Travelling in Tanzania also means travelling through taste. Tanzanian food blends African traditions, Arab and Indian influences inherited from the trade routes, and the spices of Zanzibar. It also changes from region to region: spicy coconut-milk dishes on the coast, grilled meat and plantains inland, as summarised on Wikipedia's page on Tanzanian cuisine.
Here are the 10 dishes our guides in Moshi recommend you try, from street markets to safari lodges.
Tanzanian food: the essentials
The must-try Tanzanian dishes are ugali (maize porridge), nyama choma (grilled meat), mishkaki skewers, chipsi mayai (chips omelette), spiced pilau rice, samaki wa kupaka (fish in coconut sauce), Zanzibar pizza, urojo, plantain dishes such as mtori, and mandazi doughnuts.
Ugali: the staple of Tanzanian cuisine
A thick maize-flour porridge, similar to firm polenta, served with almost everything: grilled meat, vegetables and sauces. You eat it with the fingers of your right hand, rolling a small ball and dipping it into the sauce.
- Type
- Side dish
- Where to try it
- Everywhere, especially inland
- Best for
- Tasting everyday Tanzania
Our tip: Eat with your right hand, as local custom requires.
Nyama choma: grilled meat, the dish of good company
Literally "grilled meat". Goat, beef or chicken (then called kuku choma) cooks slowly over embers, and is shared among friends with ugali and kachumbari, a fresh salad of tomato, onion and lime.
- Type
- Main course
- Where to try it
- Everywhere, in grill bars
- Best for
- Meat lovers
Mishkaki: marinated street skewers
Beef skewers marinated in spices, garlic and ginger, grilled over charcoal. You find them in the evening on the streets and in markets, eaten with a chapati.
- Type
- Street food
- Where to try it
- Arusha, Moshi, Stone Town
- Best for
- A quick dinner
Chipsi mayai: the chips omelette Tanzanians love
Chips cooked right inside an omelette: simple, filling and irresistible. This very popular street dish is eaten with kachumbari and a touch of chilli sauce.
- Type
- Street food
- Where to try it
- In every town
- Best for
- Kids and small budgets
Pilau: spiced rice for special occasions
Rice fragrant with cumin, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, often cooked with meat. A legacy of the spice routes, it is served at celebrations and weddings.
- Type
- Main course
- Where to try it
- Swahili coast and Zanzibar
- Best for
- Discovering the island's spices
Samaki wa kupaka: grilled fish in coconut sauce
A whole grilled fish topped with a creamy sauce of coconut milk, turmeric and lime. It is one of the signature dishes of coastal cuisine.
- Type
- Main course
- Where to try it
- Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean coast
- Best for
- Fish lovers
Zanzibar pizza: the star of the night market
Nothing like an Italian pizza: a very thin dough folded like a crêpe and filled with egg, meat, onion and cheese, or a sweet version with banana and chocolate.
- Type
- Street food
- Where to try it
- Forodhani Gardens, Stone Town
- Best for
- An evening by the sea
Our tip: Head to Forodhani Gardens at sunset, when the stalls set up facing the sea. Stone Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Urojo: the "Zanzibar mix"
A tangy, slightly spicy soup topped with fritters, potatoes, skewers and chutney. A Stone Town speciality you will hardly find anywhere else.
- Type
- Street food
- Where to try it
- Stone Town, Zanzibar
- Best for
- The curious and the hungry
Ndizi na nyama and mtori: plantain in every form
At the foot of Kilimanjaro, among the Chagga people, the banana is king. Ndizi na nyama stews plantains with meat, while mtori is a comforting soup of banana and beef.
- Type
- Main course
- Where to try it
- Kilimanjaro region, Moshi
- Best for
- A warm meal after the trek
Mandazi: breakfast doughnuts
Lightly sweet fried doughnuts, flavoured with coconut or cardamom. You dip them into a spiced chai at breakfast or in the afternoon.
- Type
- Sweet treat
- Where to try it
- Everywhere, especially in the morning
- Best for
- Those with a sweet tooth
What to drink in Tanzania
Chai
Milky tea flavoured with ginger and cardamom, served at any time of day, ideally with a mandazi.
Kilimanjaro coffee
Grown on the slopes of the mountain. Taste it on a coffee tour in Materuni: see our things to do in Moshi.
Fresh juices
Mango, passion fruit, sugar cane or fresh coconut: freshly pressed juices are everywhere.
Local beers
Kilimanjaro, Safari or Serengeti: perfect at sunset after a day on safari.
Where to taste Tanzanian food
Forodhani night market, Zanzibar
Zanzibar pizzas, skewers and grilled seafood facing the sea in Stone Town. See the best time to visit Zanzibar.
Markets and local eateries, Moshi and Arusha
Nyama choma, chipsi mayai and mtori at the foot of Kilimanjaro.
Lodges and camps on safari
International cuisine and local dishes, sometimes served under the stars. See our Tanzania safari guide.
Luxury lodges
Chefs reinventing Tanzanian flavours with fresh produce, perfect for a honeymoon.
A short Swahili food glossary
A few words to order and say thank you. Your guides will be delighted to teach you more.
| Swahili | English |
|---|---|
| Chakula | Food, meal |
| Kitamu! | It's delicious! |
| Maji | Water |
| Nyama | Meat |
| Kuku | Chicken |
| Samaki | Fish |
| Wali | Rice |
| Ndizi | Banana |
| Pilipili | Chilli |
| Bila pilipili, tafadhali | Without chilli, please |
| Asante sana | Thank you very much |
Our tips for eating without worry
Drink bottled water
Avoid tap water and ice on the street.
Choose busy stalls
A stall full of local customers is often the best guarantee of freshness.
Go for food cooked in front of you
Grilled meat, fritters and hot dishes are the safest street food options.
Remember Ramadan in Zanzibar
During this period, some restaurants close during the day, so check the dates.
Health and food
For food hygiene precautions and recommended vaccines, such as hepatitis A or typhoid, check the CDC advice for Tanzania or your national health authority. And for entry rules, see our guide to the mandatory travel insurance.
Learn more
Reference sources to discover Tanzanian food and culture.
Tanzanian food: FAQ
What is the national dish of Tanzania?
Ugali, a maize-flour porridge, is considered the country's staple dish. It is often served with nyama choma, grilled meat, the other great classic of Tanzanian cuisine.
Is Tanzanian food spicy?
It is more fragrant than hot. On the coast and in Zanzibar, dishes are spicier and use a lot of coconut milk. Chilli, pilipili, is usually served on the side.
Is street food safe in Tanzania?
Yes, street food is part of the experience. Choose busy stalls and dishes cooked in front of you, such as mishkaki or Zanzibar pizza.
What do you eat on safari?
Lodges and camps serve quality international cuisine, often alongside local dishes. Don't hesitate to ask to try ugali or pilau.
Can you drink tap water in Tanzania?
No, it is recommended to drink bottled or filtered water. Lodges usually provide it for their guests.
