Known as the island of spices, Zanzibar has been known for centuries for its production of cinnamon, cloves and pepper. And it is true that there is something intoxicating and tasty in the air. With a rich and complex history, the Zanzibarite cuisine reflects the cultural diversity of the island, mixed and spicy, fine and delicious. It is the result of a fusion of culinary traditions of several peoples who have intermingled over the centuries, starting with the Bantus, Arabs and Indians who have profoundly shaped the local specialties. To a lesser extent, the Portuguese, German, English and even Chinese presence has also had an influence, but in a more modest way. There are many seafood, fish, meat and vegetable dishes with various spices, coconut milk and tamarind. As for the desserts, they are always savoured with kahawa, a spiced coffee.
In the heart of the spice island
Ingredients from the Bantu culture include various types of beans as well as yams, plantains and okra, a green vegetable whose viscous juice is popular for thickening sauces. Later, from the 9th century onwards, Omani, Yemeni and Persian traders brought spices, coconuts, mangoes, citrus fruits and rice from Asia to the entire Swahili coast. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Portuguese colonial presence in the Indian Ocean allowed the introduction of various products from the Americas, such as maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and pineapple. At the end of the 17th century, the region came under the control of the Sultanate of Oman, which strengthened relations between the Swahili coast and India, making Zanzibar a hub of the spice trade. The massive arrival of Indian merchants largely influenced the local gastronomy. German and then English colonization had little influence. The presence of Chinese workers in the region, although localized, has introduced some products such as soy sauce.
The archipelago's insular location honors fish and seafood. The large fish market in Stone Town offers a taste of this: tuna, mackerel, lobster, octopus, squid, etc. But meat is also eaten here, such as chicken, beef and lamb. Of course, the archipelago does not have such a charming nickname without reason. The tropical climate of the region is perfectly suited to the cultivation of various spices such as pepper, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, ginger or cumin. And of course cloves, of which the island controls 90% of the national production, making Tanzania the third largest producer in the world.
With an almost entirely Muslim population, alcohol and pork are considered haram here, i.e. "unclean". However, tourists are not affected by the Islamic food prohibitions. The same is true for Ramadan and the big hotels or international lodges serve food during the day. But this may not be the case if you decide to eat locally, especially during a trip to the old centre of Zanzibar where many shops are closed until sunset when it is allowed to break the fast.
The classics of Zanzibarite cuisine
The gastronomy of the archipelago has been strongly influenced by a long Arab presence, but especially Indian, and curry, biryani, samoussas or chutneys are very common. One of Zanzibar's flagship dishes is pilaf or pilau, a stewed rice with onions, coconut milk, sweet spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves) and sometimes dried fruits and meat. Another Indo-Portuguese recipe, sorpotel , comes from Goa and consists of beef - meat and offal - simmered with masala (a mixture of spices), tamarind pulp and vinegar.
A dish of Arabic origin, boko boko is the Zanzibarite version of harees, a Middle Eastern dish often served during Ramadan. It is made of durum wheat that is simmered for a very long time with meat (beef, chicken, mutton) until it becomes melting like porridge. Or try mchuzi wa pweza or pweza wa nazi, an octopus curry with coconut milk.
There is a wide variety of street food such asurojo, which is a spicy broth with mango, potatoes, grilled meat, raw vegetables (tomato, onion, lettuce, cucumber, etc.) as well as fried onion croquettes with a spicy sauce. Or katlesi, fried croquettes made with fish, vegetables, beef or hard-boiled eggs.
Unless you prefer a Zanzibar pizza, which is more like a patty that is fried on a griddle before being topped with a mixture of minced meat, tomato, onion, spices and cheese. Discover also the sesame breads - similar to naans - which are called here mkate wa ufuta. Finally, mishkaki are finely spiced beef skewers that are similar to a shish kebab.
Desserts, coffee and drinks
The local desserts are simple, just like the island's cuisine. These include mandrazis, classic sugar doughnuts, and spice cake, which, as the name suggests, is a tasty gingerbread with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and a touch of chocolate. Date & hazelnut bread is often served to celebrate the end of Ramadan. The tropical climate of the archipelago allows the cultivation of tasty fruits such as mango and coconut, often prepared in chutney, but also papaya, banana, pineapple as well as a host of citrus fruits and the famous water apple or jambose, a fruit which is botanically close to a guava and which is savoured for its crunchy, very juicy flesh, not very sweet, with a slight apple taste.
Zanzibar's kahawa is a traditional local spiced coffee sold on the streets of the city, especially at the Forodhani Market, which is drunk day and night. It is made with fresh cinnamon and cardamom, hot water and coffee roasted and ground in cups, powerful in aroma and concentrated in flavor. The first cup in the morning is an opportunity to exchange cheerful greetings and wish a "Allah willing", a good day to your neighbours. In Stone Town, the favourite meeting place for the elders to drink it every morning is Jaw's Corner, in the Soko Muhogo area. This coffee is said to be excellent for the stomach, thanks to the antiseptic effect of cinnamon, and the locals say that it is very effective in preventing indigestion or tourista.
Finally, Tanzanian beers are very famous and the country is one of the biggest consumers on the African continent. And if Zanzibarites, Muslims, do not drink alcohol, Tanzanians "mainland" consume it and even produce local beers that you will find in all bars and hotels of Zanzibar. These malt beers are produced in the breweries of Arusha, Moshi or Dar. You can find Safari Lager, Serengeti, Castle, Ndovu, Kilimanjaro...
