Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city and main port, a hot Swahili coastal metropolis of markets, museums, harbour life and island beaches, and the gateway to Zanzibar and Tanzania's safari circuit.
Dar es Salaam eats Swahili coast food: coconut fish curries, grilled seafood, pilau, chapati, mishkaki skewers and chips mayai, with strong Indian, Arab and Ethiopian influences and an international scene in Masaki and Msasani.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Dar es Salaam.
Mishkaki
Marinated beef or goat skewers grilled over charcoal.
Where to try: Mamboz Masaki; Kariakoo street grills
Price: 3,000-8,000 TZS ($1.20-3.20)
Chipsi mayai
Chips cooked into an omelette, served with kachumbari.
Where to try: Mwananyamala stalls
Price: 2,500-5,000 TZS ($1-2)
Urojo (Zanzibar mix)
Tangy mango, potato and bhajia soup.
Where to try: Kariakoo and Kivukoni stalls
Price: 2,000-4,000 TZS ($0.80-1.60)
Samaki wa nazi
Fish in coconut curry with rice or chapati.
Where to try: Karambezi Cafe; Dar Fish Market
Price: 18,000-40,000 TZS ($7-16)
Ugali with sukuma wiki and nyama choma
Maize staple with greens and grilled meat.
Where to try: Local mama ntilie eateries and kuku choma stalls
Price: 6,000-15,000 TZS ($2.40-6)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Swahili Street Food
Ethiopian
International
International Grill
Food tours & tastings in Dar es Salaam
Eat your way through Dar es Salaam with a guide.
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Mishkaki
Charcoal skewers sold from evening stands.
Find it at: Kariakoo, Mwananyamala
Mandazi
Lightly sweet fried dough for breakfast.
Find it at: Citywide
Fried fish
Fresh catch fried at the fish market.
Find it at: Kivukoni Fish Market
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Kivukoni Fish Market
Dawn fish auction and fried-fish stalls.
Hours: Daily from about 5:00
Kariakoo Market
Fruit, spice, vegetable and meat stalls.
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:00-18:00
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Dinner service typically starts around 19:00 and runs to 22:00; many bars serve food until midnight.
Add 10% for service at restaurants where it is not already included; round up at casual spots.
Many restaurants add 18% VAT to the bill; check whether menu prices include it.
Eat street food that is cooked hot in front of you and drink bottled water.
- Vegetarian
- Available at Indian and Ethiopian restaurants (Addis in Dar has fasting-day platters); street food is mostly meat or fish.
- Halal
- Widely available; most Swahili and Indian restaurants are halal.
- Gluten free
- Rice, grilled fish and meat are easy; chapati and mandazi contain wheat.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 5,000-15,000 TZS ($2-6) per meal | Street food and local eateries |
| Mid-range | 25,000-60,000 TZS ($10-24) per meal | Casual restaurants in Masaki and Msasani |
| Upscale | 80,000+ TZS ($32+) per meal | Hotel fine dining and clifftop restaurants |