Booking and getting there

Booking is required and it often books out. Dinner is one fixed seating — the hotel gives the start time as 19:00 on one page and 18:00 on another, so confirm when you book. Swahili high tea is available by pre-order.

What to order

The September 2026 tasting menu includes smoked sailfish rillette, a crudo course, Zanzibar lobster bisque in saffron-coconut broth, coconut-crusted kingfish and a spiced chocolate tart; there's an optional wine pairing.

Worth knowing

  • Lots of steep stairs and no lift.
  • Dinner is a fixed seafood menu — check special diets with the hotel; lunch has a vegetarian main.
  • Not to be confused with Emerson on Hurumzi, a separate hotel.

2. Stone Town (Shangani) · West coast

6 Degrees South

A seafront rooftop grill and wine bar built for sundowners.

Grilled prawns, a lobster and two bright cocktails on a rooftop table with the sea behind
Prawns, lobster and cocktails on the rooftop terrace, sea view behind. Photo: 6 Degrees South, Shared with credit
Seafood plates and a bottle of rosé on a terrace table at sunset over the sea
Sunset table on the terrace. Photo: 6 Degrees South, Shared with credit
The sun setting over the Indian Ocean seen from a terrace table above the Shangani shore
Sunset over the ocean from the terrace. Photo: 6 Degrees South, Shared with credit
A seafood platter with lobster, mussels and calamari on ice beside a wine bucket
Seafood platter. Photo: 6 Degrees South, Shared with credit
Close-up of grilled octopus garnished with red cabbage and herbs
Grilled octopus. Photo: 6 Degrees South, Shared with credit

Tap any photo to see all 6.

On the Shangani waterfront, 6 Degrees South has a dining room downstairs and a rooftop bar upstairs facing west over the sea — one of Stone Town's classic sunset spots, with live Afro-jazz at happy hour and DJ or themed nights.

The kitchen grills island seafood alongside Western favourites.

Why it's in this guide

Sunset cocktails and a seafood platter over the water, in the heart of town.

When to go

Happy hour (16:00–19:00) into sunset — ask for a table upstairs.

Booking and getting there

Book for sunset and ask specifically for the rooftop. Open daily from midday to midnight.

What to order

Diners recommend the seafood platter and lobster specials, coconut fish curry, calamari, grilled prawns with coconut rice and the mushroom arancini.

Worth knowing

  • Service can be slow when it's busy.
  • Music can be very loud on DJ nights.
  • Little shade on the upper terrace before sunset.

3. Stone Town (Forodhani) · West coast

Cape Town Fish Market

Seafood and sushi in a pavilion on a pier over the water.

A long pavilion on stilts over turquoise water off the Forodhani seafront, with boats moored offshore
UNVERIFIED — the pier pavilion at Forodhani, photographed in 2018. Photo: Linda De Volder (Flickr), CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Overhead view of small plates of fried seafood bites, mussels and prawns on a dark table
UNVERIFIED — seafood small plates (brand photo) Photo: Cape Town Fish Market Zanzibar, Shared with credit
A row of salmon-topped sushi rolls on a pale blue plate
UNVERIFIED — sushi rolls (brand photo) Photo: Cape Town Fish Market Zanzibar, Shared with credit

The Zanzibar branch of the South African seafood chain sits in the pier pavilion at Forodhani, over the water beside the Old Fort and the night market. The menu mixes South African and Japanese cooking — a sushi belt, grills, fish and chips and seafood platters — with some Swahili-spiced dishes.

Outdoor tables catch the sunset, and there's live music most nights.

Why it's in this guide

Reliable seafood and sushi with a sunset view, right on the seafront — and one of the most-reviewed restaurants in Stone Town.

When to go

Sunset, then dinner. The kitchen is open daily from 09:00 to 23:00.

Booking and getting there

Book online through its website, especially for groups and the sunset tables.

What to order

Diners recommend the seafood platters, sushi and sashimi (including the volcano roll), popcorn shrimp, crispy calamari and the passion fruit juice.

Worth knowing

  • Some reviewers say it feels like a chain, and find it relatively pricey.
  • Occasional reports of overcooked fish.
  • Not the same as the 'Forodhani Floating Restaurant' that used the pier before it.

4. Stone Town · West coast

The 5th at Upendo House

Fusion cooking with a panoramic view, and a rooftop pool bar above.

A rooftop deck with yellow loungers beside a pool under a pink sunset sky, a covered bar behind
The 5th rooftop at sunset. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Two cocktails on a parapet with the sun setting behind Stone Town's rooftops and a tower
Sundowners over Stone Town. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar, Shared with credit
A wooden rooftop deck with yellow cushions and a lounge, overlooking Stone Town and the harbour
The rooftop deck by day. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Three orange cocktails garnished with pineapple and herbs, Stone Town rooftops behind
Cocktails on the rooftop. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar, Shared with credit
A cocktail on a wooden walkway between yellow loungers, the harbour and ships beyond
Harbour view from the rooftop. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar, Shared with credit

At Upendo House, a boutique hotel in central Stone Town, the panoramic restaurant serves fusion food — Indian, Swahili and Mediterranean — made with fresh local ingredients. Above it, the fifth-floor rooftop has a pool deck and cocktail bar with views over the town and harbour.

Why it's in this guide

A stylish rooftop for a sunset cocktail, with dinner a floor below.

When to go

The rooftop bar opens at 17:00 for sunset; the restaurant serves from 08:00 to 22:00.

Booking and getting there

Book through the hotel's website. The rooftop bar is small (30 people, groups of up to four), hotel guests have priority, and non-guests pay a non-refundable entrance fee that's redeemable against food and drink. No meals are served on the rooftop itself.

