Typical Tanzanian Food: Complete Guide to Zanzibar 2025
Typical Tanzanian food, especially in ZanzibarTanzania's cuisine is a fascinating fusion of Arabic, Indian, Persian and African influences resulting from centuries of trade on the Spice Route. Tanzania's cuisine is noted for its generous use of spices (cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg), fresh Indian Ocean seafood and unique dishes such as pilau (spiced rice), urojo (spicy Zanzibari soup), Zanzibar pizza (stuffed crepe), biryani, mishkaki (kebabs) and mandazi (African doughnuts). This guide explains must-try dishes, key ingredients, best places to eat in Stone Town and real prices.
Main dishes typical food of Tanzania
Pilau (spicy rice)
What isAromatic rice cooked with whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, cloves), meat (beef, chicken, goat) and raisins.
TasteAromatic, spicy but not spicy, slightly sweet.
Price: 8,000-12,000 TZS (3-5 USD).
Where to eatLukmaan Restaurant Stone Town, local restaurants.
Biryani
What isBasmati rice cooked with complex spices, meat, yogurt, saffron.
Difference from pilauMore spicy, layered rice and meat, direct Indian influence.
Price: 10,000-15,000 TZS (4-6 USD).
Urojo (zanzibari soup)
What isSpicy soup with spicy broth, potato, onion, chili, fried dumplings (bhajias).
TasteSpicy, acidic (tamarind), full of contrasting textures.
Price: 3,000-5,000 TZS (1-2 USD).
Where: Forodhani Gardens Stone Town night, street stalls.
Zanzibar Pizza
What isNOT Italian pizza - thick crepe stuffed with minced meat, onion, peppers, cheese, egg, mayonnaise. Sweet versions with Nutella, banana.
PreparationCooked on a large street griddle.
PriceTZS: 5,000-8,000 TZS (2-3 USD) salty, 4,000-6,000 TZS sweet.
WhereForodhani Gardens Stone Town night - a must experience.
Mishkaki (spicy skewers)
What isMeat skewers (beef, chicken, goat) marinated in spices (ginger, garlic, curry, chili, lemon), grilled.
Price3,000-5,000 TZS (1-2 USD) per skewer.
Where: Forodhani Gardens, street stalls.
Ugali typical food Tanzania
What isFirm cornmeal porridge, staple food East Africa.
How to eatWith hands, forming balls that you dip in stew/sauce.
AccompanimentServed with mchuzi (stew), dagaa (dried fish), vegetables Price: 2,000-4,000 TZS (1-2 USD) with stew.
Context: Daily local, authentic food that is eaten in Tanzania.
Fresh seafood
Grilled fishWhole fish (snapper, barracuda) grilled with spices, lemon - 15,000-25,000 TZS (6-10 USD).
LobsterRoasted or in curry - 25,000-40,000 TZS (10-16 USD).
Octopus (pweza)Curry octopus, grilled octopus - 12,000-20,000 TZS (5-8 USD).
SquidFried or in coconut curry - 10,000-15,000 TZS (4-6 USD).
WhereForodhani Gardens, restaurants in front of the sea.
Mandazi (African doughnuts)
What isSweet fried rolls, spongy texture, slightly sweet with cardamom.
WhenBreakfast with chai (spicy tea), afternoon snack.
Price500-1,000 TZS (0.20-0.40 USD) each.
WhereStone Town street vendors, Darajani market.
Cultural influences gastronomy of Tanzania
Arab influence
Spices: Intensive use cloves, cinnamon, cardamom inherited from Arab traders Spice Route.
DishesPilau, biryani, halwa (spicy sweet).
Indian influence
CurrysMchuzi wa samaki (fish curry), coconut curry omnipresent.
BreadChapati (flat bread), samosas (fried triangles), bhajias (vegetable fritters).
Chai masalaBlack tea with spices (cardamom, ginger, cinnamon), milk, sugar - Tanzanian national drink.
African Swahili influence
UgaliStaple food corn.
Nyama chomaSimple roast meat (goat, beef).
Dagaa: Dried fish, an economic source of protein.
CocoCoconut milk in curries, rice, sweets.
Where to eat typical Tanzanian food in Zanzibar
Forodhani Gardens (a must)
What isNight street food market (18:00-23:00) in front of the sea Stone Town.
What to eatZanzibar pizza, grouper, mishkaki, seafood skewers, fresh juices.
Average price15,000-30,000 TZS (6-12 USD) full dinner.
ExperienceBBQ smoke, competing vendors, tourist/local mix. Authentic experience.
Council: Negotiate prices before ordering.
Lukmaan Restaurant
Location: Mkunazini Street, Stone Town
Specialty: Authentic Swahili food - pilau, biryani, fish curry.
Price: 8,000-15,000 TZS (3-6 USD).
Why goBest value for money.
Darajani Market
What to eatMandazi breakfast (500-1,000 TZS), ugali with mchuzi lunch (2,000-4,000 TZS).
Best time: Morning 7:00-10:00 AM.
Experience: Chaotic, authentic, essence of Zanzibari life.
Emerson Spice Rooftop
SpecialtyTasting menu with multiple Swahili dishes.
Price: 80,000-100,000 TZS (30-40 USD).
Environment: Terrace with 360° view Stone Town.
ReservationMandatory.
