Centuries of trade gave Zanzibar a cuisine rich in spice and seafood. Here is what to eat, where to find it and how to enjoy street food sensibly.
Zanzibar's kitchens tell the story of the Indian Ocean trade. Swahili, Arab, Indian and Persian influences meet in dishes fragrant with clove, cardamom, cinnamon and coconut, and the catch of the day often ends up on your plate within hours.
You can eat very well here at almost any budget, from a skewer at a night market to a slow seafood dinner on the beach. This guide covers the dishes worth seeking out and how to approach street food with confidence.
Quick tips
- Agree prices at Forodhani before vendors start cooking.
- Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot.
- Drink bottled or properly treated water rather than tap water.
- Try at least one bowl of urojo from a busy local stall.
- Respect Ramadan customs by not eating or drinking openly in public streets during daylight hours.
Forodhani Gardens Night Market
Every evening, the waterfront gardens in front of Stone Town's old fort fill with food stalls. Vendors grill seafood skewers, lobster tails, octopus and meat kebabs, while others fry samosas and press fresh sugarcane juice. The setting at sunset, with locals and visitors mingling by the sea, is part of the appeal.
Prices are not always displayed and can be inflated for visitors, so agree the price before the vendor starts cooking. Choose stalls where food is grilled fresh in front of you rather than items that have been sitting out since early evening.
Zanzibar Pizza and Other Street Snacks
Despite the name, Zanzibar pizza has little in common with Italian pizza. A thin dough is stretched, filled with ingredients such as minced meat, onion, egg and cheese, folded into a parcel and cooked on a hot griddle. Sweet versions with banana, chocolate or Nutella are equally popular.
Look out also for mishkaki, small marinated meat skewers, and chapati, the soft flatbread that appears at almost every meal.
Urojo: Zanzibar Mix
Urojo, often called Zanzibar mix, is a tangy, mildly spiced soup that locals love. A yellow broth, thickened and sharpened with tamarind or mango, is poured over a combination of fried bhajia fritters, potatoes, boiled egg, small meat skewers and crispy toppings, then finished with coconut or chili chutney.
Every vendor has a slightly different recipe, and the best stalls are usually the ones with a queue of local customers. It is an inexpensive, filling lunch and a real taste of daily island life.
Seafood and Swahili Curries
Fish and seafood dominate menus across the island. Octopus curry, coconut fish curry, grilled red snapper and calamari are widely available. Pilau, rice cooked with whole spices, and biryani reflect the island's Indian Ocean connections. Ask your server what came in fresh that morning; in coastal villages it may be whatever the boats landed.
Spice Farms and the Spice Island Story
Zanzibar earned its nickname as the Spice Island thanks to clove plantations established in the nineteenth century. Today, guided spice farm tours near Stone Town let you see, smell and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, vanilla, lemongrass and cardamom as they grow. Many tours end with a simple meal cooked with farm spices.
These visits work well on a Stone Town day and make an excellent outing for food-curious travelers of all ages.
- Buy spices from reputable shops and keep them sealed for the journey home
- Check your home country's customs rules on bringing back plant products
Frequently asked questions
Is street food in Zanzibar safe to eat?
Many travelers enjoy street food without problems by choosing busy stalls and food cooked fresh in front of them. Avoid items that have been sitting out, and speak to a travel clinic or doctor for general health advice before your trip.
Is alcohol available on Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, but alcohol is served in most tourist hotels, resorts and many restaurants that cater to visitors. Drinking in public streets, especially in Stone Town, is inappropriate.
What should vegetarians eat in Zanzibar?
Vegetarians do well with bean and coconut curries, vegetable pilau, chapati, samosas and fresh tropical fruit. Tell your hotel or our team about dietary needs in advance so meals can be arranged.
