
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
andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Inspired in design by the Maasai mud-and-stick homestead, the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is, without doubt, one of the most architecturally spectacular lodges in Africa perched on the eastern edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offers incredible views as it is perched high on the rim of this extinct volcano.
Selous Impala Camp
Selous Impala Camp is situated on a wooded stretch of the stunning Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve; the safari camp was set up by old east African hand Gillie Zanacchi as a retreat where he could take his friends to enjoy the animals and the bush.
Selous Impala Camp is located in a reserve that is four times the size of the Serengeti.
The Highlands Ngorongoro
The Highlands Ngorongoro with 8 domed tented suites redefines that classic Ngorongoro crater experience striking that balance between a wilderness experience and a contemporary luxurious escape.
The Highlands offers an exclusive private safari to one of Africa's most wildlife rich destinations, The Ngorongoro Crater.
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.
Kuro Tarangire
Kuro Tarangire, a thatch and tented camp is set amid a grove of Acacia and Kigelia trees right on the banks of the Tarangire River within the Tarangire National Park itself.
Kuro is for those that desire the African bushveld and all she offers far away from maddening crowds, this truly is a special place.
Kilindi Zanzibar
The absolute in 5-star luxury on the island of Zanzibar, the Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar Lodge offers up unique architectural design that embraces a sense of calm and tranquillity throughout all the while offering up the ultimate in privacy and romance.
An exceptional beach lodges and resort with views out over a white sand beach area and waters of the Indian Ocean,
Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp
Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp is a classic tented safari camp, what is interesting about this camp is that it is set up in two locations a year all depending on where the annual migration is taking place.
In other words, stay here, and you will not miss the great migration.
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is set in the heart of a mahogany forest within the Lake Manyara National Park, offering an experience of remoteness, privacy and understated luxury, an asset within one of Tanzania's most prized national Parks.
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge and its treehouse suites that offer the utmost in luxury in a safari destination that offers guests only the best.