Zanzibar Travel Guide
Food in Zanzibar: The Culinary Guide (2026)
By Haji, your local · updated on 12.07.2026 · 8 min read
Part of our complete Zanzibar travel guideEating in Zanzibar is a journey in itself. On the Spice Island, African, Arab, Indian, and Portuguese influences meet – and you can taste it in every dish. Here comes your culinary guide: what you absolutely must try, where it tastes best, and how to enjoy it healthily.
The Flavors of the Spice Island
Zanzibar is called the “Spice Island” for a reason. Cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and vanilla grow here – and go straight into the pot. The Swahili cuisine is therefore aromatic, but rarely spicy: lots of coconut milk, fresh fish, rice, and curries. To see where the spices come from, experience it firsthand on a Spice Tour.
Must-Try Dishes
- Fresh seafood: grilled fish, octopus in coconut curry, lobsters, and prawns – straight from the boat.
- Zanzibar Pizza: a thin, folded dough flatbread, savory with minced meat and egg or sweet with banana and chocolate.
- Urojo (“Zanzibar Mix”): a tangy mango soup with crispy bhajias, potato, and chili – the ultimate local street food.
- Pilau & Biryani: spiced rice, often with meat or fish – a festive meal.
- Chapati & Mandazi: thin flatbread and slightly sweet pastries, perfect for breakfast.
- Exotic fruits: mango, jackfruit, passion fruit, custard apple, and fresh coconut by the roadside.
Forodhani Night Market in Stone Town
When the sun sets in Stone Town, the Forodhani Gardens by the water turn into a street food market: grill skewers, Zanzibar Pizza, freshly pressed sugarcane juice, and sweet Zanzibar coffee. An experience for all senses – and affordable too. Local tip: Go where the locals queue, then it’s fresh.
Special Places
A highlight is The Rock Restaurant, which stands on a rock in the sea at high tide – best combined with the trip to Jozani. And the best “restaurant table” is often a white sandbank: fresh fish on the Nakupenda Sandbank, right in the turquoise water.
Healthy Enjoyment: Honest Tips
Zanzibar's food is delicious – a few simple rules keep you fit: Drink only bottled water and skip ice cubes if in doubt. Eat where it's busy (high turnover = fresh). Peeled fruit and grilled food are usually safe. If you’re sensitive, let your stomach gradually adjust to new flavors. More practical tips – from travel time to budget – can be found in the Zanzibar Travel Guide.
Fancy a foodie trip? I'll build you a free plan with a Spice Tour, Forodhani evening, and the best seafood spots.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink tap water in Zanzibar?+
Better not. Drink bottled water (cheaply available everywhere) and avoid ice cubes if in doubt. For brushing teeth, tap water is usually fine if you don't swallow it.
Is there vegetarian food in Zanzibar?+
Yes, plenty: bean and vegetable curries with coconut, chapati, rice dishes, bhajias, and lots of fresh fruit. Let your guide know, and they’ll plan suitable stops.
Is street food in Zanzibar safe?+
Largely, if it’s fresh and hot and there’s a lot of activity. The Forodhani Night Market is popular and good. Avoid food that’s been sitting out for long and raw items if you’re sensitive.
Is the food spicy?+
Mostly not. Swahili cuisine is aromatic but rarely spicy – heat usually comes separately as chili sauce.