Restaurants in Dar Es Salaam
Lack of variety is not something you are likely to complain about while eating out in Dar es Salaam. Restaurants and roadside eateries are both equally popular. With the size of the native South East Asian population being quite big, the cuisines of these countries are available abundantly.
Good restaurants can be found all over the city but some of the best are centred around Zanaki Street.
This Dar es Salaam Restaurant Guide gives details of some of the cuisines available, as well as some recommended places to eat. Information about Tanzanian cuisine can be found by visiting our Tanzania Restaurant Guide.
Dar es Salaam - Restaurant Guide
Indian
For excellent vegetarian food, The Retreat is rated highly. The "thalli" here comes well recommended. The Retreat is located between Kisutu and Jamhuri Streets and is open from Tuesday to Sunday. It is very popular among both locals and expats.
For great kebabs and other Indian snacks, K Tea Shop off Libya Street is an excellent option. To try different cuisines on different days of the week, go to Istana and enjoy their buffet. Another popular vegetarian place for both Indian and Chinese food is Alcove.
Chinese, Japanese and South-East Asian
A popular roof top restaurant serving Thai food is in the New Africa Hotel. Another highly rated oriental restaurant serving Thai, Malaysian and Japanese food is in the Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel. The hotel has been renovated recently with the restaurant on the top floor. For good Chinese food, the Golden Tulip on Toure Drive is an excellent pick. The Osaka, off of Toure, is recommended for Korean and Japanese dishes, the sushi served here is very popular. Signs to the restaurant are on the left when driving towards Sea Cliff.
Italian
Saverio's is a good place for Italian style pizza and pasta dishes. The Trattoria Jan on Kimwere is a little out of the way but it serves excellent food.
Ethiopian
The Addis on Ursino Street has a wonderful décor and ambiance and also serves excellent Ethiopian food. However, it is neither very well known nor very prominently located. Each dish costs around Tzs 7,000 here. Beef, chicken, lamb and vegetarian dishes are served on a bed of injera - injera being a moist and springy Ethiopian flatbread. The Ethiopian honey wine before the meal and the aesthetically presented coffee after the meal is recommended here.
Upscale
If you want to try more upscale restaurants, some recommended places are the Holiday Inn, the Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel in the city centre and the Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel. On the Msasani Peninsula, try the Slipway and Sea Cliff Village. The Oyster Grill here serves wonderful steak.
Budget Eats
Chef's Pride in the Indian quarter is very affordable and caters mostly to tourists. For Indian vegetarian food, Milap is a cheap option. If you are craving for some western fare, try the Subway near the YMCA. To try a traditional Tanzanian meal for under Tzs 2,000, go to the YWCA canteen near the Cathedral.
Street Food
Street food is often the best choice, both for the price and the ambiance. The corner of Morogoro Road and Jamhuri Street and the large open space in front of the Dar Express ticket office are good places to taste street food. Chips mayai or chips in an omelette costs around 700 to 800 shillings here.
Tip
It is best to drink only bottled water. You can buy a 1.5 litre bottle for about 450 shillings. Tap water should be drunk only if you purify it with iodine tablets or boil it.
Drink
Popular local beers are Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Safari. Safari is a stronger beer with about 5.5% alcohol. Castel Lager, Heineken, Ndovu, Stella Artois and Tusker are the imported beers available in Dar.
To enjoy South African Castle (pronounced "Castel") in a nice air-conditioned atmosphere, go to the Florida Inn near the UN building by the ferry port.
A popular local gin is Konyagi and its variant is Konyagi Ice. They are similar to hard lemonade and other sweet drinks.
Krest offers Bitter Lemon drinks, Club Soda and Tonic Water. Krest is locally bottled by Coca Cola. Stoney Tangawizi is a popular ginger ale. Sodas are sold in glass bottles that are supposed to be returned. To keep the bottle, you have to pay extra but traders don't like that practice.
The New Protein Bar is the only bar in the Indian quarter. It is near the budget hotels and just down the street from Chef's Pride. Food is good and cheap here.
Restaurants List
Dar Shanghai Restaurant
Chinese
Luther House, Sokoine Drive
2134397
12:00 to 23:00
Beijing Restaurant
A cozy restaurant located in Mikocheni A
Chinese
Mikocheni A
2775141
12:00 to 23:00
Dar es Salaam Chinese Restaurant
Chinese
Samora Avenue/Mirambo Street
2117169
12:00 to 23:00
Sichuan Restaurant
Chinese
Bibi Titi Mohamed Street
2150548
12:00 to 23:00
E'pid'or
A coffee shop with a Lebanese Touch! Freshly baked bread and pastries! Located on Samora Avenue and Sea Cliff Village.
