Three of the Best Restaurants in Stone Town
Both Emerson Zanzibar hotels in Stone Town have three distinct restaurants. In addition we have a private dining room in Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel!
Both Emerson Spice and Emerson on Hurumzi have a restaurant in their rooftop Tea House. The first course of dinner is served promptly at 7pm and diners are welcomed from 6pm for the sunset hour in the both restaurants. There is only one sitting every evening and advance reservations are required. Due to the nature of the set seafood based menu at Emerson Spice Tea House restaurant, dietary requirements are better catered for in our other restaurants.
Then there is the magical Secret Garden romantically nestled into the grounds of Emerson Spice. Open throughout the day for drinks, lunch and dinner service. On Wednesday & Friday nights, there is live music performed by Zanzibari artists, starting at 20h00.
Emerson on Hurumzi Rooftop Tea House
This Tea House boasts a 360 degrees view over Stone Town and the Indian Ocean. Seating is Swahili style, on thick Persian rugs with low tables. Most evenings, a traditional Taarab singer & band perform during a delicious dinner with authentic Zanzibari cuisine, fused with Omani and Persian influences. The Hurumzi Tea House is better suited to those who don’t eat seafood or who prefer a vegetarian meal.
Emerson Spice Rooftop Tea House
Emerson Spice has a more intimate rooftop Tea House restaurant, offering a stylish ambience amidst the sounds of the calls for prayer. The menu is a set, five course, seafood-based, tasting menu, which changes daily. Come early, from around 18h00 for sundowners and the first course of this five course ‘Taste Safari’ is served promptly at 19h00. Please reserve in advance for this unique dining experience.
The Secret Garden Emerson Spice
Secluded and tucked away in a walled garden, the Secret Garden restaurant at Emerson Spice is a romantic, magical haven away from the noisy hustle and bustle of Stone Town. The perfect place to enjoy a quiet rest over lunch and savour the ambience of old Zanzibar. Dinner from an a la carte menu is served from 17h00 – 21h30 every night. On Wednesday & Friday nights, there is live music performed by Zanzibari artists, starting at 20h00.
Restaurants at Emerson on Hurumzi
Tea House Restaurant
Dinner at the Tea House Restaurant
Emerson on Hurumzi’s rooftop Tea House Restaurant dinner experience offers cocktails at the sunset hour, dinner celebrating the pleasure of Zanzibar cuisine fused with oriental Persian and Omani influences, as well as traditional Taarab performances by accomplished musicians from the Dhow Countries Music Academy.
The full evening dining experience includes a set 3 course menu at $40 per person excluding drinks. Our cuisine is designed to marry the culture and style of the building with the distinct culinary heritage of the era.
There is one exclusive sitting for dinner only, and service begins promptly at 19h00, but we welcome dinner guests from 18h00 to enjoy the spectacular views of sea and city.
Dinner in the Tea House Restaurant at Emerson on Hurumzi is by reservation only and, as there is only limited seating, a deposit is required for the booking’s confirmation.
Tea House Restaurant
Lunch at the Tea House Restaurant
Lunch in the Tea House restaurant is served between 12h00 and 16h00 (last kitchen orders at 15h30).
Seating is on cushions by a low table or on regular height seats, all with views over Stone Town and the sea. In the afternoon, different lunch platters, either with a variety of vegetarian, fish or seafood dishes are prepared by our chefs.
Roshani
Roshani is the name of one of the architectural styles of the mansion houses of cosmopolitan Zanzibar in the 19th century. It is a private area, where guests would be treated to ‘high tea’ and entertained with music, poetry, and the sheer pleasure of beautiful conversation.
‘Chambre separee’ Roshani offers private dining in Emerson on Hurumzi for up to 15 guests. Guests are welcome for the full evening dining experience in Roshani, which includes a set 3 course menu at $40 per person excl. drinks. Seating in Roshani is on cushions, by low tables.
The musicians of the Dhow Countries Music Academy also come over during the evening to Roshani to play several traditional Taarab songs.
Restaurants at Emerson Spice
TEA HOUSE
Dinner at the Tea House Restaurant
The Tea House at Emerson Spice is our Signature Seafood restaurant offering an informal fine dining tasting menu in five servings with the freshest local seafood, a creative use of spices and indigenous plants.
Enjoy your meal while taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
Come early, from around 18h00 for sundowners and the first course of this five-course culinary journey is served promptly at 19h00. Please reserve in advance for this unique dining experience.
DINNER – SECRET GARDEN
Upstairs, the hidden away lounge is a perfect spot for coffee or cocktails, all classics with a Zanzibar twist.
Special events are hosted in the Secret Garden, varying from book launches to wedding celebrations. It is possible to be seated in the dining room or book the whole venue for your event.
A special location for private functions.
LUNCH – SECRET GARDEN
Set amidst lushly landscaped hidden ruins, open to the skies, the Secret Garden offers a Zanzibari inspired à la carte menu. The perfect place to enjoy a quiet rest over lunch and savour the ambience of old Zanzibar. Great for a quiet rest and a beverage.
Lunch is served from 12h00 till 16h00 in the Secret Garden (last kitchen orders at 15h15)
The Secret Garden is also available for private functions and group reservations.
Myself and my partner decided to stay here the night before we left the island and it was a very good choice. The building is an authentic architectural symbol in Zanzibar Stonetown. The Room was spacious and full of character and great features, silent and peaceful despite being in the middle of the city. We also had dinner on the roof top with a set menu, full of flavours and variety of dishes combined with local food and spices.
Emerson Spice Staff team was very attentive and charming, both for dinner time and breakfast the day after. We will visit again! One more note, often we visited the Spice Secret Garden restaurant which is a little gem in this place and I also recommend! Thank you to all the Team and Management.
Reservation
Our restaurant spaces are located right in the heart of the city of Stone Town.
Emerson on Hurumzi
236 Hurumzi street,
Stone Town Zanzibar
eh.reception@emersonzanzibar.com
Emerson on Spice
4044 Tharia Street,
Zanzibar City, Tanzania.
+255 (0)24 22 32 784
+255 (0)779 854 225
Monday-Sunday:
Lunch:12h00 – 16h00 (last kitchen orders 15.30)
Dinner: 6PM – 10PM