Ask ten people in Tanzania for the best restaurant in the country and you will get ten different answers, each one told with passion. One will describe a table by the sea in Dar es Salaam where the waves crash beside your plate. Another will swear by a smoky evening grill where the mishkaki is the best they have ever had. A third will tell you about a rooftop in Stone Town, eating as the sun sets over the old city.
The truth is that Tanzania's best food is spread across many kinds of places: elegant dining rooms, family cafes, seafood spots and loud, happy street grills. We have gathered fifteen favourites that come up again and again in travel guides and reviews, across Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar. Use this list as your starting point, and let your appetite do the rest.
How did we choose these restaurants?
We looked for places that appear repeatedly across major travel guides and review sites, such as Frommer's, Fodor's, Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor, and that cover a mix of styles and budgets. We are not paid by any of these restaurants. Menus, prices and opening hours change, and restaurants sometimes move or close, so always check recent reviews before you go.
What are the best restaurants in Dar es Salaam?
1. Karambezi Cafe (Sea Cliff Hotel)
Set right on the ocean at the Sea Cliff Hotel, Karambezi Cafe is famous for its open-air seating beside the waves. Guides praise its breakfast and lunch buffet and its relaxed seaside feel. A favourite for long weekend meals and sunset drinks.
2. Mediterraneo
Recommended by Frommer's for Mediterranean and Italian food with a Swahili touch, Mediterraneo is a popular choice for a relaxed dinner by the water. Good for pasta, pizza and seafood.
3. Akemi Revolving Restaurant
High above the city, Akemi offers international dishes with slowly turning views over Dar es Salaam and the harbour. It is a special-occasion spot, so call ahead to confirm opening times and book.
4. Samaki Samaki
"Samaki" means fish, and this restaurant lives up to its name with grilled fish, prawns and seafood platters. A lively choice for groups.
5. Mamboz Corner BBQ
A long-running evening grill in the city centre, loved for mishkaki, grilled chicken and spicy sauces. Come hungry, come after dark, and order chips on the side.
6. Chapan Bhog
An affordable vegetarian Indian restaurant known for dosas, thalis and Gujarati snacks. A great reminder of the Indian influence on Tanzanian food.
7. Addis in Dar
A well-established, family-owned Ethiopian restaurant. Share a big platter of injera with stews and eat with your hands, the traditional way.
What are the best restaurants in Arusha?
8. Blue Heron
A popular garden restaurant that works for family lunches as well as relaxed evening drinks. Its green, peaceful setting is part of the charm.
9. Fifi's Restaurant and Cafe
A busy cafe with a big following, good for breakfast, coffee, light lunches and baked treats before or after a safari.
10. Chinese Whispers
Described by Lonely Planet as consistently ranked among Arusha's best, it is especially popular with the city's expat community for its Chinese menu.
11. Mehboob's Barbeque
One of Arusha's highest-rated barbecue spots in online reviews. Smoky grilled meats in a no-fuss setting.
What are the best restaurants in Zanzibar?
12. Emerson Spice Rooftop (Stone Town)
A famous rooftop dinner with sweeping views over Stone Town at sunset. Guides describe a set evening sitting, so book ahead.
13. Lukmaan Restaurant (Stone Town)
A local favourite for cheap, tasty everyday Swahili food: pilau, curries, biryani and fresh juices. Busy at lunchtime for good reason.
14. Forodhani Gardens night market (Stone Town)
Not a restaurant, but impossible to leave out. Every evening the seafront gardens fill with grills selling seafood skewers, mishkaki and the famous "Zanzibar pizza". Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
15. 6 Degrees South (Stone Town)
A stylish spot near the water, known for seafood and drinks with a view. Good for a relaxed evening after a day exploring the old town.
Which restaurant suits which occasion?
| Occasion | Try |
|---|---|
| Seaside meal in Dar es Salaam | Karambezi Cafe, Mediterraneo |
| Special occasion with a view | Akemi, Emerson Spice Rooftop |
| Seafood with friends | Samaki Samaki, 6 Degrees South |
| Grilled meat and chips | Mamboz Corner BBQ, Mehboob's Barbeque |
| Vegetarian | Chapan Bhog |
| Budget local food | Lukmaan, Forodhani Gardens |
| Family lunch in Arusha | Blue Heron, Fifi's |
How do you get the most out of eating out in Tanzania?