What to order

Diners mention the sticky chilli chicken, tuna poke bowl, truffle fries, risotto and flourless chocolate cake.

Worth knowing

  • Recent reviews are mixed: slow service, forgotten orders and small portions for the price.
  • Entry to the rooftop bar is at management's discretion.

5. Stone Town (Mkunazini) · West coast

Lukmaan

Stone Town's favourite local canteen: biryani, curries and fresh juices.

A plate of pilau rice with salad, a bowl of spinach and a dish of green bananas in sauce
Green bananas, spinach and pilau (September 2025) Photo: T S (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
Staff serving from steel trays of curries, rice and stews at the counter
The serve-yourself counter of hot dishes. Photo: brbbrb (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
An open-air terrace with wooden tables and chairs under a tree canopy
The upstairs terrace seating. Photo: Carlos L (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
A large baobab tree spreading over a low building with a striped awning bearing the Lukmaan name
The restaurant beside the Mkunazini baobab. Photo: ivovx (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
A plate of pilau rice with a piece of meat in dark sauce and a folded chapati
Meat, rice and chapati. Photo: brbbrb (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit

Tap any photo to see all 6.

A busy, simple canteen by the big baobab on New Mkunazini Road, near the old slave market and the Anglican cathedral. You choose at the counter from trays of curries, stews, rice and grilled fish and meat, and usually pay up front.

It has won awards for the best local dining experience, and it's where many visitors first try real Zanzibari home-style food.

Why it's in this guide

The easiest introduction to everyday Zanzibari food, at local prices.

When to go

Lunch, or breakfast — open daily from 08:00 to 22:00, and busiest at lunchtime and weekends.

Booking and getting there

No booking — just turn up and choose at the counter.

What to order

Diners recommend the biryani and pilau, coconut fish or octopus curry, chapati with cassava-leaf curry, green bananas with spinach, and the fresh juices and spiced coffee.

Worth knowing

  • Crowded and hurried; a few recent reviews mention tough meat and lapses in hygiene.
  • Bring Tanzanian shillings — one recent diner got a poor rate paying in dollars.
  • No alcohol, as far as we could find.

6. Stone Town (Vuga) · West coast

Abyssinian Maritim

Ethiopian injera platters and a coffee ceremony in a courtyard.

A round platter of injera topped with many stews, vegetables and sambusa
Mixed platter on injera. Photo: Abyssinian Maritim, Shared with credit
A corner of the dining room with bright green walls, shelves of plants and a woven mesob table
The dining room. Photo: Abyssinian Maritim, Shared with credit
Sizzling lamb tibs with peppers and tomato served in a clay burner
Lamb tibs. Photo: Abyssinian Maritim, Shared with credit
Two tall glasses of layered red hibiscus and lemon juice
Hibiscus and lemon juice. Photo: Abyssinian Maritim, Shared with credit
A large shared platter of injera with stews and vegetables on a colourful basket table
Shared platter (February 2026) Photo: pensivelaw1 (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit

Tap any photo to see all 6.

A long-standing Ethiopian restaurant in a courtyard near the Vuga roundabout, where you eat with your hands from shared platters of injera topped with stews and stir-fries. It offers a traditional coffee ceremony, with roasting, incense and popcorn.

Why it's in this guide

Stone Town's affordable 'something different' — and one of the best places on the island for vegetarians.

When to go

Lunch or a long, relaxed dinner; it's open for lunch and dinner most days, with a break in the afternoon.

Booking and getting there

Book online through its website, especially for groups or a coffee ceremony. It's a short walk outside the tourist core.

What to order

Diners recommend the kitfo, doro wat, lamb tibs, shiro wat, the vegetarian combination platter, sambusa and the hibiscus-lemon juice.

Worth knowing

  • Ethiopian, not Zanzibari — come for the change.
  • Relaxed service: plan on a long meal.

7. Stone Town (Forodhani Gardens) · West coast

Forodhani night market

Zanzibar pizza, seafood skewers and sugar-cane juice under the lamps by the sea.

Lantern-lit food stalls under trees at dusk, with the House of Wonders lit up behind
The market at dusk below the House of Wonders. Photo: Rod Waddington (Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 2.0
A stall table piled with skewers of grilled meat and seafood, chapatis, samosas and bananas
Skewers, breads and snacks on a stall. Photo: David Berkowitz (Flickr), CC BY 2.0
Cooks in white hats behind lantern-lit tables of seafood and skewers at night
Stalls lit by lanterns. Photo: snowflakegirl (Flickr), CC BY 2.0
A seafront stall at dusk displaying lobsters, crabs and skewers beside a lantern, with the sea behind
A seafood stall on the waterfront. Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim (Wikimedia Commons), GFDL 1.2
A vendor turning a hand-cranked press to squeeze sugarcane, with stalls being set up behind
Pressing sugarcane juice as the market sets up. Photo: Wendy Tanner (Flickr), CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Tap any photo to see all 6.

Every evening, stalls set up in Forodhani Gardens on the seafront in front of the Old Fort, and by dark the whole waterfront is lit with lamps and grills. It's Stone Town's great open-air food hall.

Try a Zanzibar 'pizza' — a stuffed, folded pancake fried on a griddle, savoury or sweet — grilled seafood and meat skewers, urojo soup and freshly pressed sugar-cane juice with ginger and lime.

Why it's in this guide

The most Zanzibari night out there is: cheap, lively and right by the sea.

When to go

Stalls set up in the late afternoon; it's busiest from about 19:00 to 21:00, after the sunset over the harbour.

Booking and getting there

Walk in — it's a public park, free to enter. Pay stall by stall in small notes.

