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The Rock is one of the most iconic restaurants anywhere in East Africa, and justifiably so. Founded in 2011 by a trio of passionate Italian and British foodies, Zanzibar’s best-known culinary gem combines a photogenic setting
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on a coral rock islet with imaginative architecture and exceptional fine dining. Even though The Rock has a rather remote location on the Michamvi Peninsula, food-lovers and Instagrammers still flock here daily from all over Zanzibar.-
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Arriving at The Rock
Boat crossing to The Rock Restaurant Getting to The Rock is part of the fun. From the well-signposted car park, which lies no more than 100m/328ft from the main road to Michamvi Pingwe, a short footpath leads to a lovely white beachRead more
where you get your first glimpse of the restaurant. It’s an arresting sight. The Rock stands on a mushroom-like outcrop that becomes isolated at high tide, when it is completely surrounded by water. In this top-heavy setting, the -style facade looks like something from a tropical fairy tale, combining a tall thatched roof with neat whitewashed walls and a few splashes of greenery.When the tide is low you can walk to The Rock over the sand, but most of the time you need to cross by boat. It’s a fun experience that literally takes a couple of minutes. A rickety wooden staircase leads up to the restaurant, which is unexpectedly large inside. It also has an attractively earthy feel, with its stilted teak floor, thatched upper parts, canvas seats and walls hung with colorful Zanzibari paintings. From the balcony, depending on the tide, you can enjoy beautiful views across turquoise water or watch herons and other waders fishing in coral rock pools. -
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Order a Chilled Drink and Optional Starters
Cocktails Before you decide what to eat, enjoy a chilled cocktail on the balcony. The house special, called simply The Rock, combines passion fruit and lime juice with dashes of vodka and blue curaçao. More familiar favoritesRead more
include mojitos, margaritas, piña coladas and rum coolers, as well as around half a dozen alcohol-free ‘virgin’ cocktails. Alternatively, there’s a choice of aptly named Tanzanian beers (Serengeti, Kilimanjaro and Safari) and a tantalizing wine list dominated by South African imports.Drink in hand, it’s time to peruse the starter menu, which is strong on seafood and pasta, reflecting both the seaside location and Italian management. If you’re looking for something light and zesty, an excellent choice is the fish carpaccio accompanied by a coconut, lime and chili sauce. Those with more of an appetite might prefer crunchy seafood tempura or be tempted to try homemade gnocchi, ravioli or tagliatelle. -
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Choose From the Mains Menu
Deciding what to order As might be expected, the mains menu is dominated by fresh grilled seafood. The lobster is a favorite with many diners, but you can also opt for , prawns or calamari. If you’re feeling expansiveRead more
– and seriously hungry – you could order The Rock Special, a generous platter that combines all four of the above.If seafood isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options. These include -style chicken skewers or dry-aged rib-eye steak imported from South Africa. For vegans and vegetarians, the green curry is flavored with Zanzibari spices and accompanied by basmati rice and (a type of flatbread popular throughout East Africa). -
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Finish Up With Dessert or Some Souvenir Shopping
Pistachio-flavored tiramisu Be sure to leave space for one last treat. Not only is the dessert menu thoroughly tempting, but it also helps to fund a nonprofit education and health-care initiative called The Rock for Community. The signatureRead more
dessert is a pistachio-flavored tiramisu called Green Tanzanite (after a precious gemstone unique to Tanzania). Alternatively, try Chocococco, which consists of coconut mousse and a tropical fruit coulis trapped in a hard chocolate shell. Once you’re done, there’s a stall at the entrance where you can buy branded T-shirts, caps, water bottles and other souvenirs of what was hopefully a memorable dining experience.
How To Get to The Rock
The Rock stands on the east coast of Michamvi Peninsula close to the resort town of Michamvi Pingwe, but most diners come from farther afield. The restaurant is easily visited from the coastal villages of Bwejuu,
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Paje or Jambiani, which are all less than 30 minutes’ drive away. It is also a popular destination for lunchtime or evening excursions from Stone Town, even though the 65km/40mi drive takes 1½ hours in either direction. Wherever you’re staying, it should be easy to book a group excursion through any hotel or tour operator, or to arrange a taxi for the round trip.What Time of Day To Visit The Rock
Reservations are required and can be made through your operator or on The Rock Restaurant website. The five daily sittings start at 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM and 8 PM. The first two
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are ideal if you want to combine another activity with lunch at The Rock and be back at your hotel before dark. Because Zanzibar lies close to the equator, the sun sets at a similar time throughout the year, so the 4 PM sitting is perfect for late-afternoon light, while the 6 PM sitting generally begins as dusk descends. The 8 PM sitting is the only one accompanied by live music.Nearby Attractions
If you’re traveling from farther afield, it’s worth combining your meal at The Rock with other nearby attractions. For drinks, an excellent spot just a 10-minute drive farther west is Michamvi Kae, whose beach is