Guide to Nungwi
Nungwi is the prettiest and most popular beach in Zanzibar. There are tourists all year round, and most businesses stay open through all seasons. Unlike other parts of the Island which have big tidal effect, Nungwi beach allows you to swim at any hour of the day. Staying in Nungwi gives you the ability to try different restaurants, bars, beaches, and activities.
Our personal recommendations:
Restaurants / Bars / Attractions
RESTAURANTS
Most restaurants close their kitchen around 21:30. An average dish around Nungwi will cost $10-$15. There are many good restaurants in Nungwi, so you can try a different one each day.
Fisherman’s Grill
If you don’t mind spending a bit more, you will get the best quality here. Excellent food and fine selection of wines just in front of the ocean. With big variety on its menu, everyone will find something they like. Elaborated seafood and meat, cooked to perfection. To reserve: +255 776383214
Sexy Fish
Located in Z Hotel on a beautiful sea view deck, Sexy Fish offers a fine dinning experience in an upscale ambience. Great selection of cocktails and wide variety of contemporary African-European fusion seafood dishes. Prices are higher than the average Nungwi meals, but worth it. Make sure to reserve ahead, or you might not have space: +255 699 109 096
Essence Kendwa
Looking for a good dining night away from Nungwi? Essence is located on the beach of Kendwa, 10 minutes taxi drive away from Nungwi.
The restaurant is serving the best Indian food in the area including chicken and fish tandoori plate, lamb in cashew sauce and others. You can also find a good selection of Asian fusion such as pad Thai & chow-mein, as well as good lobster and seafood dishes.
Ambiance is relaxed, service is good, and prices are very reasonable. Essence is a good fit for both romantic dinner and family dinner. Check their website for menu and reservation.
Baraka Bungalow & Fish Market
Both offer a great fish and seafood grill with rice and vegetables for dinner. Very cheap and tasty. Tables are on the beach, fish and seafood are on display for you to choose from. Excellent choice for dinner. Prepare for a long wait.
Baraka is located at the center of Nungwi hotel area, while Fish Market restaurant is located a bit farther at the local fish market of Nungwi.
Mama Mia
Mama Mia offers good Italian dishes, and it is great for both lunch and dinner. They also have the best Gelateria in Nungwi where you can grab some homemade ice cream to go.
Badolina
Great option for vegetarian or vegan. Cozy environment, for a romantic dinner. Good selection of wines. Our top picks are Samurai Tuna, Bodicea, The Yogi, Jodari. Check out their menu.
Badolina Express
Asian food restaurant. Serving sushi, asian noodles, fried rice and even ramen. Service is fast, prices are affordable, charming location next to the beach.
The Corner
If you fancy a pizza, they make the BEST one in Nungwi!
Capricciosa, Diavola, Quatro formaggio, Napoli and many more.
BBQ Night at Makofi Guest House
A cozy restaurant under a Flame Tree in Makofi´s beautiful garden, with white sand on your feet. Makofi offers 1-2 times a week BBQ night. It includes a wide variety of local dishes, fish, octopus, squid, curries, veggies, pasta, spinaches, casava and more! Everything is delicious, and cold drinks are available. They offer very good and elaborated cocktails as well. Finish up with a dessert while watching a fire show, performed by a talented local guy. You must book in advance (before 13.00). You can reserve on Makofi FB or Instagram pages or by passing by. Makofi also offers the best burger in Nungwi on all days.
Nungwi Inn
Located right next to Spanish Dancer Divers. Great place for having lunch on the beach with your feet in the sand, as well as for a candlelit romantic dinner. Offering good sea food plater, burger, pizza, pasta, pork schnitzel, club sandwich and more.
Langi Langi
Langi Langi has been here for more than 20 years. The restaurant offers great atmosphere and reasonable prices. It specializes in spicy Indonesian cuisine. Best plates are fish and seafood in Curry or Masala. Langi Langi is situated on a deck above the ocean, which makes it a great place for romantic dinner.