What to order

Zanzibar pizza (try banana and chocolate for pudding), octopus and prawn skewers, mishkaki, urojo, samosas and sugar-cane juice. Vegetarians can have vegetable or banana pizza, grilled cassava, sweet potato and corn.

Worth knowing

  • Agree the price before you order — quotes for visitors vary.
  • Choose busy stalls and have seafood grilled hot in front of you; avoid anything that's been sitting out.
  • No alcohol. Sellers will try to steer you to particular stalls.

8. Nungwi · Northern tip

Sexy Fish at The Z Hotel

Seafood on a deck over the sand, facing the sunset.

Sexy Fish's wooden dining deck on stilts above Nungwi beach at dusk, lit from inside, with The Z Hotel behind
Sexy Fish's deck over the beach at dusk. Photo: The Z Hotel Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Laid tables on a covered wooden deck looking west over the sea as the sun sets
Sunset over the sea from the dining deck. Photo: The Z Hotel Zanzibar, Shared with credit
A bowl of lobster and prawn with vegetables, lime and an edible pansy
A lobster and prawn dish (file named Sexy Fish) Photo: The Z Hotel Zanzibar, Shared with credit
The long covered dining deck with white-clothed tables, wicker chairs and an illuminated Sexy Fish sign
The dining deck, set for dinner. Photo: The Z Hotel Zanzibar, Shared with credit
A white plate of grilled octopus, squid and prawns with flowers and spiralised cucumber
UNVERIFIED — A seafood plate from The Z Hotel's kitchen Published in The Z Hotel's food-and-drink gallery; the page does not say which of the hotel's restaurants served this dish. Photo: The Z Hotel Zanzibar, Shared with credit

The Z Hotel's signature restaurant is an open-sided wooden deck built over Nungwi beach, facing west into the sunset. The cooking is contemporary seafood with Zanzibari ingredients and spices, served on white tablecloths with an international wine list.

Starters and small plates get the most praise — you can order a few in place of a main — and the setting makes it Nungwi's go-to for a special evening.

Why it's in this guide

Nungwi's special-occasion restaurant: polished seafood, a proper wine list and the sun going down right in front of you.

When to go

Dinner, arriving before sunset (roughly 18:15–18:45 all year) — dinner service starts at 18:30. Lunch is also served.

Booking and getting there

Book ahead — the hotel strongly recommends it. Open to non-residents. The hotel's restaurants closed for the green season from 1 April to 31 May in 2026, so check dates if you're visiting then.

What to order

Reviewers single out the lobster 'lollipop' wrapped in bacon and the tandoori octopus with mint dip; lobster tempura, crab curry and tuna ceviche also feature, though the menu changes.

Worth knowing

  • Pricier than most of Nungwi.
  • The deck is busiest at sunset — book that slot early.
  • The same hotel has a rooftop sunset bar (adults only) and a casual Asian-fusion restaurant if you want something lighter.

9. Nungwi · Northern tip

Fisherman's Seafood & Grill

Fresh seafood at tables on the sand, with live music some nights.

Outdoor tables on the sand under string lights, with the Fisherman's Grill sign on a green wall and the sun setting over the sea
Beach tables at sunset, beside the Fisherman's Grill sign. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A grilled spiny lobster served on a wooden board with grilled lemon, chillies and a small glass of sauce
Grilled lobster on a wooden board. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A table on Nungwi beach at sunset, with the restaurant's thatched building and lit sign to the left
Sunset from a beach table. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
Turquoise water, small boats and white sand on the beach in front of the resort
The beach in front of the resort, not the restaurant. Photo: Islandwize (islandwize.co.za), resort marketing photo, Shared with credit
A band performing on a lit stage set on the sand at night, in front of a thatched building
UNVERIFIED — a live band on the sand at the resort; not confirmed to be at Fisherman's. Photo: Islandwize (islandwize.co.za), resort marketing photo, Shared with credit

The beachfront restaurant of Turaco Nungwi resort serves seafood and grills à la carte, with tables on the sand and indoors, both looking straight out to sea.

It's one of the most-reviewed restaurants in Nungwi, praised for fresh fish, attentive service and sunset views.

Why it's in this guide

Reliable, well-run seafood on the beach — a safe choice for a relaxed sunset dinner.

When to go

Late afternoon into dinner, for the sunset over the beach.

Booking and getting there

Booking recommended. It's inside the resort on Nungwi beach; outside diners and day-pass visitors eat here too.

What to order

Diners recommend the tuna, grilled lobster, jumbo garlic prawns and the seafood platter.

Worth knowing

  • Ratings vary a lot between sites (excellent on Tripadvisor, more mixed on Google).
  • Some recent reviews mention long waits when busy and high prices for non-seafood dishes.
  • Published opening days conflict — check before you go.

10. Nungwi · Northern tip

Fish Market Local Restaurant

Pick your fish from the display and eat it with your feet in the sand.

A whole fried red snapper with chips, rice, salad and lime on a white plate
Whole fried fish with chips, rice and salad. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
Grilled fish, noodles and a glass of juice on a table on the sand, with the sea and boats behind
Grilled fish and juice at a table on the sand. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
Fishing dhows moored off a white-sand beach in turquoise water
Fishing dhows off Nungwi beach (context, not the restaurant) Photo: www.j-pics.info on Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Boats beached at low tide in Nungwi harbour, with Ras Nungwi lighthouse among palms
Nungwi harbour and Ras Nungwi lighthouse (context) Photo: mattk1979 on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Silhouetted fishermen standing in the sea beside a boat under an orange sunset sky
Fishermen at sunset in Nungwi (context) Photo: mattk1979 on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

A simple, locally run seafood grill on Nungwi beach, right beside the village fish market where the dhows land their catch each morning. You choose from the display and it comes grilled or fried, with rice, chips, vegetables or salad.

