Tanzania is East Africa's premier safari destination, home to the legendary Serengeti plains, Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro, and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Experience the Great Migration, explore ancient Stone Town, and discover incredible wildlife diversity.
Tanzanian cuisine reflects the country's coastal trading heritage blending African, Arab, Indian, and Portuguese influences. On the mainland, ugali (stiff maize porridge) with nyama choma (charcoal grilled meat) or fish stews is the everyday staple. Zanzibar's cuisine is spice-driven with coconut curries, pilau rice, and the unique Zanzibar pizza and urojo soup defining the island's food identity.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Tanzania.
Nyama Choma
Charcoal-grilled goat or beef, Tanzania's most beloved social food. Ordered by weight and served with kachumbari tomato salsa, ugali, and cold beer at outdoor grills across the country.
Where to try: Mamboz BBQ (Dar es Salaam), any roadside grill after 5PM
Price: $5-15
Zanzibar Pizza
Not a pizza at all but a stuffed flatbread unique to Zanzibar, filled with minced meat, egg, cheese, and vegetables then folded and fried on a griddle. A Stone Town street food institution.
Where to try: Forodhani Night Market, Stone Town street vendors
Price: $2-4
Urojo (Zanzibar Mix)
Zanzibar's signature street food soup: a tangy broth of coconut, mango, and tamarind poured over fried potatoes, bhajias, cassava chips, and boiled egg. Only available at Forodhani Night Market.
Where to try: Forodhani Night Market, Stone Town
Price: $2
Pilau Rice
Swahili spiced rice dish cooked in a rich stock with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, and meat. The cornerstone of Swahili cooking, far more complex and aromatic than plain rice.
Where to try: Lukmaan Restaurant (Stone Town), local restaurants everywhere
Price: $5-10
Chips Mayai
Tanzania's beloved chip omelette: French fries set into an egg omelette and served with tomato sauce. The most popular street snack on the mainland, available everywhere from $1-2.
Where to try: Street vendors everywhere, market food stalls
Price: $1-3
Ugali na Samaki
The everyday Tanzanian meal of stiff maize porridge (ugali) served with a fresh fish fillet or fish stew. Simple, filling, and deeply satisfying when the fish is fresh from Lake Victoria or the Indian Ocean.
Where to try: Local hotelis (restaurants) everywhere
Price: $2-6
Mishkaki
Bite-sized skewers of marinated beef or goat grilled over charcoal. Indian-influenced marinade of cumin, garlic, and chili makes these Tanzania's most addictive street food snack.
Where to try: Kariakoo Market (Dar), Mamboz BBQ, evening street vendors
Price: $1-3
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
The Rock Restaurant
Iconic restaurant perched on a rock in the Indian Ocean. Accessible by boat at high tide, offering fresh seafood, Italian-inspired dishes, and breathtaking ocean views. Zanzibar's most photographed dining spot.
Pingwe Beach, Michamvi Peninsula, Zanzibar
Lukmaan Restaurant
Stone Town institution serving authentic Swahili and Indian dishes since 1970s. Famous for biryanis, curries, and fresh juices. Local favorite with excellent value.
Gizenga Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar
ZanziBarista
Cozy coffee house in Stone Town serving excellent Tanzanian coffee, fresh pastries, and Swahili snacks like mandazi and katlesi. Perfect breakfast or afternoon break spot.
Hurumzi Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Forodhani Night Market
Legendary night market in Stone Town where vendors gather at sunset serving authentic Zanzibari street food. Try Zanzibar pizza, urojo soup, mishkaki skewers, and fresh seafood.
Forodhani Gardens, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Mercury's Restaurant
Named after Freddie Mercury who was born in Zanzibar, this cafe in Stone Town serves good coffee, breakfast, and light meals in colonial-era building.
Mizingani Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant
Rooftop fine dining in historic Stone Town mansion with stunning harbor views. Multi-course Swahili tasting menus featuring fresh seafood and traditional spices. Romantic sunset atmosphere.
Tharia Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Addis in Dar
Family-owned Ethiopian restaurant on Kisutu Street offering communal dining experience with traditional injera bread. Authentic flavors and vegetarian-friendly options.
Kisutu Street, Dar es Salaam
Mamboz BBQ
Famous street-side barbecue in Dar es Salaam firing up as evening falls. Indian-influenced sauces, hearty portions, and local atmosphere. A Dar es Salaam institution.
Msasani Peninsula, Dar es Salaam
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Seafood / Continental
The Rock Restaurant
Karambezi Cafe
Livingstone Beach Restaurant
Swahili / Indian
Lukmaan Restaurant
Cafe / Swahili Snacks
ZanziBarista
Zanzibar Street Food
Forodhani Night Market
Cafe / International
Mercury's Restaurant
Zanzibar Coffee House
Cafe Aroma
Swahili / Fusion
Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Mandazi (Coconut Doughnuts)
Triangular or round fried dough flavoured with coconut milk and cardamom. The classic East African breakfast snack eaten with chai tea, available at any market or street stall from 6AM.
Find it at: Morning markets, roadside vendors everywhere
Mkate wa Kumimina (Rice Bread)
Zanzibar's unique steamed rice bread cooked in coconut shells, with a spongy texture and mild coconut flavour. A Stone Town breakfast delicacy available before 9AM before selling out.
Find it at: Stone Town morning market vendors and bakeries
Supu ya Ndizi (Banana Soup)
Hearty soup made with green bananas, beef bones, and spices common in the Kilimanjaro region where bananas grow abundantly. Cheap and filling at market food stalls in Moshi and Arusha.
Find it at: Local restaurants in Moshi and Kilimanjaro region
Vitumbua (Rice Pancakes)
Small round rice pancakes with a crispy edge and soft centre, cooked on a special cast iron pan. Sweet version with coconut milk is a popular Zanzibar breakfast item.
Find it at: Morning markets in Stone Town and Dar es Salaam
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Forodhani Night Market
Zanzibar's legendary evening food market in Stone Town's historic waterfront gardens. Over 20 vendors serving Zanzibar pizza, mishkaki, fresh seafood, and urojo soup from 6PM daily. The most atmospheric street food experience in East Africa.
Hours: 6PM-11PM daily
Darajani Market
Stone Town's central covered market with a spectacular fresh fish section, colourful spice stalls, and rows of tropical fruit. Best visited at dawn when fishermen deliver fresh catches directly to the market.
Hours: 5AM-6PM daily
Kariakoo Market
Dar es Salaam's vast central market covering several city blocks with a dedicated food section serving cheap local meals to workers and shoppers. The cheapest authentic Tanzanian food in the city.
Hours: 6AM-7PM daily
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is the main meal in Tanzania - local restaurants serve the best food and largest portions at midday, with simpler options in the evening.
Look for restaurants where Tanzanian workers and office staff eat at lunch - these serve the best value authentic food at the lowest prices.
Zanzibar seafood is exceptionally fresh. Grilled lobster, prawns, and kingfish at Forodhani Night Market cost a fraction of restaurant prices.
Vegetarians are well served by Indian and Swahili restaurants - lentil curries (dal), vegetable biryanis, and coconut vegetable dishes are widely available.
Avoid ice in drinks at low-budget restaurants unless the establishment specifies purified water. Opt for bottled water or fresh coconut water instead.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3-8/meal | Street food, chips mayai, local hoteli restaurants |
| Mid-range | $15-30/meal | Tourist restaurants, seafood, sit-down meals |
| Upscale | $50+/meal | Fine dining, The Rock, Emerson Spice, hotel restaurants |