Night Food Market
1 / 10

Night Food Market

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A bustling seaside market offering a vibrant array of authentic Swahili street food under the stars. Experience local flavors and energetic vendors.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Night Food Market

Night Food Market

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A bustling seaside market offering a vibrant array of authentic Swahili street food under the stars. Experience local flavors and energetic vendors.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Dive into the real Zanzibar at Forodhani Market - authentic street eats and a total win!"

TIP

Confirm Prices Before Ordering

Always ask for prices upfront to avoid potential scams or overpaying.

Seek Out Local Favorites

Look for stalls popular with locals for the freshest and best-cooked food.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Saturday 6PM

Cuisine

Street Food

Price

$

Address

R5QQ+QHJ, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Zanzibar Pizza Experience

Zanzibar Pizza Experience

A must-try street food offering a unique savory or sweet crepe-like pizza with various fillings.

Experiences in Stone Town Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Dar es Salaam Tanzania10 Awesome Things To Do In Zanzibar At NightGoogle Review
Vibrant Night Market Atmosphere

Vibrant Night Market Atmosphere

The Forodhani Gardens transforms into a lively culinary playground with enthusiastic vendors and a festive vibe.

TikTokZanzibar's Night Market+1
Authentic Swahili Delicacies

Authentic Swahili Delicacies

Sample a wide array of local street foods like shawarma, falafel, meat skewers, and fresh seafood.

TikTok10 Awesome Things To Do In Zanzibar At NightGoogle Review
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Night market is definitely a must try in Zanzibar #foodtiktok #nightmarket #zanzibar🇹🇿 #thingstodoinzanzibar #itraveltoeat #foodies #travellife #travelbucketlist #traveltok #foryouuu
@petitejue0504
153 likes • 9.6K views

Confirm Prices Before Ordering

Always ask for prices upfront to avoid potential scams or overpaying.

Seek Out Local Favorites

Look for stalls popular with locals for the freshest and best-cooked food.

Street food in the night market of Zanzibar #Zanzibar #StreetFood #Foodie #NightMarket #Tanzania #StoneTown
@astrangersdiary1
312 likes • 17.4K views
NIGHT MARKET AT FORODHANI GARDENS PARK in Stone Town, Zanzibar Each evening as the sun sets, Stone Town’s Forodhani Gardens park transforms into an open-air food market. A feast of enormous octopus tentacles, colossal lobster claws, and gaping fish are laid out on table after table every night in Stone Town’s Forodhani Gardens. The names and origins of less recognizable treats, smashed together...
@whatdoubringtothetable
38 likes • 7.5K views

Visit Around 7 PM

Arrive around 7 PM for the best selection of fruits and other food offerings.

Bargain Respectfully

If you choose to bargain, do so firmly but respectfully with vendors.

#creatorsearchinsights You get ONE plate at Forodhani Night Market… what are you picking first? 🌙🍢🔥 @letsgotozanzibar @Zanzibar #zanzibar #forodhanizanzibar #lifestyle #travelhacks
@encounterprecious
45 likes • 597 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Confirm Prices Before Ordering

Always ask for prices upfront to avoid potential scams or overpaying.

Seek Out Local Favorites

Look for stalls popular with locals for the freshest and best-cooked food.

Visit Around 7 PM

Arrive around 7 PM for the best selection of fruits and other food offerings.

Bargain Respectfully

If you choose to bargain, do so firmly but respectfully with vendors.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Night Food Market offers a vibrant street food experience with many popular items like Zanzibar pizza and skewers being highly recommended. While the atmosphere and local interaction are highlights, some visitors caution about inflated prices at certain stalls and advise confirming costs beforehand. There are mixed reviews on specific items like grilled meats and desserts, suggesting a focus on universally praised dishes for the best experience.

"Okay, so I hit up the Forodhani Market, and you guys, it’s legit! Street food galore, and seriously, everything looked and smelled incredible. What was super cool was how chill the vendors were – not pushy at all, and they gave the same price to everyone, locals and tourists. Total win!

The food? Seriously yum! And the best part? No tummy troubles after! You gotta try the Zanzibar pizza and the Urojo. Trust me. (However I recommend staying away from the grilled meat , because it’s not fresh)

If you wanna dive into the real Zanzibar and aren’t scared of street eats, Forodhani Market is where it’s at. Totally recommend grabbing a bite there!"