Tables sit on the sand under a thatched roof, looking out at the fishing boats — about as close to the source as seafood gets.

Why it's in this guide

The most honest seafood meal in Nungwi, at local prices.

When to go

Lunch, or an early dinner as the boats come and go. Listed as open daily from 10:00 to 21:30.

Booking and getting there

No booking — just turn up. It's on the beach by the fish market.

What to order

Diners recommend the grilled octopus, prawn curry, kingfish with rice and chips, the mango-avocado salad and the fresh juices.

Worth knowing

  • Expect a long wait when it's busy.
  • Reportedly no alcohol, and probably cash only.
  • Limited for vegetarians beyond salads, rice and chips.

11. Nungwi · Northern tip

Kajibange

A reggae beach bar by the fishing boats: swim, eat, then chill.

The Kajibange bar sign in Rasta colours under a timber roof
The bar, with its Kajibange sign. Photo: Mzungu Zanzibar directory, Shared with credit
Tables and chairs on white sand facing a turquoise sea with fishing boats
Tables on the sand, looking out at Nungwi's fishing boats. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
Sun loungers and a thatched parasol in front of the bar and a painted half-dhow
Loungers on the beach, with the bar's painted dhow behind. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A sandy-floored bar with painted ceiling, wooden tables and a long counter
Inside the beach bar. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A plate of samosas with chilli sauce on a table by the beach at sunset
Samosas at sunset. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit

A laid-back bar and guest house right on Nungwi beach beside the fishing boats, with a lounge built from half a painted dhow, loungers on the sand and reggae playing.

It's somewhere to spend the afternoon: swim, eat something good, have a fresh juice made with no added sugar, then stay on for cocktails as the sun goes down.

Why it's in this guide

Great vibes and one of the best places on the beach to swim, eat and chill — the most relaxed afternoon in Nungwi.

When to go

Afternoon into sunset — Nungwi's west-facing beach gets the sunset over the sea.

Booking and getting there

No booking needed; just walk along the beach. It's in Nungwi, by the fishing boats.

What to order

Fresh juices with no added sugar, the octopus salad, calamari curry, samosas and the cocktails.

Worth knowing

  • A beach bar first: relaxed, unhurried service — settle in for the afternoon.

12. Nungwi · Northern tip

Makofi

The best burgers in Nungwi, crisp Roman pizza and great music in a garden.

A thin, crisp pizza base on a peel in front of a wood fire
A crisp Roman-style pizza in front of the wood fire. Photo: Makofi Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Close-up of a white pizza topped with octopus, cheese and parsley
Octopus pizza (Polpo e Purè, per the file name) Photo: Makofi Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Close-up of a Margherita pizza with a blistered, crunchy base
Margherita with a thin, crunchy base. Photo: Makofi Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Close-up of a white pizza with pecorino, black pepper and crisp pork cheek
Gricia pizza with pecorino and guanciale. Photo: Makofi Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Turquoise water and white sand on Nungwi beach seen from above, with a dhow offshore
Nungwi beach, a short walk from Makofi (not the restaurant) Photo: Makofi Zanzibar, Shared with credit

In the sandy garden of Makofi Guest House, a short walk from Nungwi beach, this relaxed restaurant serves burgers, thin and crunchy Roman-style pizza made with imported Italian ingredients, seafood, pasta and daily Zanzibari specials.

There's always good music, and once or twice a week it holds BBQ or buffet nights with a fire show, announced on its Instagram.

Why it's in this guide

Our pick for the best burgers on the island — with great vibes, good food all round and wonderful music, it's one of the most enjoyable evenings in Nungwi.

When to go

Evenings, especially a BBQ night. Listed as open daily from 12:00 to 22:00.

Booking and getting there

No booking needed for à la carte; book BBQ and buffet nights in advance (the guest house asks before 13:00 on the day). Takeaway and delivery by WhatsApp.

What to order

The burgers, the Roman-style pizzas (including an octopus pizza), grilled octopus, fish coconut curry and the BBQ spread.

Worth knowing

  • Service slows down when it's busy, and some reviewers had orders mixed up.
  • In a garden away from the sea — no sea view.

13. Nungwi · Northern tip

Hanoi House Nungwi

Vietnamese street food and coconut coffee in a lantern-lit café.

The orange dining room in the evening under colourful silk lanterns
The dining room under silk lanterns in the evening. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A plate of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, meat and fresh herbs
Stir-fried noodles with fresh herbs. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
Diners at wooden tables in a bright orange room with plants and a Hanoi House sign on the wall
The dining room at Hanoi House Nungwi. Photo: Kim Dining Concept, Shared with credit
A slate board of dumplings, bao buns, spring rolls and summer rolls with dipping sauces
UNVERIFIED — dumplings, bao and rolls from the Hanoi House brand, possibly photographed at another branch. Photo: Kim Dining Concept, Shared with credit
A bowl of chicken noodle soup with herbs and bean sprouts, chopsticks lifting noodles
UNVERIFIED — a bowl of phở from the Hanoi House brand, possibly photographed at another branch. Photo: Kim Dining Concept, Shared with credit

The Nungwi branch of the Hanoi House cafés, from the team behind Zanzibar's first Vietnamese restaurant, serves Vietnamese coffee and street food all day in a small orange room hung with silk lanterns.

Nearly everything comes in a vegetarian or vegan version, and the homemade soy sauce and chilli get special mention.