Enjoying yourself Zanzibar Archipelago
Timetable Zanzibar Archipelago
In Zanzibar, we eat mainly in hotel restaurants, even if it means trying out those outside the resort where we're staying, unless we're on a full-board or all-inclusive package (more common on some of the island's isolated coasts). Restaurants are generally open from morning to night, every day. Breakfast service usually stops at 10:30 a.m., lunch service from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner service from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.. But some of the more luxurious hotels offer continuous service, with a menu of lighter snacks outside mealtimes.
In Stone Town, Nungwi and Pajé/Jambiani, restaurant addresses are opening up more and more, encouraged by the proliferation of Airbnb rentals that offer potential guests without a restaurant where they are staying. Deli restaurants with sandwiches, wraps, salads and burgers, as well as local Swahili cuisine tables open at regular hours, have seized the opportunity to position themselves in this niche in Stone Town, Nungwi and Pajé mainly. But the trend is growing everywhere.
Budget & Tips Zanzibar Archipelago
Local restaurants have long existed in Stone Town (Lukmaan and Mashallah are the best), and have multiplied along the coast. The best way to devour grilled lobster and slipper lobster, at a better price than in stuffy hotel restaurants. Today, freshness is flawless (unlike a few years ago), and these new addresses have their produce delivered directly by their fisherman friends in the village. The cuisine is authentic, full of flavors and spices, the plates gargantuan and the prices rock-bottom.
Many fishermen offer sandbar outings all around Unguja (Nakumpenda in Stone Town, next to Mnemba, Safari Blue), as well as in Mafia (towards Chole Island) and Pemba (on Missali), including a seafood barbecue on the beach. Here again, prices are negotiable directly with the fishermen, and the more you go, the better the deal. You're guaranteed a wonderful Zanzibar picnic day.
What costs extra Zanzibar Archipelago
Prices include VAT, and there are no cover or bread charges. On the other hand, some restaurants display their prices in dollars. To your calculators! It's better to pay in shillings, that's for sure. If you pay in dollars, you'll be charged a lower exchange rate than at a currency exchange or at the airport (the latter being the most advantageous). If you pay by credit card, a 5% surcharge applies throughout the island. Finally, be generous with your tips- this isn't France, and tips are a major part of waiters' salaries here.
The local way Zanzibar Archipelago
A Swahili menu is difficult to understand, but fortunately, both tourist restaurants and local restaurants that take good care of their clientele have translated their menus. This doesn't mean you won't get lost unless you know a little about Indian cuisine(tandoori, masala, chapati, curries, etc.), but some Swahili spice combinations have taken on Indian names without sounding the same. You'll be spoilt for choice, starting with pilau rice, the most classic dish.
To be avoided Zanzibar Archipelago
Eating with the left hand is avoided, as in any Muslim country, it is frowned upon. The left hand is reserved only for intimate use.
Avoid arriving at the restaurant completely hungry, the service in the kitchen as under the straw huts is very pole pole, very slow, and often disorganized. You risk falling from starvation before the arrival of any dish.
Kids Zanzibar Archipelago
Swahili people love children, and you'll see them running around in the villages and towns, in the streets, on the roadside coming home from school, etc. The welcome, already warm, is even more pronounced with children. The welcome, already usually warm, is even more pronounced with children. In restaurants, on the other hand, the wait is long, children or not, and few restaurants (except family resorts) have children's menus. Be early or order before you arrive to guarantee meals at reasonable times for the little ones.
Smokers Zanzibar Archipelago
Almost all the restaurants are under makuti-roofed straw huts open to the four winds, and it's customary to tolerate smokers. Ashtrays are often on the tables, but some customers (generally from northern Europe and the English-speaking world) are less tolerant of smoke than Latin tourists or locals, and will ask you to go further away.
Tourist traps Zanzibar Archipelago
In Nungwi, there are some tourist-friendly restaurants where freshness is not guaranteed. Avoid them, as the seafront is full of good addresses in the middle of this string of restaurants.
The Forodhani night market in Stone Town is the worst tourist trap there is for food. The candlelit seafood and fish kebabs look enticing, as locals and tourists alike stroll around. Apart from a few pigeons who didn't ask the question to the right people, no one dares to eat these kebabs, which are guaranteed to give you indigestion, if not serious food poisoning. The skewers are taken out every evening and treated with ammonia to eliminate bacteria, but this is obviously not advisable. Observe the Zanzibarites: they don't touch it. Only what they call pizzas (filled pancakes) made in front of you are valid, samosas in a pinch. Kebabs are full of inedible grease, but appreciated by the locals.
Take a break Zanzibar Archipelago
Timetable Zanzibar Archipelago
Cafés are open during the day, usually until 6.30pm, but there aren't many of them, while bars are generally open from 6pm to 11pm, or longer depending on the location and the day.
Age restrictions Zanzibar Archipelago
As alcohol is already not really allowed for adults (although some young people do drink in the evening and don't practice rigorous Islam), it's not allowed for minors either. Nevertheless, when it comes to alcoholic beverages, it's all on the hotel premises. In bars, you're unlikely to come across parents with young teenagers.
What's very local Zanzibar Archipelago
The juice and smoothie bars are exceptional, given the quality of the tropical fruits grown on the island, delicious and juicy: coconut, pineapple, mango, avocado... Some addresses rival each other in creativity. Don't worry, everything is made with mineral water, even the ice cubes. You can treat yourself to a vitamin break without fear!
Zanzibar is not a destination known for its bars, since drinking alcohol is not normally permitted for Muslim inhabitants, although some do. On the other hand, you can find teas and coffees blended with spices made on the island, coffee and tea with mango, vanilla grown on the island, cardamom, cinnamon, lemongrass or ginger (for tea), etc. Try it, it's delicious!
Smokers Zanzibar Archipelago
You can smoke on the outdoor terraces of the bars, which are almost all open-air anyway. We're talking about beach bars here, on the sand.
