Best Local Dishes to Try in Zanzibar

If you’re visiting the island and wondering about the best local dishes to try in Zanzibar, you’re in for a flavorful adventure. Zanzibar’s food reflects its diverse culture, with African, Arab, Indian, and Persian influences blended into rich, spicy meals. From street food to sit-down feasts, local dishes are a highlight of any trip.

Zanzibar Biryani and Pilau

Biryani is one of the most popular dishes in Zanzibar. It’s a fragrant rice dish cooked with spices, meat (often chicken or beef), potatoes, and sometimes raisins. The flavor is rich but not too spicy. Another favorite is pilau, a simpler rice dish seasoned with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin, often served during celebrations.

Octopus Curry

Zanzibar’s coastal location means seafood is always fresh, and octopus curry is a local specialty. The octopus is slow-cooked in coconut milk with curry spices, creating a creamy, mildly spicy dish that pairs well with rice or chapati. You’ll find it at both beach restaurants and local eateries.

Zanzibar Pizza

This is not your typical pizza! Zanzibar pizza is a popular street food made from a thin dough stuffed with meat, egg, vegetables, and sometimes cheese or mayonnaise, then fried on a pan. It’s more like a stuffed pancake than a pizza, but it’s delicious and filling.

Urojo (Zanzibar Mix)

Urojo, also known as Zanzibar Mix, is a thick, tangy soup made from flour, mango, lime, and spices. It’s filled with fried potatoes, bhajias (fried lentil balls), boiled eggs, and cassava crisps. You’ll find it at street food stalls, especially in Stone Town. It’s a unique and tasty mix of textures and flavors.

Chapati and Mandazi

Zanzibaris often enjoy chapati, a flatbread similar to Indian roti, with meat stews or beans. For something sweet, try mandazi, which are slightly sweet fried dough balls, perfect with tea or coffee in the morning.

Fresh Seafood and Grilled Fish

Seafood lovers will enjoy grilled fish, prawns, calamari, and lobster , served with coconut sauces or spicy dips. Most beachside restaurants serve the catch of the day, usually grilled over an open flame and seasoned with local herbs.

Sugarcane Juice and Spiced Tea

To drink, try fresh sugarcane juice with lime or ginger, sold at local stands. Also, don’t miss a cup of Zanzibari spiced tea, made with cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom, served sweet and strong.

So, the best local dishes to try in Zanzibar offer more than great flavor, they tell the story of the island’s history and mix of cultures. From rich curries to tasty street snacks, the food in Zanzibar is part of the experience. Don’t be afraid to try something new, every bite is a part of the adventure.