An overview of traditional food in Zanzibar, how much groceries cost in the resort and where to go to eat (cafes and restaurants), places with a good rating and prices for groceries.
A piece of any country, its peculiarities and traditions are always kept in the national cuisine. By tasting a dish, we can tell from which region it originated. After all, the whole history of the country is reflected in the national cuisine.
Tasting the cuisine of the island of Zanzibar, you can learn a lot about its past and traditions, learn new things in gastronomic tourism and possibly find for yourself something that you will enjoy cooking at home for a long time to come.
Being at the intersection of trade routes, the archipelago has collected the peculiarities of the cuisines of different peoples, added African flavor and Zanzibar soul. Now on the island you can see the most varied, delicious and rich cuisine of East Africa.
Find out the cost of air tickets to Tanzania and all the ways to save on the flight.
Tanzanian culinary traditions
A major breakthrough in the culinary arts of the island took place in 1810. It was in this year that the first spice was introduced - cloves. Since then, the island has been a major exporter of spices.
Of course, this factor was reflected in national customs and food preferences of the local population. A spicy aroma is present in all dishes. At the same time, the products are not very spicy.
Of course, fruits and seafood are an integral part of a Zanzibari's meal, but meat is considered a delicacy for local residents.
What to try in Zanzibar
What to eat from fruits
The honey-sweet mango cannot be compared with the mangoes that end up on the shelves of our supermarkets, they cannot even be called relatives. After eating a couple of gummy fruits, consider that you have already dined - they are very satisfying.
Local pineapples are also not like our store ones, here they are very sweet and juicy, there is no aftertaste of vinegar essence, which happens very often when an unripe fruit is sent to the refrigerator until it is bought in our country.
Buy the ones that are yellowish, they are the most ripe and delicious.
In addition to mango and pineapple, you will see a lot of outlandish fruits on the shelves. Be sure to try the jackfruit and rambutan. The taste of the fruits is very unusual, it is difficult to compare them with something known to us.
Where to buy and how much does it cost? You do not need to look for fruits, the counters are filled with all kinds of exoticism found at every step. For the price you can find cheaper away from the tourist areas. Medium-sized pineapples are sold at 25-50 rubles apiece, 1 mango is about 10-15 rubles.
Coconuts
Coconuts are the basis of many national dishes. They are added to rice, meat, soups. Be sure to try the fresh juice of this nut, after drinking the liquid, ask the seller to get the pulp, it is very nutritious.
Where to buy and how much does it cost? Green coconuts are sold on beaches, markets, streets, roads, it is not difficult to find them. One piece costs less than a bottle of water - about 20 rubles.
Seafood dishes
Of course, seafood on the island is truly a national dish. Lobsters, shrimp, crabs, squid, octopus and fish are abundant on the island and are common food for the locals.
Be sure to try the fresh grilled catch, which must be seasoned with fresh aromatic spices.
Where to eat in Zanzibar seafood
All Zanzibar restaurants and even the smallest cafes will offer you similar dishes.
For authentic Zanzibar cuisine, head to a restaurant Mr Kahawa or The Rock zanzibar restaurant... As for the latter, the restaurant is a local tourist attraction, it was built by an ordinary fisherman on a small rock at low tide. The cost of lunch or dinner from ordinary seafood is slightly higher than in ordinary restaurants, but it is worth visiting for interesting photos. If you want to visit The Rock purposefully, we recommend booking a table and finding out the low tide time, as you will have to spend additional money on a transfer by sea.
The average bill here will be 1200-1700 rubles for two main courses and a salad during lunch.
Rice is all over the head
Oddly enough, rice dishes are included in the daily diet of the inhabitants of the island and are a national product. Rice was brought to the island by merchant ships from other regions; it has become an integral part of the life of the inhabitants of the island.
Try it! Pilau rice is a very tasty and popular dish with a national flavor. It is customary to eat this dish with your hands in the circle of relatives and friends.
Locals cook not only rice, but also sawo rice noodles. Spices, shrimp, bean sprouts and green onions are added to it.
Spices in these dishes are a must; without spices, the Zanzibarians do not use rice at all.
Such food in Zanzibar will cost 100-150 rubles per serving.
What to eat from meat
For a long time, meat in Zanzibar was eaten only on holidays - it was a delicacy. Now meat dishes can be tasted in every cafe in Zanzibar.
Be sure to try the sorpotel dish made with beef, beef heart, liver and tongue. Thanks to the long stewing in spices, it turns out to be incredibly tender and juicy. The Chit Chat restaurant serves delicious food.
What to eat from local cuisine is a must
There are also traditional dishes in Zanzibar that you just need to try in the cafes and restaurants of the island. Ugali porridge with Naan bread is popular among the common population. Mchicha salad is made with a variety of spinach, peanut butter and curry.
Meat dish with bananas Nyama na Ndizi will surprise you with its exotic taste.
Desserts and drinks
In desserts, the Zanzibari are not strong masters. A sweet called chocolate dessert can be simple pancakes with nutela.
But the Halua dessert with almonds is worth trying. Shapati honey cakes will not surprise you much, but it will be interesting to try Maasai food.
To wash down sweets, take tea, spices and masala will definitely be added to it.
For drinks, try fresh papaya or mango.
Local beer with the loud name Kilimanjaro is in demand among tourists, although it tastes quite ordinary. In stores, it is sold for 50-60 rubles.
You may be interested to know about the cost of rest in Zanzibar in general, from plane tickets to the best hotels by the sea.
Food prices in Zanzibar
It is worth noting that prices are constantly changing, consider the average cost for the most essential food items:
- Potatoes (1 kg) - 47 rubles,
- Chicken breasts from a private trader (1 kg) - 380 rubles,
- Local cheese - 290 rubles,
- Milk (1 liter) - 67 rubles,
- Tomatoes - 50 rubles
- Bread (0.38-0.55 kg) - 18 rubles,
- Eggs (12 pieces) - 93 rubles,
- Apples (1 kg) - 62 rubles.
Prices for local drinks, alcoholic beverages:
- Local beer (0.5 l.) - 80 rubles,
- Red wine - 430 rubles for a bottle of 0.7 liters.,
- Coca-Cola carbonated drink (2 l.) - 97 rubles,
- Whiskey, liqueur, vodka (0.75 l.) - from 380 rubles, depending on the brand.
You will be interested to know:
- Where to rest? The best resort places where you can relax with children, youth, elderly tourists.
- Popular and inexpensive hotels by the sea, which we recommend for relaxation.
