Elsie Eyakuze's Profile
Eating in Stonetown, Zanzibar
Hi Tracy,
Forodhani gardens might be open by the time you read this. Don't worry too much about the food- Zanzibar is great for seafood and you can find vegetarian dishes as well since meat is expensive to get on the island anyways. One of the best ways to eat is to walk around Stone Town and go to the first place that catches your fancy- this is a tourist island with a strong local eating-out culture, you really will not get stranded for choice. Prices will be cheaper than you are used to in the US, especially if you avoid the restaurants that are targeted to Westerners and quote in dollars (not the best food to be had anyways). Zanzibaris are incredibly gracious as well- ask your tourguide/cab driver/concierge/handler etc where to get some good eats and they will likely take you somewhere awesome, especially if you emphasize the fact that you aren't afraid to encounter real African food. And if it is cooked by a cantankerous, creased old Zanzibari grandma who only speaks to you in fast and derisive Kiswahili, be prepared to have your mind and tastebuds blown to heaven. Good luck, and enjoy.
