Top 5: Restaurants in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Zanzibar boasts an eclectic array of cuisine defined by bold flavors and a love of spice. Nowhere is this more showcased than the city of Stone Town. Here are just five of the city’s best restaurants.

House of Spices

The aptly named of House of Spices once stood as an 18^th-century merchant’s house that acted as a multipurpose venue for the community. Nowadays, it still offers a variety of services, but the restaurant is a truly delightful place to experience both Indian and Italian dishes with strong flavors.

The Silk Route

The Silk Route is a Gao-style, three-story restaurant with an extensive cocktail menu and some of the best views in town. They serve traditional Indian food with explosive flavors and you can’t go wrong with its spiced biryanis Kadai beef.

Forodhani Gardens Night Market

Forodhani Gardens might not technically be a restaurant, but visitors to Stone Town cannot miss the food served at the night market. Street food is a way of life in Zanzibar and nowhere is this more exemplified than Forodhani Gardens, where locals and tourists mingle among delicious food from pizzas to pistachio ice cream.

Lazuli

Lazuli is a great spot for a midday meal, but don’t expect to get in and out quickly; this place gets packed. The chic little café is mostly known for its vast array of smoothies but it also serves up some delicious curries, chapatti wraps and other healthy, Swahili-inspired foods.

Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel Rooftop Tea House

The Rooftop Tea House at the Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel provides the highest view in the city and a relaxing ambience that’ll make you feel at home. You’ll be seated shoeless on floor cushions for a Persian wedding-inspired, three-course meal for a romantic experience you won’t forget.