Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar
Description
Eat Like a Zanzibari is Stone Town's first authentic street food experience. Over the course of this adventurous 2.5 hour eating tour, you will visit carefully selected, off-the-beaten-path food vendors in neighborhoods (and alleyways) around Stone Town. We are committed to sharing the best street food with you and have selected vendors based on these qualifications: 1) Quality - the vendors are extremely popular among locals 2) Tradition - their recipes have been passed down through generations 3) Impact- they are hardworking, kind people who rarely benefit from tourism This tour is also an excellent way to orient yourself to Stone Town as you will pass through several neighborhoods and get more comfortable with the endless twists and turns! We are locally owned and operated and take great pride in introducing you to our home. Not only will you eat incredible food, but you will feel like an honorary member of the community.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(77)
My wife and I booked with Lodi to go on his food tour. We met at the hotel, pre-arranged, and when I enquired at the desk about meeting for the food tour, Lodi was known by the staff. In fact, it seemed that everyone in Stone Town knew Lodi. As we walked about town he greeted others and chatted briefly. Different than other food tours we’ve been on elsewhere, this tour really did focus on informal eateries that were really on the street. We did not go into any sit down restaurants, though there were often benches or chairs to sit on. We sat on steps along a street, on benches in Jaws Square, and on benches in the Forodhani Gardens. We also made a stop at Lodi’s sister’s house for samosa. Lodi was born and raised in Stone Town, and he gave a tour that only a local would be able to. Excellent experience trying excellent food in a town known for good meals.
Loddie provided a relaxed excursion around Stone Town with special tastings we would not have found ourselves. It was good to have an extra guide to negotiate alleys and bikes. Worthwhile experience.
Very easy booking via WhatsApp! They were responsive and got the logistics down quickly. We met Lodi at the Maru Maru hotel in the Stone Town, and he was very kind. We stopped for all kinds of foods and ate from "stalls" (some were individuals selling from a step!). Even for travelers who had experience in finding local options, this was eye-opening. Lodi grew up in the Stone Town and chose to return and host these tours, and his love of his community shows. He was stopped a few times by locals for a quick chat, and he always explained everything to us. It was awesome, and the food was delicious! He took us through several parts of the town that we hadn't wandered to. We even walked to his sisters' houses, and past his to try some homemade veggie samosas. It was a great time with a wide variety of food. Even though there was no meat, it was all delicious and we weren't hungry afterwards!
Lody was so busy chatting with people he knew along the way that we were often left standing around waiting on him to finish talking and continue the tour. The food was nice and for us it was enough so we did not go hungry. We felt it was too expensive for what you get
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the food and found the portions satisfying. We’re sorry, however, that you were sometimes left waiting while Lodi stopped to speak with people along the way. The local connections and interactions are part of the experience, but they should never leave guests feeling overlooked, and we will address this with him. Our pricing reflects not only the food, but also the time and knowledge of a private local guide and the opportunity to experience Stone Town through its food, culture, and community. We’re sorry the overall experience did not feel like good value to you, and we appreciate your feedback.
Great local experience. Loads of different food. The guy seemed to know everyone and took us to places we’d never go to ourselves, including his own family’s house!
I could not recommend this tour more. Lodi really does take you to local spots that gave me some of the best food I had in Zanzibar. He truly knows everyone in the area, and you really get a unique experience. A perfect way to eat and explore stone town
This was food tour was fantastic! Not only is the food great, but you get off the beaten path. There are stops on this tour a tourist would never find by themselves. 10/10!
It was a really great experience. The guide was very friendly and insightful. Also very proud of their heritage. There was more than enough food all very tasty
We are so happy you enjoyed your tour!!
Our Eat Like a Zanzibari Street Food Tour with Lodi was hands down one of the highlights of our time in Stone Town! From the very start, Lodi’s charisma and warm personality made us feel completely at ease. He’s exceptionally well known around town, so everywhere we walked there were smiles, waves, and quick chats with friends — it felt like exploring with a true local celebrity. We wandered through the streets he knows so well, stopping at carefully chosen street vendors and hidden gems you would never find on your own. One of our favorite moments was visiting his sister’s home for freshly made samosas — such a special and personal touch that made the experience feel incredibly authentic. We also stopped at a local bakery where we watched the bread being prepared and then tasted it warm and fresh. Absolutely delicious! The food throughout the tour was outstanding. The Zanzibar stew was rich and flavorful, the fresh bread straight from the bakery was irresistible, the samosas were perfectly crisp and tasty, and the porridge was comforting and satisfying. Every bite told a story of local tradition. What truly made the tour unforgettable was Lodi’s knowledge. He shared so much history, culture, and insight along the way — you can tell how passionate he is about Zanzibar. He’s so friendly and welcoming, and through him we genuinely connected with locals and experienced the real authenticity of Stone Town. If you want to experience Zanzibar beyond the tourist spots and truly eat like a local, this tour with Lodi is an absolute must. We loved every minute of it!
Lodi is charismatic and exceptionally well known in Stone Town so expect lots of hellos and quick chats with friends. We walked around the street he knows so well stopping at street vendors, his sisters house for a samosa and the locally bakery where we watched the bread being prepared. If you want lots of info on the history of the town or food you won’t get it. If you want to wander the alleys with a local and try foods you probably wouldn’t otherwise give this a try. Lodi doesn’t pretend to be an expert , he’s a local bloke showing what people eat in the town.