Mumtaz

"I enjoyed it, the locals are very nice, I do recommend only the places that have the price out front, otherwise might get scammed. Overall it's a nice and cheap experience , and a good chance to taste local food"

Ariel Baras

"It’s a crazy atmosphere but definitely worth the visit. I recommend going with a local to have a nice experience and get to taste for free and find good prices. I do the free walking tour and we end in here. Was the best option, I get to try the sugar cane juice from Zanzibar with Lemon juice and ginger. And I feel safe trying the Zanzibar pizza. They had a price list and the pizza was made in front of me."

Paola Salas

What People Like

Zanzibar pizza and shawarma
Lively night market atmosphere
Freshly grilled skewers and seafood

What People Dislike

Pushy vendors
Inconsistent pricing
Greasy or disappointing food at some stalls

Frequently Asked Questions

The Zanzibar pizza and shawarma are highly recommended. Skewers and various seafood dishes are also popular choices.

TikTokGoogle Review

Most visitors report no tummy troubles. It's recommended to look for stalls with clear pricing and those frequented by locals.

Google Review+1

The market comes alive in the evening, usually after sunset.

TikTokZanzibar's Night Market

While some vendors may bargain, it's best to confirm prices upfront to ensure transparency.

Google Review+1

Yes, options like falafel, potato balls, and vegetable skewers are generally available.

10 Awesome Things To Do In Zanzibar At Night

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Atlas Obscura

Zanzibar's Night Market

The Night Market is a culinary playground for all—visitors and locals pour in, families gather with small children, and of course, the tenacious stray cats hunker down and wait for scraps. The chefs are a blur of motion, excitedly pointing to their culinary creations, cooing and coaxing until even the most hesitant eater gives in to their expertly spun sales pitches.

Visit Source →
Explore Parts Unknown

The Perfect Day in Stone Town

In the evening, “Foro” becomes an impromptu fashion show, as Zanzibari youth show off their best bling while others run around soaking wet after taking running jumps to flip into the sea. Wander through the nearby nightly food market to sample Zanzibar’s favorite street foods (at your own risk), including the famous urojo, a tangy bowl of deep-fried bagia (nutty lentil falafel), muhogo (cassava), kachori (spiced potato ball), mishkaki (grilled beef kebab), and mayai (boiled eggs), steeped in a tangy ripe mango or tamarind broth and topped with coconut-lime chutney and chili sauce. Wash it all down with a fresh stafeli (soursop) juice, and let the day drift away as you ponder where to wander tomorrow.

Visit Source →
Medium

Visiting Zanzibar. When visiting Zanzibar — which was the… | by Brian Ratajczak

Overall, we did not find the food in Zanzibar to be a highlight, but Emerson Spice was an exception, not just for its food but also the service and views (Lakuman, on a very different end of the spectrum, was also a solid spot if you want to dine alongside the locals — and cats). When you enter the Emerson Spice hotel, you get a feel for the beautiful British-style buildings, and when you make it to the rooftop, you get to take in the colorful skyline view. There is only one seating per night (optimized around sunset), so if you want to include this in your itinerary, be sure to make a reservation.

Visit Source →
Air Charter and Scheduled Flights in Tanzania

10 Awesome Things To Do In Zanzibar At Night

One of the best things tourists can do in Zanzibar is to visit Forodhani Night Food Market for dinner. This top spot in Stone Town is excellent for an authentic street food experience as one can try dishes such as Ugali, Nyama Choma, Mandazi, Chipsi Mayai, Kuku Paka, Zanzibar Pizza, Mshikaki, Samosa, Pilao, Mtori, Urojo soup, and Biryani or drinks such as ginger tea and sugarcane juice. The food is delicious and is made with a blend of spices such as lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, coriander, turmeric, cumin, garlic, ginger, cardamom, vanilla.

