Zanzibar restaurant guide: local dishes, bars and paying

• Stone Town: Forodhani Gardens is a nightly food market by the water, and possibly the cheapest food on the island¹. Some find it overrated because the food quality can be mixed¹. More on the Forodhani night market and gardens. Sit-down options include Lukmaan Swahili Restaurant, Emerson Spice Hotel and 6 Degrees South.
• Nungwi: Mama Mia says it serves local fish and seafood, pasta, wood-fired pizzas and artisanal gelato on the beach in Nungwi⁶. Terrace Nungwi, Skybar Zanzibar by Nungwi Dreams and Nanasi Beach Club Zanzibar are on the same stretch.
• Kendwa: the village is a couple of miles from Nungwi¹, with Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel and Sunset Kendwa among the places to eat.
• Michamvi: The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar sits on a rock in the ocean off Michamvi Pingwe Beach⁷. It says its signature grill platter includes lobster, king prawns, octopus and calamari⁷. See the Michamvi and Pingwe coast.
• Paje: a small east-coast village known for kiteboarding¹, with Mr. Kahawa Café-Restaurant, Paje Beach, Bento - Paje Food Court and Shanga Restaurant Paje.
• Jambiani: a fishing village that stretches along the beach¹, with The Loop Beach Resort, Fadhil Restaurant and LOST SOLES LODGE.
• Matemwe: Bin Jabir Restaurant Matemwe is the place listed here.

Stone Town makes an easy first or last meal of a trip: the airport is about 5 km south of Zanzibar City¹. Flight details are on the page about getting to Zanzibar by air.

Choosing a beach partly by what’s on the menu nearby? Match it with where to base yourself on Zanzibar.

