
The island of Zanzibar is one of those wonderfully exotic names which conjures up mystery, spices and tropical heat. It is all those things and more. It is likely to be your beach destination of choice if you have been on safari in mainland Tanzania or even Kenya.
There exist many all-inclusive beach resorts on the island but for those who are more adventurous, there is a historic, tropical island to discover and meals to eat! Our team has compiled a list of five restaurants that are gastronomically good or are in interesting locations.
Our list of the Top 5 restaurants in Zanzibar is as follows;
1. Mercury's Bar
Stone Town
Named after the eponymous band leader of Queen, this seafood restaurant is the only one in town with a seaside location (mainly views of the harbour). The food is more wholesome than gastronomic but the atmosphere and cold drinks more than make up for it.
Information link: Mercury's Bar
2. Mangapwani Beach Grill and Restaurant
Sea Cliff Resort and Spa
Located on the less-developed northwest coast of Zanzibar near the historically interesting Mangapwani Slave Caves, this is a great place to chill out whilst waiting for your grilled seafood on the beach. If you can imagine sipping a fresh cocktail on a white tropical beach with clear blue water, you have arrived at this destination!
Information link: Mangapwani Beach Grill and Restaurant
3. The Rock
Pingwe, Zanzibar
Located on the southeast of the island, on the Michamwi Pingwe peninsula, about 45 minutes from Stone Town. In a short space of time, this restaurant has become an iconic destination for travellers to Zanzibar. As the name suggests, this thatched restaurant is perched on a rocky outcrop, walkable at low tide and reached by boat at high tide. Excellent seafood but also surprisingly good pasta and more international dishes. Comparatively expensive for Zanzibar but worth every penny.
Information link: The Rock
4. Mtoni Marine's Restaurant and Sports Bar
Stone Town
This beachside restaurant is located just outside of Stone Town and is a short stroll to the Mtoni Palace. It has a casual atmosphere and is frequented by locals and tourists but it is always a pleasure to dine on a beach by candlelight with your toes in the soft white sand. Highly recommended.
Information link: Mtoni Marine's Restaurant and Sports Bar
5. Terrace Seafood Restaurant
Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Gastronomically speaking, one of the best on the island. The restaurant is located on the roof terrace overlooking the bay in Stone Town and features an excellent selection of freshly-caught seafood. Expect to pay nearer international prices but you will not be let down by the quality nor the location.
Information link: Terrace Seafood Restaurant
Top 5 restaurants in Zanzibar by Uyaphi.com
Arusha Serena Hotel
Arusha Serena Hotel is surrounded by coffee plantations and rolling hills, on the shores of Lake Duluti, near to Arusha, the gateway town of Tanzania's spectacular national parks.
The perfect hotel in Arusha to relax before or after your Tanzania or East Africa Safari.
andBeyond Klein's Camp
Klein's Camp's 10 thatched cottages with unbroken views over a gorgeous game-filled valley and the hills beyond, which play host to one of the greatest wildlife migrations on earth, Klein's embodies the very soul of this great African Reserve, the famed Serengeti of Tanzania.
Klein's is remote and wild yet at the same time offers the ultimate in luxury and service, all the while surrounded by the Serengeti wildlife.
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge is surrounded by the endless acres of berry-laden coffee bushes of Tanzania's largest coffee plantations is designed around the original plantation houses but completely renovated to achieve the highest standards of comfort.
A legendary lodge that is a must-visit / stay for all that pass through this East Africa town in the heart of Tanzania's safari industry.
Beho Beho Camp
Beho Beho Camp was the first accommodation camp to be sited in the Selous Game Reserve, not on the banks or the flood plains of the mighty Rufiji River, but in the cooler highlands of the Selous so as to enjoy the 'cooling breezes' from which its name derives.
One of the better lodges in Selous for those looking for wild and remote game drives and birding.
Singita Sabora Tented Camp
Radiating simplistic elegance in the middle of the Serengeti plains, Singita Sabora Tented Camp, with her nine tented suites, evokes a romantic "Out of Africa" adventure with vintage safari tents dressed in classic Edwardian safari accommodation style.
located in the heart of the Grumeti Reserve, a private concession bordering the famed Serengeti.
Maramboi Tented Camp
Maramboi Tented Camp offers permanent accommodation facilities and endless vistas of rolling golden grasslands and palm-lined desert between Tarangire and Lake Manyara; accommodation is ten spacious tents on generous, ample wooden decks.
Maramboi Tented Camp is surrounded by an area of plains with Lake Manyara in the distance; wildlife sightings here are exceptional.
Breezes Beach Club
Breezes Beach Club is one of the best-known resort lodges on the island of Zanzibar, this 70 room accommodation resort on the island of Zanzibar (Tanzania) is situated on an untouched beach stretching as far as the eye can see.
One of the best-known resorts and lodges in zanzibar, a tropical hideaway popular with couples and families alike.
Ngorongoro Farm House
Ngorongoro Farm House with 52 cottages is a fantastic base from which to explore all the surrounding attractions of Tanzania's "Northern Circuit" whilst offering good value for money to-boot.
The lodge is situated halfway between Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara whilst offering activities locally that include mountain biking, hiking and cultural visits.