20 Best Places to Eat in Tanzania: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Tanzanian cuisine is a rich fusion of indigenous Bantu flavors, Arab spices, Indian culinary traditions, and fresh coastal seafood. From bustling night markets to oceanfront fine dining, the country delivers incredible gastronomic experiences.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

Ugali: Starchy cornmeal staple served alongside savory meat stews, fish, or green vegetables.
Zanzibar Pizza: Crisp pan-fried dough stuffed with minced meat, vegetables, eggs, and cheese.
Nyama Choma: Slow-grilled goat or beef seasoned simply and served with fresh kachumbari salad.
Mishkaki: Marinated skewered beef or chicken grilled over open charcoal fires.
Chipsi Mayai: A popular street food omelet made by frying french fries together with eggs.

20 Best Places to Eat in Tanzania

1. The Rock Restaurant

Cuisine: Fresh Seafood & Italian-Swahili Fusion
Location: Michamvi Pingwe Beach, Zanzibar
Must-Try Dish: Rock Special (Grilled lobster, slipper lobster, prawns, and fish)
About the Place: Perched on a natural coral rock out in the Indian Ocean, diners can walk across at low tide or take a short boat ride during high tide for world-famous views and dining.
Explore More: Read our full guide to The Rock Restaurant

2. Forodhani Gardens Night Food Market

Cuisine: Swahili Street Food & Seafood
Location: Stone Town Seafront, Zanzibar
Must-Try Dish: Zanzibar Pizza & Freshly Pressed Sugarcane Juice
About the Place: Every evening, this seaside square transforms into an open-air night market packed with sizzling skewers, seafood grills, and buzzing local atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Forodhani Gardens

3. Cape Town Fish Market

Cuisine: Seafood, Sushi & International
Location: Msasani Peninsula, Dar es Salaam
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Sushi Platter & Grilled Tiger Prawns
About the Place: Offers upscale waterfront dining overlooking the ocean with a vast menu ranging from fresh sushi to robata grills.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Cape Town Fish Market

4. Lukmaan Restaurant

Cuisine: Authentic Swahili & Local Zanzibar
Location: New Mkunazini Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Must-Try Dish: Octopus Curry with Coconut Rice
About the Place: A legendary local eatery offering cafeteria-style service packed with flavorful pilau, biryani, fried fish, and tropical juices at budget prices.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Lukmaan Restaurant

5. Khan's BBQ (Chicken Highway)

Cuisine: Open-air Indian & Tanzanian BBQ
Location: Central Arusha Town
Must-Try Dish: Garlic Naan with Tandoori Mishkaki
About the Place: An auto-parts shop by day that turns into an iconic, smoke-filled outdoor street barbecue hub by night.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Khan's BBQ

6. Emerson on Hurumzi Rooftop Tea House

Cuisine: Persian-Swahili Tasting Menu
Location: Stone Town, Zanzibar
Must-Try Dish: Multi-course Swahili Spice Feast
About the Place: Set on one of Stone Town's highest rooftops, guests sit on Oriental carpets enjoying sunset views, traditional Taarab music, and authentic spiced courses.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Emerson on Hurumzi

7. 305 Karafuu

Cuisine: International & Fresh Tanzanian Seafood
Location: Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Catch of the Day with Garlic Butter
About the Place: A hidden culinary gem tucked away in a residential neighborhood, widely praised for excellent hospitalities and gourmet seafood plates.
Explore More: Read our full guide to 305 Karafuu

8. The Secret Garden at Emerson Spice

Cuisine: Modern Swahili Fusion
Location: Stone Town, Zanzibar
Must-Try Dish: Coconut Spiced Fish Fillet
About the Place: Situated in a historic courtyard surrounded by ancient stone ruins, offering live music and refined local dishes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to The Secret Garden

9. Samaki-Samaki

Cuisine: Tanzanian Seafood & Pub Eats
Location: Masaki, Dar es Salaam
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Tilapia with Spicy Chipsi Mayai
About the Place: A lively, trendy spot loved by locals and visitors for cold beer, giant grilled fish portions, and vibrant African beats.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Samaki-Samaki