Visit Source →
Gorilla Trekking Uganda

4 Days Zanzibar Beach Holiday & Stone Town Safari

This will be an amazing day where you will explore the beaches at Zanzibar by participating in different activities such as snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, traditional dhow cruise and many more. You will relax as you enjoy the sunset and sunrise while watching the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. In the evening, you will take an optional activity of visiting the Forodhani food market where different traditional Swahili foods are displayed for tasting and enjoying as dinner and supper.

Visit Source →
Travel Notes

Top 10 things to do in Stone Town

My favourite thing in Stone Town was the food market in Forodhani Garden, an authentic cultural experience, with a mix of incredible smells, colours and tastes. Try the Zanzibar pizza – kind of a pancake but with pizza toppings – a bbq with lots of vegetables to choose from or have a sugar cane juice with ginger and lime. Every day, after 5pm, this place becomes so magical, with plenty of stalls and local people strolling around enjoying the food and the sunset.

Visit Source →
welltraveledbackpack.com

12 Interesting Things to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar in 2 Days -

At night, Forodhani Gardens transforms into a large night market that attracts locals and tourists alike with the promise of delicious and authentic local Zanzibar food. I highly recommend spending at least one evening at this night market if you enjoy tasty local food at affordable prices. Thanks to recommendations from fellow travel blogger “That Travel” and the helpful hostel receptionist, I arrived at the night market armed with a short list of foods to try.

Visit Source →
Serengeti National Park Safaris

Top Romantic Zanzibar Honeymoon Destinations 2022-2023

Tourists can spend a wonderful and romantic night at Forodhani Night Food Market, immersed in the lively town’s nightlife, trying out new flavors and savoring the food together. Zanzibar Pizza, octopus soup, date nut bread, biryani, plantain soup, Mshikaki (meat skewers), or pilao are some of the delectable foods available in this place to make you and your wife/ husband have a good time and enjoy your honeymoon safari experience in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Visit Source →
Just Carrying On

Experiences in Stone Town Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Saturday evening we explored the night market, famous for making ‘Zanzibar Pizza’, a sweet or savory version crepe like pizza, along with huge amounts of grilled seafood and spicy hot sauce to go with it. The market was lit by hanging lights or freestanding lanterns, casting just enough light to let you view the food offerings up close. We had the most delicious grilled shrimp with hot sauce on the side and a nutella banana pizza to top it off.

Visit Source →
Elizabeth Around the World

Zanzibar – Elizabeth Around the World

When low tide rolled in, we made our way back to Stone Town. Our gracious host was having a party that night, and over Serengeti beers, we chatted football, work and all things East Africa. Like most Zanzibari parties, this one ended with a midnight snack at the world-renowned Forodhani Food Market, a seafront carnival that opens at dusk with dozens of chefs whipping up treats under the muted glow of table lanterns.

Visit Source →
DIY WITH JOY

20 Of The Best Restaurants In Zanzibar (2025)

If you’re looking to dive into authentic Zanzibari street food, Forodhani Night Market is the place to go!. As the sun sets, vendors gather to serve dishes like Zanzibar pizza, a savoury, crispy pancake with fillings like egg, cheese, and minced meat and urojo (sour broth soup) loaded with spices. This lively market has a vibe that allows locals and travellers alike to experience Zanzibar’s culinary heartbeat.

Visit Source →
Saltwater

A day and night in Stone Town

If you leave town before trying the bustling open-air night market at Forodhani, on the waterfront, you’re missing out. I’ll be writing a post later, but it’s an excellent place to come for its buzzing atmosphere, dressed-up crowd and a crazy array of food, from fish kebabs and seafood to grilled corn and the infamous ‘Zanzibar pizza’.

Visit Source →
My Blog

Tourist attractions in Zanzibar | attractions in zanibar

Zanzibar Night Market is another attraction on Zanzibar Island held in the Forodhani Gardens, the gardens known during day changes their face completely once the sun sets. During the night, the gardens are filled with food stalls being set up by the locals welcoming you to get a taste of the different dishes of the Zanzibar cuisines.

Visit Source →
Enchanting Travels

Best Things To Do in Zanzibar - by Destination Experts

Here, culture meets history, as you experience the heritage of Zanzibar as a bustling trading hub through its vibrant, delicious cuisine. After sunset, the quiet streets at the heart of Stone Town transform into a culinary playground!. Chefs set up countless rows of food tables as hundreds of people stream to sample the fare.