- Book ahead for rooftop and special-occasion restaurants, especially on weekends.
- Ask for local dishes, even at international restaurants. Many have a Swahili special.
- Go early for street food, when it is freshest.
- Carry mobile money and some cash; not every place takes cards.
- Check recent reviews on maps and review sites for current hours.
Love the street food side of Tanzania most? Read best street food in Tanzania and best fast food in Tanzania. For hotel buffets, see best hotel buffets in Dar es Salaam.
Why are chips on almost every menu?
From hotel buffets to roadside grills, chips are one of the most ordered foods in Tanzania. Many of the country's best kitchens now use quality frozen fries, because they give the same golden result every time and free up hours of prep. If you run a restaurant, read why restaurants choose Supa Fries.
Bulk orders from 15 kg with weekly or biweekly delivery in Dar es Salaam and invoicing on request.
Ask for wholesale pricesCan you bring the restaurant experience home?
Some of the dishes on these menus are easy to recreate. A plate of crisp chips with grilled chicken and kachumbari is chips kuku; chips with mishkaki and pilipili is a Mamboz-style evening at home. Use hot oil, small batches and fresh salad, and your kitchen can feel like a favourite restaurant for a night.
What about restaurants in Mwanza, Dodoma and Moshi?
Every big town has its favourites, even if they appear less often in international guides. In Mwanza, on the shore of Lake Victoria, fresh tilapia and Nile perch, grilled or fried and served with chips or ugali, are the dishes to look for. In Dodoma, the capital, a growing number of cafes and local restaurants serve students and government workers. In Moshi, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, local eateries serve hearty plates of chips, mishkaki and ndizi to climbers and residents alike. The best way to find the top spots in these towns is simple: ask locals where they eat, and look for the busiest tables at lunchtime.
How much does eating out in Tanzania cost?
It ranges widely. Street food and local eateries offer full meals at very low prices, while hotel restaurants and rooftop dining cost many times more. A good plan for visitors is to mix both: one special dinner with a view, and plenty of street food and local lunches in between. Prices change often, so check menus online or ask when you book. Whatever your budget, Tanzania rewards the curious eater.
Know a restaurant that should be on this list?
Tanzania's food scene changes every year, with new restaurants opening and old favourites getting better. If you know a place that deserves a spot, especially one that makes great chips, tell us on Instagram or WhatsApp. We update our guides as we learn.
In short
Some of the best restaurants in Tanzania include Karambezi Cafe, Mediterraneo, Akemi, Samaki Samaki, Mamboz Corner BBQ, Chapan Bhog and Addis in Dar in Dar es Salaam; Blue Heron, Fifi's, Chinese Whispers and Mehboob's Barbeque in Arusha; and Emerson Spice Rooftop, Lukmaan, Forodhani Gardens and 6 Degrees South in Stone Town, Zanzibar. They range from seaside and rooftop dining to grills, vegetarian Indian food and budget Swahili meals. Check recent reviews and book ahead, as hours and menus change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best restaurant in Dar es Salaam?
It depends on what you want. Karambezi Cafe is loved for its ocean setting, Mediterraneo for Italian food by the water, Samaki Samaki for seafood, and Mamboz Corner BBQ for mishkaki.
Where should I eat in Stone Town, Zanzibar?
Try Emerson Spice Rooftop for a sunset dinner, Lukmaan for affordable Swahili food, and Forodhani Gardens night market for street food.
What are good restaurants in Arusha?
Blue Heron, Fifi's Restaurant and Cafe, Chinese Whispers and Mehboob's Barbeque are popular choices.
Do Tanzanian restaurants accept mobile money?
Many do, but it varies. Carry some cash and check with the restaurant.
Do I need to book restaurants in Tanzania?
For rooftop, hotel and special-occasion restaurants, especially at weekends, booking ahead is a good idea.
What should I eat in Mwanza?
Fresh fish from Lake Victoria, especially tilapia and Nile perch, grilled or fried and served with chips or ugali.
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