The Best Vegetarian Restaurants In The Zanzibar Islands : Being a vegan, you might be worried about finding vegan-friendly restaurants on Zanzibar if you’re planning a trip there. The Zanzibar Islands are known for their seafood, but there are also many vegetarian restaurants that serve scrumptious and nutritious plant-based meals.
The Tanzania’s Zanzibar Island, also known as the Spice Island, is teeming with flavorful dishes and locally sourced ingredients. But not all of them are vegan-friendly, just like many islands and beach locations. And one of Zanzibar’s top attractions continues to be the abundance of fresh seafood along the shores. If you’re a vegetarian and planning a Zanzibar Vocation, for your benefit, we have located all of the island’s top vegan-friendly restaurants. We can attest that the vegan options are just as good—if not better—than the hearty meat dishes, despite the fact that some of them aren’t strictly vegan. The top vegetarian restaurants in Zanzibar are listed below:
The Island Restaurant, Pongwe
At low tide, you can walk to the Island Restaurant, which is just off the Pongwe beach. A variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes are available at the island restaurant. Fresh salads, flavorful curries, and delectable desserts are all offered on the menu and are all made with ingredients that can be found nearby. This would be a must-visit restaurant for you if you planned on staying on the east coast.
Cinnamon and Rooftop Restaurant
A rooftop dining experience with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and white-sand beaches is available at Cinnamon and Rooftops Restaurant, which is located in Nungwi Beach on the first and second floors of the Z Hotel. Soups, salads, and curries are among the vegetarian and vegan menu items offered by the restaurant. Additionally, the restaurant is located in an ideal spot for a magnificent sunset.
Ma Shaa Allah Cafe’, Stone Town
Ma Shaa Allah Cafe’, a vegetarian and vegan-friendly cafe serving a variety of nutritious and delectable dishes, is situated in Stone Town, close to Lukman Restaurant at Mkunazini Street. Vegan Pilau, Wali Garage, sandwiches, and salads are just a few of the vegan and vegetarian options available at the cafe.
Mama Mia
Nungwi’s Mama Mia is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly eatery that serves a variety of Italian and Zanzibari dishes. The only restaurant where you can eat authentic Italian food is this one. Pasta dishes, pizzas, and salads are among the vegetarian menu items offered by the restaurant. The best place to go if you’re a vegan and want to stay at Nungwi Beach is right here.
Badolina’s Secret Garden Restaurant
Visitors who are vegan should visit Badolina Secret Garden. It’s renowned for both its delicious food, particularly seafood, and its lovely garden setting. Italian food and regional Zanzibari dishes are among the selections available at the restaurant. It is a restaurant that welcomes vegetarians and vegans and offers a variety of vegetarian dishes. For visitors who come to Zanzibar on vacation, Badolina offers a variety of rooms in addition to its restaurant.
Emerson Spice
This is an option if you want to eat a vegetarian lunch or dinner while admiring the magnificent view of the historic Stone Town. It is situated on the center of Zanzibar’s Stone Town. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant serves a range of dishes, including vegetarian biryanis, samosas, and curries for vegans.
Stone Town Café
Near the Freddie Mercury House in Stone Town is the Stone Town Cafe. It is a cafe that welcomes vegetarians and vegans and serves a variety of wholesome and delectable dishes. There are numerous vegan and vegetarian options available at the cafe. You can reserve a room here if you still intend to travel to Zanzibar and want to stay in Stone Town. The Stone Town Cafe also provides a bed and breakfast service.
Sativa Café
This is where Bob Marley would be if he were in Zanzibar. The laid-back restaurant embodies that romantic mood. Additionally, there is a yoga studio directly above the cafe, so you’ll encounter lots of other like-minded foodies and animal lovers.
Sativa Cafe has designed its menu to take into account the fact that vegans prefer their food in bowl form. The breakfast bowls are packed with fruit, homemade granola, and chia seeds and are served in a coconut shell. You can anticipate seeing dishes like sweet potato salad with hummus, cashews, lime, and herbs for lunch. And guacamole nachos, which are their specialty, are a perennial favorite.
The Plants
Paje, known for its kitesurfing schools and yoga classes, draws a particular demographic—one that rarely (or never) consumes meat. Fortunately, the vegan village offers a wide variety of the top vegan eateries in Zanzibar. The plants are one of our personal favorites among them.
The plant-powered menu defies the stereotype of bland vegan food by offering dishes with Asian or Indian influences. From coconut chana daal and chili sin carne to carrot, ginger, and pho soups, egg fried rice, and a less traditional mango fried rice, there is something for everyone. Regardless of what you decide, you’ll keep coming back for more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN ZANZIBAR
Does Zanzibar have good food?
Zanzibar, also known as the Spice Island, is known for its flavorful cuisine. While fine dining establishments are less common in Zanzibar, you can still expect hearty plates stuffed with some of the freshest seafood and regional ingredients. If you’re a vegan visiting the island, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with our list of Zanzibar’s top vegan restaurants, with The Island Restaurant, Pongwe at the top.
What is the main food in Zanzibar?
A lot of ugali, rice, Chapati, and beans are consumed by the locals. But what really draws visitors to Zanzibar are its top seafood eateries. No matter where you are, you can eat tuna, prawns, and crayfish that have just been caught. You’ll be happy to know that many of our favorite restaurants offer delectable vegan options if you’re a vegan visiting the island.
Is Zanzibar alcohol-free?
Zanzibar is not an alcohol-free island, but you should respect Muslim culture and behave discreetly when drinking (especially during Ramadan). The majority of well-known eateries and resorts offer alcoholic beverages. However, you might run into a few who don’t. Additionally, there are liquor stores in the larger settlements like Nungwi, Paje, and Kendwa.
What is Zanzibar known for?
Zanzibar is famous and well known for its powdery white sands and turquoise water. Additionally, it has some of the best diving and snorkeling locations, with turtles and dolphins being the main attractions. Kitesurfing schools are well known in windier regions like Paje. Zanzibar is renowned for its fresh seafood and island spices when it comes to food.
CONCLUSION
Zanzibar has a variety of restaurants that welcome vegetarians and vegans and serve scrumptious and nutritious plant-based dishes made by the locals. These are just a few of the island’s top eateries that offer vegans a variety of dishes and dining options. Therefore, if you’re a vegan traveling to Zanzibar, you can be sure that there are many options available, from Stone Town to the beach areas.