Why it's in this guide

A fresh, light change from grilled fish — and the best bet in Nungwi for vegetarians and vegans.

When to go

Lunch or an early dinner; it's open daily from 11:00 to 23:00, and some dishes sell out later on.

Booking and getting there

Walk in, or reserve by WhatsApp. It's on the main Nungwi road, a short walk from the beach.

What to order

Diners recommend the bao buns, hand-folded dumplings, phở made with a 24-hour broth, summer rolls and the coconut coffee.

Worth knowing

  • On a busy road — some traffic noise and dust.
  • A fairly small menu, and popular dishes can sell out.

14. Nungwi · Northern tip

Passion & Thyme

A French-run café, juice bar and deli under a thatched pergola.

The café's entrance under a stick-thatched pergola, with a Passion & Thyme Eatery Juice Deli sign and tables on sand
The entrance and courtyard tables. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A platter of cut mango, watermelon, star fruit and limes topped with coconut and seeds
UNVERIFIED — a tropical fruit platter, listed among the café's photos. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit

A small, French-run eatery near the centre of Nungwi serving homemade bread, sandwiches and paninis, quiches, salads, pastries and freshly pressed juices in a sandy courtyard under a stick-thatch pergola.

It has an unusually wide vegetarian and vegan choice for Zanzibar.

Why it's in this guide

The best breakfast-and-lunch stop in Nungwi, and a treat for vegetarians.

When to go

Breakfast and lunch — it's a daytime and early-evening café rather than a dinner spot.

Booking and getting there

No booking needed. It's in Nungwi village, near Nungwi House.

What to order

Diners recommend the paninis, build-your-own salads, quiche, homemade cakes and the watermelon, pineapple and ginger juice.

Worth knowing

  • Some reviewers find it pricey, because many ingredients are imported.
  • Opening hours vary between listings — check before a late visit.

15. Kendwa · North-west coast

Organzibar

Organic, farm-to-table cooking from its own Zanzibar farms.

Organzibar's thatched building behind tropical planting beside the road, with a menu board out front
The thatched restaurant on the Kendwa road. Photo: Organzibar, Shared with credit
Two slices of avocado toast with boiled eggs and lime on a wooden plate
Avocado toast with egg. Photo: Organzibar, Shared with credit
A wooden plate of fried calamari and chips with mango salsa and sauces, held out among leaves
Calamari with chips and mango salsa. Photo: Organzibar, Shared with credit
A whole spiced fried fish with a rice cake and mango-avocado salad on a wooden plate
Whole spiced fish with rice and salsa. Photo: Organzibar, Shared with credit
A wooden plate with grilled vegetables, mango-avocado salad, a rice cake and a creamy topping, on a woven mat
A vegetable plate with mango-avocado salad. Photo: Organzibar, Shared with credit

A casual café-restaurant on the Kendwa main road that cooks with produce from its two Zanzibar farms — no seed oils, no processed food and no added sugar, by its own account. It serves from breakfast to dinner.

Smoothie bowls and fresh juices share the menu with catch of the day, goat curry and vegan coconut beans and rice.

Why it's in this guide

Wholesome, organic food made from island-grown produce — rare on Zanzibar — from breakfast right through to dinner.

When to go

Any time of day: breakfast, lunch or dinner. Open daily from 08:00 to 23:00, according to its site.

Booking and getting there

Booking optional (online form). It's inland on the Kendwa main road. Takeaway and delivery available.

What to order

Diners recommend the mango juice, smoothie bowls, avocado toast, grilled octopus, goat curry, wali maharage (coconut beans and rice) and the lime-cashew cheesecake.

Worth knowing

  • Disclosure: Organzibar is connected to the people behind Mzungu Zanzibar. It's included because independent reviews are strong — judge it on those.
  • Not on the beach — no sea view.
  • Fewer independent reviews than most places here.

16. Michamvi Kae · South-east coast (Chwaka Bay side)

Kae Funk Sunset Beach Bar

The east coast's sunset party, reached along a boardwalk through the mangroves.

Several dhows sailing past at sunset while people sit along a low wall on the beach.
Dhows passing at sunset, with guests along the beach wall. Photo: SeattleCocktailCulture (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
A dhow under sail silhouetted against an orange sunset, with people standing in the shallows in the foreground.
Sunset over Chwaka Bay with a passing dhow. Photo: SeattleCocktailCulture (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
A long wooden boardwalk with rope railings running through mangrove trees.
The boardwalk through the mangroves that leads to the beach bar. Photo: SeattleCocktailCulture (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
Bare driftwood trees painted in bright colours standing in white sand under a blue sky.
Painted driftwood sculptures on the sand. Photo: SeattleCocktailCulture (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
Towering clouds over a calm bay, with small figures standing on the shoreline.
Big skies over the bay in front of Kae Funk. Photo: Stefan Schmid (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit

On the bay side of the Michamvi peninsula, a raised boardwalk through the mangroves leads to a sandy beach of swing beds, hammocks and painted driftwood sculptures, facing west across Chwaka Bay.

As the sun goes down over the bay and the dhows sail past, the DJs start and, on some evenings, acrobats and fire dancers perform. The food — grilled seafood and snacks — is secondary to the setting.

Why it's in this guide

One of the few places on the east coast to watch the sun set over the sea — with a party to match.

When to go

Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset for a good seat; it gets lively after dark.

Booking and getting there

No booking usually needed; many people come on organised sunset trips. Reports differ on an entry fee — some mention one (sometimes including a drink), others only on event nights — so check before you go.

What to order

Come for cocktails and the sunset rather than dinner; simple grilled seafood and snacks are on offer, with some vegetarian options.