Coffee Shop
Samora Avenue and Sea Cliff Village
2136006
07:00 to 17:00
Fairy Delights
Coffee Shop
Shoppers Plaza & Heritage Motel
2700998
07:00 to 22:30
Bandari Grill
The Bandari Grill Restaurant situated on the first floor is open for lunch & dinner seven days a week. A daily selected international lunch buffet it's served to tantalize your palate.
Delectable dinner A'la Carte menu has been designed by our Executive Chef, with a wide range of Continental and Indian dishes to be tasted in a spacious and comfortable setting. The restaurant has always been famous for having Tanzania's finest selection of fresh seafood!
Continental
New Africa Hotel, Azikiwe Street
2117050
12:00 to 23:00
Sawasdee
Experience the elegance of the exotic East at the Sawasdee Restaurant located on the ninth floor.
This is simply the best restaurant specialized in Thai cuisine of Dar es Salaam! A breathtaking view of the harbor and a romantic atmosphere makes it ideal for special occasions.
Thai
New Africa Hotel, Azikiwe Street
2117050
19:00 to 23:00
Baraza Bar & Grill
Serves: Lunch
Continental
Holiday Inn, Garden Avenue
2137575
2139070
http://www.holiday-inn.com/daressalaam
12:00 to 23:00
Kivulini Restaurant
Serves: Breakfast
Open for breakast and lunch the Kivulini has a reputation for serving the freshest food with the biggest smiles from our freindly team and affordable prices
Continental
Holiday Inn, Garden Avenue
2137575
2139070
http://www.holiday-inn.com/daressalaam
12:00 to 23:00
Calabash
We bring you Calabash restaurants continental menu, fine wine list and efficient service, enjoyed by both the locals and international tourists.
Continental
Sea Cliff Hotel, Toure Drive
2601948
19:00 to 23:00
Karambezi Cafe
Our menu ranges from our special Seafood Platters to Serengeti Steaks, Club Sandwiches, Salads, Pizzas, Cappuccino Coffee and much more.
Continental
Sea Cliff Hotel, Toure Drive
2601948
00:00 to 23:00
Coral Ridge Spur Steak Ranches
Continental
Sea Cliff Village, Toure Drive
2600380
11:00 to 23:00
Fish Monger
Seafood & Continental
Sea Cliff Village, Toure Drive
0754 304733
11:00 to 23:00
Copper Pot
Indian
Sea Cliff Village, Toure Drive
2600380
11:00 to 23:00
Batavia
Indonesian
Sea Cliff Village, Toure Drive
2600380
11:00 to 23:00
Pronto Pizza
Italian
Sea Cliff Village, Toure Drive
2600380
11:00 to 23:00
City Garden
Continental
Pamba Street
2124211
11:00 to 23:00
The Famous Butcher's Grill
Continental
New Bagamoyo Road
2774588
11:00 to 23:00
Sizzler's Garden
Continental
Karibu Hotel, Masaki
2601767
11:00 to 23:00
The Palm
All-day casual dining. International cuisine offering both buffet and a la carte.
Casual, relaxing and surrounded by landscaped gardens, The Palm Restaurant features an eclectic mix of international cuisine. Located on the ground floor of the hotel and is open daily.
Breakfast Buffet from 06:30am to 10:30am, Lunch Buffet from 12:30 to 2:30pm, open for dinner - serving a la carte only.
Open daily from 06:30am to 10:30pm.
Continental
Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel, Kivukoni
2131111
11:00 to 23:00
Oriental Restaurant
Featuring the finest selection of South East Asian cuisine, the Oriental is a eclectic mix of flavours and colours which represent this dynamic region.
Dressed in uniforms that represent colours of the orient, friendly staff are ready to assist with menu selections. The Oriental is open for lunch and dinner daily (closed on Mondays).
The Oriental seats a total of 80 guests and has two private dining rooms, The Lotus Room and The Siam Room which can accommodate up to 10 people in each.
Reservations are recommended.
The Oriental Restaurant is located on the Mezzanine level of the hotel.
Chinese/Japanese
Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel, Kivukoni
2131111
11:00 to 23:00
Mashua Waterfront
Continental
Slipway, Msasani
2600893
11:00 to 23:00
Traders Grill
Continental & Steak House
The Arcade, Old Bagamoyo Road
0784 706188
18:30 to 23:00
