TheThe Rock is an iconic attraction not only for Zanzibar, but for the whole of Tanzania.

The small, fairy-tale-like cottage stands on a rock in the middle of the ocean, about 50 metres from the shore, and at first glance you would hardly believe that inside you’ll find one of Zanzibar’s most luxurious restaurants.

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The story of the restaurant The Rock

This famous Zanzibar restaurant was established in 2011. It was founded by two Italians, Nigel Firman and Andrea Brunetti, who still run it today.

The idea of creating a small, upmarket restaurant focusing on local cuisine, and seafood in particular, first came to Nigel Firman whilst he was travelling around Zanzibar.

When he saw a solitary rock jutting out of the ocean near Michamwi Beach, he knew straight away that this was exactly where he wanted to build a stylish restaurant.

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

Prices and menu The Rock

Dinner or lunch at the restaurant is an experience. You don’t just come here to eat, but to enjoy a unique experience.

This, combined with the restaurant’s reputation and limited capacity, naturally results in high prices.

Expect an average three-course menu to cost between 75 usd and 90 usd per person.

However, the menu also features specialities where a single dish will cost more than 80 usd.

The restaurant specialises in fish and seafood, but the menu offers a fairly wide selection of non-fish dishes – particularly chicken and lamb, and even vegetarian salads.

You can view the full menu on the restaurant’s website:therockrestaurantzanzibar.com.

Payment is always made at the till (not to the waiters) and a tip is not compulsory; in fact, it is already included in the price. You can pay in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings. Card payments are also accepted, but a 3 per cent surcharge applies.

Is a booking required?

Yes.

If you want to be sure of a place, we strongly recommend that you make a booking.

You can try turning up without a booking, but the chances of someone with a booking not turning up aren’t usually very high.

The restaurant is open from 12:00, and you can only book a table each day for the following times:

• 12:00
• 2.00 pm
• 4.00 pm
• 6.00 pm
• 8.30 pm

The maximum time you may stay in the restaurant is 2 hours.

Please always book a table at the restaurant via the official website:booktherockrestaurantzanzibarcom.easyota.com.

When booking, a non-refundable deposit of 10 usd must be paid online; this will subsequently be deducted from the total bill.

How to get there

The restaurantThe Rock is situated in the town of Michamwi, in the Pingwe area.

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

By boat at high tide, on dry land at low tide

The shallow waters off the east coast of Zanzibar are heavily influenced by the tides.

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

At low tide, you can reach the restaurant on dry land via a stone path.

By car

The turn-off from the main road isn’t very well signposted:

After about 150 metres, there is a free car park, and another 50 metres further on you’ll reach a beautiful sandy beach, near which the restaurant is situated.

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Taxis

Most tourists take a taxi to the restaurant. Plenty of taxi drivers wait by the car park until the evening, so it isn’t strictly necessary to arrange a pick-up time with a taxi driver after dinner.

Prices are negotiable, and asThe Rock is a very touristy destination, expect high prices:

• Jambiani – around 35 usd
• Stone Town – approx. 95 usd
• Nungwi – approx. 120 usd

Dala-dala buses

At the turn-off from the main road towards the beach with the restaurant, public transport buses (dala-dala) on the following routes also stop:

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

My recommendation

My first piece of advice concerns clothing. AlthoughThe Rock is a luxury restaurant, there really is no dress code.

You can sit either indoors or on the outdoor terrace, and most people come here in the evening after spending the whole day on the beach.

I recommend wearing classic beach footwear – that is, flip-flops or sandals. You can’t board the boat without getting your feet wet, and even if you walk along the path at low tide, a wave might come in. Flip-flops are definitely the most practical footwear for a visit to the restaurant!

And what did I have to eat?

As I was travelling around Zanzibar in a hire car, I opted just for a mocktail – it was a bit weak and it felt like I was drinking ordinary fruit juice.

For a starter, I chose the local signature salad with sesame seeds and bread. It was brilliant!

I love fish, so the main course was an obvious choice – the catch of the day. The seasoning was fabulous, and so were the potato crisps!

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 be served a tartlet made with a passion fruit and pistachio cream filling. Brilliant.

Sure, the restaurant ‘The Rock ’ is an overpriced tourist attraction, but I’d definitely recommend a visit. It’s simply a unique experience.

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