Worth knowing

  • A party atmosphere: loud music and crowds at sunset.
  • Reviewers rate the food well below the setting; some suggest eating at a neighbouring bar instead.
  • Bring cash in shillings; basic toilets.

17. Michamvi Pingwe · South-east coast

Boho Social at Upendo Beach

A chic beach deck with a direct view of The Rock.

A beach deck with white daybeds and yellow cushions under thatched parasols; a small thatched building stands on a rock offshore.
The beach deck, with The Rock restaurant visible out at sea. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar / Boho Social, Shared with credit
Wooden tables and armchairs with yellow cushions on a deck under a thatched parasol, facing a turquoise sea.
Tables on the deck, facing the sea. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar / Boho Social, Shared with credit
A covered lounge with sofas and low tables opening onto the beach and sea under thatched parasols.
The covered lounge looking out to the beach. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar / Boho Social, Shared with credit
A prawn curry in a black bowl on a banana leaf with a bowl of white rice, against a yellow background.
Prawn curry with rice. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar / Boho Social, Shared with credit
Slices of pink seared tuna with a blue flower garnish on a speckled blue plate.
Seared tuna. Photo: Upendo Zanzibar / Boho Social, Shared with credit

Tap any photo to see all 6.

The beachfront restaurant of Upendo Beach hotel sits on Pingwe beach with daybeds, thatched parasols and a wooden deck looking straight out at The Rock across the lagoon.

The cooking is fusion — local seafood with Swahili, Indian, Thai and Japanese influences, sushi included — and Sunday brunch comes with a DJ.

Why it's in this guide

The stylish way to see The Rock: a long lunch on the sand with the lagoon in front of you.

When to go

Lunch or Sunday brunch, when the lagoon is at its brightest. Open daily from 08:00 to 22:00 (last orders 21:15).

Tide: At low tide the lagoon drains and you can watch people walking out to The Rock; at high tide it's turquoise to the reef.

Booking and getting there

Booking recommended for dinner and Sunday brunch. Open to non-residents.

What to order

Diners and the restaurant's own menu point to the crusted tuna, gambas pil-pil, crab and avocado salad and the sushi.

Worth knowing

  • Service is uneven in some reviews, with slow tables at busy times.
  • Some find portions small for the price.

18. Michamvi Pingwe · South-east coast

The Rock

Zanzibar's most famous restaurant: a thatched dining room on a coral rock in the sea.

The Rock restaurant on its coral outcrop, with exposed reef rock and sand in the foreground at low tide.
Low tide: the sea pulls back across the reef flat and you can walk out to the rock. Photo: Oliver Schoepgens (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
Aerial view looking straight down on a thatched building on a coral rock surrounded by turquoise shallows and reef.
From above: the thatched restaurant fills almost the whole coral outcrop, ringed by shallow turquoise water. Photo: The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar, Shared with credit
A small blue boat in the surf near the shore carrying guests, with the Rock restaurant behind it.
High tide: a short boat ride takes diners between the beach and the rock. Photo: Oliver Schoepgens (Flickr), All rights reserved — shared with credit
The restaurant's dining room under a high thatched (makuti) roof, with wooden tables and director's chairs.
The dining room under its high makuti thatch roof. Photo: The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar, Shared with credit
Two halves of a grilled spiny lobster dressed with herbs on a white plate.
Grilled lobster, one of the seafood dishes the restaurant shows on its own site. Photo: The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar, Shared with credit

Tap any photo to see all 6.

A one-room restaurant on a coral outcrop just off Pingwe beach, with windows on every side and the lagoon all around. Founded in 2011, it cooks seafood with Zanzibari ingredients and Italian technique.

You walk out across the sand at low tide and take the restaurant's boat at high tide — the arrival is half the experience.

Why it's in this guide

Nowhere else looks like it: one of the world's most photographed restaurants, and a once-in-a-trip occasion.

When to go

Choose a sitting that matches the tide you want — walking out at low tide, or the 'floating' rock at high tide. Evening sittings are candlelit.

Tide: At low tide you walk out over the sand; at high tide the restaurant's boat ferries you across. On the biggest tides or in rough sea, landings can be delayed by about 20 minutes.

Booking and getting there

Booking is essential and usually full in high season. Book online, with a non-refundable per-person deposit taken off the bill. Sittings last two hours, late arrivals can lose their table, and there are no drinks-only bookings. Smart-casual dress is suggested.

What to order

From the menu: grilled lobster, 'The Rock Special' mixed grill (lobster, king prawns, octopus and calamari), the catch of the day and coconut tiramisù.

Worth knowing

  • The most expensive meal on many visitors' trips — and recent reviews are split on whether the food matches the setting.
  • A busy icon: expect a tight schedule and other diners taking photos.
  • Seafood-heavy; ask about vegetarian options when booking.

19. Paje · South-east coast

Mr. Kahawa

Tanzanian coffee, brunch and fish curry under an almond tree on Paje beach.

Grilled king prawns with roasted vegetables and a pot of sauce on a white plate.
Grilled king prawns with vegetables. Photo: Mr. Kahawa, Shared with credit
An open-sided café under a high thatched roof, with tables and plants and the turquoise sea visible beyond.
The café under its thatched roof, opening straight onto the beach. Photo: Mr. Kahawa, Shared with credit
Slices of seared tuna with salad, a dipping sauce and bread on a white plate over a patterned orange cloth.
Seared tuna salad. Photo: Mr. Kahawa, Shared with credit
A breakfast bowl and a cappuccino with latte art on a wooden table, leafy plants behind.
Breakfast bowl and cappuccino. Photo: Mr. Kahawa, Shared with credit
A white sand beach and turquoise lagoon with a dhow under sail and a line of palms along the shore.
Paje beach in front of the café, with a dhow out on the lagoon. Photo: Mr. Kahawa, Shared with credit

Tap any photo to see all 6.