Visit Source →
encounterstravel.com

Things to do in Stone Town

Introduction: Satiate your culinary curiosity at the Food Market in Stone Town, a diverse culinary hub offering a spectrum of local and international flavors. Description: Explore a variety of food stalls featuring Swahili dishes, seafood, and global cuisines. Engage your senses in the lively gastronomic scene of Stone Town.

Visit Source →
Johnny Africa

The Ultimate Travel Guide For Stone Town, Zanzibar

If the loud and hectic Faradhani night market is not your thing, then pay a visit to Lukmann’s restaurant down the street. This is a large open air restaurant that serves all the local dishes that you’ll find at the night market. The prices here are fixed so you don’t need to bargain or worry about being taken advantage of.

Visit Source →
Emma Eats & Explores

What to do in Stone Town, Zanzibar

if you are looking for a more authentic experience then you could try the Forodhani Night Market. Set in the Forodhani Gardens, during the day the area is a peaceful park. The vendors start setting up in the afternoon and from about 6 pm onwards they are ready to serve you (and the locals) traditional delicacies.

Visit Source →
Soft Footprints

Nightlife in Zanzibar Tanzania: Night Clubs and Bars

For those seeking a non-alcoholic nightlife in Zanzibar experience, Forodhani Gardens transforms into a vibrant night market after sunset. Dozens of food stalls illuminate the waterfront park with their lanterns and grills. Subsequently, locals and tourists gather to sample fresh seafood and Zanzibari pizza.

Visit Source →
Africa Incoming

Top Attractions & Things to do in Zanzibar

An ideal attraction for the tourist in Zanzibar, the Forodhani Night Market is the one-stop entertainment centre with the best eateries and café in the riverfront space. Gather here to enjoy the delicious cuisines while observing the beauty of shady palms, the colourful stalls and likely aura of the place.

Visit Source →
Férìnàjò

The 17 Best Things To Do in Zanzibar in 2025

Every night from 7 pm, the night market comes alive with sizzling grills, the scent of spices, and crowds of locals and tourists. I tried Zanzibar pizza, urojo soup, beef kebabs, shawarmas, crepes and fresh sugarcane juice, they were all delicious. You can eat a full dinner with 2000 – 13,000 tsh ($1-$5).

Visit Source →
Growing Up Without Borders

The Magic of Stone Town, Zanzibar

Looking for cheap clothing, tasty food or colorful souvenirs?. You can buy all of that on the Stone Town’s market. People bring their produce to this vibrant place from all over the island, and both locals and tourists come to buy things they can’t get in their own villages or regular shops.

Visit Source →
Chase the Sun

Tanzania, 1 week

To experience the best of Zanzibar’s food, head to the Night Market that happens each night in the Forodhani Gardens. Indulge in seafood, meat skewers, Zanzibar pizza (!), snacks, local beer, exotic fuits and desserts. The hawkers can be a bit pushy, but do not let that annoy you too much.

Visit Source →
civitatis.com

Stone Town Food Tour, Zanzibar

The route will lead us to Forodhani Park, which is home to a popular street food market. By now you'll have built up an appetite, so it's time to indulge in a delicious homemade soup and shawarma. Sugarcane juice, spiced tea, or coffee are also included, what more could you ask for?

Visit Source →
Driftwood Beach Lodge

Zanzibar food is another delicious reason to visit.

Visit the Forodhani night market and choose your ingredients (sweet or savoury). The chef will pop them all in a pocket of dough and then fry it in oil for a hot, crispy treat that you can eat while exploring Stone Town, or looking out to sea at the lights on the fishing boats.

Visit Source →
TIMEOUT IN AFRICA

A Zanzibar Nightlife Guide

Talking about nightlife in Zanzibar without mentioning Forodhani Night Market is unheard of. When the sun sets, the market comes to life. The open-air food market is filled with local people, stall vendors and tourists all interacting with each other.

Visit Source →
Zanzibar World

Free things to do in Zanzibar on Vacation!

The market is known for its wide variety of street food, including seafood, samosas, local drinks, and sweets. Here it’s free to visit. The market is located on the waterfront of Forodhani garden, and opens around 16:30 until late at night.

