The restaurant The Rock is an iconic attraction not only for Zanzibar but for the whole of Tanzania.

The small fairy-tale looking house stands on a rock in the middle of the ocean about 50 meters from the shore and at first glance you would hardly know that inside you will find one of the most luxurious restaurants in Zanzibar.

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The story of the restaurant The Rock

Zanzibar's famous restaurant was born in 2011. It was founded by a pair of Italians, Nigel Firman and Andrea Brunetti, who still run it today.

The idea of building a small luxury restaurant with an emphasis on local cuisine and especially seafood was born in Nigel Firman's head during his travels around Zanzibar.

When he saw a lonely piece of rock sticking out of the ocean near Michamwi beach, he knew immediately that this was where he wanted to build a stylish restaurant.

Today, The Rock is one of the most famous restaurants in the world.

Restaurant prices and menu The Rock

Dinner or lunch at the restaurant is an experience. You don't just go here to eat, but to have a unique experience.

This, combined with the familiarity and also the limited capacity of the restaurant, makes the prices logically high.

Expect the average 3 course menu to cost you between 75 usd and 90 usd per person.

However, there are specials on the menu where just one dish will cost more than 80 usd.

The restaurant specializes in fish and seafood, but there is quite a wide selection of non-fish dishes on the menu - especially chicken and lamb, but even vegetarian salads.

The full menu can be viewed on the restaurant's website: therockrestaurantzanzibar.com.

You always pay at the cash register (not to the waiters) and tipping is optional or already included in the price. You can pay in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings. Card payments are also possible, but at an additional 3%.

Is a reservation required?

Yes.

If you want to be sure of a seat, we definitely recommend making a reservation.

You can try to come without a reservation, but the chances of someone with an existing reservation not arriving are not very high.

The restaurant is open from 12:00, with the caveat that you can only book for the following times each day:

12:00
14:00
16:00
18:00
20:30

The maximum stay in the restaurant is 2 hours.

Always book a table at the restaurant through the official website booktherockrestaurantzanzibarcom.easyota.com.

A non-refundable deposit is payable online at the time of booking 10 usd, but this will subsequently be deducted from the total spend.

How to get there

The restaurant The Rock is located in the town of Michamwi, in the local area of Pingwe.

We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your booking time and using the free time to walk along the beach and take photos of the restaurant from the shore.

During high tide by boat, at low tide by dry foot

The shallow waters of Zanzibar's east coast are very much affected by the tides.

At high tide, a small boat constantly shuttles between the beach and the restaurant. The trip takes 1 minute and is free of charge.

When the tide is low, the restaurant is reached by a dry stone walkway.

By car

The turn-off from the main road is not very well signposted:

After about 150 metres there is free parking and after another 50 metres you reach a beautiful sandy beach, near which the restaurant is located.

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Taxi

Most tourists take a taxi to the restaurant. Plenty of taxi drivers wait until the evening at the parking lot, so there is no need to arrange a time with the taxi driver to pick you up after dinner.

Prices depend on the arrangement and as The Rock is a very touristy destination, expect high prices:

Jambiani - around 35 usd
Stone Town - approx. 95 usd
Nungwi - approx. 120 usd

Buses dala-dala

The following public transport buses (dala-dala) also stop at the turn off the main road towards the beach with the restaurant:

340 - Michamwi, Dongwe, Paje, Zanzibar Town (Kwerekwe)
630 - Michamwi, Dongwe, Paje, Jambiani, Makunduchi

My recommendations

The first piece of advice is about clothing. Although The Rock is an upscale restaurant, dress-code is not really required.

Seating is either inside or on the outdoor terrace and most people come here in the evening after a day at the beach.

I recommend wearing classic beach shoes - i.e. flip flops or slippers. You can't board the boat with dry feet and even if you walk on the walkway during low tide, a wave can come in. Flip flops are definitely the most practical footwear for visiting the restaurant!

And what did I have to eat?

As I was travelling around Zanzibar in a rental car, I opted for a mocktail only - it was a little weak and felt like I was drinking regular juice.

For an appetizer, I chose a local signature salad with sesame seeds and bread. It was great!

I love fish, so the main course was a no brainer - catch of the day. The seasoning was fabulous and so were the potato chips!

But the best part was definitely the dessert. Probably one of the best I've ever had in my life. You'll find it on the menu under the name Zanzibar Passion Ring and you'll get a maracuja-pistachio cream cake. Brilliant.