An open-sided, thatched beach café on Paje beach, open since 2014, serving single-origin Tanzanian Arabica, brunch and, in the evenings, Swahili-spiced curries and fresh fish.

It's the hub of Paje's kitesurfing crowd, with vegetarian and vegan options at every meal and live music on Thursday nights.

Why it's in this guide

The best coffee-and-brunch spot on the south-east coast, right on the sand.

When to go

Breakfast and brunch (from 08:00), or sundowners from the bar. Open daily until 21:30.

Booking and getting there

Walk in for breakfast and lunch; book dinner in peak months.

What to order

Diners recommend the iced latte, avocado toast, falafel wrap, the chef's Zanzibar-spiced fish curry and the homemade 'coconut snow' ice cream.

Worth knowing

  • Some reviewers find the food average or the waits long when busy.
  • Monkeys are around — keep an eye on your plate.

20. Jambiani · South-east coast

Chez Hassan

A small family kitchen cooking honest Swahili food in a Jambiani lane.

A simple thatched restaurant building on a sandy lane with a sign reading Chez Hassan above the entrance.
The entrance on a sandy village lane, sign and all. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
Two triangular samosas with a slaw garnish and a lime wedge on a white plate, a small cup of chili sauce beside it.
UNVERIFIED — Samosas with slaw and chili sauce. Photo attached to the venue's Google Maps listing (shown via Wanderlog); the photographer is not named and the exact venue is not independently confirmed, though it is consistent with other photos and reviews of this restaurant. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A curry in an orange sauce with a mound of rice and a few carrot sticks on a white plate.
UNVERIFIED — A Swahili-style curry with rice. Photo attached to the venue's Google Maps listing (shown via Wanderlog); the photographer is not named and the exact venue is not independently confirmed, though it is consistent with other photos and reviews of this restaurant. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A bean stew alongside folded chapati flatbread on a white plate.
UNVERIFIED — Beans with chapati. Photo attached to the venue's Google Maps listing (shown via Wanderlog); the photographer is not named and the exact venue is not independently confirmed, though it is consistent with other photos and reviews of this restaurant. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
Chips next to a piece of fish in a creamy sauce on a white plate.
UNVERIFIED — Fish in a coconut-style sauce with chips. Photo attached to the venue's Google Maps listing (shown via Wanderlog); the photographer is not named and the exact venue is not independently confirmed, though it is consistent with other photos and reviews of this restaurant. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit

A modest, family-run thatched dining room on a sandy lane a little back from Jambiani beach. Much of the cooking is done by Hassan's wife: fish in coconut sauce, octopus and calamari, Swahili curries with coconut rice, roti and samosas.

Reviewers call it an expat favourite for simple local food done well at fair prices.

Why it's in this guide

Real Zanzibari home cooking, the kind most visitors never find.

When to go

Lunch, or dinner ordered ahead. Listed as open daily from 12:00 to 22:00.

Booking and getting there

Book or order ahead for dinner — it can be hard to find after dark. It's in the Kikadini area of Jambiani.

What to order

Diners recommend the poisson cru (marinated raw fish), fish in coconut sauce, octopus and the Swahili curries with coconut rice.

Worth knowing

  • Slow service is the most common complaint — don't come in a hurry.
  • A halal kitchen: assume no alcohol, and bring cash.
  • Not on the beach.

21. Kizimkazi · Southern tip

Fahari Off The Grid

A chef-led, sustainable garden restaurant among the baobabs, facing the sunset.

Upcycled wooden pallet tables with patterned cushions and white cloths on a gravel garden floor beside a huge baobab trunk.
Pallet-wood tables in the garden, under the baobabs. Photo: Fahari Off the Grid, via The African Magazine, Shared with credit
A glazed fillet of fish on mash with roasted carrots and blue butterfly-pea flowers, on a pale green plate.
Baobab-glazed grouper, as served at Fahari (photo supplied by the restaurant). Photo: Fahari Off the Grid, via The African Magazine, Shared with credit
Tables with white cloths and wooden chairs under a shade sail among palms and pandanus trees on a gravel floor.
UNVERIFIED — The shaded dining area among the trees. Photo attached to the venue's Google Maps listing (shown via Wanderlog); the photographer is not named and the exact venue is not independently confirmed, though it is consistent with other photos and reviews of this restaurant. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A wooden board of grilled lobster, prawn skewers and fried calamari rings, with side dishes of fried plantain and greens.
UNVERIFIED — A shared seafood board with plantain and greens. Photo attached to the venue's Google Maps listing (shown via Wanderlog); the photographer is not named and the exact venue is not independently confirmed, though it is consistent with other photos and reviews of this restaurant. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit
A small dessert plate with a round cake and a quenelle of cream topped with a blue flower, on a rustic wooden table.
UNVERIFIED — A dessert of cake and cream (reviewers single out the pineapple cake). Photo attached to the venue's Google Maps listing (shown via Wanderlog); the photographer is not named and the exact venue is not independently confirmed, though it is consistent with other photos and reviews of this restaurant. Photo: Google Maps contributor (via Wanderlog), Shared with credit

Under baobab trees near the sea at Kizimkazi, at the island's southern tip, Jamaican-born chef Lij Heron — formerly of grand hotel kitchens in Dubai — cooks Jamaican and global dishes with Zanzibari ingredients, with a tasting menu on offer.

