7 of The Best Restaurants in Paje, Zanzibar
White sandy beaches, turquoise blue ocean, and palm trees everywhere – this is Zanzibar! But this beautiful tropical island also has a lot to offer in culinary terms.
Paje is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the southeast coast of the island. It’s a small village, but you will find numerous hip bars, cafés and restaurants there.
Are you ready for a culinary tour through Paje, starting on the bustling main street and ending in one of the relaxed beachfront eateries?
Here are the best restaurants in Paje for mouthwatering food!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking.)
1. BaraBara Eat&Sleep ($)
On the hunt for the best coffee in town? Then BaraBara is your place to go!
Located directly at Paje’s main road, BaraBara offers all-day breakfast and brunch, focusing on mostly vegetarian and vegan options. You can also enjoy a variety of delicious hot and cold drinks and they even serve pizza in the evening!
The special thing is how attractively the food is decorated (I think the term “food porn” describes it best). My favorite is the beetroot hummus bread with avocado, eggs, feta, and sprouts. Yummy!
The staff always welcomes you with a warm smile and you even get your own mini-ventilator at the table, which is pretty cool! Moreover, they provide social games, perfect for a fun get-together with friends.
The wifi is top, which makes it a perfect workplace for digital nomads. As the name indicates, you can not only have mouth-watering delicacies there, but also a nice overnight stay in one of the stylish rooms in their Eco Boutique Hotel.
2. Mozaik ($$)
Inspired by Turkish and Moroccan culinary traditions, Mozaik welcomes you to soak in some oriental flair and enjoy Turkish Mezze in a unique atmosphere.
Located on the main road of Paje, you sit in a rotunda on carpets and comfortable pillows at small tables, surrounded by Moroccan lamps and oriental decorations on the stone walls.
This enchanting atmosphere can be enjoyed best during the evening.
Mozaik is well known for its delicious mezze platters, but you can also enjoy refreshing juices, traditional Turkish dishes, salad bowls, and sweet delights.
On some evenings they also have live music and believe me when I tell you that goosebumps are destined.
Adam, the owner of this magnificent place, visits his guests personally at the table to make sure that everyone feels completely at ease.
3. Mapacha Food Court ($$)
Mapacha Food Court can be found easily, as it is located directly at the roundabout of Paje.
You can find wooden tables and chairs, nice music, plants, and even a pond with goldfish swimming inside, making this place a small oasis on its own.
But let’s not forget about the food! Several food kiosks offer seafood, soups & salads, Turkish food, pizza, sandwiches, ice cream & sweet delicacies.
If you are craving a cold drink or fresh juice, you can grab one at the bar in the middle of the food court. You have to order and pay for the food directly at the kiosk. Afterward, choose your table, and the friendly staff will serve your freshly cooked dishes once they are ready.
Keep in mind, that the island’s motto is “pole pole”, which means “slowly, slowly”. This in turn means you have to bring a little bit of patience when waiting for your food.
But no worries, it will come anyway! 🙂
4. BENTO ($$)
Nestled in the heart of Paje, BENTO is a true classic in Zanzibar.
This food court, with its unique design, consists of several food containers offering something for every taste. There are containers serving seafood, Asian & Mexican food, burgers and sandwiches, and sushi.
If you are more on the sweet side, you can get yourself some delicacies from the container with mouth-watering crêpes, pancakes, and milkshakes.
For all the pizza lovers out there I have good news! You can treat yourself to a true Napoletana pizza with fresh homemade ingredients. After one bite you think you landed in Italy.
That’s Amore!
Live music events take place every weekend, featuring talented local artists and bands. There is no better occasion to grab a Kilimanjaro beer from the bar, dance barefoot under the palm trees, and soak in the vibrant ambiance.
5. Mr. Kahawa ($$)
Mr. Kahawa is a vibe! It’s one of the most popular restaurants at Paje beach and there is always life.
As the name implies (Kahawa means coffee in Swahili), you can sip very good coffee here while sitting back and relaxing. Enjoy watching the Maasai people passing by, women in fluttering colorful clothes, children playing in the sand, and kite surfers gliding over the water.
You can get basically everything at Mr. Kahawa to satisfy your cravings.
Delicious breakfast, fresh juices, seafood, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes, mouth-watering dessert, fancy cocktails, and local beer (let’s not forget the daily happy hour between 5 pm and 7 pm!).
If you want to learn how to kitesurf, here is the right place for you, as they have their own kite center right next door.
Behind the restaurant, you find the Mr. Kahawa Hotel featuring a pool, a spa area, and a shop.
6. ZanziBarista ($$)
Stylish furnishings, colorful cushions, lovely details, and the kitschy backdrop of the Indian Ocean. That’s what you’ll find at ZanziBarista (next to delicious food, of course).
The main courses are very meat and seafood-heavy, but there are some bowls and salads for vegetarians and vegans.
However, the selection of coffee, soft drinks, fresh juices, and alcoholic beverages does not disappoint at all. Imagine a fresh coconut paired with a delightful chocolate brownie and vanilla ice cream – a dream combination.
When you enter the café you might spot a bunch of people in front of their laptops, as it is also the perfect spot for everyone working remotely due to the outstanding wifi connection and the relaxed atmosphere.
At high tide, you can easily hop into the ocean and afterward sink into one of the bean bags at ZanziBarista for an extensive sunbath.
7. Hello Capitano ($)
Located directly on the beach, Hello Capitano has everything your heart desires: great food at a very affordable price, good-working wifi to have an uninterrupted work session, and comfortable sofas for chilling and admiring the turquoise ocean.
If the wind is good, you can also watch many kitesurfers, as Paje is the kitesurfing mecca in Zanzibar. There are multiple sunbeds, where you can have an after-lunchtime nap in the sun.
On the menu, you can find all different kinds of food, especially local food & seafood but also many vegetarian and vegan dishes. I can really recommend the veggie burger, it is delicious!
One side note: they are not serving alcohol. But you can sip a fresh coconut or one of their very tasty fruit juices. Every day from 8 am to 11 am, they have a breakfast buffet for only $10 (hot beverages and eggs included!).
Final Words
As you can see, these restaurants in Paje have a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. There is something for every taste!
But what I don’t want to leave unmentioned are the numerous local restaurants. You should definitely try out some authentic and freshly cooked local food like chapati, samosas, rice with beans, chipsi mayai (fries gratinated with eggs), mandazi, and so on.
The choice is huge and the locals will welcome you with open arms.
Karibu sana! You are welcome!
This post about the best restaurants in Paje is written by Lorena, a travel-loving free spirit who found love in Zanzibar and has been living there for one year now. If you are curious about her life on this tropical island you can find her on Instagram: lorenaway_
Check out:
14 Best Things to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar
Bucket List Experience: Scuba Diving in Zanzibar
A Complete Guide to Visiting Jozani Forest
14 Unmissable Places to See in Zanzibar, Tanzania
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