Archipelago Restaurant

025 223 5668.
Opposite the NBC, this excellent new first-floor restaurant has rapidly established itself as one of the most popular lunch spots in Stone Town, thanks in large part to its bright décor and elevated balcony overlooking the beach. The other chief ingredient responsible for its success is that the food – curries, fish dishes, burgers – is excellent and very reasonably priced, with most dishes falling in the US$4–5 range.

Buni Café

With a prime central location opposite the NBC, this small café serves great fresh coffee along with cakes and a selection of sandwiches and other snacks for around US$2 – the raised balcony is an excellent spot for a late b/fast or light lunch.

Camlur's

Kenyatta Rd; 024 2231919.
A very long-standing favourite, this small and friendly place serves delicious Goan specialities, such as fish and coconut curry, starting from about US$3. (See Freddie Mercury box opposite) Open every evening, except Sun. Clove Restaurant Hurumzi St. Run by a friendly group of Swahili women, this is a nice, local, openair place in a small and shady garden square opposite the Clove Hotel. Their busy times seem to be b/fast and lunch, and you should check in advance if you plan eating here in the evening.Local dishes such as meat and ugali (maize meal),rice and fish, or curry and chapatti cost US$1–2.

Dolphin Restaurant

Kenyatta Rd.
The staff at the Dolphin have been serving tasty, unfussy Zanzibari, vegetarian and seafood meals for many years. It remains popular, and is open for lunch and dinner, with meals from US$2–3, and specials for around US$3.50. It's also a good spot for an inexpensive open-air drink before or after you eat elsewhere.

Fany's Green Restaurant

Kenyatta Rd; 2233918.
Next to the long-standing Dolphin, this relative newcomer offers a very different atmosphere, with tables inside or outside overlooking busy Kenyatta Rd. Open from 06.30, you can get b/fast (traditional English or traditional Zanzibari) here until 10.00. Lunches and dinners are mainly fish and pizza, with main course US$3.50–4.50.

Green Garden Restaurant

Off Mkunazini St.
In the southern part of town, near the Jambo and Flamingo guesthouses, this nice, little open-air place offers snacks (around US$3) and meals (US$4–6), served by friendly staff in peaceful and unpretentious surroundings.

Nyumban

Between Soko Muhugo St and Vuga Rd; amir@artlover.com.
Nyumbani is similar to Two Tables (described above), in that you eat in someone's house, although the dining room here is a bit larger. Nyumbani means 'at home', and it's most appropriate here, as you're welcomed into the home of Amir, a local artist, and his wife Khadija. They do the cooking, helped by Amir's sister Moulid. We think this place is wonderful, but if you need any more persuading, have a look at the visitors' book. For US$5 you get a set menu of Swahili specialities, with soup and spicy snacks as starters, a main course with local styles of rice, fish and vegetables, and a dessert of dates, fruit and numerous sweets made from nuts, sugar and spices. (Don't forget to check out the works of art while you're there too.) This place is opposite the Haven Hotel, in the southern part of Stone Town between Soko Muhugo St and Vuga Rd. It's open in the evenings only from 19.30, and you need to make arrangements by around noon if you want to eat later that day. You can also book a few days in advance. Unfortunately in the past some people have made reservations then not turned up, so Amir very apologetically asks for a deposit. For more details or reservations it's easiest to visit the house. Alternatively, speak to Amir on the phone ( 024 2238170, office – he has a day job!) or leave a message via Manch Lodge ( 024 2231918/0777 413622).

Old Fort Restaurant

Mzingani Rd; 0744 278737/0741 630206.
Opposite the Forodhani Gardens, Zanzibar's old Arab Fort (known locally as Ngome Kongwe) has been here for centuries, but was renovated in the early 1990s. As well as a historical landmark it's now a very impressive cultural centre, with a semi-circular open-air theatre, several smart souvenir shops, and this shady outdoor café-restaurant – a very good lace to meet friends or take a break from sightseeing in the heat of the day, especially as it keeps the unusually long hours of 08.00 to 20.00 daily. There's a good selection of snacks for around US$2, local dishes such as chicken and ugali (maize meal) or octopus and chips for around US$3, plus coffees, beers and chilled wine. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Every Tue, Thu and Sat, there's an evening of entertainment (taarab music, African dance, etc) and a barbecue, which costs US$9 – you may need to book ahead.

Passing Show Hotel

Malindi Rd.
Despite the name, this is not a hotel, but a Zanzibar institution nonetheless, serving bowls of rice and vegetable sauce or beans for around US$1, or larger plates of rice and meat or chicken for up to US$2. The food is good and the service quick. This place caters mainly for local people, although visitors are always welcomed. Open lunchtime only.

Radha Food House

Off Kenyatta Rd; 024 2234808.
Tucked away up the narrow street which runs parallel to Kenyatta Rd near the Karibu Inn, Radha Food House is a small, simple and very reasonably priced place, proudly serving pure vegetarian Indian food. This place is deservedly popular and at busy times it's wise to book a table in advance. A thali consisting of dal, rice, lentil and vegetable curries, okra, roti, popadum and lassi costs US$4. You can also get savoury snacks (US$1 for 4 pieces), cakes and sweets, fresh juices and beers.

Sunrise Restaurant and Pub

Kenyatta Rd; 2239142.
Almost opposite Mazson's Hotel, the Sunrise is a simple, friendly, locally owned place serving cheap meals, snacks and drinks in an openair courtyard above the road. It opens in time for coffee or b/fast and in the daytime it has more of a café feel, while in the evening it's more of a bar, open until late every night. Fish dishes are around US$4–6, chicken and chips is US$2.50.
Open 09.00–late.

Wings Fast Food Shangani

Opposite Tembo Hotel, this is the KFC or McDonalds of Zanzibar, complete
with plastic tables, staff in red caps, burgers for US$2.50 and other take-away favourites.

Zanzibar Coffee House

This friendly new place on Mkunazini St, near the main market, is an excellent place to break the sightseeing with a cold soda, fresh juice, milkshake or strong cup of coffee accompanied by a light snack – cakes, pies, pastries, croissants and sandwiches.
Open 09.00–late.

Wings Fast Food Shangani

Opposite Tembo Hotel, this is the KFC or McDonalds of Zanzibar, complete with plastic tables, staff in red caps, burgers for US$2.50 and other take-away favourites.

Zanzibar Coffee House

This friendly new place on Mkunazini St, near the main market, is an excellent place to break the sightseeing with a cold soda, fresh juice, milkshake or strong cup of coffee accompanied by a light snack – cakes, pies, pastries, croissants and sandwiches.