It's run with an unusual commitment to sustainability — upcycled furniture, rainwater harvesting, greywater gardens and local organic suppliers — and the hosts are known for their warmth.

Why it's in this guide

A destination dinner unlike anything else on the island, with sunset over the water.

When to go

Sunset into dinner — it faces south-west.

Booking and getting there

Book ahead: it's small, remote and opens on limited days. Published opening days conflict between sources, so phone or message before you make the drive.

What to order

Diners and features mention the jackfish escovitch ceviche, tuna glazed with roasted scotch bonnet and ginger on plantain mash, curry goat with caramelised pineapple, ugali fries with pili-pili mayo and baobab or tamarind iced teas.

Worth knowing

  • A long drive from Stone Town and the east-coast villages.
  • Mosquitoes at dusk (repellent is provided, reviewers say).
  • Its website wasn't loading when we checked — use its Instagram.

Every restaurant in our directory

All the restaurants listed in the Mzungu Zanzibar directory — with members' reviews, opening hours and maps. The list updates as new places are added.

See the whole directory

Before you go

A.Book the special ones

The best-known tables — The Rock, rooftop sunset terraces, tasting menus — fill up, especially from July to October and over Christmas and New Year. Book a day or two ahead, and more in peak weeks; some take a deposit.

For sunset, aim to be seated about an hour before the sun goes down. Close to the equator it sets at much the same time all year, roughly between 18:15 and 18:45.

B.Alcohol and Ramadan

Zanzibar is a mainly Muslim island. Hotels and tourist restaurants usually serve alcohol, but many local restaurants don't — the entries say which is which where we could confirm it.

During Ramadan many local cafés close in the daytime and open after sunset, when the evenings are lively; some venues stop serving alcohol or shorten their hours. It's polite not to eat, drink or smoke in the street by day during the fast.

C.Eating seafood well

Seafood is the reason to eat here — octopus, kingfish, red snapper, prawns, lobster and calamari. At the beach grills, ask what came in that day, and ask the price of lobster and large fish before it's cooked: it's often sold by weight.

Choose places that are busy and cook to order. Some diners avoid lobster and octopus in their closed seasons; a good restaurant will tell you what's in season.

D.Eat like a local

Look out for pilau and biryani, octopus or fish curry in coconut, urojo (Zanzibar mix, a tangy soup), mishkaki skewers, chapati, mandazi and fresh sugar-cane juice. Local cafés are cheap, quick and often the best food on the island, though they rarely serve alcohol and may close early.

Forodhani's night market is great fun; stick to food grilled in front of you, and agree the price before you order.

E.Paying and tipping

Upscale and hotel restaurants take cards, often with a surcharge; smaller places and beach grills may be cash only, in shillings or dollars. Carry some cash, and check the bill — service is sometimes included.

Tipping is appreciated rather than expected; around ten percent for good service at a sit-down restaurant is generous.

F.Getting there and back

Many of the best restaurants are a drive from where you're staying. Agree a taxi fare both ways before you set off, or ask your hotel to arrange a driver to wait or return. On the east coast, check whether your restaurant is reached across the beach — and what the tide will be doing when you leave.

A day of eating well

A few ways to string meals together in one area.

Stone Town

A local lunch, a rooftop sundowner and street food after dark.

  1. Lunch

    Lukmaan

    Choose at the counter: biryani, coconut curry, fresh juice.

  2. Sunset

    6 Degrees South

    Cocktails on the rooftop over the sea.

  3. After dark

    Forodhani night market

    Zanzibar pizza and sugar-cane juice by the water.

Nungwi

Juice and a deli lunch, an afternoon on the beach, then burgers and music.

  1. Breakfast or lunch

    Passion & Thyme

    Paninis, salads and fresh juices.

  2. Afternoon

    Kajibange

    Swim, eat, then chill with a cocktail as the sun goes down.

  3. Dinner

    Makofi

    Burgers and pizza in the garden, with great music.

The Michamvi peninsula

Lunch facing The Rock — or on it — and a sunset over Chwaka Bay.

  1. Lunch sitting

    The Rock

    Book a sitting that suits the tide.

  2. Or instead

    Boho Social at Upendo Beach

    A long lunch on the sand, looking at The Rock.

  3. Sunset

    Kae Funk Sunset Beach Bar

    Cross to the bay side for the sun going down over the water.

The south-east and south

Coffee on Paje beach, a home-cooked lunch in Jambiani and dinner among the baobabs.

  1. Breakfast

    Mr. Kahawa

    Tanzanian coffee and brunch on the sand.

  2. Lunch

    Chez Hassan

    Swahili home cooking — order ahead and don't rush.

  3. Sunset dinner

    Fahari Off The Grid

    Check it's open and book before you drive.

Had a great meal?

Some of Zanzibar's best food is in places that never make a list — a family kitchen in a village, a beach grill with no sign, a café that only locals know.

Tell us where you ate well, add a restaurant to the community directory, or ask the community for a recommendation.

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How this guide is made

This guide is written by the Mzungu Zanzibar editors. No restaurant paid to be included. Location, opening, booking and what's served were checked against each restaurant's own site and recent reviews on the date shown; anything we could not confirm is listed with that restaurant. Prices are never given because they change. The descriptions are not first-hand accounts: they draw on the sources listed with each restaurant, and dishes named are those diners and menus single out.

This guide has 108 photographs. They come from the restaurants' own websites and from photographers on Flickr and Wikimedia Commons, each credited beneath the picture and linked to where it came from. They're shared here to celebrate these places. If one is yours and you'd like it removed or credited differently, we'll gladly do it — contact us. 17 captions begin “UNVERIFIED”: the photo is relevant, but we couldn't confirm it shows the exact spot.