What to Eat in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches): A Food Guide

What to eat in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

• Zanzibar pizza + urojo (Zanzibar mix soup)

  Forodhani night market Stone Town — TSh5,000–12,000 (US$2–5).

• Pilau + biryani (spiced rice)

  Lukmaan, The Silk Route, Emerson Spice — US$8–15.

• Fresh grilled seafood (octopus, kingfish, prawns)

  Beach BBQ dinners at resorts + The Rock (Michamvi) US$40–80.

• Mandazi + chai

  Fried dough + spiced tea breakfast — TSh1,000 street.

What to drink

Bottled water only — never tap. Kilimanjaro + Serengeti + Safari lagers. Fresh coconut TSh2,000. Konyagi (Tanzanian spirit) + Amarula (South African cream) locally popular. Coffee at Zanzibar Coffee House (Stone Town) US$3.

Dining etiquette and practicalities

• 99% Muslim — cover shoulders + knees in villages + Stone Town; bikinis on beach only.

• Ramadan: eating/drinking in public discouraged — resorts unaffected, Stone Town restaurants close daytime.

• Tipping 10% at restaurants; US$1–3 for porters + drivers per day.

Where to eat in Zanzibar (Stone Town + beaches)

• Stone Town

  UNESCO capital — Freddie Mercury birthplace, Forodhani night market, Old Fort, House of Wonders — Emerson on Hurumzi, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Zanzibar Serena.

• Nungwi (north)

  Party + non-tidal beach, sunset dhow port — Zuri Zanzibar, Riu Palace, The Royal Zanzibar.

• Kendwa

  Sister beach to Nungwi with famous Kendwa Rocks full-moon party — Gold Zanzibar, Riu Jambo.

• Matemwe (northeast)

  Reef-fringed calm — Zawadi, Kilindi Zanzibar (private-island vibe), &Beyond Mnemba.