Visit Source →
Easy Travel

Stone Town Travel Guide 2025/2026: The Gateway to the Best Beaches in Africa

In the evening, Stone Town comes alive with vibrant night food markets. Forodhani Gardens is the epicenter of this culinary extravaganza, where you can savor freshly grilled seafood, samosas, sugarcane juice, and local snacks.

Visit Source →
ArrivalGuides.com

6 Degrees South Grill & Wine Bar - Zanzibar

The evening food market held here is the best way to get a taste of local flavours and nightlife, as it is also the preferred spot for islanders to grab their favourite cow soup (urojo), or a slice of the famous local pizza.

Visit Source →
Book of the World

Stone Town, Zanzibar

On January 13 afternoon, we were back to Stone Town from Nungwi. We walked around and very luckily found a great place to stay for the night. Thanks to the hostel staff, we had a cheap and delicious light dinner at Lukmann.

Visit Source →
Otosection - Otomotive Selection Best Choosen

4 Walk Through The Forodhani Night Market Stone Town Zanzibar 2021

4 Walk Through The Forodhani Night Market Stone Town Zanzibar 2021 Night market at zanzibar's forodhani gardenseach evening as the sun sets, stone town's forodhani gardens park transforms into an open air food market.

Visit Source →
Wander With Wonder

Stop in Stone Town Before Zanzibar Beach

The night market sells Zanzibar pizza- sweet, like Nutella and banana, or savory, with cheese, meat, and vegetables. One can find seafood, including grilled shrimp and octopus. Vendors also sell mandazi and kochari.

Visit Source →
Pongwe Beach Hotel

Best Restaurants In Zanzibar: A Culinary Island Journey

Why Visit: As the sun dips behind dhows, Forodhani Gardens bursts into life. Fresh seafood skewers sizzle on grills, and street food vendors entice with Zanzibar pizza and fresh sugarcane juice.

Visit Source →
expatpanda.com

more than just beautiful beaches -

Forodhani night market: a sizzling street food bonanza, with dozens of stalls hawking everything from barbecued octopus to shawarma. Try the custard apple juice!

Visit Source →
Stories of Raku

Zanzibar Food Guide: 14 Must-Try Local Dishes

Where to try Zanzibar Pizza: You should try the Zanzibar Pizza at the Forodhani night market in Stone Town. You will find several stalls selling them there.

Visit Source →
TravelerBibles

Where To Eat In Stone Town? A Food Lover's Paradise

The Forodhani Night Market: A bustling night market that offers a variety of traditional Swahili dishes, including urojo, mchuzi wa samaki, and matooke.

Visit Source →
Forever Lost In Travel

Top Things To Do In Stone Town, Zanzibar

From the beaches to the parks, everyone relishes in the more pleasant temperatures once the fierce sun has gone. The night food market is no exception.

Visit Source →
evendo.com

Savoring the Flavors of Zanzibar: Night Food Market

Discover the vibrant culinary scene at Zanzibar's Night Food Market, where delicious street food meets local culture in a lively atmosphere.

Visit Source →
https://happyirishwanderers.com/

Visit Stone Town Zanzibar - Everything you Need to Know

A visit to Stonetown is not complete without a stop at the Forodhani Night Food Market at the waterfront location of Forodhani Gardens.

Visit Source →
African Safari Tours

Top 15 things to do in Zanzibar, Activities, Reviews, Deals

Indulge in local delicacies such as biryani, pilau, and Zanzibar pizza at the Forodhani Night Market or in quaint local eateries.

Visit Source →
Anna Everywhere

Ultimate Guide to Visiting Stone Town in Zanzibar

From 6 pm onwards the place is full of vendors ready to serve you fresh seafood, Zanzibar pizza, and other amazing delicacies.

Visit Source →
Kilidove Tours

Zanzibar Food - Best Food in Zanzibar You Must Try

Visit Source →
Topguide24

Book the best Tours & Activities in Zanzibar City

Visit Source →
Impelisa Travel & Tours Ltd

Zanzibar Stone Town - Impelisa Travel & Tours Limited

Visit Source →
Explore Tanzania Tours

Zanzibar Stone Town City Tour | Zanzibar Island

Visit Source →