The Silk Route
Location: Kelele Square, Stone Town
SpecialtyIndian-Swahili fusion.
Price: 15,000-30,000 TZS (6-12 USD).
Key ingredients eaten in Tanzania
Spices typical food Tanzania
NailZanzibar major producer XIX century. Used pilau, biryani, chai.
CardamomMandazi, chai, curries.
CinnamonPilau, biryani, beverages.
Cumin: Base currys, pilau.
TurmericColor: Golden rice color.
GingerMishkaki marinades, chai, curries.
Base products
RiceBasmati (special dishes), local rice (daily).
CornUgali - staple food.
CocoCoconut milk currys, coconut rice, sweets.
TamarindoUrojo (acidity), juices.
Typical drinks and gastronomy of Tanzania
Chai masala (spicy tea)
What isBlack tea boiled with spices (cardamom, ginger, cinnamon), milk, sugar.
Price: 1,000-2,000 TZS (0.40-0.80 USD).
WhereLocal cafes, street vendors.
Fresh juices
Sugar cane: 2,000-3,000 TZS.
Tamarindo: 2,000-3,000 TZS.
Fresh coconut: 2,000-4,000 TZS.
Mango/passion fruitSeason 3,000-5,000 TZS.
Local beer
Safari Lager, Kilimanjaro Premium: 3,000-5,000 TZS.
NoteLess common alcohol (99% Muslim) but available in tourist hotels.
Frequently asked questions typical Tanzanian food
What is the most representative typical Tanzanian food?
The most representative typical Tanzanian food includes: (1) Ugali - firm cornmeal porridge served with mchuzi (stew) or dagaa (dried fish), daily staple food local population East Africa, dense neutral texture eaten with hands (2,000-4.000 TZS); (2) Pilau - aromatic rice cooked with whole spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, cloves), meat and raisins, Arab-Indian influence inherited from Spice Route (8,000-12,000 TZS); (3) Nyama choma - simple roasted meat (goat, beef) traditional African style. In Zanzibar specifically, Tanzanian cuisine includes unique dishes such as Urojo (spicy Zanzibari soup with bhajias 3,000-5,000 TZS Forodhani Gardens), Zanzibar pizza (meat/Nutella stuffed crepe 5,000-8,000 TZS), mishkaki (spicy skewers 3,000-5,000 TZS) and fresh Indian Ocean seafood (grilled fish, lobster, octopus 15,000-40,000 TZS). According to Lonely PlanetIn Forodhani Gardens Stone Town, sampling typical Tanzanian food is a must-do experience where authentic street food is served nightly mixing tourists and locals in a vibrant atmosphere.
What do you eat in Tanzania for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
What to eat in Tanzania varies according to time of day: BREAKFAST - (1) Mandazi (sweet fried African doughnuts with cardamom 500-1,000 TZS) with chai masala (spiced tea with milk 1,000-2,000 TZS), classic local breakfast Stone Town street vendors; (2) Chapati (flat bread) with beans or egg; (3) Mkate wa kumimina (coconut rice pancake). LUNCH - Main meal day: (1) Ugali with mchuzi (meat/fish/vegetable stew) or dagaa (dried fish) 2,000-4,000 TZS; (2) Pilau or biryani with meat 8,000-15,000 TZS restaurants like Lukmaan; (3) Wali wa nazi (coconut rice) with fish curry. DINNER - Similar lunch but lighter, or street food experience: (1) Forodhani Gardens Stone Town (18:00-23:00) - Zanzibar pizza 5,000-8,000 TZS, urojo 3,000-5,000 TZS, mishkaki 3,000-5,000 TZS, seafood skewers 10,000-25,000 TZS; (2) Nyama choma (grilled meat) with ugali; (3) Fresh grilled seafood beachfront restaurants. According to Culture TripTanzania's typical food reflects a fusion of Arab, Indian and African influences, with spices being a distinctive element differentiating Tanzanian cuisine from other African cuisines.
Where to eat the best Tanzanian food in Zanzibar and how much does it cost?
For best Tanzanian food in Zanzibar: (1) Forodhani Gardens - night street food market (18:00-23:00) in front of the sea Stone Town, MUST experience where you try Zanzibar pizza 5.000-8.000 TZS, grouper 3.000-5.000 TZS, mishkaki 3.000-5,000 TZS, seafood kebabs (lobster, octopus, squid, fish) 10,000-25,000 TZS, fresh juices 2,000-3,000 TZS - full dinner 15,000-30,000 TZS (6-12 USD); (2) Lukmaan Restaurant (Mkunazini Street) - cheap authentic Swahili food, pilau 8.000-12,000 TZS, biryani 10,000-15,000 TZS, fish curry 12,000-18,000 TZS, where locals eat; (3) Darajani Market - mandazi breakfast 500-1,000 TZS, ugali with mchuzi lunch 2,000-4.000 TZS, chaotic local experience best 7:00-10:00 AM; (4) Emerson Spice Rooftop - Swahili tasting menu 80,000-100,000 TZS (30-40 USD), terrace 360° Stone Town view, reservation mandatory; (5) The Silk Route (Kelele Square) - Indian-Swahili fusion 15,000-30,000 TZS. According to TripAdvisorForodhani Gardens is #1 place to try authentic Tanzanian food with the best value for money and vibrant atmosphere being a complete sensory dining experience in Tanzania.