Culinary Stone Town
Zanzibar, Tanzania
From USD 29.00
Office phone number: +255 777 480 019
Culinary Stone Town
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Explore the charming streets of Zanzibar’s Stone Town on an afternoon food expedition that takes you to the best local food spots in town. Learn about the fascinating history of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site and visit the local market with a local guide by your side. As you unlock the secrets of the area’s culinary delights, you’ll meet local people and learn about their everyday lives. This is a captivating (and tasty) introduction to everything that historic Stone Town has to offer!
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Highlights
- Enjoy a delicious and traditional lunch of fish, local vegetables, fresh bread and lots more at a beloved local restaurant
- Discover Stone Town’s best food and our favourite places to find it with a friendly local guide by your side
- Learn about the history of this magnificent world heritage site
- Visit the vibrant local food market and interact with locals going about their daily lives
- Perk yourself up with a strong coffee at an iconic spot in the heart of Stone Town
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Schedule details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meeting point:
In front of the Old Fort (known as Ngome Kongwe) main entrance in Stone Town, next to the Forodhani Park & Gardens.
View on Google Maps.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 1.30 PM
- Ending point:
In front of the Old Fort (known as Ngome Kongwe) main entrance in Stone Town, next to the Forodhani Park & Gardens.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, snacks (bread, small bites, baked goods), lunch (several dishes including soup, fish and vegetables), water, fruit and coffee.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Your afternoon food tour begins in the heart of Stone Town and we strongly recommend that you bring a big appetite with you because there will be plenty of delicious bites to try as we explore this cultural melting pot!
After a brief introduction to our beautiful town, we will make our way to the first foodie stop of the day, a local shop to try a mixture of salty and sweet snacks, a sort of pre-appetiser before we head over to our lunch stop. The friendly shop owner will invite you to sit on a mat on the shop floor to eat, as this is the customary way of eating in this part of the world. As you enjoy the snacks on offer, your guide will explain to you what you’re eating and how it fits into the local culinary culture.
We will then head over to our next stop, where we’ll enjoy a sit-down lunch together. While the dishes may vary depending on the season and what’s available, your meal will usually consist of a delicious soup, locally caught and prepared fish, vegetables and fresh bread. There will be several plates on the table and you’ll be encouraged to have a taste from each of them.
After filling up on a tasty lunch we’re off to the local market for an authentic slice of daily life in Stone Town. This colourful and lively market is where the locals go to pick up everything from spices and fresh dates to locally caught fish and meat.
We will visit the fish and meat part of the market first. It is worth noting that this area is not for the faint-hearted, so if you are squeamish at all, we recommend that you spend time admiring another section of the market for 10 minutes and then meet up with us again afterwards.
As we traverse the market, your guide will tell you a little of its history and clue you in to why it is such an important part of daily life in Zanzibar.
We will make our way over to the fruit, vegetable and spice sections next, soaking up the unique vibes, exotic smells and the frenetic atmosphere. Here we will stop to enjoy a dessert of fruit, most likely a fresh coconut, but it will depend on availability that day.
Your tour will end with a strong Zanzibar coffee at an iconic joint that’s been popular with locals for decades. Here they come to catch up with neighbours, for political debates and to play board games, it’s a genuine hidden gem in the heart of the old town that many tourists pass by but few realise that they can sit down on the baraza and enjoy a local-style coffee as the locals do!
To finish the tour, your guide will walk you back through the enchanting maze that is Stone Town, back to the Old Fort where it all began. Before you go, don’t forget to ask your local guide for tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay in beautiful Zanzibar.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, snacks (bread, small bites, baked goods), lunch (several dishes including soup, fish and vegetables), water, fruit and coffee.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: We strongly recommend that you dress modestly, covering your mid-section and in shorts/dresses/skirts that are down to the knee. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page. We strongly recommend that toddlers come with buggies as this tour involves a lot of walking.
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Dietary Notes
We can accommodate vegetarians and some other dietary restrictions (unfortunately we cannot cater for gluten-free guests or those with nut allergies at this time). Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests. You can do so in the ‘Additional information’ box at checkout, or by emailing us at info@zanzibarurbanadventures.com.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +255 777 480 019
Email address: info@zanzibarurbanadventures.com
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