Joanna James
As one of Africa's most dynamic holiday hotspots, Zanzibar is known for more than its stunning beaches and coastal resorts. Here are ten irresistibly rich local dishes every visitor should sample during a tour of the country.
When it comes to street food in Zanzibar, nothing beats the popular meat skewer dish Mishkaki. Grilled to perfection using a wide range of local spices, these kebabs are sold down every alleyway in major cities across the country come evening time. The best places to dig into Mishkaki include the Forodhani Gardens and the area in front of Mukky's Cafe.
Although Zanzibar's version of pizza is more akin to a savoury crepe or a galette than an Italian pizza, it is no less delicious. The thin dough strip is piled on with toppings of your choice as most restaurants offer an array of seafood items, meats, veggies, and eggs. Mozzarella cheese is not used as a topping on Zanzibar pizzas as cheese wedges are melted and combined with mayonnaise and chilli sauce.
Thanks to the Indian immigrants that have called Zanzibar home for decades, the country remains a great place to dig into classic rice dishes from the subcontinent. Some of the top rice meals to enjoy for lunch in Zanzibar include Biryani and Pilaf or Pilau.
Visitors based at The Residence Zanzibar and other rests in the country will notice that Persian cuisine and dishes are also part and parcel of a Zanzibar dining experience. Having been a colony of Oman for 200 years, Zanzibar's local culinary style has been heavily influenced by Persian dishes. This means tagines; kofta, falafels and baba ghanoush are available in most restaurants.
If there is a seafood delicacy Zanzibar is renowned for, it is surely Octopus dishes. The abundance of Octopuses occupying the coastal flats surrounding Zanzibar means restaurants have a steady supply for most of the year. Grilled and infused into curries along with coconut cream, octopus dishes are ubiquitous in local eateries.
Also called Swahili Doughnuts, Mandazi is basically a ball of dough that's been deep-fried and seasoned with sugar and cardamom.
While the name may be deceiving, "Zanzibar chocolate" is a sweet and spicy snack that's rich in sesame seeds and honey. Although there's no chocolate in it, the inexpensive treat is a highly addictive snack loved by locals.
Also called the Zanzibar Mix, this broth is flour-based and thick and contains bhajias and mashed potatoes fried to perfection. Topped off with cassava chips, coconut chutney and chilli, the dish is a delicious meal even if it may not be the healthiest thing on the menu.
Zanzibar's version of a French omelette fry is called Chips Mayai. Made using tomato sauce, chilli sauce, onion salad and eggs, it is a comfort dish like no other.
Coffee culture is huge in Zanzibar and visitors can enjoy cardamom-infused Arabic coffee drinks at unbelievably low prices in local cafes.
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