10. Machweo at Onsea House

Cuisine: French-Belgian with Tanzanian Flavors
Location: Baraa, Arusha
Must-Try Dish: Chef’s 5-Course Gourmet Tasting Menu
About the Place: Offers an upscale fine-dining experience with panoramic mountain sunset views across the Maasai steppe.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Machweo

11. Indoitaliano Restaurant

Cuisine: Indian & Italian Fusion
Location: Moshi Town
Must-Try Dish: Creamy Butter Chicken and Wood-fired Pizza
About the Place: A long-standing favorite basecamp stop in Moshi for trekkers coming off Mount Kilimanjaro looking for hearty meals.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Indoitaliano

12. Coffee Union Cafe

Cuisine: Cafe, Bakery & Light Meals
Location: Moshi Town
Must-Try Dish: Freshly Brewed Kilimanjaro Arabica Coffee & Avocado Toast
About the Place: Operated by local coffee farmers' cooperatives, serving high-grade locally grown coffee and baked goods in a relaxing garden environment.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Coffee Union Cafe

13. Mamboz Corner BBQ

Cuisine: Tanzanian-Indian Street BBQ
Location: City Centre, Dar es Salaam
Must-Try Dish: Sekela Chicken & Beef Mishkaki
About the Place: Famous open-air street stall known for mouth-watering charcoal-grilled meats slathered in spicy garlic sauces.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mamboz Corner BBQ

14. Badolina Secret Garden Restaurant

Cuisine: Mediterranean & Fresh Healthy Eats
Location: Nungwi, Zanzibar
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Hummus, Falafel & Seafood Platter
About the Place: A charming, rustic outdoor restaurant serving vibrant, healthy Mediterranean dishes right near Nungwi’s white-sand beaches.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Badolina Secret Garden

15. Fisherman's Seafood & Grill

Cuisine: International Seafood
Location: Kendwa Beach, Zanzibar
Must-Try Dish: Ocean Lobster with Herb Butter
About the Place: Relaxing beachfront setting where diners can eat with their feet in the sand while watching sunset dhows sail past.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Fisherman's Seafood

16. Fifi's Restaurant

Cuisine: Cafe, Continental & African
Location: Arusha City Centre
Must-Try Dish: Swahili Spiced Breakfast & Espresso
About the Place: Popular among expat workers and tourists for rich breakfasts, fresh fruit smoothies, and leafy outdoor garden seating.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Fifi's Restaurant

17. George's Tavern

Cuisine: Greek, Italian & Mediterranean
Location: Arusha
Must-Try Dish: Greek Gyros & Homemade Wood-fired Pizzas
About the Place: Offers comforting authentic Mediterranean favorites in a welcoming environment with friendly staff and generous portions.
Explore More: Read our full guide to George's Tavern

18. Waterfront Sunset Restaurant

Cuisine: Seafood & Grill
Location: Slipway Shopping Centre, Dar es Salaam
Must-Try Dish: Seafood Paella & Grilled Calamari
About the Place: Provides prime ocean views over Msasani Bay, perfect for enjoying sunset cocktails and fresh grilled fish.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Waterfront Sunset Restaurant

19. Kilimanjaro Native Co-operative Union (KNCU) Kahawa Cafe

Cuisine: Tanzanian Coffee House
Location: Moshi Town
Must-Try Dish: Single-origin Kilimanjaro Filter Coffee
About the Place: Authentic local spot where visitors can sample Arabica coffee harvested directly from smallholder farms on the mountain slopes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to KNCU Kahawa Cafe

20. Silk Club & Restaurant

Cuisine: Pan-Asian & Chinese
Location: Dodoma City
Must-Try Dish: Sizzling Spicy Beef & Fried Rice
About the Place: A sleek modern dining venue in the nation's capital known for high-quality Asian dishes and stylish modern ambiance.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Silk Club Restaurant

Featured Image

Forodhani Gardens Night Food Market