Zanzibar is a feast for the senses—and nowhere is that more true than at the table. With its Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European influences, the island offers unforgettable meals, whether you’re dining barefoot on the beach or under the stars on a centuries-old rooftop.
Here’s our definitive list of must-try restaurants and hotel kitchens across the island, starting with a hidden culinary gem on the east coast.
1. Pongwe Beach Hotel (Pongwe)
For travelers seeking peace, beauty, and outstanding food, Pongwe Beach Hotel delivers all three in generous servings. The hotel’s restaurant sits just steps from the ocean, offering fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and local ingredients prepared with global flair.
Try the grilled octopus with tamarind glaze or the coconut fish curry—a true Zanzibar classic. The setting? Candlelit tables under gently swaying palms, with the sound of the tide as your soundtrack.
2. Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant (Stone Town)
This rooftop restaurant in a restored Swahili palace offers one of the island’s most romantic dining experiences. The five-course tasting menu changes daily and leans heavily into local spices and seafood. Sunset views over the harbor are just icing on the cake.
3. The Rock Restaurant (Michamvi Pingwe)
Possibly the most Instagrammed restaurant in East Africa, The Rock sits on a coral outcrop just offshore. At high tide, it’s accessible only by boat. Dine on grilled lobster and catch of the day with views you’ll never forget.
4. Tea House Restaurant at Emerson on Hurumzi (Stone Town)
A sister to Emerson Spice, this rooftop experience combines history, spice-rich cuisine, and live taarab music in an unforgettable fusion. Dine cross-legged on colorful cushions as the city lights glow below.
5. Forodhani Gardens Food Market (Stone Town)
Zanzibar’s street food mecca. Come at sunset for mishkaki skewers, Zanzibar pizza, sugarcane juice, and Urojo soup. It’s fast, flavorful, and full of local energy.
6. The Palms Zanzibar (Bwejuu Beach)
An intimate resort offering private dining for just a few villas. Their chef-driven menus highlight seasonal island ingredients with finesse and flair.
7. Upendo Beach Restaurant (Michamvi)
Chic, bohemian, and always buzzing. Come for the ocean views and cocktails, stay for the wood-fired seafood platters and Swahili-fusion desserts.
Hungry yet? Zanzibar offers more than postcard views—it serves up spice, soul, and unforgettable flavors. Start your culinary journey with Pongwe Beach Hotel—and explore the island, one bite at a time.