Local food
Swahili Cuisine offers the most popular local Zanzibari dishes but with a bit higher quality. Meat, fish, rice, pilau, ugali, cooked vegetables, beans, chapati and more. Must try the Zanzibari style spinach in coconut sauce. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is also very popular for tourist who stay in hotels that do not serve breakfast. Located inside Amaan Annex hotel, next to the pool.
If you want to taste some real local food, check out Nungwi roundabout at night. Try some street food like Chipsi Mayai (omelette with fries), Zanzibari Pizza or Mishkaki (beef or chicken skewers) at one of the stands. This is where all local hang out for street food in the evenings.
Do you require information about Visa, ATM’s, money, safety, Swahili, transport and more? Visit our Travel Information page.
BARS
In most days, bars in Nungwi get empty before midnight. So, don’t get there late! On average, a beer will cost 7,000 shillings and a cocktail 18,000 shillings.
Mangi’s Bar
One of the first bars in Nungwi. This is where you’ll find many of Nungwi’s expats. Great place for a sunset drink on the beach. Expats meet there for pool contest on Wednesday and darts on Saturday.
Z Hotel Rooftop Bar
Best place for a sunset drink. Let the day end in style with a breathtaking view. Watch the sun set over the ocean while enjoying a Dawa – our favorite cocktail. The bar offers good tapas to go with your cocktail. Happy hour at 17:00 -20:00. Get there early to find an empty sit, as it gets quite busy.
Che Rock Bar
Che’s Bar is Nungwi`s first and only Rock bar, located right behind the main beach at Pasha Hotel. This cozy small bar offers great atmosphere, has very friendly staff, always cold beers and a good variety of cocktails. You can also watch soccer games live on TV or grab a bite of pizza or burger. This is where you will find our instructor Susanne on most evenings.
Kendwa Rocks
If you are looking for a crowded party, this is obviously the place. Every Saturday from 22:00 until the morning. It is located on Kendwa Beach. Taxi costs 20,000t Shillings each way and entrance fees are 20,000 Shillings.
ATTRACTIONS
Spending time relaxing on the beach is great. But, if you are getting restless, there are many things to do around Nungwi. It is safe to walk around and Nungwi is quite a big village to explore. When the tide is low, you can even visit Kendwa beach, located 20 minutes walk along the beach.
Diving or Snorkeling
Mnemba Atoll, located just a boat ride from Nungwi, is Zanzibar’s famous marine park. It offers rich variety of aquatic life as well as frequent Dolphin encounters. This makes it a great place for spending a day out on a boat, snorkeling or even diving . In fact, if you have never dived before but can swim, there is no better place to try Discover Scuba Diving.
The fish market
The local fishermen leave for their night fishing around 4pm every day, dotting the horizon with tens of dhows and their white-sails. It is just a gorgeous moment that you’ll want to make sure you have your camera for.
The next morning at around 07:00, the fishermen are back with their catch of all shapes and sizes. See fish and sea creatures you have never seen before on the market, ready for sale. Watch as the locals bid for the best catch, or if you feel like cooking, try to snag a tuna or snapper for grilling.
Dhow Boats Building
Next to the fish market, you can see the local craftsmen building the dhows boats. Watch the techniques that have been used for decades and centuries.
Sunset cruises
Every day at around 16:30 to 18:30 you can enjoy a sunset cruise organized locally. The local guys will entertain you with some drums and songs. It’s the perfect way to finish your day.
Nungwi Village
Nungwi is a vibrant village where you can walk along its main street. Buy some fruits, local food, paintings and souvenirs from the local shops. Please be advised that when going to the village you should keep your shoulders and knees covered to respect the local culture.
Turtle Aquarium
$10 entrance fee. The Mnarani Aquarium offers a chance for the non divers to see and feed turtles. The turtles swim in a natural coral pool.
Supposedly, turtles that are injured or caught by fishing nets are brought here by local fishermen in order to rehabilitate. Once a year, some turtles are released back into the sea. We are in doubt regarding how this business helps to conserve Zanzibar’s turtles. In fact, the turtle population around Nungwi is decreasing every year. Many healthy turtles are brought to the aquarium and kept there for long periods of time, mainly for business reasons.