Places to eat and drink

Place	Area	Type	Hours and season	Google rating	Map
Emerson Spice HotelPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Hotel	–	4.6 (586 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Zanzibar Coffee HousePhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Bed & breakfast	–	4.6 (1,425 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Lukmaan Swahili RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	East African restaurant	Mon–Sun 08:00–22:00	4.2 (5,801 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Hanoi House Cafe — Stone TownPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Vietnamese restaurant	Mon–Sun 11:00–22:00	4.8 (426 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Ocean Steak HousePhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Steak house	Mon–Sun 12:00–23:00	4.4 (125 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
The Terrace RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Fine dining restaurant	Mon–Sun 18:00–00:00	4.2 (76 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Maru Maru Hotel, ZanzibarPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Hotel	–	4.3 (1,980 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Mr. Mango Best Zanzibar PizzaPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Hawker stall	Mon–Sun 16:30–23:30	4.9 (14 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Beach House ZanzibarPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Fusion restaurant	Mon–Thu 12:00–23:00; Fri 12:00–03:00; Sat–Sun 12:00–23:00	4.4 (1,721 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
6 Degrees SouthPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Eclectic restaurant	Mon–Sun 10:00–00:00	4.3 (2,037 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
MJ's PizzeriaPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Pizza takeaway	Mon–Thu 11:00–22:00; Fri 11:30–22:00; Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00	4.4 (39 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Puzzle Coffee ShopPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Coffee shop	Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00	4.6 (462 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Breadfruit Restaurant and CaféPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Eclectic restaurant	Mon–Sun 07:00–22:00	4.5 (123 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Lazuli CafePhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Restaurant	Mon–Sat 12:00–16:00, 18:00–22:00; Sun closed	4.6 (293 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Turaco Spice Tree, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel	Stone Town	Hotel	–	4.2 (124 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Livingstone Beach RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 08:00–00:30	3.9 (855 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Golden Tulip Stone Town BoutiquePhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Hotel	–	4.3 (1,068 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Mama Mia - Gelato ItalianoPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Ice cream shop	Mon–Sun 09:30–23:00	4.5 (436 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Poazz Grill N RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Stone Town	Barbecue restaurant	Mon–Sun 08:30–23:00	4.3 (463 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Terrace NungwiPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 07:00–22:00	4.3 (402 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Zava NungwiPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Hotel	–	4.3 (208 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Mama MiaPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Italian restaurant	Mon–Sun 10:30–00:00	4.3 (3,419 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Skybar Zanzibar by Nungwi DreamsPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Western restaurant	Mon–Sun 09:00–23:00	4.1 (26 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Coccobello African VillagePhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Guest house	–	4.2 (1,185 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
MAHI MAHI Beach Bar & RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon 07:30–23:30; Tue 07:00–23:00; Wed–Thu 07:30–23:30; Fri–Sat 07:30–23:00; Sun 07:30–23:30	4.7 (456 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
The CornerPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 12:30–21:45	4.6 (598 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Sexy Fish RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 12:00–15:00, 18:30–21:45	4.2 (428 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Baraka Beach RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 07:30–22:30	4 (1,201 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Nungwi Inn Beach Cottages	Nungwi	Hotel	–	3.9 (150 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Nanasi Beach Club ZanzibarPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Beach club	Mon–Sun 11:00–22:00	4.3 (518 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Nungwi ParkPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 11:00–00:00	4.3 (224 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Combo 1990 Tapas RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon closed; Tue–Sun 11:30–23:00	4.9 (296 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Blue Sea RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	–	4 (268 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Fisherman's Seafood & GrillPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Restaurant	Mon–Sat 13:00–23:00; Sun 15:00–23:00	4.4 (528 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Langi Langi Beach BungalowsPhoto: Google Maps	Nungwi	Hotel	–	4.1 (726 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel	Kendwa	Resort hotel	–	4.3 (4,734 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
GOLD ZANZIBAR BEACH HOUSE & SPAPhoto: Google Maps	Kendwa	Hotel	–	4.7 (960 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Sunset Kendwa	Kendwa	Hotel	–	4.2 (1,372 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Sunseabar Beach Hotel KendwaPhoto: Google Maps	Kendwa	Hotel	–	4.3 (1,008 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Mr. Kahawa Café-Restaurant, Paje BeachPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Restaurant	–	4.4 (1,589 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Bento - Paje Food CourtPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 11:00–23:00	4.6 (876 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Shanga Restaurant PajePhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 12:00–23:30	4.3 (1,309 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Ndame Paje HotelPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Hotel	–	4.2 (1,029 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Ocean RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 08:00–03:00	4.4 (395 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
B4 Beach ClubPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Hotel	–	4.1 (226 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
OXYGENPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Hotel	–	4.5 (758 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Rainbow BBQ Seafood turkish RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 09:00–23:30	4.5 (802 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Luciana RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Paje	Restaurant	–	4.6 (185 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
The Loop Beach ResortPhoto: Google Maps	Jambiani	Resort hotel	–	4.7 (628 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Mahi Mahi Beach HotelPhoto: Google Maps	Jambiani	Hotel	–	4.7 (108 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Blue Oyster HotelPhoto: Google Maps	Jambiani	Hotel	–	4.5 (439 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
LOST SOLES LODGEPhoto: Google Maps	Jambiani	Restaurant	Mon 07:30–22:30; Tue–Sun 07:00–22:30	4.7 (826 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Scooby Doo Beach Bar Jambiani ZanzibarPhoto: Google Maps	Jambiani	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 11:00–22:30	4.4 (344 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Fadhil RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	Jambiani	Seafood restaurant	Mon–Sun 00:00–24:00	4.7 (501 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
New Teddy's on the Beach / Drink Eat SleepPhoto: Google Maps	Jambiani	Hostel	–	4.6 (571 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
The Rock Restaurant ZanzibarPhoto: Google Maps	Michamvi	Seafood restaurant	Mon–Sun 12:00–22:00	4.4 (9,667 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Bin Jabir Restaurant MatemwePhoto: Google Maps	Matemwe	Seafood restaurant	Mon–Sun 11:00–22:00	4.6 (231 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
The Island Pongwe LodgePhoto: Google Maps	Pongwe	Hotel	–	4.7 (394 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map
Tuna Beach RestaurantPhoto: Google Maps	–	Restaurant	Mon–Sun 10:00–22:00	4.3 (118 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026	Map

These listings come from Google Maps via DataForSEO, checked October 2026; they’re grouped by area, not ranked by rating, and no restaurant, bar or hotel paid to appear.

Paying for meals

• Currency: the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh)¹. Prices are sometimes quoted in euros or dollars, but generally only shillings are accepted¹.
• Cards: shops that accept bank cards are rare¹. Bigger restaurants and hotels generally accept them, sometimes with a 5% surcharge¹ (checked October 2026).
• ATMs: there are several, for example in Stone Town, Jambiani and Nungwi¹.
• Changing dollars: US$50 and $100 notes get a better exchange rate than $20 and $10 notes¹.

Ramadan and eating hours

What it means for your meals:

• Most restaurants stay closed until the fast breaks at dusk¹.
• Alcohol sales are banned in non-tourist areas during Ramadan⁸.
• Plan meals around dusk, when the fast breaks.

The island is warm all year round⁵, so for the rain and the quieter months, read up on the best seasons for visiting the island. Still choosing a destination? See Zanzibar weighed against Mauritius.